Chapter 4
Closing his eyes, he listened to the early morning sounds of birds in the forest; they helped relieve his soul of the burdens he now shouldered.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way—holed up with his brothers far from the pack he should be leading, but that was long past. His uncle now led the Rolling Hill Pack and there’d be no going back for him.
Once his mother had gotten the phone call, everything changed in a heartbeat.
Sipping a steaming cup of coffee, Hunter leaned back in his chair and swung his feet up onto the log railing surrounding the porch.
His mother’s image flashed into his mind and pain filled his soul.
Unable to stem the flow of sorrow coursing through him, Hunter rolled with it.
The screen door opened and Hunter scented his brother, Mason, joining him on the porch.
Forcing his grief to return to that special place in his heart, Hunter opened his eyes and, looking at his brother, said, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Mason growled, his eyes missing nothing including the sadness his oldest brother was trying to hide. “You all right?”
“Yeah, just planning my day,” Hunter replied.
Mason grimaced at the lie, but let it go.
He knew Hunter had taken their mother’s death hard, probably hardest of all of them.
That’s not to say Mason didn’t miss her, because he did, but his brother had a special relationship that began the day their father died.
In her grief, she turned to her eldest son, relying on him to take control and make sure they all were safe and protected.
Mason grudgingly admitted Hunter made the right decision to give up leadership of the pack and move them here, but wished there’d been another way—his brother was born to be Alpha.
Now, Hunter was trying to fulfill his mother’s last request. “Did you hear from Jackson yet?” Mason asked.
“No, but I will. Did you ever get the copy of the complaint he filed against his uncle?” asked Hunter.
“Finally.”
Hunter glanced at his brother, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Do I even want to know how?”
“Nope.” Mason’s initial request for a copy had been refused by the High Council because it was still a pending matter.
Despite his subsequent arguments, they refused to budge, so he contacted an old school buddy, an accomplished hacker.
Just that morning, he’d received a copy of the complaint by email from an anonymous sender.
Pulling a printed copy from the back pocket of his jeans, Mason handed it to Hunter.
“Here, it ain’t pretty but it may explain why Jackson hasn’t been answering your emails. ”
Setting his mug down on the floor, Hunter began to read.
Page after page, the horror of what his cousins suffered was laid out in black and white; by the time he finished, it was hard for him to contain his anger.
Staring up through the trees, he fought to control his emotions, knowing his younger brother would sense it immediately.
“Hey, are you okay?” asked Mason.
Clenching his jaw, it took a few seconds before Hunter growled, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Mason knew that wasn’t true but he wasn’t going to challenge his brother. “Well,” he hesitated, “that’s good because there’s more.”
Snapping his face back to his brother, Hunter couldn’t believe how anything more than he’d already read could be worse—until he saw how tense Mason had become. “Tell me, what else is there.”
“My source said their uncle filed a counter-complaint against them claiming they killed everyone in their pack because Jackson wanted to be the Alpha.”
“Bullshit!” Hunter exclaimed, jumping up and pacing while opening and closing his fists.
“Jackson isn’t like that. If that’s what he wanted, he could’ve just killed his father.
What the fuck is the matter with those assholes at the High Council?
Do they really think Jackson would also kill his younger brothers and sisters? That’s fuckin’ unbelievable!”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,” Mason said, holding up his hands. “I’m not saying I think he did it, but the uncle says so and the High Council has to investigate every complaint, no matter how far-fetched it seems.”
“Sorry, it just pisses me off that a false complaint can be filed against our cousin without any consequences.”
“I didn’t say that, bro. If Jackson can prove they didn’t commit the crime and their uncle knew that when he filed his complaint, then the High Council will prosecute the uncle for knowingly filing a false report.”
Hunter sighed. “You’re right. This clears up why I haven’t heard anything from our cousin,” he said.
“Time is running out,” said Mason. “We need to go soon. Driving is going to be hard…and will take a lot longer than flying. So, what are you going to do?”
Before he could answer, Hunter heard the soothing sounds of Robin’s guitar floating through the air. Cocking his head, Hunter said, “Isn’t it a bit early for that?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Mason said, “It helps…but less each day.”
“Fuck.” Leaning back against the porch railing, Hunter thought about his options. “Get ready to go,” he said to Mason. “If I don’t hear from Jackson in three days, we’ll leave, and I’ll deal with him when we get there.”
