Chapter 31
When breakfast was nearly over, Jackson couldn’t wait to show off Daniel’s newest achievement.
Rapping the edge of his knife against the water glass, he waited until he had everyone’s attention.
“This morning, when Steel walked into our son’s nursery, he was greeted by Daniel.
Care to know what my son’s first word was? ”
Cody looked at Dylon and mouthed the word ‘shit’ which caused his mate to chuckle.
Jackson saw his brother’s exchange with Dylon and said, “Is that your guess, Cody?”
“What did he say?” asked Zane.
“Did you know we have a pool on it?” asked Carson. “My bet was ‘fuck’.”
“I had ‘damn’,” announced Zane. “Cody picked ‘shit’. Colton’s was ‘crap’. Logan had…damn what did Logan have?”
“He had ‘asshole’,” Carson said.
Steel looked at Dakota. “Did you have an iron in this fire?”
Sheepishly, Dakota nodded.
“What did you pick?” asked Slate.
Dakota glanced at Jackson who wasn’t looking happy and he knew right then, he’d lost the bet. Trying to avoid listening to his brothers tease him for his choice, Dakota said, “It doesn’t matter.”
Snorting, Zane exclaimed, “Dakota picked…are you ready for this…‘dada’.”
“Really?” asked Jackson, “Why did you pick that word?”
Dakota’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
He looked down at his plate, and said, “When I was researching what formula I should make for Daniel, I came across an article about how babies learn to talk. It said the first word is usually ‘da’ or ‘dada’ because it’s the easiest sound to make.
So that’s what I picked, but obviously the article didn’t take into account a pup living with all of us. ”
“Before I announce the winner, what was the bet for?”
“The winner could order any loser to do something for him,” Zane answered. “So who won?”
Jackson grinned at his brothers, then pointed to Steel. “Daniel, who’s that?”
“Dada. Dada. Dada,” Daniel said, waving his arms up and down, bouncing on Jackson’s lap.
Steel smiled at his son, then said, “Congratulations Dakota, you won!”
“Whhaatt? Me?” Dakota asked, stunned at the results.
“Yup,” Jackson replied. “Lucky for you and for the rest of our brothers, if you catch my drift.”
“Aww man, I was sure I was going to win,” Carson said.
“Let me guess, if you won, you were going to order one of your brothers to do the rest of your punishment, right?” asked Jackson.
“Maybe,” Carson answered, surprised his brother knew him so well.
“Hey Kota, what do you want done?” asked Zane.
“I don’t know…I never thought I’d win,” answered Dakota. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“I have some ideas, babe,” Slate whispered in his mate’s ear. “But they’ll keep for later.”
“Zane, Carson, please clear the table and clean up the kitchen. Cody and Dylon, meet me in my study. Babe, please take Daniel to see his grandparents and then join me in my study. Dakota, give me about fifteen minutes, then please come see me.” Jackson handed his son to his mate before rising and headed to his study.
He was eager to see if Logan had sent the video of what happened to Fionn last night. Sitting at his desk, he scrolled his email and found what he wanted.
When Dylon led Cody into Jackson’s study, he saw their Alpha staring intently at his computer screen. His mate sat down in one of the chairs facing his brother and Dylon sat quietly next to him, waiting to hear about Fionn.
Glancing up and seeing only Cody and Dylon, Jackson said, “Where are the twins?”
“With Mystia and Jimmy. They wanted to give us some free time so as soon as you’re finished, we’re going for a run in the woods,” Cody replied, smiling.
Nodding, Jackson swiveled his monitor so they could view the video and hit the Play button.
“This part shows the two men restraining Fionn and his attempts to break free. Then Groose and his men appear, freeing Fionn and taking him away.” Fast forwarding the video, Jackson continued, “There’s the third man who helped the first two escape after they were knocked out.
” When the video ended, Jackson said, “During the attack, Fionn sensed another dragon but it wasn’t his father. That’s what caused him to panic.”
“But you’re sure he’s okay and safe?” Dylon asked.
“Yes, he’s with Logan right now. Groose has restricted access to their floor so no one can get close to him,” answered Jackson.
“Was the dragon at the club?” asked Dylon.
“Not according to Fionn, but it definitely was in Scotland,” replied Jackson.
“Any info on the men? Do we know who they are?” asked Cody.
“All Logan could find out is that it was their first time visiting the club,” Jackson said.
