“Oh, babe, absolutely! But not to our bed because Ian has decided you need to spend a night in the hospital so he can make sure you’re all right.” Seeing his mate starting to object, Logan said, “Nope, don’t try to change my mind. You nearly gave me a heart attack. But don’t worry, I’m staying with you in the hospital.”
Giving a small smile, Kieran replied, “Thank you,macushla.”
Watching the interaction between Logan and the Shaman brought up Mac’s memories of his parents and their love for each other. He wondered how he could have forgotten the love they shared—a love so intense he could always feel it in his heart. But somehow, he’d forgotten love likethat existed until he saw it again in his cousin and his mate.That’s what I want for me…a mate who’d give everything if he thought it would give me happiness. I want what my parents had…what my cousin has. Maybe I’ll find it when I go to New York.
Mac moved to the other side of the bed to give Logan and Kieran some privacy. Lifting his aunt’s hand, he felt for her pulse, happy to see it was stronger. Then, leaning down, wanting his aunt to know how he felt about her, he kissed her pale cheek and whispered, “I love you, Aunt Hope.”
Chapter 3
“Where’s Ki?” asked Theo as Jackson, Ian, and Colton approached the porch.
“He’s with Logan,” replied Ian.
“What’s going on?” asked Cody. “Is someone hurt?”
Ignoring his brother’s question, Jackson took Daniel from Steel’s arms. “Let’s all go inside I have something to tell you.”
Are you okay?Steel asked his mate through their mind link.
I don’t really know babe…it’s really unbelievable…but forgetting me for a minute, I’m really worried about Dakota. I wish there was a way to let Slate know what’s coming.Jackson replied using their mind link.
I could pull him aside and tell him, but Dakota would know instantly, so I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Well, at least Ian is aware and he’s going to stay close to Dakota in case he goes into shock.
What about Cody, Carson, and Zane? How do you think they’ll react?
Don’t have a clue but I don’t think Cody should be holding a pup when he hears the news.
Why don’t I ask Cody to put Jake and Jessica in the playpen with Daniel? They’ll be safe there.
Good idea.
Entering the great room, Steel took Daniel from Jackson and put him in the playpen. Then he said, “Hey, Cody, can Jake and Jessica join Daniel?”
“Sure,” Cody said, and the three pups were soon together in their own special world.
After everyone was seated, Jackson looked at Ian, catching his eye, then began. “What I’m going to tell you might seem unbelievable but let me assure you it’s the truth. The reason our cousins wanted to see us is because someone has been living—probably hiding would be a better term—with them for a number of years, in fact, ever since the massacre. I don’t know what or how it happened but I’m sure Hunter will fill us in with the details later.”
“Bro, who is it?” asked Cody.
Taking a deep breath, Jackson gave a slight nod to Steel, then said, “Our mother. Somehow our mother survived the massacre and ended up at our cousins’. She’s not in good health but Kieran helped stabilize her and we’ll be moving her down to the hospital, shortly.”
Not a sound was heard from anyone until David’s mother, Sofia, looking around at the shocked faces, asked softly, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I’m not sure right now, but once I have more information, I’ll let you know,” Jackson replied.
Finding his voice finally, Cody asked, “Are you positive she’s our mother?”
“Yes, I saw…”
“But there’s a possibility it could be our mom’s identical sister, right?” interrupted Carson.
“No,” Jackson responded. “Kieran’s spirit identified her as our mother and our cousins insist that she is.”
Numbed, Dakota sat still while everyone’s words whirled around his head.My mother? She’s alive? I don’t believe it…it’s a lie.His body filled with rage.How dare theyplay such a dirty trick on me. Fucking cousins!Determined to prove Jackson wrong, Dakota accessed his Shadow Voice and, closing his eyes, slowly sorted through the threads around him until he found the one he was looking for. As he flipped through her thoughts, tears quietly rolled down his face as the terror, fear, and deep sorrow of her thoughts filled his mind. When he was unable to take any more, he fainted and slowly began to slide off the sofa.
Feeling his mate’s pain, Slate turned to him just in time to grab him before he hit the floor, pulling him up into his arms. “Babe,” he cried.
