Chapter 6
Setting his mother down gently on the hospital bed, Colton held back the tears that were threatening to fall.
He wouldn’t cry…he couldn’t cry because he had to be brave for her.
Slowly tucking the light blanket around her, he mentally recorded her reactions—or lack of them—as he touched different locations on her skin.
Placing sticky pads on her chest, he connected the leads from the heart monitor to them, making sure each was securely attached.
Given her inert condition, Colton wasn’t too worried about them coming loose by her thrashing around, but still, he intended to take everything into account so his mother would have a fighting chance to wake up.
Ian stood silently in the hallway, looking through the ICU window, impressed by the tenderness of his big alpha mate as Colton settled his mother in her room.
Sighing, he walked back to the computer, and sitting down, began to scan Hope’s medical records beginning with the most recent.
He immediately realized Dr. Evans was right. Kieran had saved her.
Once the sensors were connected, Colton flipped the monitors on, and the room resonated with the low, steady, beeping sounds so familiar to him.
Gazing at the woman who, in her wisdom, had protected Colton by hiding his healing abilities from the world, he finally allowed his tears to flow.
How she’d survived was nothing short of a miracle, but now it was his turn to produce another one—bringing their mother back to his brothers—and that was the problem.
For his gifts to work she needed the will to live and he couldn’t give her that.
Kieran might, but Colton would never agree to it, if it could cost the Shaman his life.
Without a doubt, he knew Ian would agree with him, but the question nagging him was whether his brothers would understand, especially Dakota.
Hearing some commotion in the hall, Colton quickly dashed away his tears, while turning to see what it was about.
“Ian, my mate wants to see his mother, now,” Slate loudly demanded.
“Dakota needs to rest,” Ian insisted.
“He won’t until he sees his mother. What is so fucking hard about this?” growled Slate, his frustration beginning to build.
“I understand, I really do,” said Ian calmly, “but do you? A Dire Wolf pregnancy is tough even when it’s a Dire Wolf who’s pregnant.
But your mate isn’t one and that increases the risks tremendously.
Just the shock of finding his mother was still alive could’ve caused Dakota to miscarry.
Luckily, that didn’t happen…yet. Now, what do you think will happen when Dakota sees his mother in the state she’s in right now?
Do you honestly believe it’ll produce the results you’re hoping for? ”
“I hear you, but I’m telling you,” insisted Slate, “Dakota won’t get any sleep until he sees his mother.” Then, leaning forward, whispered, “If he doesn’t get to see her, I’m afraid he’ll use his Shadow Voice again and that frightens the hell out of me.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed at the not-so-subtle attempt at coercion, but it was effective. Knowing he had no way to stop Dakota from using his gift, Ian sorted through his options before he finally said, “All right, but only if Dakota accepts my conditions.”
Satisfied at his win, Slate smiled, “Sure, what are they?”
“One, Dakota uses a wheelchair. I don’t want him up walking. Two, Dakota can’t use his gift on his mother until I give permission…”
“Now wait a minute,” Slate interrupted. “I’m sure my mate will agree to that, but only for tonight. We get it, you want him to rest tonight but all bets are off tomorrow.”
“Not acceptable,” replied Ian. “Kieran has removed a lot of the trauma associated with some of Hope’s memories and she needs time to process it in order for her to want to wake up and live again. I’m asking that your mate give her that without any pressure from him.”
“Dakota would never hurt his mother,” snarled Slate.
“Intentionally? No, I know he wouldn’t. But unintentionally?
There’s a possibility it can happen. Slate, there’s much that medicine doesn’t know about the power of the mind, but we do know it has the ability to heal a lot of mental trauma.
That’s what I want for Hope…time…to find her way out of the hell she’s in. ”
After Ian put it that way, Slate knew Dakota would agree. “Fine, we accept number two. Anymore?”
“Yes, three, Dakota stays in bed for the next few days so I can make sure there aren’t any issues, and fourth, no more than ten minutes tonight.” Before Slate could object, Ian continued, “If Hope has a good night then Dakota can have a longer visit with her tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Ian. We’ll be right back.” Slate grabbed a wheelchair near the nurse’s station and headed back to his mate.
Joining Ian, Colton said, “I heard most of it. Do you want me to be in there with Kota?”
“No, I’ll do it,” replied Ian. “I’d rather you sit in on the meeting with Hunter to find out what your mother experienced. Knowing that might help us decide what course of action we can take to help her.”
“Okay, but I don’t think we’ll be of any help to Mom; she needs more of what Kieran can do than what I can do,” Colton answered, looking down at his mother’s chart.
