Chapter 40
Returning to the hotel, Cody and Dylon were eager to cuddle with Jake and Jessica before their bedtime.
Entering their room, they saw their pups on the floor, trying to roll over on a blanket.
Laughing, Cody sat next to Jake, urging him to do his first roll but when Jake saw Cody, he raised his arms wanting to be held by his father.
Picking him up and cuddling Jake close to his chest, Cody hummed “Puff the Magic Dragon” to his son for the very first time.
Spit bubbles and a smile was proof—to him at least—that Jake loved the song as much as Cody did when he was little.
Glancing at Jessica, Cody saw her now in Dylon’s arms, laughing, while he tickled her belly and made cooing sounds. Finally, all was right in his world.
“Are you taking Jessica and Jake home now?” Kieran asked, watching Cody and Dylon playing with their pups.
“What?” asked Dylon, when Kieran’s voice finally registered in his mind.
Kieran sighed. “I asked if you were taking the twins home.”
“Yes. I’m not sure when. Slate will be here shortly so we can finalize the plans for tomorrow,” Dylon said, then, hearing several knocks, added, “speak of the devil.”
“I’ll get it,” Kieran said, jumping up to open the door. “Slate,” said Kieran, giving him a hug, “Thank you so much for taking care of my friends and getting the pups back to their families!”
Slate awkwardly patted Kieran on the back. “Uhmm, sure. You’re welcome.”
Stepping back, Kieran led Slate to the living room and after sitting down, he asked, “What’s going to happen to Theodore and Norman?”
Confused, Slate asked, “Who are Theodore and Norman? I thought the pups were Jake and Jessica? Wait…Jessica’s a girl. Who are you talking about?”
“My friends…Theodore and Norman…the shifters from Canada. The ones we rescued who are in their room at this hotel…you know…that Theodore and Norman. Where are they going?”
“Back to Canada. Why?”
“Because they can’t go there. They’re gay like me and were caught kissing.
Their parents gave them to Arald because he promised to get the gayness out of them.
If you send them home, who knows what’ll happen to them this time,” Kieran said, his voice rising.
Turning to Cody, he pleaded, “Please don’t send them there.
They can come with me. If you’ll lend me some money, I’ll get a job and take care of them.
I’ll make sure they go to school and keep them safe.
Please, don’t send them back to Canada.”
“Kieran, calm down, nobody will send them any place that’ll put them back in danger, I promise,” Cody said watching as Kieran took a deep breath.
“Let’s start over, shall we?” After seeing the young man nod, Cody asked, “You said they were from Canada and I can tell they aren’t wolf shifters so what kind are they? ”
“Ghost Bear Shifters,” said Kieran.
Dylon’s jaw dropped. “Ghost Bear Shifters? Are you sure?”
“If you’re asking if my friends lied to me,” Kieran said indignantly, “no, they didn’t. Why would you think such a thing?” Turning to Cody, he said, “I get it, he’s your mate, but I don’t like anyone insulting my friends. Would you tell him to behave himself?”
Chuckling, Cody said to Dylon, “You heard Kieran. Behave yourself or I will tell Lizzie and she’ll take you over her knee.”
Dylon said, “I wasn’t implying that at all. It’s just that Ghost Bear Shifters are very rare. The High Council hasn’t found any for years and they were beginning to think Ghost Bear Shifters were extinct.”
“Well they aren’t, but that doesn’t change the facts. You can’t send them back. Their parents will give them away again or worse, sell them like I was sold to somebody who will abuse them just because they’re gay,” Kieran said angrily.
“How long did Arald have them locked up?” asked Cody.
“A little more than three years, I think. They were there when I got there. From what they told me, they were fifteen when they arrived. So they’re now eighteen, but that doesn’t matter; they can come with me and I’ll take care of them.”
“How old are you, Kieran?” asked Slate.
“Old enough to take care of myself and my bears,” snapped Kieran.
“I have no doubt of that,” Cody said, “but, please, would you tell me your age.”
“I’m twenty-one. But what does that have to do with anything? I’m of legal age, so are Theodore and Norman. We can live together and I will take care of them,” Kieran asserted again.
“I do understand that. How old were you when you were sold to Arald?” asked Cody.
“I told my parents I was gay when I was almost nineteen. They were trying to force me to mate with the Alpha’s daughter.
