Chapter 13
“Babe, I’m getting used to traveling this way.” Zane chuckled, after he and David had reappeared next to a small, whitewashed, stone cottage overlooking a long, narrow, sun-splashed loch.
Giggling, David said, “I’m liking it better and better especially when you come along.”
“Wow,” Zane said, looking at the rugged mountains that sloped sharply down to the flatter ground at the edge of the loch. “What a stunning place. I can see why Brian picked it.”
“It is isolated, isn’t it? It doesn’t look like anyone lives within miles of here,” David said, shivering when a cool breeze flowed across his naked chest.
“Shit. Let’s get inside and find some warm clothes; then we can explore more,” said Zane. Taking the key Brian gave him, he unlocked the wooden door swung it open, and then stepped back, allowing his mate to enter first.
“Ohhh,” David squealed, “it’s so cute! I love it! Look at the fireplace! Oh, this is amazing!” Swirling around, David surprised Zane with a sweet kiss.
That’s all it took for Zane’s cock to harden, tenting his flimsy pajama pants while sparks sizzled under his skin and need filled his body.
Visions of fucking his gorgeous mate had played on an endless loop in his mind ever since he scented him, and it took all his willpower to bury his desire until David agreed to be claimed.
But now, the only thing standing in his way was their talk so the sooner that was over, the faster he could sink his cock in his mate’s sweet, pert ass.
“What’s the kiss for?” Zane asked, looping his arms around his mate’s waist.
“For having the best idea ever!”
“You’re happy, here?”
“Oh yes. It’s so romantic and private, I feel like we’re the only two wolf shifters on earth. All we need is a full moon.”
“How about we get dressed, pack a picnic lunch, then take a walk.”
“Please! It’ll be the first time…I’ve never gone on a picnic.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing you’re with me because I’m the expert at doing picnics.”
“I’m sooo lucky,” David said, giving Zane another quick kiss.
“If you keep that up, you’ll be spending the day in bed with me,” Zane said, which elicited a shy grin from David. “C’mon, let’s find where Brian stashes the clothes.”
~/~/~/~/~
Regretting he hadn’t called Jackson last night, Logan punched in his brother’s number, then waited.
Slate left to be with Dakota, uneasy at leaving his mate alone with the possibility of more intruders and Logan couldn’t blame him after all the shit they’d just been through. What a fucking vacation!
“Logan!” Jackson answered.
“That’s me. What’s the matter?”
“I was just going to call you. We need to talk about David.”
“That’s what I’m calling about. Last night, Groose’s men caught a shifter sneaking into Zane and David’s suite.”
“Are they okay?”
“Yes, David heard him and disappeared with Zane before the asshole reached them.”
“Lucky. Do you know who and why the guy was trying to get to them?”
“No, the only thing we found out before he killed himself was his first name…Antonio…for all the good that does us.”
“Killed himself! How?”
“Poison. Ian and Colton tried to save him but there wasn’t anything they could do. And Colton couldn’t use his power because the guy was dead by the time they got there.”
“Did David recognize him?”
“Zane told me David doesn’t know anything about the guy.”
“But has David seen him before?”
“I don’t know because I haven’t spoken to David. After they disappeared last night, Zane called me early this morning to tell me he was taking his mate someplace David would feel safe. He also mentioned I should expect more attempts.”
“Where did they go?
“Sorry, Jackson, Zane refused to tell me. Basically, he insisted it was on a need-to-know basis and I didn’t need to know.”
Jackson slumped back in his chair. Zane was now with David alone—gods only knew where—and he still didn’t know if David was evil. Shit! Shit! Shit! “I’ll call you right back.” Hanging up quickly, Jackson dialed Zane’s number. His brother better not ignore a call from his Alpha.
~/~/~/~/~
After making sure David was dressed warmly, Zane found a small backpack tucked away on a closet shelf which he filled with crackers, a jar of peanut butter, beef jerky, bags of chips, a package of cookies and then, tossing in a blanket, he zipped it shut.
They were ready to go and as they headed out the door, Zane grabbed the canteen he’d filled and slung it around his neck.
Locking up, he tucked the key in his pocket before taking David’s hand and leading him along the trail that ran through the valley where the house stood.
A cloudless sky, pure air, and silence enveloped them.
Glancing at David from time to time, Zane grinned at the wonderment he could see in his mate’s face.