“Agreed, but it’s still important to find out exactly what we’re dealing with,” insisted Ian.
Glancing up, Colton saw Slate wheeling his brother toward him.
Handing the chart to Ian, he murmured, “Babe, please make sure Kota doesn’t get too stressed out over seeing Mom.
I never told you this, but after the massacre, my brother went into a deep depression and it took a long time before he came back to us. ”
Gently pushing his mate toward the door, Ian replied, “I promise to take care of both of them. Now go. We need that information from Hunter.”
~/~/~/~/~
Cody was the first to enter Jackson’s study, his face grim as he glanced at his Alpha. Sitting in a chair near his brother’s desk, he said, “Dylon’s taking care of the pups.”
“Are you going to be okay without him here?” asked Jackson. “I can get Theo and Norm to do it instead.”
Cody shook his head. “Not necessary. Right now, my mate’s putting the twins and Daniel down for their naps so once they’re asleep, he’ll join me.”
Giving a short nod, Jackson’s eyes settled on Zane and David as they walked in and sat on the love seat. David looked nervous and he wasn’t sure it was a good idea for Zane’s mate to be in on this meeting; nevertheless, he trusted Zane’s judgment.
“Hey,” Colton greeted everyone as he headed for another chair close to Cody, “Ian won’t be coming.”
“I figured,” replied Jackson. “How’s Dakota?”
Giving a snort, Colton said, “Okay. Slate convinced Ian it’d be in Dakota’s best interest if he could visit Mom and, after laying down some ground rules, Ian finally agreed.”
“Can I see Mom?” asked Zane.
“Yes but…” Colton started to answer, but Jackson cut in.
“Right now, Mom’s condition is stable, but I want to hear from Ian first. If he approves, I’ll schedule visits for everyone. Okay?”
“Yeah,” Zane replied.
“Is Carson coming?” asked Colton.
“Yup,” Carson answered his brother as he claimed a chair in front of Jackson’s desk. Looking around, he asked, “Is Logan coming?”
“I’m not sure,” replied Jackson. “Did he say anything to you, Colton?”
“Me? No, why?”
“Isn’t Logan in the hospital with Kieran?” asked Jackson.
“Oh, I see,” replied Colton. “No, Kieran wanted to rest in their bedroom and Ian agreed so I haven’t seen them since they left the motorhome.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” said Jackson.
“What is?” asked Logan, striding into the room with Steel behind him.
“Colton said Kieran is better,” answered Jackson, as Steel sat down next to him.
Grabbing the other chair in front of his brother’s desk, Logan said, “He’s much better and, hopefully, sleeping by now.”
“Babe, will you get Hunter?” Jackson asked his mate. “Everyone’s here.”
“Sure,” Steel replied. “Be right back.” As he left the study, Dylon walked in and sat next to Cody.
Looking around the room, Jackson noted the stiffness of his brothers’ bodies as if bracing themselves against some unknown force.
He couldn’t blame them because he felt the same way—Hunter’s recital would affect them all.
The question he was wrestling with in his mind, though, was whether the outcome would make his pack stronger or tear it apart.
Then, he spoke. “A couple of ground rules. First, do not attack Hunter…physically or verbally. He isn’t responsible for what Mom went through.
Second, if you have questions, ask them respectfully.
The reason is the same as number one—he’s just the messenger. ”
“But he is responsible for not telling us sooner,” Carson said.
“Maybe. But until we know what happened, let’s not assume anything.
And remember, only I get to decide if he’s responsible,” Jackson emphasized, before continuing.
“Third, please let him finish an answer before asking him another question and finally, if at any time, it becomes too much for any of you, just get up and leave. Attendance is not mandatory.”
“When can we see Mom?” Zane asked Jackson, again, worried she would die before he saw her.
“Probably sometime tomorrow…once Ian gives the okay. Any other questions?” Hearing none, Jackson stood, waiting to greet his cousin.
~/~/~/~/~
Norm brought in the empty platters, setting them down on the island, noticing Theo was still making sandwiches. “Why are you making more, honeybunch?”
“For the cousins. They haven’t eaten yet.
” Continuing to slice the roast beef, Theo’s mind was busy thinking about what else he could add.
Stopping for a moment, he checked the pantry and smiled when he found some bags of chips.
Grabbing a couple, he added them to the pile of wrapped sandwiches already made.
“But honeybunch, the Alpha won’t allow them in the house until Hunter can answer all the questions,” Norm replied.
