Chapter 42 #2
Jackson swirled and stared at Frank, his Alpha power at full strength.
“You are a private guest here and as such you are bound by the rules I set. Who and what Theodore and Norman are is not anyone’s business except mine.
They are under my protection. Therefore, I’m giving you a warning…
if you, for any reason, disclose any facts about Theodore and Norman to anyone outside this pack, I will file charges against you with the High Council. Do I make myself clear?”
As soon as Jackson’s Alpha power hit him, Frank tilted his head, acknowledging Jackson’s position over him. “Yes, Alpha Blackwood. I understand. Please accept my apology for some carelessly spoken words. I have no intention of disclosing anything to the High Council except with your permission.”
“Thank you, Frank, I accept your apology,” Jackson said before turning back to Cody and pulling back his power. “I accept Kieran, Theodore, and Norman as members of the Blackwood Pack. Anything else I should know?”
“Ahh, yeah, Theodore and Norman are in love, so they want to share a bedroom and Kieran wants a separate bedroom because he needs his, and I quote, ‘beauty sleep and they snore’.”
“Done. Can I see my new nephew and niece? Hey Lizzie is that all right?” Jackson asked Lizzie, who was holding a conversation with both of her grandpups.
When no reply was heard from Lizzie, Dylon answered for her, “Absolutely! But I think you better come down here because I’m not sure my mom will let them go yet.”
The porch was soon empty as everyone gathered around Jessica and Jake with Lizzie showing off her granddaughter. Frank took his grandson from Dylon’s arms and smiled at the new member of the Royd family. “Oh, he’s heavy,” Frank said, as he gently rocked Jake. “How old are they?”
“We aren’t sure but I think, maybe, a month,” answered Cody.
“Did you pick out the names?” asked Jackson, now holding Jake.
“No, those were the names their birth parents gave them and we wanted the twins to have something of them, even if it was only their names,” Dylon replied.
“Jessica is such a pretty name for her,” said Logan, holding Jessica after Lizzie reluctantly handed her over. “Do you remember mom’s middle name was Jessica?”
“I forgot about that…but you’re right,” said Cody.
“Good thing she doesn’t look like you, bro. I think you got lucky…Jake looks like Dylon and Jessica doesn’t look like you,” Colton teased.
“Fuck off, asshole,” Cody said.
“Cody Blackwood! Don’t you use that language around my grandpups!” ordered Lizzie.
“Hear, hear! Great, someone else on my side,” said Jackson.
“Really? Didn’t I hear you use that language the other day, bro?” asked Carson.
“Hey, what are we betting on first?” asked Zane.
“How about when they shift any part of their body?” asked Carson.
“Okay but we’ll need separate bets for each of them,” answered Zane.
“Both of them look healthy,” said Colton, “but maybe Ian should take a look…just to make sure.”
“Yup, we were planning on that. But, I also want you and Ian to examine Kieran, Theodore and Norman to make sure there aren’t any lasting side effects from what they went through,” said Cody.
“I agree,” said Ian. “Especially Kieran. If he suffered sexual abuse, he’ll need some counseling so it doesn’t affect him for the rest of his life.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Cody, “he seems pretty okay to me. You should have seen him take Slate to task. Oh, and he wouldn’t leave with me unless all of Arald’s prisoners were freed too.
He’s pretty brave for such a little guy…
like the time he threatened to kill Slate, Dylon, or me if his friends were hurt. ”
“What?”
“It’s a funny story but later, when Kieran and his friends are asleep,” Cody said.
“Hey Lizzie, let’s take Jessica and Jake inside, okay?
It’s time for their bottles soon and I know you’ll want to feed at least one of them.
” Cody guided Lizzie inside as she continued to talk to Jessica telling her all the fun they were going to have and how the females of the family had to stick together.
Once inside, Cody found a chair for Lizzie and was just heading in to get two bottles when Dakota came out of the kitchen holding them.
“Thought your other children might be hungry too, bro,” Dakota said.
“Ha, ha, very funny,” Cody said, adding, “thanks for this. I’m still trying to get the hang of parenthood.”
“You’ll do fine, bro. Chillax, pups can pick up when their parents are stressed,” Dakota said.
“How’re the guys doing?” Cody asked, jerking his head towards the kitchen.
“They’re eating up a storm. Were they getting enough to eat where they were before?” asked Dakota.
“No,” Cody growled. “They were prisoners and were fed gruel with almost no meat.”
“Ahh, that explains why they’ve each eaten three steaks. I better get back in there,” said Dakota.
“Hey, bro?” called Cody, “Thanks for taking care of them. I appreciate it.”
“Sure, no problem,” Dakota said before heading back to the kitchen.
Taking one bottle over to Lizzie and Jessica, Cody then gave the other to his mate and watched as Jake eagerly latched onto the nipple. Then he realized he had no place for the pups to sleep tonight, and just as he was about to mention it to Jackson, Oracle spoke.
