Chapter 2
Jackson looked around the breakfast table while he was feeding Daniel and smiled.
They had come such a long way since that fateful day in Las Vegas when he led his brothers through the night, fleeing for their lives.
But they made it to safety—himself, Logan, Cody, Colton, Carson, Dakota, and Zane—all safe with the help of Jimmy and his wife Mystia.
He was the first of the brothers to find his Fated Mate, but he wasn’t the last. Glancing first at Colton’s lips whispering into Ian’s ear, and then seeing Cody and Dylon cradling their twins while exchanging looks filled with love, Jackson was pleased those two brothers were settled.
Now, he wondered when the rest of his brothers would find their Fated Mates; he wanted his brothers to experience the happiness that being mated would bring.
His gaze landed back on Daniel’s sweet face and Jackson saw his son’s blue eyes turn to silver as his wolf made a brief appearance.
Leaning down and placing a soft kiss on Daniel’s forehead, he whispered, “Love you, sweetie, to the moon and back.” Finally, his mind returned to Ian’s comment about examining Kieran, Theodore and Norman.
“Do you need more than a week, or can you finish all of the examinations within that time?”
“A week will be fine. I want to check Jake and Jessica over one more time and I can do that this week also,” Ian said.
“We plan on leaving next week…if you don’t have a problem with that, Jackson,” said Colton. “I want to make sure we have enough time in Scotland before Ian experiences morning sickness.”
“How long are you going to be gone?” asked Steel.
“A month, maybe a little longer,” answered Ian. “We have a list of places I want to see, but we left it loose in order to accommodate my parents. They gave me a list, but I’m thinking once they meet us in Scotland, it may grow.”
“I bet they’re excited,” said Lizzie, “I know I would be. Scotland is a beautiful place. I remember the time we visited there when Frank was a High Council representative. I fancied myself as a Scottish lassie walking among the heather in the highlands while the sounds of bagpipes echoed through the hills. Oh, it was so romantic. Frank, we should go back there again but let’s stay longer this time.
Maybe we can take Cody, Dylon, and the grandpups.
Wouldn’t that be a great trip? Oh, say yes, Frank, please? ”
Forestalling any objections from his father, Dylon responded, “Mom, that sounds great, but we can’t go right now.
Jake and Jessica need to get settled after what happened to their parents and, besides, we are working with Logan right now on the renovations needed for the home for boys.
Maybe we could plan a trip for next year when Jake and Jessica will be older and can enjoy it more. ”
“Miss L?” said Kieran, “I bet you would rock as a Scottish lassie. I can see you now dressed in a beautiful plaid dress with shades of blue, purplish heather woven into a circlet of flowers intertwined in your gorgeous blond hair.” Then, after hearing from his spirit, he said, “Wow, I have a great idea…I could go with you if Frank didn’t want to go.
You know, just as a traveling companion.
Frank would be happy to know you wouldn’t be traveling by yourself and it would be perfect for me, too. ”
“Ki, we want to go too,” said Theodore, looking at Norman for reassurance. “Isn’t that right?”
“Theo’s right, Ki. We haven’t been anywhere other than a dungeon. We talked about this last night and decided we want to experience life before we start school. I know you’re eager for us to go, but come on Ki, can’t we have some fun before that?” asked Norman.
“Of course, you need some fun. And a trip to Scotland sounds lovely. I can see us all in kilts and creamy linen shirts…you know we don’t have to wear anything under the kilts…isn’t that right, Miss L?” asked Kieran.
“Nothing? Really?” Theo asked Ian.
Chuckling, Ian replied, “That’s right. Traditionally, Scottish men are commando under their kilts.”
“Wait a minute, guys,” Cody said, “before you start packing, we need to talk. How about right after breakfast? There are some other matters we need to cover also. Lizzie, will you watch the twins while Dylon and I meet with the boys?”
“Certainly,” said Lizzie. “Kieran, can I get back to you on your proposal? I want to talk to Frank.”
“Absolutely Miss L,” Kieran beamed, happy to see his idea hadn’t been rejected outright.
As soon as he said it, he knew it was the right thing to do.
