Chapter 45
Zane led Adam to the rear of the church where Logan was waiting. “Hey bro, I found him,” Zane said. “His name is Adam.”
“Your brother’s a dragon?”
“Yeah…no…it’s complicated. Climb up and I’ll be right behind you,” Zane said. “By the way, what kind of shifter are you?”
“You won’t recognize it,” Adam said.
“Why?” asked Zane.
“Because my kind is extinct. They have been for over a hundred years.”
“Whoa! Really? So how did you survive?” asked Zane.
“It’s a long story but to answer your question, I’m a Kenai Peninsula wolf shifter,” Adam said.
“You’re from Alaska?”
“Yes, although I haven’t lived there for many years,” Adam said.
“Cool.” Then, hearing his brother snort, Zane said, “C’mon, my brother’s gettin' antsy.”
~/~/~/~/~
Kieran was outside, bouncing on his toes as his mate’s dragon landed behind the villa with Zane and Adam aboard. Macushla, you found him!
Snorting, Logan waited till his brother and Adam were inside, then shifted. “Actually, Zane found him but it took longer than expected. How’s Mrs. Rossi?” he said, embracing his mate.
“Better,” said Kieran. “She woke up a few minutes ago but is still woozy. Ian says she’ll be herself soon.
David is with her which helped when she woke up because you know she didn’t know anyone, and I gave her some love which also helped.
Then, when she saw David, she cried and wouldn’t stop touching his face.
It was very emotional, macushla. I’m so glad we rescued her, aren’t you? She’s very nice.”
“Yes,” answered Logan. “Hopefully, we can leave for Scotland soon. C’mon, let’s go meet Adam.”
“Oohh, good idea!” Kieran excitedly pulled Logan down the hallway to the villa’s living room where they found Adam.
“Hi Adam, I’m Kieran and this is my mate Logan who is Zane’s brother,” said Kieran.
Then, when Slate and Dakota strolled in, he added, “And this is Slate and his mate Dakota who’s also Zane’s brother.
He was the one who found out you were in the dungeon. Why were you locked up?”
Unable to keep up with Kieran’s rapid-fire speech, Adam looked helplessly at Zane and said, “Uhhh, is there some place I can take a shower?”
“Sure,” replied Zane. Turning to Slate, he asked, “Which bathroom should he use and do you think Gio would mind if we borrow a shirt and a pair of pants for him since his are about to fall off?”
“I got this,” Slate said. “Why don’t you go see your mate, Zane?” Then reaching out his hand to Adam, he said, “Hi Adam, I’m Slate. If you follow me and Dakota, we’ll get you fixed up quicktime.”
Leaving Slate to sort out Adam’s needs, Zane headed for the bedroom Mrs. Rossi was in.
Opening the door quietly, he entered, smiling at David who was hugging his mother as tears of joy trickled down their faces.
Reluctant to interrupt their reunion, Zane stayed back, nodding at Colton, who then joined him.
Anticipating his brother’s question, Colton said, softly, “She’ll make a full recovery, physically. Mentally? Can’t say for sure but it wouldn’t hurt if Kieran spends some time with her and does his magic.”
“I’ll ask Kieran to do that,” said Zane. “I brought another patient back for you. He was in the convent’s dungeon…not sure for how long…but long enough for him to be a bag of skin and bones. He’s taking a shower right now.”
“Ian and I can check him over after he’s finished,” Colton said.
“Great. When can Mrs. Rossi travel?”
“Now, as long as she doesn’t walk; she still has the drug in her system so Ian’s worried she could lose her balance and take a nasty fall.”
“That’s not a problem. I’ll carry her,” Zane said.
After Zane’s scent reached him, David turned his head and, smiling at his mate. “Love, come meet my mother.”
“Go ahead,” Colton said, “I’m going to find our other patient.”
Joining David at his mother’s bedside, Zane smiled at her. “Hello Mrs. Rossi, I’m Zane.”
“Call me Sofia, please. My David told me you are his Fated Mate?”
“I am, and very lucky the Fates gave him to me,” Zane said.
“Not true, love,” countered David, “I’m the lucky one!”
“I would say you’re both very lucky and well suited for each other,” Sofia said with a smile. “My son tells me I have you to thank for rescuing me.”
“Actually, it was a group rescue. My brothers and their mates were also part of it, Zane mumbled, a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
“Of course,” Sofia replied, “I owe them my thanks too.”
“Mama, how are you feeling now? Are you hungry?” asked David.
