~/~/~/~/~
Jackson entered his mother’s hospital room, finding her staring pensively out the window, her body rigid with tension. “Mom?”
Hope sighed as she turned around and spied her eldest son. “Jackie, there isn’t much time,” she said, worryevident in her voice, her fingers twisting in her lap. “You and your brothers must go and save her before it’s too late.”
“Okay,” Jackson said, soothingly. Pulling over a chair, he sat down next to his mother, taking her hands in his. “Who are we supposed to save…and why?”
“My friend! She’s in danger!” Hope exclaimed, her voice rising in fear.
“Mom, I promise you, we’ll help your friend. But can you tell me why you think she is in danger?” Jackson asked, softly.
“She is in danger…I know it!” Hope said, anxiously. “You have to hurry…there isn’t much time.”
“What’s your friend’s name?” asked Jackson.
“Willow…Willow Thatcher.”
“How do you know she’s in danger?” Jackson asked, kindly.
“It doesn’t matter how I know, Jackie. You have to find her!”
“Mom, do you know where she is?”
Shaking her head, Hope lowered her eyes. It was her fault her friend was in danger because of what happened. Tears filled her eyes at her failure to protect Willow from the evil threatening her life; now it was about to harm her friend. Waking up to find some of her children had survived Josiah’s massacre had given her a new purpose in life, one she desperately needed, but it had also put her life—and now her friend’s life—in danger.
The morning after the massacre, Willow had spirited her away from the horror she’d witnessed the night before, called Hope’s sister, and waited until Mac arrived to takeher to safety. The only thing her friend asked in return was Hope’s promise never to tell anyone her name. And for years, she’d kept her word, never disclosing who was with her that night. But now she could no longer honor that promise—not if there was any hope of saving Willow.
Raising her eyes, Hope blinked several times, trying but failing to hold back her tears. “Jackie, Willow was the friend who was with me…the night it happened. Josiah’s found out about her and has sent a hunting party to kill her.” Then, unable to control herself, Hope’s body shook with sobs as her mind was flooded with pictures of what was about to happen to her friend.
~/~/~/~/~
As his mate disappeared into his vision world, Dylon’s uneasiness at his inability to protect him roared back, putting him on edge; Cody had gone to a place where he could not follow. His only recourse was to send his love through their life thread.
Once in his vision world, Cody opened his eyes, seeing the life thread he shared with Dylon gleaming bright silver, feeling the love flowing from his mate. Then the vision began and his attention fixated on what the Fates had to show him. When it was over, the glow faded and Cody, once more in the real world, was stunned at what had been revealed.
Though Dylon had gone through this ritual with Cody before, and had absolute faith his mate would return, he worried about what the vision would reveal. If Cody’s past visions were any indication, pain and suffering would play a major role. When he reached the end of his self-made path and turned to pace in the opposite direction, Dylon was relieved to find his mate back from his vision realm.
Paralyzed and fearful of what might befall his mother, Cody knelt there, trying to control his anger at someone he never met. If there was any hope of saving his mother more pain, he and Dylon had to gonow,as fast as they could get there. If they failed in this quest… Shaking his head, he couldn’t allow himself to think of what might happen. Emerging from his daze, he felt Dylon’s hands lifting him and holding him tight before he asked his mate, “Babe, did you see it? The vision! Did you see the vision? We have to tell Jackson! Oh, my gods! Dylon we have to go NOW!”
With Cody in his arms, Dylon ran back to the house, kicked open the door, and bellowed for Jackson. Wasting no time after setting Cody down, he grabbed his hand, pulling him toward their Alpha’s bedroom. Every second they delayed could mean the difference between life and death! Pounding on the door, Dylon yelled Jackson’s name, several times.
Damn! First Mac and now Dylon…what the fuck is it now?Rolling out of bed, Steel pulled on a pair of sweatpants before opening the bedroom door. Groaning at the sight of Dylon standing next to Cody, he was pissed that his night of sleep had been messed up. “What’s the matter?” he growled.
“Where’s Jackson?” Cody asked, worry and fear written on his face.
“I’m here,” Jackson said, coming up behind Dylon and Cody as he returned from the hospital. “What’s the problem?”
“Cody had a vision…we need Zane…immediately!”Dylon exclaimed.
“Was your vision about Willow Thatcher?” Jackson asked.
Cody glanced at Dylon, then turning and staring at his brother in amazement, said, “How do you know that?”
Rubbing his hand over his face, Jackson sighed. “Mom just told me.”
“Huh? She had a vision?” asked Cody.
“Not exactly…more like a dream,” Jackson replied. Shifting his gaze to Steel, he said, “Babe, would you wake up Zane and tell him to meet me in my study as soon as possible.”