I knew I couldn’t do that so I decided to tell them the truth.
I thought they’d understand…instead they drugged me one night and the next morning I woke up chained and caged inside Arald’s house of horrors. ”
“Kieran, while I understand your desire to take care of Theodore and Norman, I don’t think it’s possible,” Cody said, raising his hand to forestall another outburst from the young man, “for a couple of reasons. One, and probably the most important, is the rarity of Ghost Bear Shifters. Theodore and Norman will be targeted by every criminal out there if the word gets out. Two, they should finish their schooling so they’ll be able to support themselves. ”
“I can protect them. And teach them what they need to know. I was doing that when I could. They’re smart and will learn quickly…”
“I’m not disputing you, but if they are your friends, don’t you want the best for them?” asked Cody.
“Of course, I do.”
“Then listen to what I’m proposing. You, Theodore and Norman will accompany me, Dylon, and the pups home to the Blackwood Pack where all of you will have your own room and the best medical care and support in whatever you decide to do once you are fully recovered.
Meanwhile, Slate will work to find all of Arald’s money and other assets which will be split among his victims as partial compensation for the crimes he committed against all of you. ”
“What’s the Blackwood Pack?” Kieran sounded skeptical.
“That’s my pack,” Cody said. “My older brother, Jackson is Alpha and he is mated to Slate’s brother Steel. Then, there’s Logan, then me, Colton, Carson, Dakota, and Zane. Colton is mated to Dr. Ian Wallace and you met Dylon, my mate. Our pack was formed when everyone in our birth pack was killed.”
Kieran paused for a moment, before asking, “If I understand you right, the Blackwood Pack is led by a gay wolf?”
Chuckling, Cody said, “Yeah, why? Is that a problem?”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Kieran answered, “No, I’ve just never heard of that. Before I say yes, I must talk to Theodore and Norman about your offer. They may have some questions.”
“Sure. Do you want to talk to them now?” asked Slate.
Standing, Kieran said, “Yes, I know they’re worried. Thanks.”
After Kieran left the suite, Cody stood, cradling Jake in his arms, and said to Dylon, “Come on Dad, time to put our sleeping pups to bed.”
Dylon was surprised when he looked down at Jessica and found her as fast asleep as her brother.
Rising slowly and making sure he didn’t jostle his daughter, he followed his mate into the pups’ bedroom.
After giving each a soft good night kiss and tucking them in, Cody and Dylon quietly left the room, leaving the door ajar so their pups’ cries could be heard.
On the way back to the living room, Dylon stopped and pulled Cody into his arms. Gently kissing his lips, he whispered, “Are you all right, my pet? No problem with keeping your visions behind the wall in your mind?”
Cody leaned in for another kiss, then said, “No. But when we get home, I want to look behind the wall. I think the visions I had about everything that’s happened here have disappeared.
Do you know what that means?” Cody whispered excitedly.
After seeing Dylon shake his head, he continued, “I won’t ever feel the pain from those visions again.
If that’s true, isn’t it wonderful? I know I’ll have more in the future but I’ll never again suffer from these. ”
“We need to ask Oracle when we get back,” Dylon said quietly with hope in his eyes. Just the possibility his mate would have a reprieve between his visions would be the second best gift he could ever receive. Wrapping his arm around Cody’s waist, they walked slowly to the living room.
~/~/~/~/~
Kieran raced to his friends’ room. Holy shit balls!
This could be the answer to our prayers.
Knocking before opening the door, he walked in and saw his two friends tangled up on the bed, kissing each other.
“Hey, stop for a second. I got something to tell you.” He tapped his foot impatiently waiting for his words to sink into the two love-sick bears.
Finally, when he thought he’d have to splash cold water over them, they stopped kissing and looked at him with puffy lips.
“What is so important you have to tell us now?” asked Theodore.
“This is important so shut up and listen. Cody has offered us a safe place to stay and finish our schooling. Slate is also going to try to get us some money from Arald. You know, to pay us for all the shit we went through. If he can do that, when we get the money, we’ll be able to move into our own place and start our new life like we always planned. ”
“No shit!” exclaimed Norman.
“How do you know you can trust him?” asked Theodore, always suspicious of something sounding too good to be true. The last time he’d done that, he ended up at Arald’s.
“I’m not sure I trust Slate, but I trust Cody. It’s his pack we would be living with.”