“I know…I plan to take them out to the motorhome. Will you look for the picnic basket Dakota has? I know it’s here somewhere, just forgot where I saw it.”
“Wait! I don’t want you near the cousins. Didn’t you hear what the Alpha said? He doesn’t trust them!” exclaimed Norm.
“Whether he trusts them or not doesn’t matter. They need to eat and, besides, Dakota would want me to take care of them. He always says food tames all beasts, so I hardly think the cousins are going to attack me if I bring them sandwiches,” Theo said grinning.
“But honeybunch…”
“You can come with me if you’re so worried about my safety,” Theo said.
Finished with wrapping the sandwiches, he wiped his hands on a towel and then, placing them on Norms’ chest, he nipped at his fiancé’s jaw before kissing him.
“Pooh bear, this is my job and I love it. When we were in Scotland, Kota asked me if I’d like to assume more duties in the kitchen.
When I asked him if he thought I was ready, he told me I was a natural and he had complete faith in me.
No one, other than you …and Ki, ever had complete faith in me, not even my parents, and that means so much to me, especially because it’s my job.
I feel useful for the first time in my life.
I don’t want to let Kota down, so please, please, please, let me go. ”
Swallowing his objections after hearing Theo’s plea, Norm smiled, “Dakota’s right, you know, you’re very talented and I’m so happy you found your passion. I’ll be proud to go with you, honeybunch.”
“Aww, thanks, pooh bear. I love you.”
~/~/~/~/~
Mason wasn’t happy about Hunter insisting on going to meet their cousins without him, but there was little he could do about it.
So far, nothing had gone to plan and Jackson’s request for only Hunter to meet with him and his brothers was just another example of how fucked up the trip had become.
The shifter who’d come to get his brother introduced himself as Steel, the Alpha’s mate, which didn’t make much sense since it was clear he was a bigger, more powerful wolf than Jackson.
Watching Hunter walk away towards the Blackwood Pack house caused Mason’s stomach to do summersaults because nothing was as it should be.
Sighing, he turned away after Hunter was swallowed up by the huge house.
Then he faced three of his brothers who’d gathered in the dinette.
Sawyer stared at Mason. “Well, are you going to tell us what’s really going on?”
“What’s so hard to understand?” asked Mason. “Hunt told you Jackson just wanted him to talk to our cousins.”
“Sawyer’s right, Mase. Hunter isn’t telling us the whole story,” Robin said.
Damn Hunter! Leaving me in a bind! “Sorry…think what you want but if you have questions, ask Hunter,” Mason growled, tired of being the one his brothers always accosted when Hunter was less than truthful. Leaving the dinette he said, “I’m going to check on Quin.”
Waiting till Mason was gone, Mac, who’d been silent during the conversation, said, “Remember the guy who rushed in here to find Aunt Hope? Well, you’ll never believe this, but he’s a Shaman.”
“So what’s the big deal? Packs usually have Shamans,” Sawyer said.
“Yeah, I know that,” replied Mac, “but this Shaman is different.”
“How?” asked Robin.
“Well, first of all, he has extraordinary power,” Mac said. “Do you know what he did? He laid his hands on Aunt Hope and removed the darkness that was killing her. He saved her! I watched as his aura became pitch black...he collapsed…his heart stopped beating. When his mate came…”
“Who’s his mate?” asked Sawyer.
“Our cousin, Logan…Jackson’s twin. Anyway, Logan put his hands on the Shaman, and sucked the black out of the Shaman’s aura and his heart began to beat again,” Mac said. “I’m telling you…I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“I wonder if Hunter knew Logan and Jackson had mates?” asked Robin.
“I don’t think so,” Mac said. “Neither he nor Mase ever said anything about mates. And listen to this. You know that doctor who came back to take over from me? He’s a pregnant Omega wolf shifter.”
“A male Omega? You’re shittin’ me,” uttered Sawyer.
“No, I’m not. And I’m not sure, but I think our other cousin, Colton, is the doc’s mate,” Mac said.
“Colton? Isn’t he one of the triplets?” asked Robin.
“Yeah, he is,” Mac said.
“You’re sure the Shaman saved Aunt Hope?” asked Sawyer.
“Yup. When we arrived, I’d have sworn she’d die within the hour. But after the Shaman treated her, Aunt Hope is much better and resting quietly.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened. “What the fuck is this Blackwood Pack? I mean…look at what they have…off the charts Alpha power…a Shaman with tricks up the gazoo…a pregnant Omega. No wonder they don’t want us to get any closer.”