Looking at the bag slung over his friend’s shoulder, Theo asked, “Didn’t Steel give you a bedroom yet?”
“He did. I’m next door to you guys. Cool, huh?”
“So, why do you have your backpack with you?” asked Norm.
“Just wanted to get something to eat. I plan to spend the rest of the day drawing.”
“I didn’t know you were an artist,” said Theo, impressed by his friend’s announcement. “Can I see something you’ve done?”
“Sure, but do you mind if I show you another time? I’m eager to get going,” Fionn replied.
“No problemo. C’mon,” Theo said, heading back to the kitchen. “What appeals to you?”
Following his friend, Fionn answered, “What’s on the table looks good.”
~/~/~/~/~
Climbing the steps into the motorhome with Colton behind him, Ian greeted the men sitting at the dinette table engaged in a discussion. “Sorry, I…we just want to check on the patients.”
“Go on back, Mac has been taking very good care of them,” scowled Hunter, still ticked off about Ian’s treatment of his brother. Waiting until the two had entered his Aunt Hope’s bedroom and closed the door behind them, Hunter answered a question Mason had posed before they were interrupted. “Quin can’t stay out here by himself.”
“I know that,” Mason replied. “I was going to stay with him.”
“I don’t like it. We should all be together,” Robin said.
“Look,” growled Mason, “you felt Jackson’s power. Think about how Quin felt. Normally I’d agree with you, but this is different. I don’t think it’s a good idea for our brother to be staying in the pack house, hiding under the bed because he’s scared shitless of our cousin. Have you thought how you’d explain that?”
“Yeah, well how do you plan on explaining why he’s staying out here, refusing our cousins’ hospitality?” asked Sawyer.
Mason thought for a few seconds before replying, “I don’t think there’ll be a problem. When Hunt broughtJackson in, I noticed he immediately dialed back his power when he saw Quin. I’m sure he figured out our brother was afraid of him.”
“Yeah, so what?” retorted Sawyer. “Jackson’s still going to want an explanation why you and Quin are refusing to stay in the house, especially since Hunt bugged the hell out of him for permission to visit.”
“Enough,” Hunter ordered. “I agree with Mason. He and Quin will stay out here and if Jackson gets his feelings hurt, then too fucking bad. My priority is Quin and making sure he’s safe and not stressed out. Besides, we may not be staying very long anyway.”
~/~/~/~/~
Steel found Jackson sitting in his study, staring out at the forest. “Babe, are you okay?”
Turning around, grief clearly showing on his face, Jackson murmured, “I don’t know how I’m supposed to sit there and listen to Hunter talk about the family I lost. How can I ask my brothers to do it? Open up old wounds every one of us has learned to live with. What will it do to them? How do I help them live with the actual knowledge of exactly what happened that night so many years ago? All of my brothers are happy…we’ve moved on…Colton and Ian have a pup on the way…Cody isn’t suffering the way he did before Dylon and the twins came into his life…Zane has David to protect…Dakota and Slate are going to be parents…even Carson has found happiness. And my gods, everyone can see the difference in my twin after Kieran came into his life. We’ve all made peace since the massacre and now I’m about to destroy it.
“And then there’s my mother. Dakota doesn’t believe she’ll ever be the mother we knew. The guilt my brotherswill feel…even though it isn’t their fault…about our mother suffering in a private hell. How can I do that to my brothers…yet…they deserve to know how our family was destroyed.”
Gathering his mate up and carrying him over to the love seat, Steel sat down with Jackson on his lap, safe within his arms. “Mo chroí,none of this is your fault…none of it. I think the Fates brought your mother here now to give her a chance to find peace with her memories. There isn’t any other way to look at it. You asked me why your cousins contacted you now and not before. Well, I think the Fates waited until Kieran found Logan so he could help her emerge from the hell she’s been in. And when she wakes, there’ll be grandpups waiting for her to love, play with, and take care of. No, I know they won’t replace the pups she lost but theywillhelp heal her broken heart. Will she be the same? Probably not. No one could ever be the same after what she went through. Look at you and your brothers…all of you have changed…but maybe she will finally find some happiness.”
Breathing his mate’s scent, Jackson felt the truth of his mate’s words calm his mind. He couldn’t change the past, but hecouldhelp his mother find a place in the future that would, hopefully, give her some peace—and maybe that would help his brothers find some, too. “Thanks, babe,” he whispered to Steel.
“You can do this,” Steel said, giving Jackson another long hug, sending his love through their mind link before continuing. “I know this is going to be very hard, so why doesn’t Hunter come here, to your study, to talk with just you and your brothers…and their mates, of course. That way, no one else has to know the details or see any emotional reactions among our family.”
“I like that idea,” said Jackson. “Dakota and Slate won’t be here since they already know. And I’m not sure about Logan or Kieran yet, until I speak to Ian. But I’m sure my other brothers will appreciate the privacy.” Relieved at coming to a decision, Jackson snuggled against Steel’s chest, soaking up his love, letting it calm his soul.
Chapter 5
Sighing, Jackson was reluctant to leave his mate’s embrace but knew it was time to hear about their mother. Sitting up, he said, “There’s another reason why it’s a good idea to limit who’s at the meeting with our cousin.”
“And that is…?” asked Steel.
“Hunter’s Fated Mate is a member of my pack.”
