“Yeah? Well go tell him that.”
“Oh shit, Hunt,” Mason said, glancing at the pack house over his brother’s shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”
~/~/~/~/~
“Oh fuck, babe. I’m sorry,” Steel said after Hunter bolted from the room.
“Don’t be, it wasn’t you. My Alpha power is causing Hunter’s concern,” Jackson said, heading for the door.
“Wait! Where are you going?” asked Steel.
Pausing, Jackson looked at his mate. “I have to find Hunter, so I know what caused his wolf to ignore his commands. If it’s because Fionn’s in danger, I’ll need Hunter’s connection to him to help me. In the meantime, see if Theo, Norm or Zane know where Fionn is.” After Steel nodded, Jackson followed Hunter’s scent, tingedwith pheromones of fear and anger, neither of which he could blame his cousin for feeling.
Using all his Alpha power wasn’t something he normally would have done, but then, Jackson wasn’t going to take any chances with the lengths a wolf would go to when seeking his mate. There were others he was responsible for, including Daniel and Jake and Jessica, innocent pups who would never stand a chance against a charging full-grown wolf. Jackson opened the front door, half expecting to see the motorhome gone but it was still in the driveway. Sighing with relief, he headed for it, knowing that if Hunter wasn’t in it, he’d be close by since he’d never leave his brothers alone—especially knowing what Jackson was capable of.
After listening to a brief recital from Hunter about the tempest in the study, Mason glanced over his brother’s shoulder and, seeing Jackson coming towards them groaned, knowing there’d be more fireworks and soon. “Hunt,” he said, “we have to find your mate so forget about the shit that happened.” Holding his hand up to stop his brother from objecting, he continued, “The Fates gave you a freaking dragon as a mate—you, a powerful Alpha in your own right—so there has to be a reason why. If Jackson’s a crazy asshole, then you have to save your mate because you’ll never forgive yourself if something happens to him. Now, get your fucking wolf and yourself under control cause Jackson’s almost here.”
Chapter 10
Fionn awoke shivering, his mind flashing back to the morning he found himself chained up in a cold, damp cave in Scotland. Fear filled him as he attempted to free himself, only to find he was safe, protected by the stone walls housing his hoard. Exhaling in relief, he sat up on his bed of gold coins, running his fingers through them, feeling his dragon grow more powerful.
His thoughts turned to the cousin who smiled at him when he was standing on the porch, kindling a bond. And it was that unsettling knowledge that drove his decision to flee the pack house, needing to buy time to come to terms with what was happening. Grimacing at the thought that the man was his mate, Fionn shook his head, unwilling to believe it.No fucking way…my mate? It can’t be, can it?It was too soon after the battles he’d fought to be free to even think of submitting to another’s control, yet it seemed the Fates thought otherwise.
After hearing his empty stomach growl, he reached out for a couple of Theo’s sandwiches and began to eat, mulling over what to do. Considering the possibilities, Fionn knew he wasn’t ready to face his mate—or the fight that would ensue when he announced his decision—and he was unsure if his Alpha would back him up.At least Ki, Theo and Norm will!He’d wanted to talk with Ki about it before leaving, but his friend needed to rest after saving Logan’s mother.
Sighing, Fionn gathered up the trash, stuffing it into his backpack. As he pulled his hand from the pack, his fingers felt the sharp edges of the green diamond Groose returned to him after finding it in the vampires’ house. Clutching it, Fionn marveled at its vibrant green glow. He remembered how good it felt to offer it to Reif andBrian when they needed help, knowing his mother would be so proud of him, but then his thoughts became dark once again, reflecting on how badly he’d acted before that.
Tossing the green diamond over his shoulder, he heard it bounce onto a pile of gold coins. Sitting down at the gold table, Fionn grabbed his sketch book from the table, flipping through pages of drawings he’d done of his friends until he reached an empty one. Staring at it, he closed his eyes, waiting for an image to fill his mind and when one appeared, began drawing, losing himself in his art.
A while later, Fionn dropped his pencil, stretching out his cramped fingers as he scrutinized his sketch. It had been a long time since he’d been so absorbed but it felt good, feeding the part of his soul that drove him to create. His mother always encouraged him, even hiring a tutor to teach him the basics, proud of every sketch he did. But he stopped drawing when his mother died—his passion for it quenched by sadness; he was sure it would never be rekindled. And for a long time, it wasn’t.
But Fionn rediscovered his love of drawing after Kieran saved him from his father; many nights after Theo and Norm had gone to bed, he sat in the living room of their hotel suite, pencil in hand, sketching portraits of his friends. Now, though, his mind was filled with someone else. Studying his drawing, Fionn picked up his pencil again, quickly adding more definition to his mate’s beard and mustache.
~/~/~/~/~
Hunter took Mason’s warning about Jackson seriously. His brother was right—as was his wolf—he’d never be able to live with himself if something happened to his mate. Admonishing his wolf to behave, Hunter turned,staring at Jackson as he approached them. It was time for him to remember what a fierce Alpha he, himself, was. Remaining expressionless, he stared at Jackson as his cousin stopped ten feet away.
Searching Hunter’s face, Jackson found no evidence of anger nor fear. Flicking his eyes to Mason, he noticed the protective stance of Hunter’s brother, inferring from it that Hunter had told his brother everything. “Hunt, may I speak with you in private, please?” Jackson asked.
“No. Whatever you want to say will have to be in front of my brother,” replied Hunter. “But know this...if you don’t produce Fionn soon, Iwilltake my case to the High Council. The law is on my side in this matter.”
“I asked Steel to find Fionn and bring him to me. I won’t stand in your way but there are things you need to know about your mate, some of which I can disclose but others I can’t unless Fionn agrees,” Jackson said.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather hear everything from Fionn,” replied Hunter. “At least that way, I know I’m getting the truth.”
“Low blow, cousin,” Jackson growled. “I didn’t realize you resorted to using them. I guess you’re not who I remember, either.”
“Why you fucking power crazy…”
“Stop it,” Mason yelled, stepping between his brother and Jackson. “What the fuck has gotten into both of you? We’re fuckin’ family and the last time I checked, neither of our mothers would have tolerated this shit. So pull in your claws and tuck in your balls.” Mason turned to Hunter. “You, brother…if Jackson has knowledge about your mate, then listen to it.” Then he looked at Jackson. “And you, cousin…give my brother the respect he deserves as a member of the Blackwood Pack. Yeah, that’s right, he’s a member of your pack because he’s the Fated Mate of Fionn.”
Jackson realized Mason was right. Taking a deep breath, he began again. “Hunt, I have no problem with you being Fionn’s mate. To say I was surprised is an understatement because he’s young…just 18, so I figured it would be a while before he’d find his mate.”
Hunter ignored the explanation. As Mason had pointed out, he had rights and it was time for him to exercise them. Glaring at Jackson, he growled, “Don’t ever use your Alpha power on me again unless you’re willing to face a challenge. I’m not only fucking family, but what’s more, I’m a member of the Blackwood Pack. So, unless you usually treat your brothers and pack members the way you’ve treated me, I’ll take it as a sign you want to fight me. Do I make my position clear?”
“Crystal,” Jackson replied, biting the inside of his cheek in an effort to keep from snapping back at his cousin.Shit, how are we ever going to find common ground? But for Fionn’s sake, I have to try. Shaking his head, he brought himself under control.
“Jackson, where’s Fionn?” asked Mason, taking over for his brother.