“Ian, can Sofia eat something?” asked Zane.
“Some broth is okay, but nothing else until the drug is totally out of her system. Otherwise, she might have some stomach discomfort,” Ian replied.
“Do you want some broth, Mama?” asked David.
“S?, that sounds wonderful,” Sofia answered.
“I’ll get it, babe,” Zane offered.
“Thanks, love,” David said gratefully, watching his mate leave.
Sofia’s eyes examined her son’s face. “You love him very much, s??”
“S?, Mama, more than I ever thought I could,” David said, his eyes glowing with love.
“You were right about Fated Mates. Zane is my everything…kind, loving, gentle, understanding, protective…I could go on forever. If I had to go through everything again in order to have him as my Fated Mate, I would Mama. I know that sounds dumb…”
“Hush, my darling, it is as it should be.”
“Mama, you’re human. How did you know about Fated Mates?”
“Our neighbor who saved me after I was attacked,” Sofia said. “He’s a shifter and knew you were one too. While I was recovering, he used to sit by my bedside and tell me all about who you were. After I healed, he told me to find you…that the shifter world was going to need you.”
“I must thank him for saving you, Mama. Maybe when you’re better, we can visit him,” David said.
“I’d like that very much.” Then, noticing Zane arriving with her broth on a tray, she said, “Oh, my goodness, that smells wonderful. Thank you, Zane.”
“My pleasure,” Zane said, placing it in front of Sofia. Turning to his mate, he asked, “Babe, are you okay? I want to check on Adam…the man I found in the dungeon…to make sure he’s okay.”
“Of course, love,” said David. “I’m going to make sure Mama finishes her broth.”
“I’ll be back shortly,” Zane assured his mate, before leaving the bedroom and heading towards voices he heard coming from a room at the far end of the hallway.
As he grew nearer, he heard Slate’s voice exclaim, “I can’t believe you are a Kenai Peninsula wolf shifter.
The High Council declared them extinct long ago. ”
“I seem to remember they did the same about Scottish wolf shifters,” chuckled Ian. “It might be time for the High Council to hire some new people in that department.”
“Where’ve you been all this time?” Colton asked Adam. “The last known Kenai Peninsula wolf shifter is supposed to have died over a hundred years ago.”
Seeing Adam backing up against the wall, looking fearfully at the huge men questioning him, Zane rushed over. Planting himself protectively in front of him, Zane said, “Hey, dudes, give him some space. He just got out of a dungeon and I’m sure he’d appreciate some food.”
“Adam most definitely needs to eat,” Ian concurred, packing up his medical bag. “Otherwise, he’s just fine.”
“What appeals to you, Adam?” asked Zane.
“Just some broth for him too, Zane,” Ian said. “His stomach has to get used to having something in it.”
“Okay,” Zane said, taking Adam by the arm and leading him out the door. “I just made some for Sofia and there’s a lot left.”
“Can Mrs. Rossi leave after she’s eaten?” asked Logan.
“Yes, she’s still weak but Zane’s going to carry her when necessary,” Colton said.
“Good, back to Scotland,” said Logan. “I hope we can have a few days of peace and quiet without any assholes screwing it up.”
“You should,” Slate said, “Groose has taken Brenda’s brother into custody and my men should be there shortly to transport him to the High Council’s jail.”
“What about the other man that was with him?” asked Logan.
“Arrested also,” Slate said. “I think he’ll be singing to anyone who’ll listen about Brenda and what she was involved in.”
“Hallelujah! Finally, a few days with my mate without any crises,” replied Logan.
Poking his head into the room, Kieran said, “Macushla, the limousine is out front. Adam has eaten, and so has Sofia, so we are ready to go if you are.”
“Coming, babe,” smiled Logan, before saying under his breath, “Chop! Chop!”
~/~/~/~/~
After Adam finished his broth, Zane led him to Sofia’s room. “David’s mother was also a prisoner at the convent but for much longer than you were so she’s quite weak. Luckily, she’ll make a full recovery but it will take some time.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Adam said. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask about his mother before but I know very little about the High Priest.”
“You said the gods told you about David?” asked Zane.
“Yes…no…well, not in person. One night I had a dream in which the gods told me about their representative on earth. It was amazing because it was as if they were sitting in my room, having a conversation with me. After explaining about David and what my role would be, the gods told me what to do in the morning when I awoke. The next day, I was determined to find David and help him any way I could.”
“So you had no idea about who the High Priestess was when you arrived at the convent.”
