“Be right back,” Dakota said. “And no tasting till I get back.”
“Promise.” Slate grinned.
Dakota followed his mate’s directions and found the restroom but it was in use and locked. Leaning against the wall, he hoped the dude didn’t take too long because he didn’t trust his mate not to sample the Bear Bug Ice Cream before he returned. Finally a bear shifter came out and grunted at Dakota. Not interested in having a conversation, Dakota said, “Excuse me,” then slipped in and locked the door behind him.
Hurrying, Dakota cursed the two big glasses of Lavender Lemonade he drank that had filled his bladder. Finished, he rinsed his hands and headed back to his mate. Back in the pub, his eyes looked towards his mate—but he wasn’t there. Worried, Dakota rushed to the booth, but calmed down when he saw their desserts on the table and Slate’s phone still there.
Sliding into the booth, he figured Slate also probably had to use the restroom after drinking a pitcher of ale. Waiting for his mate’s return, Dakota used the time to shifter watch; he was fascinated with how many different species he could scent. Suddenly it occurred to him too much time had passed and he wondered if Slate had gotten sick. Catching the eye of their waiter, he motioned him over, frustrated when he was stopped by one of his customers.
The waiter finally arrived and Dakota, now agitated over Slate’s absence, growled, “Where’s your other restroom?”
“Over there, go through the doorway and it’s the first door on your right.”
“No, I know about that one but where’s the other one?”
“Other one? We only have one.”
“Then where’s my mate? I was only gone a few minutes and now he’s gone.”
“Oh, somebody came in and asked for him because his driver was ill, so he left to take care of him.”
“Our driver? Is my mate still out there?” Dakota asked, sliding out of the booth so he could go help Slate.
“Oh, no. The man who first came to get him, came back, paid your tab and told me they were going to take the driver to the hospital.”
Dakota sat down, suddenly numb with fear. Something was terribly wrong. He knew Slate would never leave him here alone no matter where his mate had to go. Thanking the waiter who then left for another booth, Dakota sat there, stunned. Suddenly Slate’s phone began to ring. Snatching it up, he hit the button and said, “Hello, Slate?”
Chapter 37
It had been a while, so it took Cody by surprise. Summoning Dylon through their mind link, panic was beginning to set in by the time his mate arrived.
“What’s wrong, babe?” Dylon asked.
“A vision! I have to go outside! You need to come with me now!” Cody gasped.
Dylon grabbed his mate’s hand and rushed him outside to Cody’s spot in the woods. “Everything will be okay, babe. I’m here and will be waiting for you when the vision is over,” Dylon said, releasing his mate’s hand and stepping back.
Cody knelt in a submissive pose, his hands palms-up on his thighs and closed his eyes. The glow started slowly, spreading through and around him until his body was encased in it.
As his mate withdrew into his vision world, Dylon became uneasy at his inability to protect him; Cody had gone to a place where he could not follow. His only recourse was to send his love through their life thread,
Now in his vision world, Cody opened his eyes and seeing their life thread gleaming bright silver, felt the love flowing from his mate. As the vision began he became fixated on what the Fates were revealing. When it was over, the glow faded and Cody, once more in the real world, found himself paralyzed.
It was Cody’s first vision since they had mated and while Dylon had absolute faith his mate would return, he worried about what the vision would unveil. If Cody’s past visions were any indicator, pain and suffering would play a major role. When he reached the end of his self-made path and turned to pace in the opposite direction,Dylon observed that Cody had returned from his vision realm.
Frozen and unable to move for fear of breaking into pieces, Cody couldn’t believe what he’d seen. He and Dylon had to gonow,as fast as they could get there. If they failed in this quest, everyone he loved would be heartbroken and the cascade effect could be devastating, causing the death of one, or even two, of his brothers. Snapping out of his daze as he felt Dylon’s hands gathering him up, holding him tight, Cody spoke. “Babe, did you see it? The vision! Did you see the vision? We have to go now! Our pups! Oh my gods! Dylon we have to go NOW!”
With Cody in his arms, Dylon ran back to the house, kicked open the door, and bellowed for Jackson and Steel. Wasting no time after setting Cody down, he grabbed his hand, pulling him toward Jackson’s study. Every second they delayed could mean the difference between success and failure—between life and death!
Steel ran from his office, bumping into Dylon and Cody in the hall near Jackson’s study. “What’s the matter?” Steel called out. “Is Jackson in danger? Daniel?”
“Where’s Jackson?” Cody asked, worry and fear written on his face.
“I’m here,” Jackson said, coming from behind Dylon and Cody. “What’s the problem?”
“Cody had a vision…we need to go to Scotland immediately. Slate and Dakota are in trouble and they need our help,” Dylon exclaimed.
“Are you sure? Logan hasn’t called me,” Jackson said.
