Chapter 27
“How far away should we be?” asked Remy, standing near an old tree, his brothers’ hands tightly grasping his.
“Ah, that’s fine,” Carson replied as he removed everything except his briefs.
“Once I shift, it’s okay for them to touch my wolf if they want to.
” Without any further delay, he threw himself into his shift, the sounds of cracking bones breaking the evening quiet.
When the noise faded away, Carson stood in his wolf form, shaking out his fur and scenting the air.
Finding nothing alarming, he settled his belly on the ground, waiting for Remy and his brothers to approach.
After seeing his mate’s magnificent white wolf stand regally before him, Remy’s dick began to swell.
Oh, my gods! He’s beautiful! Everything about the wolf called to him, driving Remy’s need to claim Carson stronger than anything he ever felt.
Shivers of delight consumed his body as he eyed the shimmering ties binding them together.
Longing to run his fingers through the soft fur rippling in the evening breeze, he fantasized about how it would feel to sleep curled up next to his mate’s wolf, knowing he’d be safe.
With his mind lost in his dream, Remy forgot about his brothers until he felt Galen’s hand pull free.
Running over to Carson’s wolf, Galen skidded to a stop, then tentatively reached out and touched an ear. “Oh, that’s soft,” he murmured before sliding his hand down to the fur around the neck. “Remee, feel this!”
Looking down at Eamon, Remy asked, “Do you want to pet Carsso?”
“Is he gonna eat me?” asked Eamon, keeping his eyes glued to the wolf .
“No, sweetie,” Remy murmured, kneeling next to his brother. “That’s Carsso…trust me…he won’t hurt you at all.”
“Eamon,” yelled Galen, “Carsso is smiling at me!”
“I wanna see,” Eamon shrieked, pulling Remy towards the wolf. “Show me!”
Carson’s wolf chuffed before ducking his head and nudging Eamon’s hand.
“Ohhhhh,” Eamon squealed, “he wants me to pet him.” Placing his tiny hand on the top of the wolf’s head, he patted it several times.
“Can I ride him?” asked Galen.
“I wanna ride him too,” Eamon demanded.
“I don’t think…” Remy began, then stopped as his mate nodded his head. “Okay, but don’t take them out of my sight.”
Chuffing again, Carson flattened himself further so Galen could climb up on him. Then, rising, he remained still until Remy lifted Eamon onto his back, seating him in front of his brother.
“Eamon, hold on to his fur…yes, just like that,” Remy said, “Galen, put one arm around your brother and grab some of Carson’s fur with the other.”
“Like this?”
“Perfect,” Remy said.
“Giddyup,” Eamon ordered.
“He’s not a horse,” Galen said, then squealed in surprise when he felt Carson’s wolf move beneath him.
Tears trickled from Remy’s eyes as he followed the progress of his mate slowly walking around the back yard while peals of laughter from Galen and Eamon filled the air.
Then it hit him; this was the first time since their parents’ deaths his brothers sounded so carefree, something they needed more of.
Sighing, Remy vowed to give them more times like this, once he got his life in order.
Carson was in heaven. Giving rides to his younger siblings was something he’d loved doing and something he’d forgotten about since that terrible day.
Moving with care so not to jostle his riders too much, he felt real joy for the first time in his life.
Tucking the feeling away to examine more fully later, Carson concentrated on giving Galen and Eamon some fun.
Finally, he stopped, standing still while Remy lifted Eamon off, then slowly lowered himself until his belly touched the ground.
“I luv you Carsso,” Galen cried, hugging the wolf’s neck.
“I luv you too,” Eamon seconded, throwing himself against the wolf’s flanks.
“Come on, guys,” Remy said, smiling as he untangled his brothers from Carson’s wolf. “It’s late…time for bed.” Once Galen and Eamon were free, he said to his mate, “Join me after you shift. I’ll be in the bathroom with these two, trying to keep dry.”
Chuffing in response, Carson watched until his family was safely inside the cottage before shifting back. Dashing his happy tears away, he got dressed before joining his mate; he had a lot to tell Remy before Oracle arrived.
~/~/~/~/~
Glenn sent off the last of his reports before closing his laptop. Feeling Riley’s eyes on him, he glanced up, growling, “What now? ”
“Hey, no biting,” Riley grinned. “Just wondering if you’ve decided what to do about the Collector?”
Running his hand over his face in frustration, Glenn replied, “Find the son-of-a-bitch, then carve him into a thousand pieces for putting my mother through what he did. That’s the short answer.
The long one…I’m assembling a group whose sole mission is to find him and bring that creep to justice. Want in?”
