Chapter 10
Fionn awoke shivering, his mind flashing back to the morning he found himself chained up in a cold, damp cave in Scotland.
Fear filled him as he attempted to free himself, only to find he was safe, protected by the stone walls housing his hoard.
Exhaling in relief, he sat up on his bed of gold coins, running his fingers through them, feeling his dragon grow more powerful.
His thoughts turned to the cousin who smiled at him when he was standing on the porch, kindling a bond.
And it was that unsettling knowledge that drove his decision to flee the pack house, needing to buy time to come to terms with what was happening.
Grimacing at the thought that the man was his mate, Fionn shook his head, unwilling to believe it.
No fucking way…my mate? It can’t be, can it?
It was too soon after the battles he’d fought to be free to even think of submitting to another’s control, yet it seemed the Fates thought otherwise.
After hearing his empty stomach growl, he reached out for a couple of Theo’s sandwiches and began to eat, mulling over what to do.
Considering the possibilities, Fionn knew he wasn’t ready to face his mate—or the fight that would ensue when he announced his decision—and he was unsure if his Alpha would back him up.
At least Ki, Theo and Norm will! He’d wanted to talk with Ki about it before leaving, but his friend needed to rest after saving Logan’s mother.
Sighing, Fionn gathered up the trash, stuffing it into his backpack.
As he pulled his hand from the pack, his fingers felt the sharp edges of the green diamond Groose returned to him after finding it in the vampires’ house.
Clutching it, Fionn marveled at its vibrant green glow.
He remembered how good it felt to offer it to Reif and Brian when they needed help, knowing his mother would be so proud of him, but then his thoughts became dark once again, reflecting on how badly he’d acted before that.
Tossing the green diamond over his shoulder, he heard it bounce onto a pile of gold coins.
Sitting down at the gold table, Fionn grabbed his sketch book from the table, flipping through pages of drawings he’d done of his friends until he reached an empty one.
Staring at it, he closed his eyes, waiting for an image to fill his mind and when one appeared, began drawing, losing himself in his art.
A while later, Fionn dropped his pencil, stretching out his cramped fingers as he scrutinized his sketch.
It had been a long time since he’d been so absorbed but it felt good, feeding the part of his soul that drove him to create.
His mother always encouraged him, even hiring a tutor to teach him the basics, proud of every sketch he did.
But he stopped drawing when his mother died—his passion for it quenched by sadness; he was sure it would never be rekindled. And for a long time, it wasn’t.
But Fionn rediscovered his love of drawing after Kieran saved him from his father; many nights after Theo and Norm had gone to bed, he sat in the living room of their hotel suite, pencil in hand, sketching portraits of his friends.
Now, though, his mind was filled with someone else.
Studying his drawing, Fionn picked up his pencil again, quickly adding more definition to his mate’s beard and mustache.
~/~/~/~/~
Hunter took Mason’s warning about Jackson seriously.
His brother was right—as was his wolf—he’d never be able to live with himself if something happened to his mate.
Admonishing his wolf to behave, Hunter turned, staring at Jackson as he approached them.
It was time for him to remember what a fierce Alpha he, himself, was.
Remaining expressionless, he stared at Jackson as his cousin stopped ten feet away.
Searching Hunter’s face, Jackson found no evidence of anger nor fear. Flicking his eyes to Mason, he noticed the protective stance of Hunter’s brother, inferring from it that Hunter had told his brother everything. “Hunt, may I speak with you in private, please?” Jackson asked.
“No. Whatever you want to say will have to be in front of my brother,” replied Hunter. “But know this...if you don’t produce Fionn soon, I will take my case to the High Council. The law is on my side in this matter.”
“I asked Steel to find Fionn and bring him to me. I won’t stand in your way but there are things you need to know about your mate, some of which I can disclose but others I can’t unless Fionn agrees,” Jackson said.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather hear everything from Fionn,” replied Hunter. “At least that way, I know I’m getting the truth.”
“Low blow, cousin,” Jackson growled. “I didn’t realize you resorted to using them. I guess you’re not who I remember, either.”
“Why you fucking power crazy…”
“Stop it,” Mason yelled, stepping between his brother and Jackson.
“What the fuck has gotten into both of you? We’re fuckin’ family and the last time I checked, neither of our mothers would have tolerated this shit.
So pull in your claws and tuck in your balls.
” Mason turned to Hunter. “You, brother…if Jackson has knowledge about your mate, then listen to it.” Then he looked at Jackson.
“And you, cousin…give my brother the respect he deserves as a member of the Blackwood Pack. Yeah, that’s right, he’s a member of your pack because he’s the Fated Mate of Fionn. ”
Jackson realized Mason was right. Taking a deep breath, he began again. “Hunt, I have no problem with you being Fionn’s mate. To say I was surprised is an understatement because he’s young…just 18, so I figured it would be a while before he’d find his mate.”
