Chapter 28
“My parents arrived late last night,” Steel said to Jackson who was lying on his chest while they were in bed the next morning.
Surprised, Jackson asked, “Why? I thought they were going to come back when Frank and Lizzie did. And how do you know about it?”
“Last night was my turn to get up for Daniel and when I was warming a bottle for him, I heard them come in.”
“Did you ask them why they changed their minds?”
“Yup, Mom said Cody needed her today regarding his gift.”
“Bollocks! I wonder what it will be? Something to do with his foresight, I bet,” Jackson said. “I hope he doesn’t plan on keeping it a secret like Colton did.”
“Bollocks? You mean balls? Why are you using that?”
“I’m trying it out as a substitute for the ‘F’ word,” Jackson said, smiling. “Sounds great doesn’t it?”
“No, not really. ‘Fuck’ has that ‘je ne sais quoi’. Bollocks doesn’t even come close in comparison.”
“I’m sorry but then, you come up with something. I mean it, babe, our son is not going to say ‘fuck’.”
“Okay, but I’m pretty sure you are fighting a losing battle.”
“Not if you back me up on this. Think about it and come up with a word everybody can agree on.”
Steel tightened his hold and buried his nose into Jackson’s hair, inhaling big breaths of his mate’s scent. His cock hardened as his body reacted to his mate. Never enough! I will never get enough of Jackson! Unable to refuse Jackson anything, he said, “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
~/~/~/~/~
Cody woke with a smile on his face. He had done it.
He had claimed Dylon last night. His journey was unbelievable, even to himself, but somehow everything fell in place at the right time and now he’d be able to save those poor shifters.
He didn’t really have a plan for how he and Dylon would do it, but he had no doubt they’d figure it out.
Eager to start the day, he ground his ass against his mate’s hard morning cock.
Come on babe, wake up! There is so much to do today!
I’m awake, I just wanted to enjoy your wake-up call, Dylon said using his mind link.
Fuck, babe, I didn’t expect you to reply.
“Good morning, my pet. Before we get started taking care of the many things we must do before we can leave for Tajikistan, I want to go over the rules I must insist you obey when you are in our bedroom,” Dylon said, putting his finger up to Cody’s lips.
“Even though we are now fully claimed and bonded, you will always have your visions. The effects of them will cause you mental pain and suffering every time your mind sees them. Just because we are now linked as one that, unfortunately, will not change. My strength along with yours now will help you keep the visions locked up so you don’t experience them during the day but at night—that’s another matter.
My strength will be at its weakest then, so what I require of you will help keep your mind quiet until we go to sleep.
“Therefore, my rules will apply every night when we enter our bedroom. And you will sleep with the chains almost every night to keep visions from reappearing in your mind. Without that worry, you will be able to sleep soundly as will I, which we both need in order to replenish our strength.”
Cody was silent but upset. After listening to his mate, he realized more fully the toll his foresight ability took on Dylon each day. How can I ask him to have this kind of life? Why didn’t I think of it before I bit him?
“Stop it right now, my pet,” Dylon said after hearing Cody through their mind link.
“You didn’t ask me, I chose to do it. This is the price we pay to save many lives and I don’t know about you, but I’m proud the Fates picked me for you.
So, no, you don’t get to feel sorry for my choices.
Instead, be happy for me because I’m happy with my choice. ”
Yes babe, it is just hard to believe anyone would choose to live like this.
“Well, I did, so that’s the end of the matter. Back to my rules…a morning spanking, no speaking unless I ask a question, give you permission to speak or suspend the rules, strip and assume the position and chains every night. Hmmm… did I forget anything?”
“My punishments for disobeying, sir.” And just like that, Cody could feel himself falling into a mindset that gave him peace.
“Ahh, yes, thank you, my pet. Punishments will be given anytime you don’t follow my rules. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. And as much as I would like to spend more time in bed with you this morning, I think we better get showered and dressed so we can talk to Jackson about getting permission to go,” Dylon said as he unlocked the handcuffs around Cody’s wrists.
