“Jackie?” murmured Logan, standing behind his brother. “I have Ian and Colton.”
His emotions now under control, Jackson swiveled and said, “What I’m about to tell you will be shocking but neither of you can reveal anything…especially you, Colton. I’m worried about Dakota and until we can sort everything out, I don’t want him to know because of his condition. Understood?”
~/~/~/~/~
Mac sat down next to his patient, watching as the aura of the Shaman continued to grow darker and heavier,forcing his body to bend forward. Unsure of exactly what Kieran was doing, there was no doubt it was helping—his patient’s restlessness had quieted, the thin and thready pulse was stronger, and her breathing had improved.
Remaining silent, Mac sent a prayer of appreciation to the Fates about the miracle he was seeing. He knew some would never believe it, but he was ready to take on all doubters. His patient was barely alive when Hunter brought the motorhome to a stop in front of the Blackwood Pack house and, though he’d tried everything that worked in the past, nothing was working now, not even Robin’s voice. When Hunter stuck his head in before going out to meet Jackson, he told his brother she didn’t have much time left so he’d better act quickly. Now, though, the Shaman had bought her a little more time, and for that, Mac owed him a lot.
Kieran fought back against the blackness consuming him, knowing the toll it was taking on him, but afraid if he stopped, she’d die, so he struggled on. His body nearly bent in two, his breathing labored, the weight of the darkness crippling him, yet he refused to remove his hands. Fighting his spirit who wanted him to stop, Kieran knew if he could save her, it would be the greatest gift he could ever give his mate.
~/~/~/~/~
Speechless at what Jackson revealed to Ian and himself, Colton stared at his brother, refusing to believe what he just heard.How? It can’t be! This is some kind of trick!Deciding he had to see for himself, he turned away from his brother, taking a step toward the motorhome before Jackson stopped him.
“Cool it, Colton,” Jackson ordered. “I have your other brothers to consider. Now, Ian, given everything youknow, how do you suggest we proceed without causing any harm?”
Hearing Colton’s name, Hunter glanced at the large wolf shifter standing next to the smaller one. Taking a discrete sniff, he was surprised to find an omega—a pregnant omega—who was in deep discussion with Jackson.How the hell did a male omega end up in Jackson’s pack?Turning his gaze back to the porch, he saw two of the other triplets, one of whom was holding a pup, along with two other large wolf shifters each holding a pup.How come Mason didn’t tell me about pups being in this pack?
Now that Jackson knew why his cousins had come to visit, Hunter was close to fulfilling his late mother’s request. All he and his wolf wanted to do was grab their mate and leave, letting Jackson handle everything else. Hopefully, it would be easy, but somehow Hunter knew in his gut it wouldn’t, especially with the Alpha power Jackson possessed. That was another strange thing he couldn’t explain and, when he added in the omega, well that was just too many questions he didn’t have answers for. Hunter hated not knowing answers. His father always warned him never to make a decision if there were still unknown factors and the longer he was here, the more questions with no answers filled his mind.
Setting those thoughts aside, Hunter’s eyes roamed over the rest of the group, looking for his mate, wondering if his mother knew his mate would be waiting for him here. He wouldn’t put it past her; she always held her cards close to her chest, but this was too much. As to how the Alpha would react to losing a pack member, he couldn’t hazard a guess. He just hoped Jackson wouldn’t try to stop it or fuck it up in some way. Locking his gaze once more with his mate, Hunter smiled, feeling the bond growing between them as his wolf strutted back andforth, showing off his gleaming black coat while assuming the proud posture of an Alpha.
~/~/~/~/~
Mac was looking down at his patient when the Shaman collapsed on the floor, lying deathly still. Jumping up from the bed and crouching down to examine him, he was shocked. Rising and yanking the bedroom door open, he shouted, “Mase, get Hunter, NOW!” Returning to his new patient, he began giving him CPR.
Hearing a rapping on a window from inside the motorhome, Hunter turned to see Mason frantically gesturing to him. Holding up a finger to let his brother know he’d be there shortly, Hunter turned back to look at his mate, who was no longer there. Alarmed, he searched the group, trying to see where he was. Taking several steps to his right so he could see behind the huge shifters blocking his view, Hunter’s eyes narrowed.What the fuck? Where did he go?
Chapter 2
Logan was listening to Ian when he felt the pull on his mate’s bond and their spirit screaming in his head. Kieran was in trouble! Turning on his heels, he raced toward the motorhome, calling out, “Ian, Colton, come quick! It’s Kieran!” Grabbing the door handle, Logan nearly pulled it off in his rush to get to his mate. Taking the steps in one bound, he found himself facing his astonished cousins. Ignoring them, he followed his spirit to where his mate was and pushed open the door. Kieran was lying lifeless on the floor. Logan cried out in anguish as he knelt next to Mac, placing his hands on his mate and closing his eyes as he tried to revive him.
Hearing Logan yelling to him, Ian rushed to the motorhome with Colton behind him. Once inside, he homed in on Kieran’s scent, heading to the back where he found him receiving CPR from an unknown man. “Get out of the way, please, I’m a doctor. Colton, take over giving CPR. Logan, please move up to Kieran’s head but keep your hands on him.” Ian ordered, pushing the man aside.
After seeing three of his pack members disappear into the motorhome, Jackson took a step towards it before stopping. Turning to Hunter, he said, “C’mon. Logan’s mate’s in trouble and I don’t want any problems with your brothers.” Then the two of them ran toward the motorhome.
Kneeling down, Ian quickly examined Kieran before saying, “Colton stop, please.” Observing an imperceptible rise of the Shaman’s chest, Ian said, “Logan, Kieran’s alive but very weak.”
“I know. I’m trying to remove some of the negative emotions he received,” said Logan. “He did too much. I should have been here with him.”
“His aura has lightened since you arrived,” Mac said.
Looking up, Ian snarled, “You saw how dark it was and you let him continue?”
Joining them, Jackson glanced at the bed and, realizing the truth of Logan’s words about their mother, offered a quick prayer to the gods, thanking them for their gift. Looking down at Ian, he asked, “How’s Kieran?”
“He’s extremely weak, but with rest and his mate’s strength, I believe he’ll be okay,” Ian responded.
“Do you want to move him to a bed in the hospital?” asked Jackson.
“Not right now. Whatever Logan is doing is working and I would prefer to wait for Kieran’s vitals to become stronger before moving him,” Ian replied.
“What about Mom?” asked Jackson.
“I haven’t examined her yet,” Ian replied.
“I asked him to stop, you know,” Mac said. “He refused. He said he could do it. And he did. He saved her. He saved your mother.”