More gratifying, though, was the sheer happiness he could feel coming from him.
~/~/~/~/~
Groose had been going through David and Zane’s suite for clues when he heard the ringing. Following the sound to the bedroom, he located a phone in the pocket of some pants left on the floor. Adding it to an item he’d found earlier on Antonio’s body, Groose left to hand over his findings to Logan.
“You found that under his skin?” Logan asked, as he rolled the tiny cylinder in his hand. “What is it?”
“My guess…a bio-tracking device,” replied Groose. “I’m betting they know their man is dead.”
“Then they know he failed.”
“Yes, sir. I have already doubled the guards and restricted the access to this floor.”
“Does Dire Enterprises have a division that could analyze this?” asked Logan, holding up the device.
“I believe so, but Slate would have to give the orders for that to occur.”
“Gotcha. Anything else?”
“He had this tattoo on his lower leg,” Groose said, showing the picture he took of it.
“Any idea what it is?”
“Not at all. It’s not one I’m familiar with.”
“Okay, email it to me and Slate.”
“Will do. Also, Zane’s phone was ringing,” Groose said, handing it over to Logan.
“Shit!” Logan exclaimed when he saw who’d called. “Thanks, Groose. We’ll talk later,” he said, as he punched in the caller’s number as Groose left the room.
“Hi, Jackson.”
“Why are you calling from Zane’s phone?”
“Because he left it behind when David poofed both of them out of here.”
“Fuck! Logan, we have to find Zane!”
“I know. Groose found something when he checked the body…a bio-tracker and believes who ever Antonio was working for knows he screwed up.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes, Kieran is with Theo, Norman and Fionn for the moment. But before you say anything, you should know Kieran will know through our spirit.”
“Understood. Maximus and Mystia are on their way to Scotland at my request because of what they told me about David.”
“What’s the problem with David?”
“It’s a long story, but the upshot of it is David could be a threat to the world.”
“Zane’s David? You gotta be kidding me. I met him, remember, and believe me when I say he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. What proof do they have?”
“Logan, I’m not disputing you, but according to a legend or myth, or whatever, David has the ability to shapeshift into anyone he wants to. What you see may not really be him.”
“Bullshit, Jackson. I know for a fact that shapeshifting doesn’t change who you are underneath. If David was evil, my spirit would have told me. Did Cody tell you about the rescue of Slate?”
“Yes, he did…and how you shifted into a dragon and a crow to help save him.”
“Then you know what I’m saying is true.”
Sighing, Jackson said, “Look, Mystia will have the book with her when she arrives. Read it for yourself, look at the evidence, then tell me what you think.”
“Who else knows?” asked Logan.
“No one, but I’ll be talking about David to Cody and Dylon this morning.”
“Excellent,” Logan said. “I’m sending some photos of this dude and hoping Dylon can use his contacts to find out who he is. Normally, I would ask Zane but…”
“Right,” said Jackson. “I don’t want Zane to know anything about this until there’s proof.”
“Good call. After the way he talked to me this morning, he’s in full protection mode, so he’s not about to listen to anyone except David.”
“I know,” agreed Jackson. “Did David say anything about where he came from?”
“Tuscany, Italy.”
“That’s a starting point. Please let Maximus and Mystia know about that when they arrive.”
“What about Oracle?”
“No, not for now,” Jackson cautioned. “Maximus will be there before Oracle arrives, surprising her with a mini vacation. Mystia will be around but out of sight. I’ve ordered both to report to you as you have my full authority in this matter.”
“What exactly are they supposed to do?”
“Find out everything about David they can, so I know if he’s evil and must be terminated.”
“Jackson! Are you fucking insane? This is Zane’s Fated Mate you’re talking about. A FATED MATE, Jackson. The Fates don’t give Fated Mates to us just so they can be killed.”
“WHAT THE FUCK, LOGAN, YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT?”
“I can’t be a part of this. I won’t be a part of this.
I won’t betray my brother this way. I’m telling you right now, David isn’t evil and I don’t care what some fucking old legend says.
I’m begging you, Jackson, don’t do this.
There’s no way you can keep this a secret.
Zane will find out. Then what? I’ll tell you…
it will tear the pack apart and Zane will never forgive us. Our fucking uncle will have won.”
Jackson closed his eyes, pain clearly evident on his face.
Logan was right, of course, Zane would never forgive any of them if he found out.