“But that’s a wolf pack,” complained Theodore, “we’re bears. I don’t know about this. What happens if we don’t like it there? Then what? Are we going to be locked up again?”
Kieran sighed inwardly. He couldn’t really blame Theodore or Norman. Arald wasn’t exactly a great spokesman for wolf packs. “Look, why don’t you come and meet Cody, at least. Then make up your mind. If you don’t want to go, we won’t. We’ll stick together no matter what.”
Theodore looked at Norman. Kieran knew they were mind talking. Again tapping his foot impatiently, he was a teeny bit disappointed his friends didn’t jump at this chance. But he tried to be understanding.
“Okay, can we meet Cody now?” asked Norman.
“Yes, yes. Get your shoes on and let’s go,” Kieran said excitedly, hopeful that, at least, his friends were open to the proposal.
Leading them back to the presidential suite, Kieran watched his friends’ eyes widen as they took in the luxurious surroundings in the hallway. Reaching the door, he turned and looked at them, “Be nice. These people rescued us and as far as I can tell, they don’t expect anything for it.”
“We promise,” they said in unison.
Kieran opened the door and escorted the bears into the living room where he introduced them to Cody, Dylon and Slate. After exchanging hellos, Kieran indicated where they could sit.
“Hi guys. I assume Kieran told you about my offer. Do you have any questions?” asked Cody.
“Cody, right?” Norman asked, then continued when it was affirmed, “Let’s say we go to the Blackwood Pack. What happens if we don’t like it?”
Cody spoke, “My brother, Jackson, is the Alpha of the pack and he’s mated to Slate’s brother Steel.
He is a good guy and can be trusted. If you don’t want to stay, then I promise that Jackson will find somewhere else for the three of you where you’ll be safe and well-funded.
Nobody will be forced to stay if you don’t like it there.
But, I hope you’ll give my pack a chance to show you not all wolf packs are like Arald’s. ”
Theodore gave Norman a side eye before asking, “Will Norman and I be able to share a room?”
“If you want, sure. Do you want Kieran to share with you also?”
Answering before his friends could open their mouths, Kieran said, “No way! The deal is off if I have to share a room with them. I need my beauty sleep and they snore.”
Laughing, Cody said, “No, you don’t have to share if you don’t want to. There are plenty of bedrooms to pick from.”
“Can Kieran go to school? He wanted to be a teacher. Who’s going to pay for that?” asked Theodore.
Mortified, Kieran said, “Stop it, Theodore. I can pay for it myself. I just need to get a job first.”
“Dire Enterprises has a scholarship fund for circumstances just like this. None of you will have to worry about paying for your schooling, whether you stay with the Blackwood Pack or decide to move elsewhere,” Slate said.
Theodore and Norman stared at each other as they once again communicated through their mind link.
A smile slowly formed on both faces as they came to an agreement.
Theodore spoke, “If Kieran’s willing to go, then we are also.
But, we want a guarantee of the funds for Kieran’s schooling and proof of the money you spoke of if we don’t want to stay.
We don’t need the money right now, but we want to know it’s there for us without waiting for it if we decide to leave. ”
“Done. I’ll have it set up in your names tomorrow and there will be a separate account for your schooling. You don’t have to make a decision right now, but when you get settled, then you can think about what your plans are for the future,” said Slate.
Shaking hands with Slate, Cody and Dylon, Theodore and Norman left for their room while Kieran lingered.
“Do you have something you want to say, Kieran?” asked Cody.
Straightening up and stretching his five foot seven inches to look the tallest he could, Kieran said, “Uhmm…yes. If you fuck over my friends, I will kill you. They have been hurt enough and I won’t let anyone or anything hurt them again.
They have agreed to come with me to your pack because they trust me. Don’t make me a liar.”
Cody saw Slate’s mouth drop open and he heard Dylon’s growl at the threat against his mate, but he ignored them, for here in front of him, stood a shifter that was worth his weight in gold.
Holding back a smile at the young man’s bravado, Cody spoke first, “You’ll have no need to kill me or anyone else.
No one will hurt them. Your friends will be treated as full members of the pack and will enjoy the protection of my brothers and their mates.
But thanks for the warning. I’ll pass it on to my Alpha. ”
Satisfied, Kieran nodded briefly and left to join his friends.
Cody then let loose a wide smile.