Ice Soul (Blackwood Pack #4)

Chapter 1

Kieran looked at the forest and the mountains outside his second story bedroom window and as the sun rose, it turned the sky pink, his favorite color.

It had been almost two weeks since he was rescued from Arald’s house of horrors—at least, that’s what he called it.

Now he was in California, a member of the Blackwood Pack, along with his friends, Theodore and Norman, two ghost bear shifters, comfortably ensconced in a freaking mansion he never even dreamed could exist. It was a far cry from the mud and stone cottage in Ireland his parents lived in. Those assholes!

Every time he thought of what they did to him, his blood boiled.

Selling him just because he wouldn’t mate with the Alpha’s daughter…

fucking assholes! Not that it mattered anymore because he was now free and could chart his own course.

Kieran wanted to talk more with Theodore and Norman about their future.

He had plans for them—go to school, live freely as gay shifters and enjoy a life that had almost been stolen from them when they were handed over to Arald.

Another fucking asshole! Right now, they were enjoying being together after years in separate cells.

Kieran could wait until they came up for air—there wasn’t any rush to make decisions right now.

That was something Cody had counseled him about—going slowly.

Cody, a wolf he looked up to and respected.

When he told Cody about Theodore and Norman’s situation in Tajikistan, Cody never hesitated; adopting everyone and bringing them home to the Blackwood Pack.

Not that they needed to be adopted since they were over eighteen, yet it warmed Kieran’s heart to know he and his friends were wanted by someone after their parents threw them out like yesterday’s garbage.

That simple fact—knowing they were wanted—was already affecting his friends for the better.

Hearing rapid knocks on his door, he inhaled and scented his friends.

“Come in,” he said, as he turned from the view outside to that of two sexy young men entering his bedroom.

Sighing, he could only dream; those two had eyes only for each other.

Critically appraising their outfits, he was relieved to see Theodore was becoming more daring in his color choices.

While they were still in Tajikistan, he’d taken his friends shopping for clothes since they only had a couple of cheap outfits given to them after they’d been freed.

Not that Kieran was complaining about the cheap clothes; he knew with a little time, he’d have clothes that looked fabulous on all of them.

But Theodore couldn’t wait, embarrassed to be seen in them.

Kieran could understand his friend’s impatience.

Locked away, reduced to begging for food, living in filth, and being unable to shift would give any wolf—or bear, in this case—a complex but for Theodore?

It was traumatic! It took him the longest of the three to come to terms about what his parents had done to him.

During his first year as Arald’s prisoner, he cried incessantly.

If it weren’t for the mind link Theodore had with Norman, Kieran was sure he would have died from a broken heart. Another bunch of asshole parents!

“Hey, ready for breakfast?” Norman asked.

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss one of Dakota’s meals for anything,” announced Kieran. “I wonder what special dish Lizzie’s going to make this time?”

“I don’t care. After all those years with no food, I’ll eat anything she makes, and love it,” said Theodore.

“I like what you’re wearing, Theo, it has that ‘je ne sais quoi’ air about it. Well done! I think you’re almost ready to go clubbing with me,” Kieran said.

Theodore blushed. “I did listen to you. Cody sent me to see Logan to get some advice. You should see his studio, Ki, you’d love it.

He helped me see what colors I would feel comfortable with and guess what?

I’m a Fall! I never knew it but after he explained it to me, it made so much sense.

Those were the colors I had always gravitated toward before…

” Theodore stopped, his memories of what had been done to him surfacing again.

Kieran saw what was happening and stepped in to divert Theodore. “Did Norman go with you? Cause he’s looking pretty gorgeous too!”

“Are you drooling over my man, Ki?”

“Well honey, as I’ve always said, drooling is free.

And speaking of drooling, have you looked at Lo…

uh, Dakota? Hot dayummm! Every time I see him, I want to run my fingers through his curly locks while he’s down on his knees!

” Kieran exclaimed, fanning himself, grateful he’d caught himself in time and didn’t name the brother he really wanted.

“Eww, don’t put that fucking picture in my head. Fuck! Stop it, Ki! He’s Cody’s brother,” said Theodore.

“What? Just because he’s Cody’s brother, I can’t fantasize about him? I need something to replace…umm…never mind.”