What about my other brothers? Would they understand why I did this?
If Logan’s reaction is anything to go by, the answer would be a resounding “no!” But what if the legend is true and David wreaks havoc on this world?
Could I ever forgive myself for knowing and doing nothing?
Logan’s voice came through his phone and Jackson said, “Yeah, I’m still here. You’re right but I have to consider the possibility the legend is true and that puts me right between a rock and a hard place.”
“Jackie, I get that. I really do. But let’s find a different way.
I’m not saying you’re wrong but I think we need to give Zane and his wolf credit for knowing if David is a danger.
As far as I know, there’s not the slightest indication.
When you add my and Kieran’s spirit into the mix, I have to lean strongly in that direction too.
Did you ask Mystia why she believes the legend is true? ”
“I don’t know that she believes it per se…it’s more that she worries it might be true.”
“What about Oracle?” asked Logan.
“What about her…you know as well as I do, she won’t…can’t talk about anything she knows unless the Fates give her permission.”
“Well, I don’t believe the Fates would give an evil person to our brother. We were saved for a reason, remember? And I don’t think destroying the world was it.”
“Well, what do you suggest?” asked Jackson, wanting to believe his twin.
“Start with what we do know. David is in trouble according to Zane’s wolf and my spirit so maybe it’s the group that’s after him we should be looking at.
I mean, really, they send a guy to break into Zane and David’s suite purportedly to harm David.
Then the dude kills himself when he’s caught and we find a bio-tracker on him.
He told Groose he belonged to something better than a pack and Ian thinks the guy was so fanatic, he was willing to die when he fucked up. Now that’s some heavy shit.”
“I’ll give you that, but that would mean David…and Zane, most likely…is still a target.”
“My spirit has been telling me the same thing all morning. I think our focus should be on finding these motherfuckers and helping David. I’m going to ask Slate if his people can figure out the bio-tracker Groose recovered.
Maybe it’ll give us a lead on who this group is.
Also, as I said before, can you ask Dylon to use his contacts at the Council to help us identify Antonio and see if anyone knows about that tattoo on his leg? ”
“Send them through and I’ll talk to Dylon.”
“Jackie, you’ll have to change any orders you’ve given Maximus and Mystia so they shift their focus to what danger David’s in and from whom. And I’d prefer you do it before they get here.”
“Consider it done. How’s everyone?”
“Good. Colton is hovering over Ian like a mother bear. I just hope I’m not around when Ian decides he’s finally had enough. Slate and Dakota never want to leave their bedroom, so you know what that means. Theo and Norm are a lot more open about their relationship…”
“In what way?” asked Jackson.
“Hmmm, more touchie-feelie around others including kissing and hugging…oh, and then there are the names they have for each other. Norm calls Theo ‘honeybunch’ and Theo’s name for Norman is ‘pooh bear’.”
“That is so fucking cute! It’s good to hear they’re finding their footing. What about Fionn?”
“Fionn…hmmm, well he seems more at peace with himself, but still very sad. I’m not sure why…whether he misses his mother or is still dealing with killing his father, but Kieran has been spending time with him, helping him work through any issues he might have.”
“What about you and Kieran? How’s the pup?”
“Growing like a weed, and, other than all this shit I have to deal with, we’re fine.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” commiserated Jackson.
“Hey, not your fault, you know that. Hopefully once we find David and Zane, we can solve David’s problems…just in time to come home,” Logan said, laughing.
“Well, I’ll be one happy Alpha once you’re all back, safe and sound, under one roof.”
“How’s Daniel doing?”
“OH, MY GODS, I forgot to tell you…he said his first word.”
“Fuck! When! What was it? When was it?”
“Before Cody and Dylon went to Scotland. Everything got so hectic I forgot to tell you. He’s said a few more words since then so I’ll try to get it on video for you.”
“But what did he say?”
“Well it was ‘asshole’ if that’s what you were wondering.”
“Damn.”
“Just pulling your chain, bro,” Jackson laughed. “Much to my mate’s relief, it was ‘dada’.”
“Awww, that’s so cool. I can’t wait until our squirt calls me that.”
“I can’t wait till Daniel meets your pup.”
“Me neither, Jackie. Hey, Slate just walked in and I want to show him the bio-tracker. Get to Mystia and Maximus and I’ll touch base with you later.” After ending the call, Logan turned to Slate and said, “Just the person I wanted to see.”