Chapter 10
Brian fought to stay in his dream, ignoring the voices around him, until he sensed what was about to happen. Opening one eye, he saw the raised bucket and knew he was about to get soaked. Jackknifing off the bench, he shouted, “What the fuck are ye doin’?”
Opening his eyes, Logan saw a wet empty bench and Brian standing to his left. “Fuck! Brian! Oh, shit! Just trying to wake you cause everyone’s in place waiting.”
“With a bucket of cold water?”
Fionn piped up, grinning, “He tried shaking you, but you kissed him.”
Rolling his eyes at Fionn for broadcasting that bit of news, Logan set the bucket down and, averting his eyes from the sea serpent, jumped off the boat.
“Uhhh, Brian, we’ll be heading out now to where we need to be, so when you’re ready, just go ahead.
” Taking his mate’s hand, Logan walked briskly back toward the marina office, heading for the path that would take them to a place he and Fionn could shift unseen.
Kissed Logan? Shaking his head, Brian didn’t believe it.
Naw, I was kissing my mate. Wait, my mate?
Touching his lips, he felt the imprint left there, left by his…
MATE? My mate was on my boat and fucking kissed me?
Without wakin’ me? Closing his eyes, Brian leaned back against the cabin, pulling at the strands of his dream in his mind and, as they came together, the full impact of his mate’s kiss caused him to slump to the deck.
His face was awash in misery at the discovery he’d been claimed without his agreement.
Leaning his head against the cabin, the realization of what that selfish act had done to him, sent a tear trickling down his cheek.
What did I ever do to ye? Why? Because ye want my loch?
So fucking bad yer willing to kill me for it?
Brian could draw no other conclusion about his mate’s kiss and the resulting bond they now had.
Massaging the pain he felt in his chest at the unfinished claiming, he wondered if his mate was feeling it, too.
Somehow, he doubted it; his mate had completed his part and now Brian had only three days to claim him or…
Or I’ll die! And how can I claim ye if ye won’t even stay around and introduce yersel’?
If he’d had any doubt about his mate’s intentions, it was now gone—Brian had been rejected in the most vile manner, ever.
Never had he thought his life would end so soon.
He had no illusions left that he would ever find his mate, even with the Shaman’s help.
Three fucking days! Impossible! Three days…
that’s it. How am I supposed to wrap up everything in the time I have left…
I must call Angus and figure a way he can get supplies for his pack after I’m dead…
maybe Morgan can step in…he can sell my boat and use the money for that… or maybe the King can help.
The enormity of what he had to do in those precious few days left sunk in as he tried to think about what to do first. The unfairness of what his mate did to him finally broke through the tangle of thoughts in his mind, making him furious.
Opening his eyes, Brian stared up into the night sky, searching for the gods he thought were merciful, that is, until tonight.
Why? What did I ever do to ye to deserve this?
Not hearing a reply, he closed his eyes, praying when he opened them again, he’d find it was all a dream.
~/~/~/~/~
Arriving at the clearing, Logan turned to Fionn, “There isn’t room for both of us to shift here so you go first, then circle above that stand of trees over there, Okay?”
“Sure,” Fionn replied, walking to the center and calling on his dragon to shift.
When it burst forth, Fionn marveled at its power.
Since promising his mother never to let his father see him shift, Fionn’s dragon was rarely free, but his father’s death would now change that.
Looking from side to side, he stretched his wings to make sure he had the room to lift off.
Then, pumping them vigorously, he rose into the darkness, gleaming like a beacon.
“Fucking hell!” spat Logan.
Kieran gasped after he saw his friend shift. “Macushla, Fionn is a white dragon!” he exclaimed, awestruck.
“I can see that. How the hell are we going to hide him? His scales are glowing!”
“Oh, my gods! A white dragon! I never thought I would ever see one because my Shaman told me how rare they were…oh, my gods I wonder what power Fionn has?”
“Rare? Fuck! How rare are we talking about?”
“Very, very, very rare. My Shaman told me many thought they were a myth, but he assured me they weren’t but I really never expected to know one. C’mon, it’s your turn, he’s waiting for us.”
