Chapter 33
Dylon stopped Jackson in the hall outside Zane’s computer room. “I have the information you asked for about your cousins,” he said, “and I’m free now if you are.”
“Sure, let me get Steel and I’ll meet you in my study in five,” Jackson said.
“See you then,” Dylon said, as he and Cody walked down the hallway on their way to see the twins.
After he sent Steel a text asking him to meet him, Jackson walked slowly to his study, his mind once more on his cousins.
While still wary about their motives, Jackson hoped Dylon’s research had turned up nothing bad because after thinking it over, he came to the conclusion Steel was right—his cousins were family—and it might help them all to know they had relatives who weren’t trying to kill them.
Jackson’s curiosity about his long-lost cousins had continued to grow.
How was my aunt? What happened after they moved away?
What were all of them doing now? Sitting down at his desk, he’d soon know the answers to most of his questions but probably not why, after all these years, they decided to reach out now.
Jackson looked up as Steel walked in, carrying Daniel, followed by Cody and Dylon with the twins in their arms. “Let me guess, Daniel refused to leave the twins,” said Jackson, smiling.
“Or the twins protested him leaving,” snickered Cody, setting Jessica down alongside Daniel and Jake in the large playpen, a recent addition to Jackson’s study.
“Steel thinks Daniel is forming his own pack,” Jackson said.
“Puppy pack,” Cody said, laughing.
“I think Steel is on to something. There already seems to be a hierarchy when they’re together because the twins always defer to Daniel,” said Dylon.
“In what way?” asked Jackson, concerned about his son’s behavior. “He isn’t a bully is he?”
“Absolutely not! Daniel is super protective of them. For instance, if Jessica is reaching for something she shouldn’t have, Daniel will growl at her…
like yesterday, one of my shirt buttons was on the floor near the three of them.
She picked it up and started to put it in her mouth and before I could take it away, Daniel growled and she dropped it. Really rather amazing,” Cody explained.
“I’ve never heard of something like this with pups,” said Jackson.
“Me, neither,” Cody agreed. “Maybe you should ask Oracle…”
“Or my father, since he’s the one who found out what Daniel can do,” said Steel.
“I will,” Jackson said, looking at his son playing with the twins.
Dylon said, “About your cousins…”
“Go ahead, what did you find out?” asked Jackson.
“As you know, they moved back east when their father became the new Alpha of the Rolling Hill Pack and two additional pups were born there for a total of six cousins. From everything I could find out, they had a happy childhood, did well in school, and no behavioral problems. Until their father died, they all lived with the pack.”
“Is Hunter the Alpha now?” asked Jackson.
“No, your six cousins and their mother left the pack and are now living in a cabin on land Hunter bought,” answered Dylon.
“Why didn’t Hunter become the Alpha? He was the oldest,” Jackson asked.
“Don’t know. The only information I could find is that their father’s brother assumed the Alpha position when he died,” Dylon replied. “As far as I can tell, Hunter walked away from the position.”
“Did they form a different pack?” asked Steel.
“If they did, it hasn’t been registered with the High Council,” Dylon said.
“So my cousins are living in the woods with my aunt…you said some of them had degrees. Do they work?” asked Jackson.
“Not that I know of,” said Dylon.
“Did our grandparents set up trust funds for them as they did for us?” asked Cody.
“I would assume so and that would explain why they aren’t working,” answered Jackson.
“There’s something else,” Dylon said. “Your aunt died three months ago.”
The shaft of pain Jackson felt in his heart was surprising, especially since he hadn’t seen her in many years.
It reminded him of how he felt when he learned of his mother’s death.
At least now everything made more sense—losing their only living parent was traumatic so they were reaching out to the only other family they knew.
“How did our cousins find out about us?” asked Jackson.
“About a month ago, Mason, the second eldest, contacted the High Council, asking about the Fox River Pack and that’s when he found out you started the Blackwood Pack,” answered Dylon.
“I remember Hunter and Mason,” Cody said, “who are the others?”
“Sawyer, Sam, Robin and Quin,” replied Dylon.
“Are any of them mated?” asked Jackson.
“No.”
“Cody, what do you think? Should I approve their request to visit?” asked Jackson.
