Chapter 11
Jackson thought about his mate’s plan, before saying, “I see two problems with that idea, babe. One, Cody and Dylon just got back and, two, how would they explain investigating David? Especially to Zane? I know my brother…he’d look at it as an attack on his mate and force him to take a position against us, and I refuse to open that door.
However, I do agree we need more information about David.
” Eyeing Maximus and Mystia, Jackson said, “I think you two are the best ones to investigate who David is. Maximus, don’t you think it’s time you and Oracle have a vacation?
Join Lizzie and Ian’s parents for some sightseeing in Scotland?
You, showing up in Scotland, wouldn’t raise any red flags with Zane. ”
“How does Mystia fit in?” asked Steel.
Smiling, Jackson answered, “By not showing up.”
“By keeping my presence hidden,” Mystia concurred.
“Exactly,” Jackson said. “What we know so far is Zane found David working at the Wolf Pack Pub so that’s a starting point. Where did he come from? When was he hired? Who are his friends? That’s the kind of information that will help Maximus.”
“Are you going to tell Logan?” asked Steel.
“Yes, and I’ll tell him why I’ve decided to do it,” Jackson said.
“But, this investigation is limited to one thing and one thing only,” he insisted strongly.
“Finding out if David is a danger to the world…if his soul is filled with evil. No more than that. He’s Zane’s Fated Mate and I have to accept the Fates knew what they were doing when they gave him to Zane.
It’s a very fine line I’m walking but I have to assume the Fates gave this pack gifts so we can protect the world…
not destroy it. Is that understood?” After everyone nodded in agreement, Jackson turned to Steel.
“Babe, please make arrangements for your father’s trip. ”
“I’ll be ready to go shortly,” Maximus said, standing and offering his hand to Mystia.
As she rose, Mystia said, “Once I tell Jimmy where I’m going, I’ll get started on my research over there, too,” adding, “Actually, why doesn’t Maximus come with me instead of flying. That way, he’ll be there when Oracle arrives.”
“Protection for Oracle?” Jackson asked.
“Yes,” Mystia said. “Your enforcers should also be alerted to a possible threat.”
“I’ll make that decision after I speak to Logan,” said Jackson.
“I want to know his take on David. Raising the threat level with the enforcers will only tip off Zane and David that something’s up.
If that happens, Zane’s going to want to know the details and I can’t very well tell my brother his Fated Mate is the threat… at least not yet.”
“When will you talk to Logan?” Maximus asked.
Jackson glanced at the time on his phone. “It’s three in the morning over there, so in another four hours or so. I’ll call you, Maximus, as soon as I’m finished speaking with him. Oh, one other thing, coordinate everything with Logan.”
“Will do,” Maximus said, and ushered Mystia out of Jackson’s study.
Steel looked at his mate. “What a clusterfuck.”
“No shit! I don’t like going behind my brother’s back but after what I read about David, it’s a risk I have to take. I’m just worried if Zane finds out we’re snooping, he’ll take his mate and leave the pack.”
“Maybe, maybe not. If you tell him why and show him the story, he might understand.”
“Would you?” Jackson mused.
“I don’t know. I hope so…when I realized you did it to protect the pack.”
“I think Zane is too young to see that.”
“Are you going to tell Cody and Dylon?” asked Steel.
“No, not yet…at least not until I have proof David’s a threat.”
Steel picked up the picture of David, staring at the face that might be capable of bringing death and destruction to the world, then said, “I’m praying it ain’t so. I don’t know his story, but whatever it is, it’s not a happy one ‘cause there’s lot of sadness in those eyes.”
“I know,” Jackson said. “I know.”
~/~/~/~/~
The early morning light coming through the unshaded portholes in the cabin fell across David’s face, waking him.
Surrounded by his mate’s scent and encircled by his mate’s arms, he smiled; a strange, calming feeling had settled in his soul.
David didn’t immediately recognize it because the last time he savored it was when he was still with his mother.
His feeling of contentment, though, was soon replaced by the sadness of remembering what happened to her.
Renewing his vow to destroy the shifters who’d hurt her, David knew it was time to tell Zane everything, and then ask for help to fulfill his pledge.
