Grinning, Zane said, “How did you guess? Did Logan say something this morning?”
Wrinkling his forehead, David said, “No, why? Was he supposed to?”
Using his thumb to smooth his mate’s frown, Zane said, “Nope. Logan told me yesterday Jackson said we can stay another week in Scotland before going home.”
“To California you mean, right?” asked David.
“Yes, and I was wondering what you thought about that. The reason I’m asking is at one time you weren’t too eager to go there.”
Dropping his eyes, David murmured, “It’s just that I couldn’t leave my mother behind, knowing how the High Priestess was treating her.”
Zane waited, knowing his mate had more to say.
Fiddling with the buttons on Zane’s shirt, David continued, “I know I sound like I didn’t put you first like I should have as your mate, but I was desperate. My mother was a prisoner because she tried to save me and I just couldn’t abandon her.”
Lifting his mate’s chin, Zane found tear-filled eyes looking at him. As one rolled down David’s face, Zane wiped it away with his thumb before kissing him. “Tesoro mio, your problems are my problems and I’d have failed as a mate if I didn’t help save your mother. That’s what mates do.”
David searched his Zane’s face then, seeing the truth of his words, a joyful smiled graced his face. Lungingforward, he wrapped his arms around his mate’s neck, peppering him all over with kisses interspersed with ‘thank-yous’.
Chuckling, Zane finally said, “Babe, now since we have that issue settled, how do you feel about living in California with me and the Blackwood Pack? And just in case you’re wondering, your mother is welcome to live there too.”
“Your Alpha would also allow my mother to come?” David asked, taken aback.
“Yes,” Zane said. “But I wanted to see how you felt first, before I invite her.”
“I can’t wait to see your home. But what happens if my mother doesn’t want to live there?” asked David.
“Then, we’ll help her get settled wherever she wants to live.”
~/~/~/~/~
Swimming back to the marina, Reif avoided his mate’s boat even though his beast was pissed at his choice. He shifted in the water, then, calling on his ability, pulled himself up onto the dock before dressing behind the building where he’d hidden his clothes. Staying invisible, he headed into town to have an early dinner.
His long legs covered the distance quickly and when he arrived at his destination, he ducked into an alley. After achieving visibility, he left the shadows, strolling nonchalantly along the sidewalk, never looking anyone in the eye. It was a technique he’d perfected over the years to keep people from remembering him. Checking himself in a passing store window, he removed his hat, running his hand through his hair, trying to comb it into some semblance of order. When it was as good as he wasgoing to get it, he crossed the street to a pub where he was going to order a huge steak since he’d need the energy later that night.
~/~/~/~/~
In a dark corner of a doorway, a wisp of smoke appeared that morphed into a man dressed in black, staring at the building across the street. He was running out of time and so was Reif. Certain the father would have mentioned the attack to his son, it should have lit a fire under him; instead, he found Reif sauntering down the street andnotin the loch where he should have been.
Hearing voices, he pressed back into the shadows, as a couple came into view and passed by the doorway. His mouth watering at their scent, he forced himself to ignore it, knowing he had to keep his presence hidden. Taking a final glance at the pub across the street, he left the doorway, hurrying down the cobblestone street in the opposite direction. It was a perfect time to inspect Reif’s documents since the house would be deserted while he ate. Entering an alley, he disappeared, leaving only a puff of smoke behind.
Chapter 8
Scooping up a toy from the chair in his office, Steel handed it to Daniel before sitting down behind his desk and settling his son on his lap. Smiling as he watched his son ‘talk’ to the stuffed wolf, a gift from his mother, he remembered Jackson’s warning and his smile faded. His mate was right—their son would be in danger if a bear or even a wolf appeared instead of the harmless rabbit.
Something had to be done, but justwhatwas still a mystery.How do I teach my son to control a power when he…or even I…cannot understand what he’s doing?Steel buried his nose in Daniel’s hair, inhaling his son’s essence as he cuddled him, wanting to protect him from all harm, but never expecting the danger to come from Daniel’s mysterious power.
Sighing, Steel picked up his phone, punching in his father’s number and, when the call connected, said, “Hi Dad, I need your help.”
“Hi honey,” Oracle answered. “Your father will be back in a moment. Can I help you?”
“No…maybe…it’s about Daniel.”
“Is something wrong?” asked Oracle. “Just a sec, here’s your father.” Handing the phone to her husband, she said, “It’s Steel…he says something is wrong with Daniel.”
“Steel? I’m putting you on speaker. What’s the problem with Daniel?” Maximus asked.
“Do you remember reading about any other special ability Daniel might have?” asked Steel.
