“It sure is,mo anan cara,” Logan said. After his mate wriggled off his lap, Logan stood, drawing Kieran close to him. “Thank you so much for giving my mother back to me,” he whispered, as they left the hospital room.
Mac watched them leave, then turned back to Ian and Colton. “You know, even though I read the files and saw what Kieran did for Aunt Hope when we arrived, there was still part of me that just didn’t believe it. But this…what happened here today…has erased all doubts I may have had. This was amazing and I owe Oracle a big ‘thank you’ for getting me this job…it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Ian nodded in agreement. Then, after checking Hope once more, he led Colton and Mac from her room, stopping outside it. Looking at his patient through the window, Ian said, “We’re lucky to have you, Mac. Oracle made the right decision. Today wouldn’t have happened without you keeping Hope alive until Dakota and Kieran could bring her back from the edge of death.” Then turning to face Mac, Ian said, “I’m honored to have you as my doctor.”
Surprised, Mac stared at Ian. Then, a smile slowly lit up his face. “That means a lot to me, sir. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Now, how about joining us for lunch? According to my watch, Theo should be bringing it soon,” Ian said, heading to his office.
“Thanks, be there in a moment.” Waiting until the hallway was clear, Mac reentered the hospital room and walked over to his aunt. Lifting her hand up, he kissed it and then, brushing a wayward strand of hair off her face, whispered, “Welcome back, Auntie, welcome back.”
~/~/~/~/~
Penn pulled open the heavy oak door to the courtroom, letting Fionn, Hunter, and Dylon enter before bringing up the rear. Ushering them over to their table, he directed them where to sit, after which he took the seat next to his client and began to remove files from his briefcase. Flipping the top one open, Penn took out several documents, laying them out in front of him before looking up.
“Penn, any possible problems?” asked Dylon, his voice low.
“Not that I have knowledge of, but considering the stunt Fionn’s uncle pulled last time, don’t be surprised,” Penn replied.
“Good.” Turning to Fionn, Dylon said, “Remember…don’t respond, no matter what your uncle does, okay?”
“I won’t…I promise,” Fionn answered.
“Pet, can I help?” asked Hunter.
“Just hold onto me.”
Nodding, Hunter reached for his mate’s hand, intertwining his fingers with Fionn’s. “I won’t let go, pet.”
Hearing a commotion behind him, Fionn looked over his shoulder, catching sight of his uncle and his lawyer strutting arrogantly down the aisle to their table. Catching his uncle’s eye, Fionn shivered at the hatred reflected in them.
“Pet, look at me,” Hunter ordered. Once he had his mate’s attention, he continued, “Ignore him. He’s not worth wasting a moment’s thought on.”
“All rise!” the bailiff’s voice thundered.
Standing up, Fionn kept his eyes on the judge entering the courtroom before sitting down when Penn gave him the signal. Listening to the bailiff inform the judge all parties were present in the matter, Fionn waited to see what would happen next.
His uncle’s lawyer stood. “Your Honor, my client has several claims against the estate he hasn’t been able to submit prior to now.” Mr. Walker passed a number of documents to the bailiff before stepping over to Penn and handing copies to him.
After quickly skimming through the papers, Penn stood. “Your Honor, I must object. The time set for submissions of claims has passed without any motion being filed by Mr. Walker asking this Court for an extension of time.”
Glancing at his uncle, Fionn found him grinning at the judge without a bit of concern regarding Penn’s objection. Slowly shaking his head at the farce playing out in front of him, Fionn knew the judge was about to deny Penn’s objection. Squeezing Hunter’s hand hard, Fionn struggled to control the furious dragon fire rushingthrough his body; scales were beginning to emerge on his back.
Alarmed at what was happening to his mate, Hunter grabbed Fionn’s other hand, tugging it. Once Fionn’s eyes locked onto his, he murmured, “Pet, look at me…only me,” and surrounded his mate with his Alpha power, pulling Fionn back from the brink of shifting.
Still invisible, Cody moved next to the judge, waiting for him to rule. Seeing his hesitation, he leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Do you want me to send the recording to the High Council?”
Startled, the judge called out “No!”
Unclear as to what the judge meant, Penn asked, “Your Honor, are you allowing Mr. Walker to submit these claims against the estate?”
“Err, no. Objection sustained. Mr. Walker, you are fully aware the time has passed for claims to be filed and, not having filed a motion previously for an extension of time, I hereby rule against the admission of these claims.”
“But Your Honor, I was told…”
“Sit down, Mr. Walker,” the judge ordered, “or I will find you in contempt.”
Staring at Fionn, Hunter murmured, “Pet, it’s okay. The judge ruled in your favor.”