“Goodness, no! I guess I was na?ve because I expected to be greeted with open arms. You can imagine my surprise when I ended up in the dungeon.”
“I sure can,” Zane said, opening Sofia’s bedroom door and ushering Adam inside. “Hey, babe,” he announced to his mate, “I have someone the gods sent to help you.”
Startled, David looked at Adam. “I’ve seen you before!”
“You have? When, babe?” asked Zane.
“In a dream before I ran away. I thought he might be my mate,” David said softly.
“Oh no, High Priest,” Adam said, “the gods sent me to be of service to you.” Then, kneeling next to David, he bowed his head.
“Service? How?” asked David.
“I have studied and memorized all of the paranormal laws that deal with moral issues to help you carry out the mission the gods gave you,” Adam said, quietly.
Unsure of what to do, David glanced at Zane and, finding the answer to his question in his mate’s face, said, “I’m honored to meet you, Adam, and am very thankful the gods gave me this precious gift as I certainly have need of your knowledge.”
“Hi Sofia,” Kieran said, walking in and smiling at David’s mother.
“Are you feeling better? I know once we get you out of here, everything will be perfect. The limousine is waiting out front. Zane’s going to carry you out because Ian doesn’t want you to walk.
Is everyone ready? Adam why are you on your knees? Get up and let’s go.”
Adam stared at Kieran, amazed at how much and how fast he talked. When everything finally registered, he rose, walking over to Zane. “Where are we going?” he asked.
“Back to Scotland…well first to the airport and then back to Scotland so you and Sofia can recover,” Zane replied. “After that, we’ll be heading to California… home of the Blackwood Pack,” he said, with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Where in California?” asked Adam.
“Northern part…east of San Francisco,” Zane said. “Sofia, are you ready?”
~/~/~/~/~
Zane left David sitting next to his mother who was comfortably settled in the bed on the plane.
After making sure Sofia didn’t need anything, he left the two of them, talking and reminiscing while he headed to see his brother.
Sitting opposite Logan, Zane asked, “Is there a two bedroom suite available at the hotel for us and Sofia? I know David will want her close to us so the suite we’re in now won’t do. ”
“Yes, your stuff is being moved to it right now,” Logan answered.
Zane then said, “I know I was supposed to go home in a couple of days, but Sofia needs some more rest before she leaves, and David won’t leave without her and I won’t leave without him. I guess I better take it up with Jackson.”
“No need,” said Logan, allaying Zane’s concerns.
“Jackson came to that conclusion after getting the medical report on her and Adam from Ian, so all of us will be staying another week. It’s a bonus for Kieran and me because we’d like some downtime too,” Logan said.
“When Sofia has recovered, are you bringing her to California?”
“Yeah, I guess. We haven’t discussed it but where else can she go and be safe? I know my mate won’t want to leave her alone, especially since she has no family to protect her,” replied Zane.
Nodding, Logan said, “I talked about that with Jackson and he has no problem with it. Just thought you oughta know.”
Smiling, Zane knew Logan had cleared the way for a human to join the Blackwood Pack. “Thanks bro, always glad you have my back.” Then he left to rejoin his mate and Sofia.
Kieran grinned at his mate. “Macushla, I like how you have my back too.”
“I always have your back, babe, no matter what happens,” Logan said, looking at his mate with love.
“That’s good to know because I’m craving a little back action tonight, if you catch my drift,” Kieran said, lifting up his mate’s hand and licking it.
Suddenly it became clear to Logan what ‘back action’ his mate was referring to. Placing Kieran in his lap, he licked his mate’s ear lobe before whispering about all the hot sex he was planning for him later on.
~/~/~/~/~
Quietly opening the bedroom door, Zane realized neither David nor Sofia knew he had entered and, as he stood still, listening to his mate, he was humbled at what he heard.
“Mama, I love Zane with my whole heart, mind, and soul. He is perfect for me in every way…so protective, I feel safe even when I face danger, so caring, I know I mean the world to him, and so loving I no longer have any cracks in my heart. My world revolves around him now and I give thanks every day to the Fates for choosing Zane for me. Mama, he makes me a better person because his strength is now my strength, ridding me of all the fear I had. Do you understand?”
Reaching up and cupping her son’s face, Sofia answered, “I do, darling, I see all those things in your Zane and I also give thanks that you are so blessed by the Fates.” Sofia dropped her hand and lay back on the bed.
Looking up at her son, with admiration, she said, “Someday I hope to find the same happiness that you have.”
The gods smiled.