“Can you get me a copy of the video? I want to send it to some of my friends at the High Council. They might recognize these guys,” Dylon said.
“By email, okay?” asked Jackson. “Or do you want it on a DVD.”
“Email’s fine,” Dylon replied. “Cody mentioned that Logan wanted Fionn to come here. So how fast can that happen?”
“As soon as you say it’s okay for Fionn to do so. As legal guardians, I need your permission to fly him out of Scotland. Logan has spoken to Fionn and he’s for it,” answered Jackson.
“Will Logan and Kieran come with him? I don’t think he should be by himself,” Cody said.
“I thought of that, but that would leave Theo, Norman and Lizzie with Colton so that won’t work since he has his hands full with Ian’s parents and a mate who isn’t feeling perky.”
“What’s wrong with Ian?” asked Cody.
“The only thing Colton has said is Ian is very tired, which I remember being when I was pregnant,” Jackson replied. “I have someone else in mind and I think you’ll approve.”
“Who?” asked Cody.
“Dakota and Slate. I haven’t asked them yet because I wanted to see what you thought,” replied Jackson.
“That’s fine with us, but do you think they’ll want to?” asked Dylon.
Jackson glanced over to the door and saw Dakota and Slate standing there.
“Perfect timing,” he grinned. “Sit down, guys. I have several things to cover with you but the most important is Fionn.” After bringing them up to speed, Jackson said, “Everyone agrees, Fionn would be safer here than in Scotland but I don’t want him traveling alone because of the threat that hangs over him.
Neither Logan or Colton can accompany him back here.
Would you guys be willing to go and get Fionn and bring him back? ”
Slate and Dakota exchanged glances before Slate asked, “When do you plan to do this?”
“I’d like it done as soon as possible. Right now Fionn is safe but I don’t trust his father, so I’m sure this won’t be the last attempt,” Jackson replied.
Slate looked at his mate who nodded. “We’ll do it. We’ll need to stay overnight; the pilots will have to rest before they can fly back the next day. Have my brother book a room at the same hotel.”
“Done. Cody, Dylon any objections?” asked Jackson.
“Nope,” Cody said. Then he looked at Dakota and Slate, and said, “We really appreciate you guys doing this. We’ll owe you one.”
Chuckling, Slate said, “Never fear, we will collect one day.”
“Jackson, is there something else you wanted to talk about?” asked Dakota.
“Uhmm, yes…just a minute,” Jackson said, looking at Cody and Dylon. “Guys, I’m finished with you so if there isn’t anything else…”
“Just let us know when everything’s set,” said Cody, before leaving with his mate.
“Will do.” Seeing the worry on Dakota’s face, Jackson said, “Bro, there’s nothing to worry about. The only reason I wanted Cody and Dylon gone is that you haven’t made an announcement about your pregnancy yet.”
“You lost me. What does my pregnancy have to do with anything?” asked Dakota.
“The last few months of a Dire Wolf pregnancy will be hard on your body and, trust me when I say this, the last thing you’ll want to do is stand on your feet all day, cooking.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Plus, Steel tells me he’s given you one day a week off.”
“Where are you going with this?” asked Dakota, suddenly apprehensive about what his brother intended to do.
Slate cut in. “If you think you can use Dakota’s pregnancy to fire him, you better rethink it,” he growled.
Just then Steel arrived and, hearing his brother growling at his mate said, “Slate, cool it. All Jackson wants to do is hire a full time sous chef for Dakota so when he has a day off or isn’t feeling well because of his pregnancy, he won’t have to worry about who’s going to cook for the pack.
He’ll always be the head chef until he doesn’t want to anymore. ”
Slate turned to Jackson. “So you just want to hire someone to make it easier for my mate?”
“Yes,” answered Jackson. “The reason I wanted to talk to you before I did anything is to see what you thought about the idea and if you know anyone you’d like me to hire,” answered Jackson.
“What do you think, babe?” Slate asked his mate.
“That sounds okay…” Dakota said, hesitantly.
Slate picked up where his mate left off. “So to make this clear, everything having to do with the kitchen still falls under Dakota’s control and you’re just hiring someone to help out during his last month or so when he can’t cook every day, right?”
“Dakota, look at me,” Jackson said, waiting until his brother did.