Giving his mate a long good morning kiss on those beautiful globes he’d soon be spanking, Dylon rolled away and sat at the edge of the bed. “Come here, my pet,” he beckoned.
~/~/~/~/~
Carson was pissed. Oh, not about doing the laundry for six months—no, after thinking everything over, he knew he deserved it—but because he hadn’t yet had a chance to apologize to Cody and Dylon.
And the longer it took the guiltier he felt.
Whatever problem Cody had, Dylon was helping his brother.
He knew it, hell, he could see it. The other night at dinner, Cody was smiling at Ian’s news. Smiling!
He opened the second washing machine which, thankfully, Jackson had insisted on after Daniel was born and loaded it up.
Shaking his head, he was amazed at the clothes his nephew went through in a day.
Two more hours of work before he’d be finished—and he started at six in the morning.
Shit, I won’t ever complain about my chores again.
He didn’t know how Cody had done it all these years without bitching but he certainly had gained a new appreciation for his brother—which led him back to his apology.
Carson had sent numerous messages to Cody through their mind link but so far, he hadn’t received a response. Not that he was surprised, but still it was beginning to worry him. What if my brother never forgives me? Then what do I do?
Maybe I should talk to Colton to see if he can help. After sending a message through their mind link, Carson went back to folding the clean clothes he’d taken out of the dryer.
~/~/~/~/~
Cody was kneeling at the end of the bed, waiting for Dylon to finish dressing.
He checked his wolf and found him lying down and grooming himself.
It was still strange to see a half white, half grey wolf, but he imagined his mate felt the same way.
He mentally shrugged his shoulders, no longer worried about it anymore.
But he was eager to shift and see Dylon’s wolf.
It would be visual proof they were each half of one whole.
“You’re right my pet, I also want to see our wolves so maybe if we can get everything done quickly, we’ll have time for a run. Now stand up, so we can go to breakfast.”
Cody rose, and taking his mate’s hand, followed Dylon out of their bedroom and down the hall to the great room.
As they entered, Cody saw Daniel sitting on Jackson’s lap, his bottom half had shifted, showing his soft silver fur.
Chuckling at seeing a diaper on a wolf, he glanced up at Jackson who was looking at him contemplatively.
Coming from the hallway behind him he heard Oracle’s voice calling to Maximus about bringing the gifts they’d bought.
“More toys for Daniel, eh bro?” he asked Jackson.
Shrugging, Jackson said, “That’s what grandparents do.
At least that’s what I’m going to tell Daniel when he has pups.
” He looked at his brother and what he saw pleased him.
When he’d first learned about Cody’s ability and how it was affecting him, Jackson had been frantic, thinking he might lose a member of their family.
But this morning, he was seeing the Cody he remembered when they grew up together—before everything went to shit.
And that reminded him. “Hey what do you guys think of ‘bollocks’?”
Dylon and Cody looked at each other before Dylon spoke. “Uhmm, bollocks? You mean like balls? Like my balls?”
“Why the fuck are you talking about my mate’s balls?” Cody asked.
Steel roared with laughter. “No, not his balls.”
“Then whose balls are you referring to? Because you better not be talking about mine,” Cody said.
“Why are we discussing balls at all? Do you have a problem with yours?” Cody asked Jackson.
“Maybe you should see Ian or Colton about it. Although, I think Ian is a better choice since I really can’t imagine Colton playing with my balls. ”
Steel couldn’t contain himself anymore and fell back against the sofa laughing so hard he had to hold his aching sides.
“What the fuck is the matter with Steel?” asked Colton as he and Ian walked up to Cody and Dylon.
“I don’t know,” said Cody. “I just said it would probably be better if Jackson saw Ian about the problems he’s having with his balls. No offense, bro, but I just wouldn’t feel right having you play with my balls.”
“Eww, no offense taken. Although, I wouldn’t be very happy with my mate playing with yours or Jackson’s balls,” Colton said, then adding after he heard Ian’s growl, “unless it was medically necessary, of course.”
