Chapter 10
Ian went upstairs to find Jackson, to make his apologies sooner than later. He followed his nose, soon finding himself in front of a beautifully finished wooden door. He knocked, waiting for permission to enter.
“Come in,” called Jackson.
Entering, Ian saw Jackson sitting at a desk with Steel next to him.
He walked over, standing and waiting for permission to speak.
Keeping his wolf under tight control, Ian was not about to muck up this apology.
He thought about what excuses he could make for his rude behavior but rejected them all.
Instinctively he knew honesty was the best choice with this Alpha.
Oracle was right. Jackson was a fierce leader and one from whom he wanted approval.
Huh? Where did that thought come from? Ian was a loner for a reason.
He never allowed anything or anyone to come before his love of medicine.
Jackson studied Dr. Wallace intently before speaking. “Dr. Wallace, did you find the hospital and Colton’s file?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you.”
“What do you want to see me about, then?”
Shit, Jackson wasn’t making this easy. “I want to apologize for my very rude remarks before. You’re right, I overstepped my bounds and for that, I’m very sorry. I guarantee you, Alpha, it will not happen again.”
Jackson searched Ian’s face before saying, “Have a seat, Dr. Wallace.”
Ian sat down while exhaling a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Jackson accepted his apology. Otherwise, how would he explain this to Colton—oops, no, Oracle, explain to Oracle.
“Why don’t you tell me the reason for your apprehensions?” Jackson asked.
Shit, time to be truthful. He could only hope Jackson would understand.
“Ever since my wolf heard Colton’s voice he’s been unsettled, to say the least. When I landed, my wolf warned me that Colton was in danger,” Ian paused while Jackson glanced at Steel, “I was trying to calm my wolf but after he heard about the attacks, I lost control.”
“Dr. Wallace, I trust my wolf implicitly and rely on him to alert me about any danger I, my mate, my unborn pup or my brothers might be in. Do you trust yours?”
“Yes, but since I’ve never met Colton, why is my wolf behaving this way? I can’t get him to calm down. All I can say is I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.”
Steel spoke up. “Dr. Wallace, do you know how I met Jackson?” And after seeing Ian shake his head, he continued, “I saw him at the side of a dirt road, naked, trying to hitch a ride. At first sight, in a closed truck, my wolf knew he was my mate. But my mind overrode my wolf and refused to accept the fact…all because I couldn’t scent him.
So, the moral of the story is trust your wolf. ”
“I agree,” said Jackson. “I think Colton is your mate which is why you’re finding it so hard to control your wolf. Have a talk with Oracle. If I’m right, then I need to pay attention to whatever your wolf is feeling about Colton.”
Ian was stunned. A mate? No, no way! I can’t have a mate!
He didn’t care what his wolf wanted, they had a deal—no mate and his wolf knew it.
What the fuck? He wasn’t giving up his life for anyone.
No siree, thank you very much. He would just reject his mate, yeah, he could do that.
Jumping up, Ian felt a shift start, and fought his wolf for control before he was able to force his wolf back.
But it seemed Steel wasn’t taking any chances because Ian was standing in Jackson’s office facing a Dire Wolf.
Ian was stunned. What just happened? The huge, snarling jaws of Steel’s Dire Wolf should have his wolf cowering but the fool still wanted to shift.
Ian felt a cool breeze as the door to Jackson’s study opened.
Oracle walked over to him, standing between him and her son.
Ignoring Steel’s snarling and growling and his attempt to nudge her out of the way, she placed her hand on Ian’s arm, instantly calming the wolf inside of him.
Ian’s wolf sat, no longer out of control.
Oracle turned, “Steel shift now. Your mate is not in danger.”
Hearing his mother’s voice, Steel shifted.
“What are you doing? Don’t you know he was out of control?
You could’ve been hurt,” he raged. “Ian didn’t have control of his wolf.
He was threatening my mate and unborn pup.
I want him out of here today! I mean it.
Fuck second chances! GET OUT! I mean it! GET OUT NOW!”
