Smiling, as he remembered how many times he nipped it, Fionn said, “Yeah.”
“Place your fingers on it, please,” Ian instructed.
“Okay, now what?”
“When I say go, I want you to count the number of heartbeats you can feel until I say stop, okay?” asked Ian.
“Uh-huh.”
“Go.”
Fionn began counting, concentrating on what he was doing. When he finally heard Ian tell him to stop, he reluctantly removed his fingers from Hunter’s neck before telling Ian how many. Then he heard a door open, followed by footsteps. “Someone’s coming,” he whispered.
~/~/~/~/~
Descending the uneven stone steps, Eideard paused at the bottom, glancing around the cavernous room until he located his nephew’s mate. Approaching the silent figure, he called out, “Hunter…Hunter Evans!” Stopping at the chair Hunter was chained to, Eideard smirked at Fionn’s mate. Grabbing his captive’s hair, he pulled it until he could see his face. “Oh shit.” Hunter’s eyes were closed. Letting go, Eideard watched as the man’s head fell forward quickly, belying the claim by the leader that he was awake.
It was a last minute decision to seize Hunter and Eideard wondered if he made a mistake by ordering it done. Maybe if he’d just stuck with the original plan to seize his nephew, the mission would have been successful. Mulling it over, he suddenly smiled slyly, now convinced it was a wise decision. Turning, Eideard retraced his footsteps, anxious to speak to the leader about his new plan for getting his hands on the white dragon.
~/~/~/~/~
“Fionn!” Jackson called.
“What?” Fionn snarled.
“Fi,” Kieran said, his voice low, “you have to come back now.”
“No, I have to protect my mate.”
Increasing his Alpha power, Jackson demanded, “Fionn, come back now!”
Forced to obey, Fionn left his mate, then opened his eyes, furious with Jackson for making him leave Hunter. “He’s my mate and…”
“Fi, fire was shooting out of your nose,” Kieran said.
Looking down at the scorch marks on the blanket, Fionn realized why his Alpha pulled him back. Raising his head, he gazed sorrowfully at Kieran. “My uncle has my mate.”
“How do you know?” asked Dylon.
“Because I saw the fucking asshole hurting Hunter,” Fionn sobbed.
“Ian?” asked Jackson.
“Hunter’s pulse is normal,” Ian said.
“So he didn’t receive an overdose from the attackers?” asked Jackson.
“No,” Ian replied. “Considering what his heart rate is right now, I would say he was just knocked out, but it won’t be for long.”
“Okay, Ian, is Fionn cleared to get dressed?” asked Jackson.
“Yes, he is.”
“Good. Mac, please round up your brothers and have them meet me in my study in ten minutes but don’t mention anything about Hunter to them. Dylon, coordinate with Zane…make sure you tell him Fionn’s uncle is behind the attack and I need a rescue plan asap…Kieran, Fionn, meet me in my study right away,” Jackson ordered.
Before anyone had a chance to move, Fionn’s phone rang. Hoping it was his mate, he jumped off the bed, grabbing his clothes from Colton. Digging into his pants pocket, he pulled out his phone, looking for, but not finding the caller’s number. Nevertheless he answered, just in case it was Hunter.
“Hello?”
