From Fionn’s reaction, Hunter figured his mate knew why an Oracle wanted to speak with them. And by thelook of the impressions his teeth were leaving on his lip, Fionn wasn’t too happy about it. “Fionn, do you know anything about this?”
Nodding briefly, Fionn ducked his head, unable to look at his mate.
Gentling his voice, Hunter asked, “Is it about you?”
Nodding, Fionn kept his eyes on the floor.
Hunter looked at his mate, then pushing his chair back from the table, said, “Come here, my pet.”
Reluctantly Fionn did as Hunter asked, standing in front of his mate, then drew a sharp breath when his mate lifted him up and set him on his lap. “You know, when you left for your hoard, I behaved like a prick.”
Fionn’s eyes shot up to his mate’s face. Seeing the self-deprecating grimace on Hunter’s face, he asked, “What did you do?”
“Well, let’s see…accused Jackson of keeping you away from me…was rude to him…threatened him…need I go on?”
“Uh-uh, but why? Jackson’s a good guy…he took me in…and Theo and Norm too.”
“My wolf was sure you were in trouble and I was sure no one was listening to me. When I told Jackson, he…”
“Wait, Jackson knows you’re my mate?”
“Yes, he does. Anyway, when I told him you were in trouble…let’s just say, I didn’t get the response I expected. That pissed me and my wolf off. Long story short, I was an asshole.”
“Is Jackson angry with you, now?”
“No, we made up and he welcomed me by telling me all the secrets of the Blackwood Pack.”
“Allof them?”
“If you’re asking if I know the powers the Fates have given to my cousins, then yes. The only thing Jackson wouldn’t talk about is anything concerning you…or I should say anything other than telling me about your father’s attempts to kill you, your uncle’s attempt to gain custody and your successful court battle to be declared an adult…but other than that, nothing. He said he didn’t have your permission to talk about your dragon. Given the extraordinary gifts my cousins have received, is it safe to assume you’ll be getting a gift too?”
Staring at his mate, Fionn was astounded at what Hunter knew about him.And he still wants me.Slowly he nodded.
“Do you know what it is?”
Shaking his head, Fionn blurted out, “All I know is I’m a Lunar White Dragon protected by the Goddess of the Moon who will give me a supernatural power that Jackson can control so I don’t use it to hurt anyone.”
“A white dragon? Then the pale dragon I saw with my wolf wasn’t a-a-a, fuck, I don’t know what to call it…a ghost or spirit of your dragon?”
“Nope, my dragon is with your wolf and has been since we claimed each other.”
“Holy shit! Do you know how rare a white dragon is? Fuck, of course you do.”
“I do. Is that a problem for you?”
Finally understanding why his mate was worried about the meeting with an Oracle, Hunter rushed to reassurehim. “No, my pet. Not even a tiny one. Did you think it would be?”
“Uh-huh. Logan thinks my uncle wanted custody of me because of my white dragon. Kieran told me what happened to the last white dragon…FYI, he was killed. My mother told me I’d be safe here. I guess I should have told you all this before you claimed me, but…”
Tugging Fionn close to his chest, Hunter hugged him. “It wouldn’t have mattered one bit, my pet. I still would have claimed you.”
Chapter 24
Relief flooded through Fionn. His mate wanted him even though he was a white dragon. Fear of rejection had haunted him ever since Kieran told him who he was. And somehow Hunter figured it out and gave him the reassurance he needed to finally put his worry to rest. Winding his arms around his mate’s waist, Fionn laid his head on Hunter’s shoulder, inhaling the delicious scent he found there.
Happiness—that was the feeling Hunter felt as his mate hugged him back. A feeling he thought was gone forever when he decided to walk away from the Rolling Hills Pack. It was the hardest decision he ever made; giving up on a goal he’d aspired to for his entire life. But he’d do it again in a heartbeat to protect Quin. After his father died, he called a meeting of his father’s advisors, expecting to formally assume the Alpha position. What he wasn’t expecting was their ultimatum regarding his brother Quin and being warned if he didn’t go along, they’d issue a challenge.
Sitting there, in the council room, Hunter listened to men he thought were friends, only to discover that greed had turned their hearts to stone—even his father’s brother. Kicking himself for not figuring out what was happening while his father was still alive, Hunter knew he had no choice, really, because if he agreed to do what they were demanding, not only would he break his mother’s heart, he’d be sentencing Quin to a life of hell. He’d die first before he’d allow either of those things to happen. So, that night, instead of becoming Alpha, he walked away, choosing to put his family over his ambitions.