Placing one hand over his mate’s arm, David felt the energy connecting them as one now, wondering if that meant they were mated.
He cursed his ignorance of Fated Mates, damning his teachers who refused to tell him what to expect.
The little he now knew came from Kieran last night—he should have taken advantage of the opportunity and asked more questions.
Hoping there’d be another chance to talk to Kieran alone before the claiming ceremony took place, his mind pondered questions ranging from what ceremonial robes were required to what he had to memorize so he could recite it without stumbling.
The back of his legs still bore scars from canings received for messing up in the past. Hopefully, Zane would overlook his mistakes since he wouldn’t have a lot of time to learn his part.
Overwhelmed by the enormity of what he had decided to do and, knowing the risk he was taking by claiming a Fated Mate, David’s body began to shiver, his worry giving way to sheer panic as he thought about what would happen to him if the High Priestess ever learned of it.
Zane had been feigning sleep since David had awakened, keeping a watchful eye on him.
He and his wolf knew their mate was in serious trouble, but Zane wasn’t going to push David to talk about it until he was ready.
In the meantime, even though his body was yearning to touch every part of David, Zane did everything a mate should—except become intimate.
Though he didn’t understand why, he was sure David not only was a virgin, but also had no idea how sex between two men was consummated.
If his hunch was correct, then taking everything slow was the best choice he could make.
“Babe, are you cold?” Zane asked when he felt his mate shiver.
“No-o-o-o,” David said, embarrassed his mate sensed his panic attack.
Doing breathing exercises the doctor had prescribed hadn’t helped as they’d done before.
The last one he remembered was when Morgan found him sleeping in a garbage pile behind the Wolf Pack Pub, homeless, hungry and cold.
Why he ever thought Scotland would be the perfect place for him in the dead of winter was beyond comprehension.
By the time he discovered how brutal the weather could be compared to sunny Tuscany, he’d used up the money he’d stolen, and it was too late to go anywhere else.
His fear when Morgan grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the heap of trash he’d wormed his way into, triggered a panic attack so fierce, he couldn’t disappear, though where he’d go to, he hadn’t a clue.
Realizing his precarious state, Morgan lifted him up, carried him inside and called a doctor who calmed him down.
Then he shoved David into a shower, produced some clothes for him and had a hot steaming meal waiting for him when he emerged.
Just how lucky he was, became apparent the next day when Morgan offered him a job and a warm place to live.
David knew he owed his life to Morgan because he would have frozen to death that night without his help.
“What’s the matter, babe?” asked Zane, pulling David tight against his body while sending out his Alpha power. “Are you worried the shifter might find you here?”
David’s body and wolf immediately responded; his panic attack faded, and his body stilled. “Sorry, I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t do it this time.”
“What triggered it?”
“I was imagining what the High Priestess would do to me if she found out I claimed my Fated Mate.”
Zane grinned. “You want to claim me?”
“Yes, if you’ll have me after I tell you everything.”
“Oh, babe, don’t worry about any of that. Of course, I want you, no matter what you tell me.”
“Well, there’s something else you should know about me claiming you.”
“What?”
“I don’t know anything about a claiming ceremony because they never taught me that one. But I’m a fast learner and if someone can give me the words I have to say, and help me make the robes I need, it won’t take me long to be ready. I’ll try not to embarrass you in front of your family.”
It took Zane a few moments to unscramble David’s conception of a claiming, but once he did, he smiled to himself.
David was a virgin and no other had ever touched his mate—nor ever would.
“Babe, I can explain all about what’s involved when we claim each other so don’t worry.
No words to learn, no special clothes to wear. ”
David turned his head to see if his mate was telling the truth and, after finding it in Zane’s face, he smiled. “That’s a relief. I was worried because I didn’t want to mess up.”
“Babe, trust me, you won’t. Now, how about breakfast? I can smell coffee so I’m pretty sure Brian’s up.”
“Don’t you want to call your brothers first?”
“Nope, it can wait till after we eat. I also have some stuff I want to talk to our host about,” Zane said, sliding slowly out of bed, already missing his mate.
“I guess we’ll have to wear our pajama pants to breakfast.”
