Chapter 32
Steel hugged his son to his chest as he sat listening to Ian explain that Jackson was dying.
He wanted to scream and howl with grief but could not.
No, his wolf was curled up in a ball, keening for his mate.
Steel could feel deep grief consuming his soul.
Will I die too? Of a broken heart? Ian was speaking but he sounded far away.
What did he say? He wasn’t sure but it didn’t matter.
Nothing did anymore. His arms tightened on the bundle he was holding.
A pup’s yelp penetrated his brain and he looked down to see Jackson’s blue eyes staring into his soul.
It was a sign from Jackson, his lover, his center and keeper of his heart.
Yes, Steel would survive. He owed that to his mate—to make sure their son would be loved and taken care of.
He looked into his son’s eyes and made that vow again to Jackson.
He stood, gently rocking his son and listening to the cooing sounds from a pup who’d never know his other parent.
Ian was talking again but he couldn’t hear the words.
His heart was breaking and all he could hope for was that a little piece would remain so he could give it to their son.
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So still, my brother is so still. His mind kept saying it over and over, yet nothing changed.
Colton looked at the brother who saved him and his brothers after the massacre—took charge even when Jackson’s heart must have been broken as much as everyone’s.
While the rest of them were mired in grief, unable to think or act, Jackson persevered—all for his brothers.
Now, just when Jackson was on the brink of finding his own happiness, it would be taken from him.
Colton’s nephew would grow up without ever knowing how good, caring and loving his father had been.
Birthdays would come and go without Jackson’s joyful laughter filling the air.
Colton remembered his brother’s excitement about celebrating the Long Night Moon Festival with his pup, Jackson’s tears when Logan showed him the nursery and the joy he heard in his brother’s voice about having a child.
All gone. How would the brothers survive the loss of the heart and soul of their pack?
Colton didn’t know—and he doubted they would.
As he stood there, gazing at the face that had sacrificed so much to keep him and his brothers alive, he cursed the Fates for taking his brother away from all who loved him.
Then he cursed his own failure to save Jackson and finally he cursed the gods who’d brought so much tragedy to his family.
He hung his head, no longer able to look at his brother lying there, waiting for death to come for him.
He wasn’t sure if Steel would survive, even with a son to look after.
Oh no, and Steel’s parents—Maximus and Oracle—so happy for Jackson and Steel.
How would they bear it if Steel died of a broken heart and grief?
He wondered if Oracle knew this and if so, how painful it must be for her to stand by and watch the Fates take her son.
And then like a beacon of hope, Oracle’s words came back to him…
“One day, you will experience great joy because you possess this gift.” And then he knew.
He had the power to change the future—the power to give Jackson back the life being stolen from him.
Colton wasted no time pondering whether to use the power given to him by Raphael and the gods—no, his only concern was if he was too late.
He reached out his fingers and touched his brother’s chest. Calling on Raphael to help him, he felt the power surge through his body and exit through his fingers while a blinding green light filled the room.
Colton could feel a warm buzzing in his fingers.
After the light and the tingling faded, Colton removed his fingers, praying to the Archangel Raphael he wasn’t too late while waiting to see a sign from Jackson who still lay motionless on the table.
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Cody knew his brother was going to die tonight and there wasn’t anything he could do to stop it.
That was his problem—he suffered pain twice for every bad thing that happened to his family.
But tonight he was going to be with his brother when he passed to the afterlife.
Something he couldn’t do when his parents and younger siblings were massacred.
Creeping downstairs so no one would hear him, he stopped at the bottom step.
The hall was empty as was the nurse’s station where Colton should be.
Am I too late? Is Jackson dead? He paused and closed his eyes, searching for Jackson’s life force and, finding it, he was surprised at its strength.
Was I wrong? This doesn’t make sense. Softly padding on bare feet down to the recovery room, he paused at the door as he heard voices. Cracking it open a hair, he listened.