“Babe, hold on! Fuck! He can’t go with us tonight. Look, he glows as bright as the moon. If someone looks up…what if someone takes a picture with their phone and tweets it? The High Council would hold Jackson accountable!”
Kieran tilted his head, listening to his spirit. “Macushla, something’s wrong with Brian. I have to go. Can’t you just take Fi for one loop around the lake and then maybe we can drive him up into the mountains where it will be safe for him to fly?”
“What’s wrong with Brian? Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, you must stay with Fionn. Protect him macushla, please!”
“Shit, okay, but let me know what’s happening with Brian.”
“Will do!” Kieran exclaimed, giving Logan a quick kiss, before hurrying back down the path to the marina.
~/~/~/~/~
Exiting the vortex, Mystia stood in the great room at the Blackwood Pack house, feeling Jackson’s power flowing around and through her. Extending her hands palms up, in front of her, they sparked and popped as her magic was stimulated by it. Her lips curved up in satisfaction.
“Mystia!” called Cody, walking towards her. “How’s Jimmy?”
Turning towards the voice, Mystia lowered her hands. “He’s fine. He’s waiting for me after I’m finished here. How are my grandpups?”
“Wait till you see them! I can’t believe how fast they’re growing. Jessica is definitely an Alpha but we don’t know about Jake. He’s really easy going and pretty much lets Jessica rule the roost,” Cody said, chuckling.
“Alphas come in all sizes and temperaments. Don’t be too quick to put a label on him,” Mystia said.
“I’m not. All I want is for Jake to be himself, whoever that may be, and know I’ll love him no matter how he turns out. Jessica on the other hand, may need some lessons in deportment,” Cody said, chuckling. “The one thing I won’t tolerate is bullying.”
“Good. It’s a lesson that’s best learned early,” said Mystia.
“Yup, and if you’re looking for Jackson, he’s in his study.”
“Thank you,” Mystia said, hugging Cody. “You’re looking very happy these days, mon petit loulou.”
Grinning, Cody replied, “I’m happier than I ever thought possible. If you have the time, come by so you can see how big the twins are.”
“I will,” Mystia said, heading for Jackson’s study. Seeing the door open, Mystia gave a quick knock before entering. “Mon petit loulou, I hear Daniel has acquired a new skill.”
Glancing up, a broad smile crossed Jackson’s face. “Mystia,” he said, warmly, rising to greet the woman who’d taken on the role of pack mother. “I guess you talked to Maximus.”
After hugging Jackson, Mystia sat down facing him. “I did. Unfortunately I have no answer for you…yet, but there is something I can do in the meantime.”
After explaining the spell and how long it would last, Mystia asked, “Do you want me to do it?”
“I do, but I need to speak to Steel to make sure he agrees,” Jackson said. “He’s in his office with Daniel…who I know will be very happy to see his grandma. C’mon, lets go see if he’s awake.”
Following him from the room, Mystia asked, “When will everyone be back from Scotland?”
Chuckling, Jackson answered, “Not soon enough for me, but it should be at the end of the week.” Pushing open Steel’s door, he saw his mate lying on the couch with his arms tightly around their son, both sound asleep.
He stared at them with a soft smile, then whispered to Mystia, “Are you in a hurry?”
“No, let them sleep. It will give me some time to play with the twins,” Mystia whispered, quietly backing out of the room.
~/~/~/~/~
Sprinting down the pier to Brian’s boat, Kieran prayed to the gods to find a way to help the sea serpent.
It was unfair to dump Fionn on Logan but when his spirit told him Brian was giving up, there was no other choice.
Skidding to a stop, Kieran found the sea serpent on his boat slumped on a bench, his head in his hands.
Jumping aboard, Kieran knelt next to Brian, placing his palms on the sea serpent’s back to do what the gods expected of him.
His hands grew hot, sucking all of Brian’s desolation from him, leaving only love in its place.
When his hands cooled, Kieran sat down and, leaving one hand on Brian’s back, murmured, “Tell me why you gave up.”
“Ye canna keep on helpin’ me this way,” Brian mumbled.
“But it will buy you some time,” Kieran said.
“It’s nae going to help any. My mate will never want me.”
“I don’t believe that, Brian, not even for a second,” Kieran said.