“We have a lot of secrets in this pack and I’m concerned about our cousins learning about them,” answered Cody.
“True, but they’re not visible so unless we told them, they wouldn’t have any way of finding out,” Jackson said.
“What about Daniel? And what if Dakota gets pregnant…I’m assuming that’s his gift…how can we explain an Alpha giving birth?” asked Cody.
“Dakota wouldn’t show for three months and I could set a time limit for their visit. And if you introduce Jake and Jessica as your adoptive pups, maybe they would assume the same about Daniel,” replied Jackson.
“I suppose…if you say so,” Cody said.
“Mom and Dad never said anything about Daniel,” Dylon said, “And Jackson and Steel could have gotten Daniel through surrogacy.”
“I see your point,” said Cody. “In that case, my vote would be to grant permission for a visit.”
“Dylon, what about you?” asked Jackson.
“I don’t see a problem with it except if Dakota gets pregnant.”
“Duly noted.” Then turning to Steel, Jackson asked, “Babe, what’s your opinion?”
“I’m for it. I’ve lived my whole life in a family that only included mom, dad and my brother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family but I always thought it would be neat to have cousins my age. I think it will do all of us good to know we have other family out there.”
“Before I tell Dakota and Zane, I want to see what Logan, Kieran, Colton, Ian, and Carson think about it. If everyone’s in agreement, then I’ll do it.
Getting reacquainted with our cousins does appeal to me, but I won’t put my pack in danger.
Dylon, keep poking around. We should have as much information as possible.
There are still things that are worrisome to me,” Jackson said.
“Will do. I’m waiting to hear back from a friend of mine. He’s checking if another of my friends is still an enforcer with the Rolling Hill Pack and even if he’s moved on, he might shed some light on why your cousin walked away from the Alpha position,” said Dylon.
“Thanks, that would be helpful,” Jackson said, then realizing it was too quiet in the playpen, Jackson looked over to see what was going on.
“Oh my gods, babe, look at Daniel’s fur!
It’s a match to Jessica and Jake’s! Isn’t that the cutest thing ever?
” Jackson exclaimed, as all eyes turned to the sleeping pups.
Steel chuckled. “A puppy pile!” he exclaimed, looking at the three shifted pups curled up with each other.
“Jumping Jehoshaphat!” exclaimed Cody, “That’s the first time Jake and Jessica have completely shifted. They are so cute, babe. We need to take pictures to send to your mother.”
Pulling out his phone, Dylon rose and quietly walked over to the playpen to snap some pictures. After sitting down again, he asked, “What do you want to do? Should we carry them to our room and put them asleep in their beds?”
“I don’t mind if you leave them here,” Jackson said. “I have some calls to make so I’ll be here with them and I’ll let you know when they wake up.”
Dylon looked at his mate then, turning back to Jackson, said, “Thanks. C’mon babe.” Then, nudging Cody, as both of them made a hasty exit, heading for their suite.
“New parents’ syndrome,” Jackson said, giggling. “I hope my brother picks up all his buttons this time or tells Dylon to stop tearing his clothes off.”
Steel lifted his mate out of his chair and carried him over to the love seat where he sat down with Jackson in his lap. “Old parents suffer from not enough sex time, too,” Steel growled, starting to lick and nip his mate’s ear.
“Maybe we need a pup sitter,” moaned Jackson as his body reacted to his mate’s touch.
“Good idea. Have someone in mind?”
“Maybe,” Jackson said, pulling away from Steel’s wicked mouth, “But right now, I have to call Logan and Colton in Scotland, babe.”
“So, how about a sexcheck for tonight?” asked Steel.
“Don’t you mean a raincheck?”
“No, I want a sexcheck…you can’t have sex with me now but you’re promising me sex tonight…a sexcheck.”
“Right.” Jackson snorted. “Okay, a sexcheck it is.”
“Great,” Steel said. “While you’re making your calls, I’m going to talk to Carson about his promotion.”
“He’ll be surprised,” Jackson said, getting up from his mate’s lap. “When you’re through, tell him I want to see him, okay?”
“No problemo,” Steel said with a laugh, then, giving his mate a kiss, he left.
Jackson walked over to the playpen and looked down at the sleeping pile of pups.
He was happy the pups were developing a close bond and hoped it would become as tight as the one between himself and his brothers.