~/~/~/~/~
At Kieran’s request, Brian remained after everyone left the suite. He wasn’t sure why the Shaman wanted to speak to him alone, but sensed it probably had something to do with his mate.
Once they were alone, Kieran sat down next to the sea serpent, placing his hand on Brian’s arm before asking, “Why do you think you don’t deserve a mate?”
“Shaman, I’m to auld and set in my ways to change for a young mate.
And besides, what do I have to offer him?
Nothing…that’s what. I dinna have a house or a lot of money.
And I bet he’s young, so do ye think he’ll really want to hang out with an auld fucker like me?
No, dinna bother denying it. My mate will want to go clubbing, spending the nights dancin’ and drinkin’ and that’s just nae me anymore. ”
“Why are you trying so hard to find him then?” asked Kieran softly.
Looking down, Brian shook his head, “Honestly? Because he needs me for somethin’ and I dinna want to let him down.”
“Any idea what it is?” Kieran asked.
“Naw…do you?” asked Brian.
“Unfortunately, no, but you’re right…your mate’s life is being threatened. When he’s out of danger, what will you do if he does want to claim you? Will you still reject him?” Kieran asked.
Brian’s heart ached at hearing Kieran’s blunt words.
Reject my mate? No! But can I survive the pain of seeing the disgust on his face when he realizes how old I am?
“Shaman, I can’t answer yer question because I dinna know.
Do I want to reject him? Absolutely not!
But I won’t force my mate to claim an auld shifter. ”
“Fair enough. But you should know I have complete faith the Fates chose the right mate for you,” Kieran said, sending a burst of love into his friend and, after rising, added, “and I’m sure everything will work out.”
Standing, Brian responded, “Maybe. Thank ye for yer help, Shaman.” Several loud knocks on Kieran’s door had Brian chuckling as he walked towards it. “Sounds like someone is impatient.”
Giggling, Kieran said, “I think you’re right.” Opening the door, he found a very disgruntled Fionn glaring at Theo and Norm. “Hey, did you finish your questionnaire?”
“We did,” answered Theo, “and we worked out all the potential issues but Fionn isn’t happy with us. Hi, Brian.”
“Hi Theo, Norm, Fionn. Excuse me, I was just leavin’,” Brian said, walking out and over to the elevator.
“See ya,” Theo said. Then taking Norm’s hand, he pulled him into Kieran’s suite with Fionn trailing behind.
~/~/~/~/~
Parking his car behind the building, Brian locked it before knocking on the Wolf Pack Pub’s back door.
He sniffed, then snorted at his action which was quickly becoming a habit.
His mate wouldn’t be lingering here in Edinburgh.
Smiling when he heard the door being unlocked, he took a step back when it opened towards him
“Hey, long time, no see,” Morgan said, peering out at his friend.
“Ay, I’ve been a wee bit busy,” replied Brian. “Got a minute?”
“Sure, come in,” Morgan said. “My office okay? Or do you want something to eat?”
“Office is fine,” said Brian, brushing pass his friend and heading for the office.
Morgan studied Brian as he sat down in front of Morgan’s desk, trying to discover what was troubling him. He bent down, pulling open a desk drawer and took out a bottle of Macallen and two shot glasses. After filling them, he handed one to Brian. Raising his glass, he said, “To friends!”
“Ay, to friends!” Tossing the whiskey down, Brian grinned for the first time that day as the liquor warmed his body, easing some of the tension that’d been his constant companion since scenting his mate.
“What are you doing in Edinburgh?” asked Morgan.
“Came to see the Shaman.”
Morgan eyed the sea serpent, knowing there was more Brian was keeping to himself. Deciding on a different tack, he asked, “You saw David?”
“Ay, I did.”
“I take it he’s with the Blackwood Pack now. Damn, I guess I need to hire someone to replace him.”
“Ay. Are you okay with Zane claimin’ David?”
Ignoring the question, Morgan asked, “How’s he doing? And don’t tell me ‘guid’…I can guess that for myself seeing he hasn’t been back.”
Smirking, Brian said, “Guid, from what I could tell.” The look on Morgan’s face had Brian’s lips twitching. Finally taking pity on his friend, he added, “David is happy, loved and protected, nae only by Zane, but by the entire pack. Ye should stop by and see for yourself.”