Why Scotland was calling to him, he didn’t know, but then he’d been taught never to ignore messages his spirit sent him.
So, one way or another he was going to go to Scotland and if he went with Theo, Norman, and Miss L, so much the better.
“Oracle, would you mind watching Daniel?” asked Jackson, “My morning suddenly became busy.”
“Of course,” Oracle said, “take your time. Maximus and I will enjoy spoiling our grandpup.”
After burping Daniel, Jackson rose and brought him over to Steel’s mother who reached up and took him. “Oh, look at you…so big,” Oracle crooned while cuddling Daniel in her arms. Smiles, spit bubbles, and giggling were her only responses.
“Come on guys, let’s talk to Jackson,” Cody said to Kieran, Theodore, and Norman as he and Dylon rose from the table.
Leading the way, Cody thought about what the boys said, and he had to admit, he didn’t blame them.
Especially, in the case of Theodore and Norman whose teenage years had been stolen from them by their misguided parents.
Now they were free…or were they? If I refuse them about what they want to do aren’t I keeping them prisoners too?
Just because I want to protect them. Oh shit, is this how Dylon and I will feel about our pups when they grow up?
Through their mind link, Dylon heard his mate’s thoughts and agreed. He’d become quite protective of their boys, even Kieran, who tried his patience repeatedly. Ma moité, we will figure this out together.
I know, but our boys have suffered so much. How can I let them go off to another country when they know nothing about the world?
My pet, they know more about the world than you or I did at their age. Our boys have seen the evil that can be found in some shifters and they paid an enormous price for learning that lesson. Why don’t we start by listening to them with an open mind and then see what we can do about it.
I know you’re right, but I’m telling you now, I can’t agree to them going by themselves. Reaching Jackson’s office, Cody gave a brief rap on the door and then entered. When everyone was seated, Cody looked at Jackson, waiting for him to speak.
“Cody, how about you start?” asked Jackson.
“Okay. Let’s start with the trip to Scotland,” Cody began. “Why Scotland? Because of Ian and Colton’s plans?”
Theodore and Norman looked at Kieran before Theodore answered. “Because we want to go with Kieran and he wants to go to Scotland.”
“That makes sense,” said Cody. Then looking at Kieran, asked, “So why do you want to go there?”
“My spirit told me I needed to go,” answered Kieran.
“Your spirit? What do you mean…your spirit?” asked Jackson.
“My spirit. My Shaman taught me never to ignore what my spirit told me to do. I only did it one time and that was a disaster,” Kieran said.
“I don’t understand,” Cody said. “What is a spirit? You mean your subconscious?”
“No, not my subconscious. DUH! My spirit! You know! A spirit! My guide! Jeez!” exclaimed Kieran.
Dylon spoke. “I haven’t ever heard of a shifter having a spirit, only a wolf inside that can alert you to danger and such. Is that what you mean? Your wolf is telling you to go to Scotland?”
Kieran rolled his eyes at Dylon. “No, if I meant my wolf, I would have said my wolf. I’m talking about my spirit. My Shaman taught me how to find it and how to listen to what it was saying.”
“We thought you meant your wolf spirit,” said Norman, “you know, like, what we call our animal bear spirits,”
“No, I don’t. Doesn’t everyone have a spirit?
” asked Kieran as he looked around at the blank faces staring back at him.
“Huh, I guess not. Well I’m sorry about that but my spirit is very important to me.
He made me aware of you, Cody, when you were invisible in the dungeon.
He told me to show you all the prisoners and the babies.
I did exactly what he told me to do. How did you think I knew you were there?
You know, when I asked you to flip the light switch to show me you meant no harm? ”
“You said before you ignored your spirit one time. What happened then?” asked Cody.
“The night I told my parents I was gay my spirit told me I was in danger, but I didn’t believe it. Fuck! I was so stupid! But really…these were my parents!” Kieran shook his head. “I ignored the teachings of my Shaman and look what happened to me. So, you see, I have to go to Scotland. I have to!”
Cody looked at Dylon then back at Kieran. “Do you know why you have to go to Scotland?”
“Nope. Not yet. I expect I’ll find out when I get there,” answered Kieran.