Jackson walked over to his mate, placing his hand on Steel’s arm, and said quietly, “Stand down now. Come sit with me and let’s hear what Oracle has to say. If Ian is Colton’s mate, then we owe it to my brother to resolve this…for his well-being.”
Steel was shaking with anger over Ian’s actions.
He would never let this man near his mate until he could control his wolf.
Shit, just thinking about what could happen caused his wolf to surge forward again and the only thing stopping him was his mate’s hand on him.
Slowly, Jackson’s soothing scent calmed Steel and his wolf.
Jackson handed his mate a pair of sweatpants and waited while he got dressed.
Then leading Steel back to his desk, Jackson sat down, pulling his mate to the seat next to him.
Looking at Oracle, he said “I think Ian should sit down so we can find out what this is all about. I agree with my mate…if there’s a danger to our pup, he must go. ”
Oracle nodded, turning to Ian, “Sit Ian. Everything will be all right, but you need to gain control of your wolf.”
Ian examined his wolf’s feelings and discovered the love his wolf felt for Colton.
He also felt his wolf’s worry and concern about the danger their mate was in.
Shit. Fuck. My wolf is right. Colton was in danger and Ian felt the pain of that knowledge course through his body.
Whining in distress about his mate being in danger, his wolf stayed on alert, refusing to allow Ian to reject his mate.
Ian mentally sighed. It seems he had to accept his mate or fight his wolf until one of them gave up.
Ian blinked first. Giving his wolf the assurances he needed about taking Colton as their mate, his wolf finally relaxed.
“Dr. Wallace, please sit down so I can resolve this issue,” Jackson said in his Alpha voice. Ian tilted his head in respect. Jackson motioned Oracle toward one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Please tell me if he is Colton’s mate.”
“Yes, he is. Both Ian and Colton feel the mating pull.”
“I assume they are fated mates and Colton will come into his power, whatever that is, when he claims Ian. Is that correct?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you what that power will be.”
“I understand.”
Ian said, “I’m sorry, Alpha.”
Waving the apology aside, Jackson asked, “When did you know Colton was your fated mate?”
“About five minutes ago. I knew my wolf was unsettled about Colton but I really didn’t know why.
He and I reached an agreement a long time ago about me taking a mate.
I didn’t want to because a mate would interfere with my practicing medicine.
So, we made a deal, you could call it, about me never taking a mate which I thought he understood and accepted… but, obviously I was wrong.”
“My brother will also have a problem about mating. He has spent his whole life in pursuit of a single goal and will fight against claiming you. But it is imperative he does.”
“Why should he have to if he doesn’t want me?” Ian could feel his wolf growling.
“For two reasons. Firstly, he’ll be in pain which will only grow stronger the longer he waits to claim you, and secondly, the Fates…”
“Wait, are you telling me he’s in pain?” Ian was upset at the thought of his mate hurting.
“No, he isn’t yet because he hasn’t scented you. But once that occurs, Colton will start to feel pain in his chest and it will grow stronger until the claiming occurs.”
“Why can’t I smell him? I know he’s a timber wolf but there’s no scent of him in your mini hospital.”
“Colton has a protection spell cast by a friend of the family to prevent Silver Point Pack from finding him. They had a kill-on-sight order for me and my brothers.”
“What’s the other reason Colton and I must mate?”
“My brother will acquire a power the Fates have decided for him, the same way I became an Alpha/Omega hybrid when Steel and I found each other. And no, I don’t know what gift Colton will have once he mates, but there’s only one way the Fates allow the mating call to be broken.”
Ian was suddenly hopeful. Ignoring his snarling wolf, he asked, “What is it?”
“One of you must die…and I’m telling you right now, it won’t be my brother,” said Jackson in a very cold, hard, Alpha voice.
Oh my gods! Ian agreed with his wolf who was now howling in despair.
There wasn’t any way Ian would allow his mate to die and would never hurt his mate by choosing to end his own life.
He would find a way for this to work. He knew the Fates never made mistakes in picking mates, so he trusted them.
He and Colton would figure a way forward.
“Alpha, I won’t reject Colton and I’ll find a way to convince him to claim me.
