Chapter 29
“Good morning, guys,” Ian said, entering Jackson’s hospital room, “how are you feeling, Jackson?”
“Okay,” Jackson answered. “I’m ready to supervise my mate when he attempts to put the crib together.”
“Attempts? Really? You wound me,” Steel said, placing a hand over his heart and sighing dramatically, “so little faith my mate has in the father of his pup.”
Jackson giggled. “Well, when our pup is sleeping in our bed instead of in his crib, I’ll explain why.”
Steel playfully charged at his mate and gathered Jackson in his arms. Nipping at his mate’s neck, Steel said, “You,” nip, “will not,” nip, “say anything,” nip, “of the kind.” Then his fingers found Jackson’s sides and tickled him until he heard his mate plead for mercy.
Breathlessly, Jackson said, “Okay, okay, babe, I promise I’ll tell our pup only how great you are.”
Steel ceased the tickling and feasted on his mate’s lips.
“Do you want us to come back later, bro?” Colton asked, wanting to kiss Ian after watching the sexy scene playing out in front of him.
“No, no, no,” Jackson said, pushing Steel away. “Come on babe, let them finish up and then we can have some special time.”
Steel reluctantly pulled back but kept his arm around his mate’s back. “Is that a promise?”
Jackson winked lasciviously at his mate and said, “Absolutely.”
Steel smiled at Jackson before looking at Ian. “Okay doc, what’s the diagnosis?”
“All the test results are in and Jackson has the wolf form of preeclampsia. We caught it early and there’s medicine that will control it for the rest of your pregnancy,” Ian said, holding his hand up to stop any questions from Steel or Jackson as he continued, “however, I agree with Colton that he should try to use his natural healing abilities first. Since you’re in an early stage we may get the best results from his efforts. ”
“Great, what do I have to do?” Jackson asked.
“Before Colton starts, I want to stress there’s no guarantee it will work. But remember there’s always medicine. Okay?”
“I thought a natural healer can cure everything except a dying person,” Steel said.
“That’s correct and Jackson’s condition fits those parameters,” said Ian.
“However, there’s very little written about the abilities of a natural healer; most of what I’ve found are word of mouth accounts.
This will be the first time Colton uses his ability to treat a disease. ..and not a physical injury.”
Jackson spoke up. “I understand there’s no guarantee, but I want my brother to do his voodoo on me. If it works, I don’t have to take any medicine and I prefer that scenario.”
“Okay,” Colton said, “Jackson, I need you to lie flat on the bed.”
“What do you need me to do?” asked Steel.
“Nothing for now,” replied Ian.
After Jackson was in position, Colton started touching and caressing his brother’s body while humming. Lost in his efforts, he never heard Steel growl protectively. Slowly, Colton’s hands roamed over every inch of flesh, spending more time around Jackson’s belly and the pup.
At first, Jackson felt nothing but then his body became warm from the inside out. The longer Colton laid his hands on Jackson, the better he felt. The bone-weary tiredness dissipated inch by inch until he felt rejuvenated. Worries left his mind in slow drips, leaving Jackson calm and relaxed.
After Steel growled, when seeing Colton’s hands on his mate, Ian grabbed his arm, scowling while mouthing “stop.” Embarrassed at his reaction, Steel forced his wolf to be quiet.
Instead he concentrated on his mate, hoping like hell it would work.
It was the first time he’d seen a natural healer in action and watched the visible results.
The longer Colton rubbed and caressed Jackson, the more relaxed his mate’s body became.
Now, seeing it with his own eyes, Steel realized how tense Jackson had become.
Berating himself for failing to notice the stress his mate was under, Steel vowed to do everything possible between now and the birth of the pup to ease his mate’s worries.
Ian kept a restraining arm on Steel, until Colton finally stepped back from Jackson’s bed.
No way would he take the chance that Steel might attack Colton while he was ministering to Jackson.
He looked at Colton and saw only serenity on his mate’s face.
Moving forward to check on his patient, Ian was astounded to find the same peacefulness reflected on Jackson’s face.
He quickly checked blood pressure, normal, swelling in face, hands, and legs, gone…
Ian chuckled and then asked, “Jackson, do you feel tired anymore?”
“No,” he said, surprised, “I don’t feel the extreme tiredness I had yesterday. Does that mean it worked?”
“I want another blood panel done, but it’s looking good. Your blood pressure is normal and the other symptoms are gone.”
“Does that mean I can get out of here?”