“Aww, come on Ki,” said Norman, giving Theodore the stink-eye, “of course you should fantasize about him. I think he is drool-worthy, too.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “What did you say about going clubbing?”

“What’s clubbing?” asked Theodore.

“Oh, my gods! What’s clubbing? It’s the best thing ever. I was looking online and…” before Kieran could finish, another knock was heard.

“Yo, Kieran. Are Theodore and Norman with you?” called Carson through the door.

Striding over to the door, Kieran yanked it open, smiling at Carson. “Yeah they are. We were just about to head down to breakfast. Anything I can do for you?”

Carson looked at Theodore and Norman before shifting his gaze back to Kieran. “Nope, Cody sent me to rouse you from bed, but seeing you all are up and dressed, my job is done. See you downstairs.”

“Thanks, we’ll be down in a second,” Kieran said, turning to his friends after closing the door. “Let’s go and I’ll tell you later about this great club I’m just dying to go to. Oh, and Theodore? To answer your question, clubbing is what gay men do to have fun.”

“But I’m having fun with Norman.”

“Oh, trust me, honey, you and he will have so much more fun. Wait and see. Now out! I’m not missing breakfast.”

Joining the rest of the Blackwood Pack in the great room, Kieran spotted Jake and Jessica and made a beeline for them.

Stopping in front of Cody and Dylon, he melted at the sight of the twins dressed in matching onesies with a wolf and a moon on the front.

“Oh, my gods, did you buy these outfits for them?” he asked Cody.

“Hardly. Lizzie found these online and had them sent overnight,” Cody replied.

Kieran saw Lizzie coming in from the kitchen and said to her, “Miss L, what fantastic taste you have. I’m so glad they have you supervising their clothing choices otherwise, who knows what they would learn from their daddies?

” Then, turning back to Dylon and Cody, he said, “No offense big guys, but you really should let Miss L do some shopping for you, too. I mean, I know you are mated…I mean Fated Mated…so there isn’t going to be anyone else for you but still, you should look good for each other.

Hey Miss L, do you think Dylon could use a facial mask?

Maybe something to soften his skin so Cody will want to kiss him more?

You know, that’s the first thing to go when you have kids.

No time to take care of yourself. But I bet with a little help from Miss L and me, we could have you looking like you did before you had kids.

Do you take bubble baths? You know, they’re great for softening all parts of your body, well maybe not all parts, if you catch my drift.

That’s another side benefit for new parents who aren’t getting all they want in the sex department. Maybe Miss L and I…”

“Stop!” yelled Dylon, startling Jessica who let out a wail while most everyone else was doubled over with laughter. “Now, look what you did!”

“Dylon! Don’t blame Kieran,” Lizzie scolded. “You yelled, causing your daughter to cry.” Taking Jessica from her son’s arms, she cooed, “Shush there, sweetie, grandma has you.”

“But did you hear what he was saying to us? He said we had sex problems!” complained Dylon, handing Jessica’s bottle to Lizzie.

“Kieran was only trying to help, weren’t you, honey?” Lizzie asked Kieran. “All new parents can do with a little help.”

“That’s right, Miss L. I have some ideas to spice up their sex life I can run past you, and if you agree, then I can find out where to buy the items online…you know, since they are new parents and all.”

Growling, Dylon spat, “You are not going to discuss my sex life with my mother…do you understand? No way! No how! Never! Kieran, am I making myself clear?” Then turning to his mother, he said, “Mother, don’t, just don’t. This is embarrassing me and my mate.”

Holding up his hands, Kieran said, “Whoa, big guy! If you don’t want my help, then no problemo.

I’m sure Jackson or Colton will appreciate my help in getting their sex life back on track.

If you want to suffer, then who am I to interfere?

But you really ought to think about Cody before you go issuing your orders. Right, Miss L? It takes two to tango.”

Handing Jake to Dylon, Cody said, “Kieran, that’s enough.

While I appreciate your offer to help us, there’s no need as we’re very happy with our ‘sex life’.

You and I are going to have a talk later about boundaries, or, in this case the lack of them.

Now, I think for all our sakes, we forget this conversation ever occurred. Lizzie, is breakfast ready?”