“Cody, Dylon, I am glad you love your gift from the Fates. And yes, I did know what the Fates had planned for you. I also know you had no idea what would be given to you in Tajikistan. I took the liberty of buying you portable cribs until you can decide what you want.”
“Wow! Thanks! I was just thinking about where our pups would sleep tonight,” said Dylon.
“Yes, thank you very much,” added Cody. “Dylon and I would like Lizzie to help us set up a temporary nursery until Logan can design one for us.” He looked around for Logan but he wasn’t in the great room.
Later he would talk to him. Right now, his mind, heart and soul were radiating pure love as he smiled at his mate and his pups; he had finally found the love, family and peace he had sought for so long.
~/~/~/~/~
Several days later, Cody and Dylon were in Jackson’s office while Lizzie looked after the twins.
Cody had asked for this meeting, seeking Jackson’s permission to proceed with his dream.
Dylon had finally made him see how it would mesh with the Fates’ mission for both of them, and it had already begun with Kieran, Theodore and Norman.
Jackson couldn’t get over the change in his brother. Parenthood suited him and he was excellent with the boys—Jackson’s nickname for Kieran, Theodore, and Norman. He had an idea what his brother was going to ask him. “I hope you don’t mind if Steel sits in on this meeting.”
“Not at all,” replied Cody.
“Do we need anyone else?”
“Maybe Dylon’s dad later, but for now just us four will do,” Cody answered.
“Okay, why don’t you start?”
“You know I want to be a social worker and use my inheritance to set up a real home for unwanted pups.
When my visions became nightmares, I felt my dream was no longer possible.
But when Dylon came into my life, he gave me hope, for the first time since our family was massacred…
that I could live my dream or at least a modified version of it.
“Before we left for Tajikistan, I talked it over with Dylon and we came up with a plan which we were still refining when we rescued Kieran, Theodore and Norman. Initially, I approached Slate, explained what I…we…wanted to do for Kieran and asked for financial help from Dire Enterprises. Then we found out about Theodore and Norman and included them in our plan. Slate agreed to our proposal and set up scholarship funds for the boys, in addition to living expenses. He also promised more help if we got your agreement regarding what we want to do.”
“Go ahead, Cody, ask me,” said Jackson.
Cody glanced at Dylon, who gave him a reassuring smile.
Turning back to his brother, he continued, “My boys were targeted because they were gay. And I understand but don’t respect parents who…
for various reasons…refuse to accept a gay son.
I want to start a place where gay boys can come, live in a loving environment, grow up and go to school and get a good education.
We were hoping you’d agree to our plan.”
“How old would the boys have to be for you to accept them?”
Dylon answered, “The boys would be between the ages of twelve to eighteen, and of course, the parents would be required to sign over their parental rights to them, so Cody and I could become their guardians.”
“Will they only be wolves or other shifters, too, like Theodore and Norman?”
“We’d start with wolves, but I wouldn’t turn any boy away, no matter what kind of shifter he is,” Cody said.
“Are you thinking of building a separate home for them?”
“Not at first. We thought we could use the basement in the south wing and have Logan design a home within a home for them with separate bedrooms and a kitchen, dining, and living room. And a couple of rooms for the house parents so there’s always someone with them.
Dylon and I will be spending most of our time with them, but we’ll have more missions the Fates will send us on, so the house parents would be there when we weren’t. ”
Jackson thought for a moment, taking it all in before asking, “And you want to use your inheritance for this?”
“Absolutely! You know, bro, after I heard my boys’ stories, I realized how lucky we were.
We grew up in a home where there wasn’t any stigma attached to who we were, the same for Dylon, Ian, Steel and Slate.
I guess I never gave much thought about it until Kieran, Theodore and Norman came along.
But what they went through turned my stomach and I realized the Fates gave me this as my first assignment to show me how much I’m needed for boys like them.
If I can help it, I don’t want anyone to ever experience what those boys went through. Never again!”
Jackson listened to the impassioned speech by his brother and he was ecstatic because Cody finally had found a purpose in life—one he could commit his heart and soul to, and one that would help ground him when his pain became too intense.
Using his mind link, he and Steel agreed to Cody and Dylon’s request.
“I have no problem with what you propose, and I will add to it. First, I want these boys to spend time with the pack every day. It will help them feel secure. And second, if they eventually wish to join the Blackwood Pack, they may do so.”
Steel then said, “Slate told me what you were planning, so I’ve already talked it over with my dad.
Dire Enterprises will foot the bill for the design and renovations and provide salaries for the house parents.
And of course, the scholarship fund will be available for all who wish to attend school. ”
Cody’s eyes widened as he realized his dream was finally going to become a reality. Grabbing his mate, he kissed him passionately and then whispered against his lips, “They said yes, babe. Oh, my gods, oh, my gods, we can do it. Can you believe it?”
“Of course, ma moitié! It was meant to be!”