Zane glanced down, then gave David a wry smile. “Yeah, well, Brian did say he liked mine.”
Giggling, David scooted out of bed and, taking his mate’s hand, led him from the cabin.
Smiling, Brian looked at the two of them, holding hands and laughing, surmising they’d reached a decision between last night and this morning. “Breakfast will be ready in a trice so if ye’d like to wash up, the door to the head is that one,” Brian said, waving his pancake spatula at it.
David glanced at Zane, then laughed at the confusion he saw in his mate’s face. “Babe, I’ll use the head first, okay?”
Wide eyes looked at David then over to Brian. “The bathroom is called a head?” Zane asked.
“Ay, laddie,” Brian said with a wide grin. “Yer mate did nae know that either.”
Snapping his head around, Zane found his mate shaking quietly with laughter. He swatted David’s chest, saying, “I owe you for that!” then motioning him toward the head, smirked. “Laddies, first.”
After David shut the head door, Zane sat at the table, looking at Brian. I wonder if I can trust him, but shit, what other fucking options do I have? “David has agreed to claim me,” Zane said, quietly.
“Ay, and what about ye?” asked Brian.
“I knew I was going to claim him last night, if he’d let me,” Zane said. “Before we claim each other, we need a private place to talk without David fearing for his safety. That means the hotel is out, but I don’t know anywhere else we can go. I was hoping you could help us.”
Brian flipped over the pancakes, stirred the scrambled eggs and forked out the bacon that was done, before asking, “How fancy?”
“Not important. A tent would be fine, but I’d prefer a cabin because I want him to feel secure,” Zane answered.
“Ay. There’s a place I own, up in the highlands, far away from any other dwellings. I go there often so it has everything ye need. Will that work?” asked Brian.
“Perfect,” Zane said as his mate joined them.
“What’s perfect?” asked David, looking at the food Brian was plating. “Oooh, everything does look perfect.”
Zane rose. “Have a seat babe, I’ll be back shortly.” After giving his mate a quick kiss, he hurried to the head.
After bolting his breakfast, Zane leaned back, waiting for his mate to finish.
He always ate in haste as a result of having to compete with his big brothers who gobbled their food, so they could go back for second helpings.
Sometimes he’d even push himself, so he could go back for thirds.
Obviously, his body needed all that food as he’d been going through a growth spurt and was as tall as his brothers, though he was the youngest.
When David and Brian had finished, Zane began. “Babe, are you positive the dude you scented last night meant to harm you?”
“Positive,” David replied, looking a bit puzzled.
“I figured as much. There wasn’t any reason for him to sneak around unless he was up to no good.
When you were washing up at the hotel, I saw someone loitering across the street and it struck me as odd that he was out so late in shitty weather,” Zane said.
“I don’t want to go back to the hotel because it’s not safe.
Whoever this guy is, I’m sure he isn’t in it alone. ”
“But where do you want to go? Morgan’s isn’t safe either,” said David. “That’s why I didn’t take you there last night.”
“I agree. While you were in the head, I asked Brian if he knew of a place we could go that no one knew about. He was kind enough to offer us his cabin, up in the highlands, so we could have time alone to talk and, then if you still want to, we can claim each other,” Zane said.
Looking at Brian, David asked, “Are you sure? I don’t want you to get into any trouble.”
“Ay, dinna worry, I’ll be fine,” assured Brian.
Nodding, David glanced at his mate. “What about your brothers? Aren’t they going to worry about you disappearing with me, again?”
“I plan to call Logan after this and let him know we’ll be gone for a few days,” Zane said.
“I don’t know,” said David, “they seem very protective. Are you sure they won’t get angry at me?”
“Babe, listen to me. You’re my Fated Mate. That means you come first in my life from this point on just as Kieran does for Logan. If anyone understands why I want to do this, my brother will. Trust me.”
“Okay,” David said, in a doubtful voice, “I’ll trust you. My only other question is what do we do for food and clothes?”
“My cabin is stocked, and I keep a big supply of clothes for all weather so me and my guests dinna have tae bring hilt nor hair when we go there,” Brian replied. “Lots o’ different sizes so don’t fret.”
David looked at Zane and nodded. “Okay, let’s go after you call your brother.”