” And then it happened—a feeling of peace and serenity slowly washed over his body and Ian knew he would be claiming his mate as soon as possible.
For the first time in his very long life, Ian felt hopeful about his future.
What a strange thought. He should have felt this way when he achieved his dream of becoming a doctor—and he did feel something—but nothing as all-encompassing as now.
He checked his wolf and found him curled in a ball, tranquil at last.
“Since we have that settled, why does your wolf feel Colton is in danger?” asked Jackson.
“I can’t tell you. All I know is when we touched down, my wolf felt Colton was in danger but didn’t know anything specific. It was just a feeling.”
“Well that’s good enough for me. Steel, please call your brother and warn him about the possible danger. But don’t tell Slate about Ian being Colton’s mate since nothing can be done about that while my brother is still down there. Just remind him that Colton should never be left alone.”
“Will do. Anything else? Otherwise, I’ll call him now.”
“Go ahead. The sooner Slate is put on notice, the better it will be.” Jackson watched his mate leave the room, then turning to Oracle, asked, “You are sure Colton will be safe and return home?”
“Yes, nothing has changed. Colton will return home.”
Jackson then turned to the doctor, “Thank you. Dr. Wallace…”
“Please call me Ian.”
“Ian, my brother is safe and protected by a Dire Wolf…Slate…who is with him 24/7. The only time Colton is alone is when he sleeps in their apartment which has a military-grade security system. Even the surrounding apartments are occupied by other bodyguards. Knowing the steps I’ve taken, will you now be able to control your wolf? ”
Ian checked his wolf and found him content, watching and listening. But he could sense his wolf would respond in an instant if he felt his mate was threatened. “Yes, my wolf’s now under control. How long will Colton be in Mexico?”
“About a month but I asked Slate to get him back here as soon as his work is finished, so it might be sooner.”
“Good. I also have a few questions about Colton…do you have the time right now?”
“Shoot,” Jackson said as his mate rejoined them. Steel sat down, and Jackson leaned over to kiss him while asking through their mind link if Slate had been warned. After receiving an affirmative, Jackson said, “Babe, Ian has some questions about Colton,” and nodded at Ian to proceed.
But before he could, Oracle stood. “I believe I am no longer needed, so if you would excuse me,” she said, as she rose to leave.
“Thanks Mom,” Steel said before turning to Ian.
“Go on, Ian,” Jackson said.
“I read the file my mate-to-be left for me and I was astounded at the observation and details I found. What’s his background in medicine?”
“My brother was studying to become a nurse and was a year away from graduation when we were forced into hiding. I know he’s taken some online courses but still doesn’t have enough credits for his degree. Right now, he’s taking on-line foreign language classes.”
“Why is he doing that? They’re not required for his nursing degree.”
“He wants to be able to communicate with patients who don’t speak English,” said Jackson.
Why doesn’t this surprise me, Ian thought, as he remembered Colton’s dedication to everything he did.
“I told you Colton would fight against claiming you,” Jackson said while Ian nodded.
“My brother is a natural-born healer and has been doing it since he first started to crawl. His goal since he was a young boy was to join Frontline Doctors once he got his degree. I intend to make it a reality once the problem with Silver Point Pack is resolved.”
Ian’s jaw dropped. Frontline Doctors??? For the first time, he saw a way for them to be mated with neither giving up their dreams. Just thinking about spending nights with his mate sent his cock into overdrive.
Fucking be damned! The Fates did it. They found a perfect match for me with a bonus.
A natural healer, wow. That’s the stuff of legends. He couldn’t wait to meet him.
“My story is similar Alpha, but I’m not a natural healer. After completing my residency, I joined Frontline Doctors and never left. I love it.”
“Good to know. Any other questions? If so, let’s continue this conversation at dinner. I’m starved and my pup is letting me know it’s time to eat.”
“Sure. Sounds good. I haven’t had anything since this morning.”
“Well, there’ll be plenty of food, but you’ll have to wait until my brother Dakota returns with the rest of the pack from Seattle to taste the cooking of a Master Chef,” Jackson said with a smile, as he and Steel got up and led Ian to the dining room.