“Cody, why don’t we put aside the issue of Kieran’s spirit right now and address the logistics of a trip for the three of them,” said Jackson.
“But what if they’ll be in danger over there? I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happens and I’m not there to prevent it,” Cody insisted.
“Did you have any visions about Kieran in Scotland?” asked Jackson.
“No, but still…why are you pushing for them to go?” asked Cody.
Jackson smiled. “Because someone I love taught me not too long ago that if I stopped him from going to a place where he might face danger, then I was keeping him a prisoner by using my desire to protect him. Remember?”
Cody groaned. “That’s not fair. This is a different situation. The boys are…”
“…are adults and are capable of making decisions. Ones you may not agree with but ones you need to respect,” admonished Jackson.
Then addressing Kieran, he added, “I don’t know anything about your spirit, but I’ll accept what you say.
Now, has your spirit said anything about you being in danger in Scotland? ”
Kieran’s eyes closed as he concentrated on talking to his spirit. After finding the answer to Jackson’s question, he opened them and said, “Nothing. Just that I must go to Scotland.”
Jackson nodded. “So back to the trip. Dylon, do you think your mother would go with the boys to Scotland?”
“I don’t know. Dad needs to get back to the High Council soon. He stayed longer because Mom wanted to spend time with the twins,” answered Dylon.
“Cody, if Lizzie could go with the boys would you agree to the trip?” asked Jackson.
“Yo, Alpha,” Kieran cut in. “You don’t own us,” he said, pointing to himself, Theodore and Norman.
“This is our decision and we have something to say about what we want, too. You all are talking as if we’re children or we don’t exist. I won’t let my friends ever be treated that way again.
Our right to decide for ourselves was taken from us by our parents and Arald.
Don’t treat us the same way just because you claim you want to protect us.
You should be asking us if we want to go with Miss L and not asking Cody. ”
Jackson smiled broadly to the group in front of him. “You, of course, are right. Part of being an adult is speaking up for yourself. Now, let me ask you, Theodore, and Norman. Do you care if Lizzie goes with you on your trip?”
Holding up a finger, Kieran leaned over and held a whispered conversation with his friends. After it was over, he announced, “We would be delighted if Miss L could go with us.”
“Cody, Dylon, do you have any problems about Lizzie going with them?” asked Jackson.
After a short conversation using their mind link, Cody said, “Nope. And guys, I’m sorry. My only excuse is I’m still learning how to be a parent.”
“Yeah, Jake and Jessica are going to owe me big for all the lessons I teach you about being parents,” snickered Kieran. “And good luck when they become teenagers.”
“Really? Well,” said Cody, “let’s see how I do as a parent with this next item. I’m assigning you some chores…well not chores, really…more like intern duties.”
“Why?” asked Theodore.
“The main reason…because you are members of the Blackwood Pack and everyone helps out. But, I devised something a little different. After talking to each of you, I thought about what I could do to help you figure out what your interests are. Each of you will intern with my different brothers to see if you have an interest in any of the following…cooking, computers, medicine, business, social work, interior design. If these don’t interest you after spending time learning about those things, then I’ll look for other fields you can explore.
To begin with, Theodore, I’m assigning you to Dakota, Norman, I’m assigning you to Colton, and Kieran, you will be spending some time with Zane. ”
Theodore and Norman exchanged glances and, after his friends held one of their mind link conversations, they nodded to Kieran who said, “Sounds great. When do we start?”
“Today. And the last item I need to discuss is your physical. Please make an appointment with Colton this week for your examination. With your trip coming up, it’s more important than ever to make sure none of are suffering from long term damage resulting from what Arald did to you.”
“Is that an order?” asked Kieran.
“Hey Ki, we don’t mind,” Norman said, speaking for Theodore too.
Jackson spoke. “No Kieran. It’s not an order but I’d appreciate it very much if you’d do this for me.
As Alpha, it’s my job to make sure all my pack members are healthy and well taken care of.
After what happened, especially to you, I would be neglecting my responsibilities if I didn’t make sure you haven’t suffered any long-term damage. ”
Kieran knew Jackson meant well, but he couldn’t do it. He nodded but promised himself he’d find a way to avoid it. There was no way he could do it.