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Colton watched the color return to his brother’s face and Jackson’s full lips regain the rosy red hue he was used to seeing. He watched as Jackson’s eyes fluttered open and looked around before reaching to feel his now flat belly. “The baby? My pup? Where is he?” he rasped.
“He’s fine…and right now he’s with Steel. Ian wanted to make sure he was all right since he was a bit early,” Colton said softly. “How about some water?”
His brother gave a short nod and then sipped as Colton held a straw to his lips. After swallowing a few mouthfuls, Jackson asked, “Can I see my baby? Where’s Steel?” Panic began to set in when he didn’t see his mate.
“Steel and your pup are with Ian right now. He wanted to do another examination just to be safe. Steel has been with you constantly except when you were in the operating room.”
“Will they be back soon?”
“Yes,” Colton said. “I better go get him so he doesn’t chop my head off. He’s been worried out of his mind along with the rest of us.”
Jackson smiled. “I would never let him decapitate you.” Then, more seriously, he said, “So this is the gift you got when you mated Ian, huh?”
Colton was unnerved by Jackson’s question. “What do you mean?”
“Colton, I remember everything including you healing me as my body was giving up…the bright green light, the buzzing, and you calling to Raphael for help. I’m proud of you…that the gods found you worthy of one of their powers. Why did you hide it from me?”
Colton closed his eyes and threw his head back in frustration. He never wanted anyone to know and now Jackson did. Now he had no choice. Colton opened his eyes and stared at his brother. “Promise you will tell no one. As my Alpha, I demand that promise.”
Jackson vacillated. If he promised as Colton’s Alpha, it would never be possible to share his brother’s secret with anyone, including his mate.
Looking at his brother, Jackson noticed tension reflected in Colton’s eyes and the angst in his brother’s demeanor.
He wondered how Ian had missed these signs in his mate but that wasn’t his business.
His job as Alpha was to minister to and help pack members with problems too big for one person to carry.
And he could see his brother was greatly agitated.
“I promise as your Alpha,” he swore. “Now why are you so troubled by the Fates’ gift? ”
Colton explained what happened to him in Mexico and how the Archangel Raphael healed him and gave him the same power.
And what happened when Ian woke up from his fainting spell and thought he’d saved Colton.
“I won’t take that away from him…it would hurt him and I can’t do that.
So the only way out is to keep it a secret and never use the power,” Colton said.
“But you did use it…on me. What changed your mind?”
“You changed it. I would never forgive myself if I hadn’t done everything, including using my power, to save you. I knew I would never be able to look at Steel, my nephew, or Oracle if I didn’t save the person who means more to me than any other, except my mate.”
Jackson was touched by Colton’s words, “Thank you, bro. I’m so proud of you; your decision is proof the gods chose wisely. Now when are you going to tell Ian?”
Colton was speechless. What the fuck? The only conclusion he could come to was Jackson didn’t understand why he couldn’t do that. “Ahh, bro, I thought I made it clear why I couldn’t do that.”
“Yes you did. But how are you going to explain my miraculous recovery?”
Colton hadn’t thought about that but had to admit his brother did have a point. “I don’t know. What am I going to do? The thought of hurting my mate makes me physically ill.”
“Mind if I give you a piece of advice?”
“Please.”
“Rip off the band-aid.”
“What are you talking about? What band-aid?”
“In the long run, you’ll hurt your mate more by keeping a secret than if you just tell him now. Sure, he might be upset…although if I know Ian, he won’t be…but it will make your relationship stronger. And isn’t that what you want?”
“Yes, but he’s going to be so angry I kept this from him.”
“Yup, I imagine he will. But learn this Colton…no secrets between mates. Besides, he’s going to find out soon enough through your mind link.”
“I’ve been blocking him.”
“Colton,” Jackson chided, shaking his head, “you have some groveling to do.”
“I know. Okay, let me think about how I’m going to do it.”
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Suddenly, Cody heard a door open down the hall and knew Steel and the pup were heading back to Jackson.