“Is this a private group or an official one sanctioned by the agency?” asked Riley.
Snorting, Glenn asked, “What do you think?”
“Right…private then. Count me in…this should be fun,” answered Riley. “Who else are you asking?”
“I have a couple of guys in mind,” Glenn said. “I plan to visit them in the next few days and bring ’em up to date. I’ll let you know who signs on.”
“How are you going to do that without the agency finding out what you’re up to?” asked Riley.
Looking at his wristwatch, Glenn said, “My vacation officially started two minutes ago. My deal is no contact by them for 30 days.” Packing up his laptop along with surveillance gear pillaged from the safe house, he gave Riley a quick glance.
“My mother will never be safe as long as that asshole is loose, so I have 30 days to find him before I quit the agency.”
“You’re quitting?” Riley asked, shocked.
“Look, I was ready to bail out six years ago and the only reason I didn’t is my mother. Having her watched 24/7 by the agency meant everything, since I knew she’d never let me do it. It was a good deal, but not anymore.”
“But what about the Blackwood Pack? Don’t you think she’ll be safe there,” asked Riley .
“Truthfully? No…but once my mother makes up her mind…”
“Yeah, I know,” Riley said. “What are you going to do about Josiah? As soon as he finds out she’s a witness, he’s gonna try to snuff her.”
“Really?” Glenn said sarcastically, “Thanks for telling me…I’d never have figured that out myself.”
“Fuck you,” Riley said, giving his friend the finger. “You know what I mean.”
“That’s why I don’t think the Blackwood Pack can protect her.
I’ve dealt with more psychopaths like Josiah than I can count.
I know how devious they can be. The one thing they all have in common is the absolute belief their actions are justifiable even if they need to break the law.
You read the complaint against that prick…
how can killing children be justified? They’re innocent, yet Josiah didn’t give a shit.
Dylon, Cody and Zane have never come face to face with that kind of evil.
So no, I don’t think they’ll be able to keep my mother alive once she makes her statement. ”
“So, what are you going to do about it?” asked Riley.
“I don’t know yet, but I have a little time,” Glenn said. “Mom will want Hope’s permission before she does anything. That should give me some time to hunt and find the other threat my mom is facing…another fuckin’ psychopath.”
“Well, I found something on the Collector that might help,” Riley said.
“You did? When?” Glenn asked.
“I ran a search while we were out this morning,” Riley said, holding his hand up to stop his friend from speaking. “I wondered how many other rare paranormals had disappeared and I ended up with a list of potential victims…all of them reported missing.”
“Holy shit!” Glenn exclaimed. “That’s fanfuckingtastic! Start pulling the missing persons reports and let’s see if there’s a pattern.”
“Already on it,” Riley said. “Most will be easy to get, but some are restricted—confidential…only the High Council has access to them.”
“I could request to see them through the agency,” asked Glenn.
“Not if you’re on vacation,” said Riley. “However, Dylon Royd might be able to…especially if he still has his security clearance.”
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Glenn juggled different scenarios in his mind, before responding, “Maybe…but that’s my last choice.”
Riley smirked. “You have no intention of working with Dylon, do you?”
“Nope. As I said before, the Blackwood Pack has no idea what they’d be dealing with…and I refuse to be responsible for any of them getting hurt.”
“But you trained Dylon…certainly he knows what can happen,” Riley said.
“He’s not the same person I trained and, until I can figure out why he suddenly has off-the-fucking-charts strength, I prefer to keep him out of the loop. Don’t forget, he was an enforcer for Josiah.”
“You saying he’s a danger to your mother?” asked Riley.
“No, not at all…I didn’t detect any lies…and he’s the Fated Mate of Cody so I know he won’t do anything to hurt anyone in the pack, but… ”
“Better safe than sorry,” Riley chuckled.
“That’s true…but it’s more like he’s a mystery…and I don’t like mysteries.”
“Do you think his father can shed some light on it?” asked Riley.
“I don’t know,” Glenn mused. “Maybe I should drop in and visit my mother.”
“Ahh, so that’s the real reason you didn’t fight your mother’s decision too hard,” Riley grinned. “She’s your way to investigate the members of the Blackwood Pack.”
“No,” Glenn said, “I agreed because my mother would do what she wanted, no matter what I thought. But you have to admit, it’s a perfect set-up to find out more about a pack that the gods entrusted the High Priest to.”
“Just don’t let your mother find out…she’ll tan your hide,” Riley said, chuckling.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Glenn muttered. “C’mon, let’s grab a bite before I leave.”