Carson overheard Colton’s last comment as he came in from the laundry room and asked, “What is wrong with Jackson’s balls? Or Cody’s for that matter? Oh my god, is this a triplet thing? Are my balls going to fall off?”
“Who said anything about your balls falling off? What the fuck is going on with everyone’s balls?” Colton asked.
“Holy fucking shit! What the fuck is the matter now?” Zane asked, coming in from the kitchen. “Dakota sent me to tell you breakfast is ready, and I find out someone has a ball problem? Who?”
“Jackson!” said Cody, Carson, Colton, Ian, and Dylon in unison.
Zane looked at Jackson who had a deep red face as he was trying to control his laughter. “What the fuck is the matter with your balls? Does Steel know?”
Swatting at Steel’s chest, Jackson said, “Stop it, you win. Bollocks is out.” Rising with Daniel, Jackson looked at his brothers and their mates, said, “This conversation is over. There is nothing wrong with my balls. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m taking my son and we are going into breakfast.”
“If there’s nothing wrong with your balls, why did you say there was? You know, bro, you shouldn’t say stuff like that to me. Do you want me to get a complex or something?” asked Zane.
Ignoring everyone, Jackson strode to the breakfast table and sat down with Daniel. How the hell a simple question led to that conversation, he would never know. Smiling to himself, he picked up Daniel’s bottle Dakota had set at his place and began to feed his son.
Back in the great room, the brothers looked at each other before staring at Steel who was grinning like a loon after finally being able to stop his laughter.
Getting up, he said “Best to forget this conversation entirely everyone. If I try to explain it…no, just leave it as it is. Let’s go and join my mate,” and he left to follow Jackson to the breakfast table.
Exchanging glances once more, Cody said, “You heard the man. Let’s eat.”
Just then Logan joined them and said, “Sorry I’m late, my ball fell off my drafting table and it took me a while to find it.”
Six faces looked at each other and burst out laughing while Logan stared in confusion, not understanding why what he said was so funny.
Deciding to ignore them, he walked around them on his way to the breakfast table.
Sitting down, he asked his brother, “What the fuck is going on in there? All I said is one of my balls fell off my table and it took some time to find it.” After seeing Jackson’s face, he said, “You know, my stress reliever balls. The ones I squeeze when I’m tense? ”
Steel quickly stood up and bolted from the room, joining the group still laughing in the great room where he proceeded to tell them what Logan said, between bouts of laughter.
Logan looked closely at his brother and saw Jackson shaking. Realizing his brother was laughing too, he said, “I have no idea what’s so funny but if someone would let me in on the joke, I would really appreciate it.”
“Oh, my gods, bro,” Jackson sputtered, “I can’t right now, but I promise I will later,” he said between fits of laughter.
Maximus strolled in carrying two shopping bags followed by Oracle. Looking at Jackson and then Logan, he asked, “What’s going on in the other room and why aren’t they eating with us?”
Jackson just waved his hand at Logan, who answered, “Frankly I don’t know, but nobody can stop laughing long enough to tell me.”
Oracle sat at her place and said, “It has to do with balls, dear.”
That did it for Jackson. He got up, handed Daniel to his brother along with the bottle and left the room, his laughter trailing after him.
Logan looked at Maximus who shrugged, then, finding no answer, turned his attention to Daniel. “I’m sorry, big guy,” Logan said, “everyone has gone a little crazy today, but hey, we get to spend some time together.”
Daniel blew milk bubbles before latching onto the nipple again and his eyes once again turned silver. Reaching out with his hand, he grabbed onto Logan’s finger as he drank.
Logan’s heart melted as he stared at his nephew.
He loved Daniel with his whole heart and would do anything for him.
Whenever he held his nephew, Logan fantasized that someday he’d have a pup of his own.
He was trying to keep his spirits up about finding his Fated Mate, but with each day that went by, he could feel his heart break a little more.
The biggest problem was there were no prospects; he was still as isolated as he’d been in the old Blackwood Pack house.
And unless someone walked up to the gate and announced himself as Logan’s Fated Mate, he couldn’t see an end to his loneliness anytime soon.