“Oh, my goodness. That’s what I came in to tell you. Here, Cody, take Jessica. I have to go help Dakota with the food.” Before hustling towards the kitchen, she swirled and smiled at Kieran. “Honey, you’re special so don’t lose that part of you that makes you so.”

“Thank you, Miss L. I won’t.”

Jackson stood, taking Daniel from Steel, adding, “Lizzie is right, Kieran, don’t lose that part of you that’s special but maybe you can fine tune it a bit, huh?”

“Righto, Alpha, I’ll get right on it, well, maybe after breakfast. I’m so hungry, I could eat a…well never mind. I’m sure you get my drift,” replied Kieran.

“Yes, I do. Now, let’s get to the table before Dakota threatens us with going on strike.”

Theodore, Norman and Kieran looked at each other, alarm clearly written on their faces while they processed that possibility.

Coming to the conclusion it was unacceptable, they fell over each other getting to the breakfast table and sat down.

After years of near starvation, food wasn’t something to be taken for granted.

Cody watched them run to the table, sadness overcoming him at their reaction.

His boys—as everyone called them—were making progress but they had a long way to go to make up for the years of abuse suffered at the hands of Arald.

Being here with the Blackwood Pack was helping them to heal, but Jackson was right—they needed to be part of it, too.

So today, after consulting with Jackson, Cody was giving each of them chores to do.

Cody hoped to accomplish several things but first he wanted to integrate his boys into the pack, so they felt secure and protected.

After having their entire lives ripped away from them by parents who forgot the part about unconditional love, Cody wanted to repair the damage that had been done.

After the twins were settled in a portable crib nearby, Cody noticed that Oracle, Maximus and Frank had joined them this morning, but Logan was missing—again.

What’s up with that? He wanted to ask his brother how far he’d gotten with the design for the nursery but that would have to wait.

Catching Dylon’s eye, he smiled as he teased his mate through their mind link about Kieran’s offer to help with their sex life.

“Where’s Logan?” asked Oracle. “I was hoping to speak with him about redesigning our suite.”

“He’s in his studio, trying to get caught up with all the jobs he has,” Jackson said, smiling. “If I know my twin, we won’t see him for a while. Thank goodness Dakota doesn’t mind bringing his meals to him, though I think he got Logan to agree to redesign the kitchen as a trade-off.”

“Redesign the kitchen?” Zane asked. “Does that mean Dakota won’t be able to cook when it happens? What are we going to do?”

“Relax, Zane,” Steel said. “Dakota is adding onto the kitchen. He’ll be able to cook even while the new part is under construction.”

When he heard Oracle mention Logan’s name, Kieran tuned out the rest of the chatter around the table, listening avidly to find out where Logan was.

This morning when Theodore told him he’d spent some time with Logan, he felt a tug on his heart followed by jealousy flooding his body.

That emotion took him aback because he’d never experienced anything like it.

And why about Logan? Since he’d arrived, Kieran barely saw him.

Well now he knew why. Logan was busy working.

For a moment, Kieran thought he might have been the reason. Fat chance!

Oh, he knew he was good for a blow job or a quick fuck, but other than that, nope.

If a lover found out about him, they would flee the scene so quickly it would make Kieran’s head spin.

The dream of finding someone who would love him was what kept him going during his years with Arald.

But when he emerged from that nightmare and faced the harsh reality of life, he knew it was not to be.

No, I better come to terms with that dream and kick it to the curb because it’s not for me.

The best he could hope for was dreaming of Logan in his bed every night.

Tuning back into the conversation, he heard Jackson ask Ian when he and Colton would be leaving for Scotland.

Hmmm, traveling, I could do that. Backpacking through Europe, hitting up all the hot spots and seeing the world was definitely on his list of things to do.

All he needed was a job, to earn enough money to go.

Well, he would have to make sure Theodore and Norman were settled and in school first. Maybe I should talk to Ian and Colton about going with them?

Just to learn the ropes. Suddenly, he heard his name mentioned. What now?

“Before we go, I promised Cody I’d give Kieran, Theodore and Norman a complete exam. Once I have all the test results back, I can set up any therapy that might be needed before we leave,” Ian said to Jackson.

Oh no, I can’t do this! If I do, everyone will know and then what?