“Well, tis the truth. Ye know what he did…sentencing me to death. I just canna figure out why he hates me so…that’s what’s hurtin’.” Raising his head, he stared at the Shaman with tear-filled eyes. “Can ye answer me that?”
Shaking his head, Kieran murmured, “No, but I don’t believe he hates you.
There has to be a reason why he left before you could claim him…
maybe someone interrupted him and he had to flee…
or maybe he’s afraid if he stayed, you would be in danger.
There has to be a reason because he’s your Fated Mate and he can’t hurt you. ”
“Ay, but he did. Now I have but three days to claim him, but first I have to find him. How do ye find a mate who does nae want to be found?” Shaking his head, Brian mumbled, “It’s hopeless.”
“No it’s not. You aren’t doing this by yourself. You have all of us helping,” Kieran replied. “Brian, please, I know it looks bad but you asked for my help. Will you trust me now? Let us help you find him.”
“It’s nae going to change anything…he does nae want me.”
“Well, you won’t know unless we find him. Please, trust me?” Kieran pleaded.
The love that replaced Brian’s despair also gave him a speck of hope and, right now, he was clinging to it like a life preserver. That, and the Shaman’s belief his mate had a good reason for leaving him after the kiss, convinced him. “Ye have my trust,” he said.
Smiling, Kieran said, “Thank you. Now, ready to shift and search for your mate?”
“Naw, he’s nae here tonight. I dinna know where he is, but he will nae be comin’ here tonight,” Brian said.
“How can you be so certain?” asked Kieran.
Shrugging, Brian answered, “It’s our bond, but ‘tis weak since I have nae claimed him, yet.”
“Perfecto!” exclaimed Kieran. “Then he did leave something behind…we can use your bond with him to find him and that’s more than we had to begin with.
” Kieran studied the sea serpent before he said, “Hey, I got a great idea. Why don’t you come back to the hotel with us tonight?
There’s plenty of space and tomorrow we can come up with a new plan to find your mate. ”
“Naw, I’d miss my boat rockin’ me to sleep,” Brian said, “I can come down in the mornin’.”
Hearing the finality of Brian’s decision, Kieran used the hand that had remained on the sea serpent to flood him with as much love as he could.
Standing, he said, “See you in the morning, then. Tomorrow we start fresh and I know we’ll find your mate.
” Then, checking with his spirit, Kieran left the boat and headed back to Logan and Fionn.
Brian rose, watching the Shaman until he was out of sight and then went below.
Sitting on his bunk, he stared into space; he wanted to believe his mate would never let him die…
wanted to believe he’d return tomorrow to apologize for the pain he’d caused him and, to be honest with himself, wanted his mate to tell him he loved him.
Giving a slight shake of his head, Brian lay down, not bothering to undress.
Then concentrating on the gentle motion of his boat, he fell asleep, just as he told the Shaman he would.
~/~/~/~/~
Hiding at the edge of the woods where he could keep an eye on Brian’s boat, Kieran waited to hear from his spirit, hoping he’d done enough to save the sea serpent.
Glancing down, he grimaced at how dark his aura had become with Brian’s hopelessness, yet it had become lighter than when it first entered him.
Just the thought of how close to death the sea serpent was when he found him made him shiver—he hoped the love he gave would last until tomorrow morning.
Hearing from his spirit that Brian was asleep, Kieran turned and hiked up the path to the clearing, unsure what awaited him there.
The next problem was Fionn. Trying to remember everything his Shaman taught him about white dragons, Kieran came to the conclusion Fionn was a lunar-white dragon; his scales glowed like the moon, but that also meant he had an awesome power.
Which led Kieran to wonder why Fionn’s father had tried so hard to kill him, since Fionn was worth a king’s ransom, alive.
Unless he didn’t know! But how could that be?
Then suddenly it made sense: Fionn’s uncle knew—somehow he knew—and that’s why he was trying to get custody.
When all the pieces fell into place, Kieran began to run, knowing he had to get to Logan quickly so they could get Fionn somewhere safe.
Stumbling over a tangle of tree roots in his race to get to the clearing, Kieran began to fall.
Just before hitting the ground, two strong hands grabbed him.