“Yes it does. But, I want you to avoid stressful situations and to take it easy. This last month is going to be the hardest on your body.”
“Got it.” Then Jackson turned to Steel, “would you bring my clothes over, lover, so I can get dressed?”
Steel set the clothes on the bed and helped Jackson stand. Looking at Ian and Colton, he growled, “You can go now. I’ll help my mate.”
Ian smiled and said, “Fine, but before you go upstairs, Colton will need to draw some blood so let him know when Jackson is dressed.”
“Okay.”
Colton held the door for Ian and then followed him out. One glance at Ian, and Colton lost it, bursting out laughing. Ian’s twitching lips gave way and his laughter also echoed down the hall. Leaning against the wall, they held each other as tears streamed down their faces at Steel’s reaction.
“Did you hear him growl?” Ian sputtered, as laughter continued to break through his voice, “I had to hold him back.”
“The crap about Jackson dressing with us in the room,” snorted Colton.
As their laughter died down, Ian said, “We’ve got to think of something to do about him when I operate on Jackson. I don’t think Steel can be in the same room with us.”
Colton sobered up. “Shit, you’re right. I’m going to have Maximus stay with him. He’s the only wolf I know that can stop Steel in his tracks.”
“I’ll talk to him and Oracle,” Ian said.
“Good.”
~/~/~/~/~
Slate walked in and stood in front of Pablo’s jail cell. “I’ve arranged for your transfer to the Universal Paranormal High Council law enforcement division on next Wednesday.”
“What will happen to me there?” Pablo asked, lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
“After verifying my evidence, you’ll be tried and most likely be found guilty and given a death sentence.”
“But I didn’t kill anyone!” Pablo exclaimed, sitting up suddenly.
Slate sighed. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?
More than a hundred attacks against women and men, silver poisoning, kidnapping, attempted shifter slave trafficking, and using a gun to commit a crime.
And I’m sure the High Council legal division will add even more charges to the list.”
‘Shock’ was inadequate to describe Pablo’s feelings.
As Slate’s words finally registered, he sat there trying to understand the magnitude of his crimes.
He started to hyperventilate. During his time in jail, he’d contemplated what his punishment might be but death never entered his mind.
Now he was facing something new—and extremely frightening.
“Dammit,” Slate said, opening the cell door, rushing in to help Pablo.
Once he calmed him down, Slate, left the cell to order Pablo’s meal.
“Call me if he has any problems breathing,” he said to the guard stationed outside the cell door.
Walking away, he heard Pablo call to him. Turning he growled, “What now?”
“How can I get a different sentence? My sister’s husband was killed several years ago and I’m her only means of support.”
Fuck, save me from stupid assholes. Slate looked at Pablo.
“My advice…give me the names of the guys who hired you.” Pablo stared at Slate, slowly comprehending what he was being asked.
Then he said, “They were…” and stopped. Getting no further response from the prisoner, Slate turned and left, leaving Pablo to his own thoughts.
~/~/~/~/~
It was near lunchtime when Jackson and Steel walked into the great room and found Logan and Cody waiting for them. After sitting with Steel on a sofa, Jackson looked at his brothers and said, “Stop worrying. I’m fine. So tell me what’s happened since I was held captive by Colton and Ian.”
Logan quickly glanced at Cody before turning to examine his twin. “What do you mean you’re fine? Steel told us last night Ian thought you had a serious condition related to the pregnancy.”
“The tests came back positive this morning…”
“Yeah but what the fuck are you doing upstairs? Shouldn’t you be in the hospital? Steel, is this how you take care of our brother?” asked Cody, worriedly.
Steel growled at Cody’s accusation but before he could answer, Jackson rested a hand on his thigh and squeezed gently.
“Cody, apologize. Your accusations were uncalled for especially since you didn’t let me finish,” admonished Jackson, using his Alpha voice.
Cody tilted his head, exposing his neck to Jackson. When did my brother get this surge of Alpha power? Cody straightened up and said. “Sorry, Steel, I was wrong to make that accusation when you’ve never shown anything but devotion to Jackson.”
“Apology accepted,” said Steel.
“As I said,” Jackson continued, “the tests came back positive and Ian explained there’s medicine I could take but he and Colton wanted to try our brother’s natural healing ability first. So Colton did his voodoo and I’m now healed.”
“Are they sure? The pup is healthy?” asked Logan.
“Yes, the additional tests they did after Colton’s treatment showed no evidence of the condition. And yes the pup is healthy and kicking up a storm.”