Looking over at Mac, Jackson asked, “Who are you?”
Hunter spoke up. “Jackson, he’s my brother, Dr. Mac Evans.”
“So,” growled Ian, “you were willing to let someone die so you could save your patient?”
“Now, wait a minute…” Hunter snarled.
“We can discuss it later,” ordered Jackson. “Right now, I want to know when we can move both patients to thehospital. Ian, when you get a chance, can you please check Mom?”
Nodding, Ian bit his tongue to keep him from saying anything else about his thoughts on the medical competency of Dr. Mac Evans.
“In the meantime, Hunter,” Jackson said, “I’d like to meet the rest of my cousins.”
Bristling at the implied order, Hunter hesitated, pissed at being treated as something less than the Alpha he was but, in the end, gave in. He led Jackson to the front of the motorhome where three of his brothers sat, all eyeing him warily. “Jackson, this is Mason, Sawyer and Robin. Guys, this is Jackson, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack…and your cousin.”
After hellos were exchanged, Jackson asked, “I assume Mac is your twin, Sawyer?”
“Yes, but I’m the handsome one.”
“Bullshit!” Mason snorted.
“You wish!” snickered Robin.
Giving a brief smile at the responses, Jackson asked, “Where’s Quin?”
When he heard the question, Mason stood, giving an inscrutable look to Hunter and Jackson before walking around them and disappearing into his younger brother’s bedroom.
Raising his eyebrow, Jackson looked at Hunter, “What was that for?”
Shaking his head and not wanting to get into Quin’s history, Hunter headed for his bedroom. Opening the door and sticking his head in, he smiled at his brother. “Quin, honey, Jackson wants to meet you.”
Moving slightly behind Mason, Quin nodded. He wasn’t sure he wanted to meet the Alpha who radiated so much power it even penetrated the walls of his bedroom, but knew he had no choice. At least Mase was here to protect him.
Listening to his cousin speak to his brother, Jackson wondered what to expect when he met Quin. Then, moving aside, Hunter let him get his first glimpse of his youngest cousin. Schooling his face to remain impassive, Jackson nevertheless saw the fear in Quin’s eyes, triggering Jackson’s protective instincts. Gentling his features and pulling back his Alpha power, he smiled and said, “Hi, Quin, I’m Jackson. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Flicking his eyes between Jackson and his brother, Quin tried to figure out what was making Hunter so upset. It was obvious something was going on that neither of the Alphas wanted to talk about and that increased his anxiety. Moving behind Mason, Quin looked at the floor, but knowing Jackson was waiting for a reply, murmured, “Nice to meet you, too.”
After hearing his cousin’s soft voice, Jackson backed out of the room to give Quin back his sense of security; he wondered what was causing the fear he saw. Heading to the other bedroom, he vowed he’d find out and see if there was anything he could do to help. Now, though, it was time to make a decision. Looking at his mother and then Kieran, he breathed a sigh of relief as both seemed to be doing better. “Ian, what’s the status on Kieran and Mom?”
“Kieran is much better, but I want him to spend the night in the hospital so I can keep an eye on him. We’ll make up a room so Logan can be with him. Your mom is in a light coma but is resting comfortably. According to Dr.Evans, Kieran’s efforts helped her tremendously; of course, I can’t verify that until I have a chance to review her chart.”
Ignoring Ian’s sharp tone, Jackson asked, “Can we move them to the hospital now?”
“Shortly. Colton has to get the rooms ready before we do.”
“That’s okay. I have to tell everyone about Mom first,” Jackson replied. “Do you want to be there when I do?”
“I think I should.” Turning to his mate, he said, “Colton, stay here until I get back.”
“If Colton is needed at the hospital, I can watch over the Shaman and Aunt Hope,” Mac offered.
Hunter saw the hesitation in Ian, and it pissed him off. “My brother,DoctorMacEvans, is a fully certified doctorandhas been caring for Aunt Hope for the last several years.”
“That’s okay, Hunt,” said Mac, softly, “I understand why they’d want their own doctor to take over.”
Ian exchanged glances with Colton, then sighed. He didn’t know why he was being so rude to a fellow physician and it wasn’t helping the situation. But after Jackson had told him about Dakota’s close relationship with his mother, there was a real possibility the shock of finding out she survived the massacre could cause him to miscarry his pup. Putting aside his animosity toward Mac, Ian replied, “That would be fine. The sooner we move them, the better.” Then, looking at Dr. Evans, he said, “Please check Kieran’s vitals every five minutes to make sure they continue to improve. If that doesn’t happen, send someone to get me. The same goes with Hope.”
“Will do,” said Mac, glancing at his watch before getting ready to take his Aunt Hope’s pulse.