“I give you my promise as the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, you will remain as the primary chef for my pack for as long as you want to. That said, I’m sure you realize it’s also my duty as the Alpha to make sure all members stay healthy.
Even if you were not pregnant, I would still want to hire someone to help you because of all the changes that are planned for the near future.
When you took over the kitchen after the massacre, there were only seven of us you were cooking for.
Now there are seventeen members, three pups and more on the way.
Your work load has almost tripled. I should have addressed this before, but you make cooking look so damn easy, I never thought about how much work it is until my mate corrected that impression. ”
Jackson held up his hand to forestall any interruptions, and continued.
“Besides the increased work load, you are newly mated and deserve to have some free time to spend getting to know Slate better. Then there’s your pregnancy…
a Dire Wolf pregnancy…which will force you to rest and take care of your growing pup.
I know, because I went through it. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life…
accepting help from my mate and Logan in carrying out my duties as Alpha. All I want to do is help you.”
Feeling Jackson’s love and concern for his and his bean’s well-being, Dakota’s eyes filled with tears.
My father was so wrong about Jackson never making a good Alpha.
He’s exactly how an Alpha should be. Nodding, Dakota said softly, “Okay, thanks, I really appreciate it because I was worried about how I would manage when I was in my last month.”
“You’re welcome,” Jackson said, then adding with a grin, “Besides, this way I won’t have to listen to my mate grumble about KP duty.”
“Hey, I wasn’t that bad,” protested Steel.
“Uhhh, yeah you were,” Jackson said.
“Jackson, what about Theo?” asked Dakota. “Can I still teach him?”
“Absolutely, as long as Theo wants to continue cooking. I know Cody is pleased Theo has found something he enjoys doing. Maybe when he comes back from Scotland, you, Theo and Cody should get together and ask Theo what he sees for himself in the future and if he wants to be a chef. If that’s his choice, come up with a plan to help him reach his goal. ”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Dakota said, smiling.
“Good,” Jackson said. Turning to his mate he said, “Your brother and Dakota have agreed to go to Scotland, pick up Fionn and bring him back. Cody and Dylon are okay with it. Is the plane ready?”
“Yup, all I have to do is have Robert pick them up in the chopper,” Steel said, as he sent a text to his pilot, updating him with the new plans and sent another text to the hotel.
Then he turned to Slate. “I just booked a room for the pilots and arranged for you and Dakota to have a suite on the same floor as Logan and Colton.
“Thanks. Is there anything I should know about the potential danger Fionn is facing?”
“We just don’t know what his father is planning, which is why Logan and Groose felt it best to get him out of there. The High Council was so pissed at what his father did, they issued an injunction forbidding any contact with Fionn, but that doesn’t prevent him hiring someone to kidnap him.”
“Has he traveled before?” asked Slate.
“No. But I’ve arranged for all of the documents he’ll need to be waiting for you at the hotel,” answered Steel.
“Perfect. If we’re done, we’ll get ready to go. Let me know when Robert will arrive,” Slate said.
“Will do.”
“Dakota,” Jackson said, “is there anyone in particular you’d prefer to hire as sous chef?”
“Oh yeah,” Dakota said, then thought about who he knew who’d be perfect for the job. “Do you mind if I get back to you about it? I need to find out where my classmates are before I can give you some names.”
“Sure, no rush,” Jackson said.
“Thanks. Anything else?” asked Dakota.
“Nope, go pack. You’re going to love the helicopter ride,” Jackson said, grinning.
“C’mon, babe, before my brother thinks of a zillion more jobs for me to do for him when we’re in Scotland,” Slate said, rising and pulling his mate up with him.
Snorting, Steel said, “That’s a pretty good idea, brother.” Then he added, “By the way, congratulations to both of you. I know you haven’t announced it yet, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
“Thanks,” Dakota said, smiling at Slate. “We’re very happy about it too.”
“Yeah, we are,” Slate said, grinning at Dakota.
“Oh,” Jackson said, “one last thought, well, maybe more of a suggestion…please don’t say anything about your pregnancy to Colton, yet.”
“No problem, but why?”
“Because he’s freaking out as it is with Ian’s and Kieran’s pregnancies so I’m trying to keep his stress level down while he’s over there. And just in case you were wondering, I plan on hiring another doctor to help Ian out.”
“Our lips are zipped so nothing to worry about.”
Chuckling, Jackson said, “Thanks. Now go pack.”