“If you’re payin’, I’m eatin’,” Riley said, grinning.
“Cheapskate.”
~/~/~/~/~
After saying good night to Galen and Eamon, Carson headed downstairs where his mate was waiting for him.
He wasn’t looking forward to their discussion but he knew Jackson was right.
If he didn’t prepare Remy for Oracle’s visit, then it would look like he was intentionally keeping secrets from his mate.
Entering the living room, he smiled at Remy, and joined him on the sofa.
“How many stories did you have to read to them?” Remy asked .
“Just two,” Carson grinned. “I’m very familiar with that technique…my younger siblings used the ‘please, just one more’ on me many times, before I put an end to it,” replied Carson, giving his mate a kiss.
“You must tell me how you got away only reading two,” Remy said, handing a mug of tea to his mate.
Grinning, Carson whispered in his mate’s ear, “Maybe I will, after you claim me.”
A shiver of lust shook Remy’s body. It took every bit of restraint he possessed not to grab the mug from his mate’s hand and drag him up to their bedroom to claim him.
But it would have to wait. Right now, according to his mate, they needed to talk.
“Don’t tease me or this conversation is going to be very short indeed. ”
“Hmmm,” Carson murmured, ignoring his wayward cock. Shaking his head slightly, he focused on what he needed to say. “Remy, tomorrow Oracle will arrive…”
“An Oracle? Really? How do you know an Oracle?” Remy asked.
“Two of my brothers are mates to her two sons. Jackson, my Alpha—and also my oldest brother…is mated to Steel, Oracle’s oldest son. Dakota, who’s younger than me, is mated to Slate, her other son. She and her husband are also members of my pack.”
“Wow! I never met an Oracle before. Oh no! I better bake something sweet for tea tomorrow,” Remy said, suddenly sitting up.
Grasping his mate’s hand, Carson pulled Remy down next to him. “Not needed, babe. It won’t matter to Oracle, trust me. ”
Remy gazed at his mate, noticing tension growing around his mouth and eyes. “Why is she coming?” he asked. “Is it because of my low-level status?”
“No, that doesn’t mean anything to Oracle. You’ll see…she’s very nice,” Carson said. “This is going to sound unbelievable but…”
“More unbelievable than you becoming a wolf?” Remy teased.
“When you put it that way…no, I guess not,” Carson grinned. “Oracle will tell me what gift the Fates have given me and, before you ask, I have no idea what it will be.”
“Did your brothers receive gifts when they mated?” asked Remy.
“Yes,” Carson answered. “Jackson was given the ability to get pregnant making him an Alpha/Omega hybrid…and given such strong Alpha power he can control every shifter, regardless of what kind they are. Logan…he’s Jackson’s twin…
can morph into any kind of shifter…Cody…
he’s the oldest triplet…can become invisible.
Colton…he’s the middle triplet…was given the gift of healing anyone, even if they are near death.
Dakota…also another Alpha/Omega hybrid, who’s pregnant by the way, can also listen to people’s thoughts, and Zane…
he’s the youngest…can walk through walls, doors, just about any solid object. ”
Staring at Carson, Remy was trying hard to process everything, but one thing stood out—his mate’s statement about it being unbelievable.
Opening and closing his mouth several times, he was at a loss for words.
Suddenly, Mystia’s words popped into his mind.
‘He will protect you and your brothers from anyone who tries to harm you’ .
A security blanket of calm enveloped him, his worry and fear faded and, after remaining speechless during Carson’s narration, Remy finally spoke.
“I’m amazed…stunned actually…but I’m so humbled and honored the Fates found me worthy to be your mate. ”
Relieved, Carson was overjoyed at Remy’s response.
Wrapping his arms around his mate’s waist, he pulled Remy close to him.
Kissing his forehead, he murmured, “I’m the lucky one…
all I ever wanted was a mate. I dreamt of my mate all through my teenage years…
someone to love, take care of and protect.
Every night, I’d pray to the Fates, asking them not to forget me and I did everything I could think of to be worthy of a mate.
There were times I was sure the Fates had forgotten me…
when my life was so bleak, I wasn’t sure if I could make it to the next day.
But I hung on, sometimes by my fingernails, because deep inside me, a tiny bit of hope glimmered, always reminding me never to give up…
and it was all worth it because now I have you. ”
By the time his mate finished, tears were streaming down Remy’s cheeks. Turning to his mate, his hands cupped Carson’s cheeks, his thumbs gently caressing them. Leaning in, his tongue ran lightly over Carson’s lips before he whispered, “I love you.”