Boy was Steel going to be surprised! Quietly closing the door to the recovery room, Cody faded into the background, waiting for Steel to pass so he could go back upstairs.
Now that he knew Jackson was all right, he wanted to avoid any questions about why he was there while everyone else was sleeping.
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Steel approached Jackson, holding their son who’d dozed off.
He kept staring at his tiny face, noticing bits of Jackson in him.
Even though it hurt, he would have something left of the man who’d stolen his heart.
Steel glanced up, narrowing his eyes. He could have sworn someone was standing outside Jackson’s room a moment ago.
Suddenly, his wolf was standing and alert, searching for something that Steel couldn’t see.
Quickening his steps, he arrived at the door to Jackson’s room and heard voices.
Wait! That’s my mate’s voice. What the hell is happening?
He yanked open the door, charging in to protect his mate, and came to a full stop at the picture before him. Jackson was sitting up, in perfect health talking to Colton. Dumbfounded, he moved toward him, still not believing what he was seeing.
Jackson’s head had turned toward the sound of the door opening and saw his pup in Steel’s arms. Reaching to take the pup, he said, “Oh my gods, Steel, you have our baby. Is he healthy? Ten fingers and ten toes? Come here you big boy, what a rocky start to the world you got.”
Steel, still stunned, passed their son to Jackson. He looked at Colton, who shrugged, which told him nothing. Finally finding his voice, he asked, “Babe, what happened?”
“I don’t know for sure but I think Colton used his natural healing ability on me and then I woke up. I’m fine, really I am. Sorry for the scare,” Jackson said, as he got his first look at their son close up. “Oh sweetie, you are so beautiful…just like your daddy.”
“Yes, he does have your beauty,” Steel said, gently touching the downy softness of his son’s cheek.
“No silly, I mean he looks like you,” said Jackson.
“Uh-uh, he has your eyes,” Steel insisted.
“Not to interrupt your mutual admiration about the looks of your son,” said Colton, “but what’s his name? Steel refused to name him until you were awake.”
Jackson gazed at Steel, love clearly reflected in his face, “Oh babe, thank you.”
“Well?” Colton asked.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Ian demanded as he burst through the doorway. Then he too stopped short at seeing Jackson apparently healed and in good health.
“Hi Ian, thank you for everything. Did you see how beautiful my pup is?” Jackson asked.
“Uh, yes. Colton what happened after I left the room with Steel?”
“He used his natural healing ability on my mate and it worked. It must be more powerful than we knew,” Steel said to Ian.
“Are you responsible for Jackson’s recovery, Colton?”
“Yes.”
“Well done. I should have thought to ask you to try again but I’m glad you had the presence of mind to think of it,” said Ian as he moved next to his mate and wrapped an arm around his waist.
Colton caught Jackson’s eye and gave a short nod. Yes, he had to tell Ian about his power and soon. But first, “So what do I call my nephew?”
“Don’t you think we should wait for everyone to be here?” Steel asked.
“I think so,” and pausing for Colton’s groan, Jackson continued, “why don’t you tell everyone to come in here? Our son has waited too long for his name already. In the meantime, do you have a bottle ready for him? He’s been gumming my finger for the last few minutes.”
“I’ll get the bottle,” Ian said, “and Colton, you go round up everyone.”
“Okay, but promise you won’t tell a soul until I’m back.”
“I promise, now go,” said Jackson.
While Ian left to retrieve a bottle, Colton ran, taking the stairs two at a time, eager to find out if he won the name pool.
Knocking on one bedroom door after another, he told everyone what was about to happen.
Then he rushed back to Jackson. He skidded to a stop at Jackson’s bed and announced, “Everyone is coming.”
By ones and twos, they all arrived, smiling at the sight of Jackson feeding the pup.
After his son had finished, Jackson put him on his shoulder and patted his back until a burp escaped.
Now, once more nestled in Jackson’s arms, the pup’s bright eyes looked at the people gathered in the room, seeming to understand the importance of the moment.
And as everyone looked on, Jackson’s pup gurgled and smiled.