Returning to his desk to call Logan about the arrangements to pick up Fionn, Jackson thought about their cousins and hoped if he gave permission for them to visit, it wouldn’t turn out to be a big mistake.
~/~/~/~/~
Fionn was pressed against the wall, eavesdropping, as Logan and Groose talked about the men at the club last night.
He hoped none of his friends would come looking for him after realizing he hadn’t returned from the bathroom, but it was a chance he had to take.
So far he’d found out the two men who held him against his will were mercenaries—hired guns—and Fionn knew who hired them even if Logan didn’t.
He snorted to himself as he listened to Logan and Groose discuss the possibility of the men leaving Fionn alone after their failed attempt.
He knew they’d never quit—unless his father called them off—because they’d never get a penny from the bastard otherwise.
Keeping him in this hotel might work for the short term but he wouldn’t even bet on that because his father was always coming up with a new plan.
Shaking his head, Fionn knew as long as he had his hoard he was a target.
When he heard what he needed to know, he slinked away, careful not to make any noise.
While he wasn’t proud of secretly listening, he justified it because his life was in danger and knowledge was the best weapon he could use against his father.
The asshole was getting desperate—last night had confirmed that—and Fionn was sure the next attack would be worse.
If he was lucky, he’d be gone before his father came up with a new plan.
As he headed back to the living room, Fionn prayed to the gods that the Blackwood Pack would keep him safe when he finally arrived.
Spotting Fionn, Kieran chirped, “Hey, we were just deciding on a movie, so any preferences? I like romance or maybe a rom-com, Theo loves gay porn and Norman loves sci-fi…”
“I do not like gay porn…” protested Theo.
“Oh yes, you do,” Norman said.
“I know everyone loves gay porn,” said Theo, “I meant it’s not what I watch with other people.”
“Why not?” asked Kieran. “You should do it with Norman. You know, ‘don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it’ kind of thing. Norm, would you watch gay porn with Theo?”
“Of course, what other way is there for us to learn new things to try?” Norman said.
“See, Theo, it’s good for you,” Kieran said, “but maybe we should watch something else…Fionn, you’ll be the tiebreaker. Romance, rom com, sci-fi, adventure…pick one.”
“I like sci-fi adventure,” replied Fionn.
“Oh my gods, I know just the perfect one for a rainy day…it’s the best film ever,” Norm said.
“Great,” said Logan, coming into the living room and sitting down next to his mate. “I need something to take my mind off this miserable weather.”
“Ohhh, I know exactly what will help you,” Kieran said, grinning.
“I bet you do, but no, I’m in the mood for a movie,” said Logan leaning in to his mate, whispering, “I want to keep Fionn’s mind off what happened yesterday.”
Winking at Logan, Kieran said to Norman, “Okay, my mate wants a movie, so a movie it is.”
~/~/~/~/~
With his mate spooning him, Dakota smiled at being in a luxurious bed, 30,000 feet in the air.
The whole experience was something out of a fairy tale or maybe more like a five-star hotel, with impeccable service, delicious food, a shower big enough for both of them to have some fun in and finally…
The. Bed. Soft on top, firm below, perfect for fucking—and his mate made sure it got a workout.
Dakota would remember his initiation into the ‘Mile High Club’ for as long as he lived though, in this case, it was more like six miles high.
Giggling at how the turbulence that shook the tail of the plane added a whole new dimension to fucking, Dakota felt each of his mate’s thrusts wildly enhanced by the up-and-down movement of the bed.
His orgasm had been unbelievable; it seemed his balls had a never-ending supply of cum.
He was sure the plane’s motion had something to do with it.
Wondering if a vibrating bed would give the same effect, he decided to ask Logan about it later.
If it did, he was ordering one as soon as they got home.
Dakota listened to Slate’s breathing as his mate slept, knowing he should be asleep too, but his mind was racing with everything that happened to him in so short a period of time.
The swiftness with which he’d accepted Slate and the unexpected pregnancy that followed worried him, but his wolf was happy—at this moment snoozing peacefully with his mate’s wolf wrapped around him—and that gave him strength to embrace the changes in his life.
His hand moved down to his belly, still flat, but that would change. He knew his bean was in there. Growing.