“You don’t think anyone would mind?”
“Naw, but call first or you won’t be allowed up to see him,” cautioned Brian.
“That tight?” asked Morgan.
“Ay, let me say, our David is very well protected.”
“That’s a relief,” Morgan said. “Is that why you came to see me? To reassure me David is okay?”
Brian gazed at the floor, regretting his decision to visit.
They’d been friends too long for Morgan not to see something was bothering him but Brian wasn’t ready to talk about his Fated Mate just yet, maybe never.
Keeping his mouth shut would certainly save him from pitying stares and snide comments from others when his mate rejected him—as he knew his mate would—regardless of what the Shaman said.
Ignoring Morgan’s question, Brian raised his head and asked, “Has anyone new…other than the damn tourists…been in here lately?”
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “You mean a shifter?”
“Ay, a shifter that has nae been in before.”
Picking up the Scotch, Morgan filled the two shot glasses. Sliding one over to his friend, he asked, “What kind of shifter?”
After swallowing the whisky, Brian slammed the empty glass down, pissed that his friend was pushing him. Getting up, his chair scraping along the floor, he said, “Thanks for the drink,” and headed for the door, realizing his mistake in coming to the pub.
Jumping to his feet, Morgan grabbed Brian’s arm. “Hey, I’m sorry. No excuse except me being an asshole. Please Brian, come sit down and I promise, no more bullshit.”
Hesitating, Brian examined his friends face and seeing Morgan’s regret, turned around and sat down.
He too, was sorry for his outburst. Brian knew his friend was curious as to why he was in Edinburgh in the middle of the day instead of out on the loch with a boatload of tourists all searching for him, but he wasn’t ready to say more.
Sighing, he made up his mind as to what he’d reveal.
“I scented an intruder in my loch but I have nae found him yet.
And naw, I dinna know what kinda shifter, so I thought ‘twas worth a shot to ask ye since I was here anyway.”
Sitting back in his chair, Morgan sensed there was more to the story but he wasn’t going to push. “I haven’t seen anyone I don’t know, but I’m not out in front all the time either. I can ask my bartenders if they’ve served someone new.”
Nodding, Brian wasn’t surprised at Morgan’s answer. It was a long shot and without knowing what his mate looked like, it was nearly as impossible as finding a needle in a haystack. “Ay,” he smiled at Morgan, “I’d appreciate that.”
~/~/~/~/~
Closing the door, Kieran followed Fionn into the living room, where Theo and Norm were already cuddling on the couch. Grabbing the chair next to Fionn, Kieran asked, “Why are you pissed, Fi? I thought you were only going to be the mediator if Theo and Norm couldn’t agree.”
“That is what he was supposed to do but then he didn’t like me agreeing with Theo on certain questions,” replied Norman.
“Why not?” Kieran asked.
Shrugging, Theo said, “I asked him that, too, but he wouldn’t tell me.”
“Fi,” asked Kieran, “why did that bother you?”
Glaring at Theo and Norm, Fionn snarled, “Because Norman shouldn’t have to give up what he wants.
My mother did that her whole life and what the fuck did it ever get her?
A happy marriage? No fucking way! My father treated her like a doormat.
Norman shouldn’t have to give up anything and if Theo truly loved him, he wouldn’t ask him to do it. ”
“Hey, fuck off, Fi! I do love Norman with my whole heart, and I didn’t make him give up anything,” Theo said angrily. Then, looking at his fiancé, continued, “Pooh bear, you don’t think that, do you? You know I love you and would do anything for you, right?”
“Shush, honeybunch,” Norman crooned, wrapping his arms around Theo. “No, of course I don’t think that. I know you love me and I agreed with you because it was important to you and it wasn’t to me. You did the same for me, remember?”
Burying his head in Norman’s neck, Theo nodded, tears beginning to well in his eyes from Fionn’s stinging accusations. He would never do anything to hurt his pooh bear. Burying his nose behind Norman’s ear, where his mate’s scent was the strongest, Theo sucked in a breath to calm himself.
Tightening his hold on Theo, Norman aimed a ‘fuck you, asshole’ look at the man who was causing his honeybunch pain and, as soon as his Theo felt better, he resolved to show Fionn what he thought of his crap.