Hunter ignored the explanation. As Mason had pointed out, he had rights and it was time for him to exercise them.
Glaring at Jackson, he growled, “Don’t ever use your Alpha power on me again unless you’re willing to face a challenge.
I’m not only fucking family, but what’s more, I’m a member of the Blackwood Pack.
So, unless you usually treat your brothers and pack members the way you’ve treated me, I’ll take it as a sign you want to fight me. Do I make my position clear?”
“Crystal,” Jackson replied, biting the inside of his cheek in an effort to keep from snapping back at his cousin. Shit, how are we ever going to find common ground? But for Fionn’s sake, I have to try. Shaking his head, he brought himself under control.
“Jackson, where’s Fionn?” asked Mason, taking over for his brother.
“Right now, I don’t know. Steel is trying to locate him.”
“Steel is your mate, correct?” asked Mason, confirming what Steel had told them when he’d come to get Hunter.
“Yes.”
“Is it normal for Fionn to disappear?” asked Mason.
“No…I don’t think so, but Logan can answer that better than I,” Jackson responded.
Puzzled at Jackson’s reply, Mason glanced quizzically at Hunter, before saying, “I think we’re missing something…why would Logan know and not you?”
“Because Fionn was with my brother in Scotland for the last month,” Jackson replied. “Everyone had just returned when you drove up.”
“Why was Fionn there? Visiting family?” asked Mason.
“Not exactly. Look, it’s a long story,” Jackson said.
Jerking his head towards the pack house, Hunter growled, “Your mate is headed here but Fionn isn’t with him.”
“Hunter, stop that shit,” Mason muttered.
Noticing the tense stand-off between Jackson and his cousin, Steel approached slowly to avoid provoking Hunter’s wolf. Nodding to Mason and Hunter, he looked at his mate. “Zane doesn’t know where Fionn is, and Theo and Norm aren’t around either.”
“Your bear shifters are in the motorhome with our brother, Quin,” Mason said.
“Thanks,” Steel said. “I’ll go ask them now.”
“I don’t think so,” Hunter said, blocking Steel’s path. “Mason, would you tell Quin’s guests their Alpha wants to see them?”
“Sure,” Mason said, taking a step toward the motorhome, then, pausing, he looked at Jackson. “No offense intended, but Quin doesn’t like strangers.”
“Understood. Steel and I will wait here.”
~/~/~/~/~
“Wait until you meet our friend, Ki. His real name is Kieran, but we call him Ki. He loves pink and I mean everything pink,” Theo said giggling. “After we were rescued, he took us shopping and bought pooh bear and me matching pink briefs.”
“Then he wanted to buy us matching pink outfits, but I put my foot down,” Norm said. “It wasn’t easy because he can be quite insistent.”
“I think he was here, at least I think he was.” Quin grinned. “He said he loved my dress.”
“That sounds like him. I do, too, by the way,” Theo said. “However, I really love your aroma. Is that from the soap you use?”
“No,” Quin said, getting up and digging around in his luggage. Finding what he was looking for, he handed a small, blue bottle to Theo. “I ordered it online because I loved the description of what was in it. Try it.”
Removing the stopper, Theo sniffed it, “Oh, wow! I love it.”
“I use it after I shave,” Quin said. “I looked for the longest time, trying to find one with a scent that wasn’t so musky. You can have it cause I always carry a spare.”
“Really? Thanks.” Holding the bottle up to Norm, Theo asked, “Pooh bear, what do you think? Like it?”
Sniffing it, Norm smiled at Theo. “It’s awesome.”
“I’ll try it tomorrow.”
Giving a quick knuckle-rap on Quin’s bedroom door, Mason poked his head in. “Quin? Theo and Norm’s Alpha is waiting outside and wants to talk to them.”
“We were just talking about books, and stuff. They aren’t in trouble, are they?” Quin asked.
“No, no, nothing like that,” answered Mason.
“We better go,” Theo said.
“Will you come back after you’re finished?” asked Quin, worried he might not be allowed to see his friends again.
“If it’s okay with your brothers,” Norm said.
“Not a problem,” replied Mason.
Squealing with delight, Quin exclaimed, “Hurry back. In the meantime, I’ll make a list of books you absolutely have to read.”
Following Quin’s brother outside, Norm saw Steel and Jackson waiting for them. Taking Theo’s hand, he pulled him tight against his side as they stopped in front of their Alpha. “You wanted to see us, Alpha?” asked Norm.
“I’m trying to find Fionn and can’t. Do you have any idea where he could be?” asked Jackson.
“I think he’s out in the woods somewhere,” Theo replied.
“He is? How do you know that?” asked Jackson.
“He asked me to make some sandwiches he could take with him and he had his backpack. He told me he wanted to do some drawings. I fixed him up with some and then left when Norm called me. When I came back, Fi was gone, so I assumed he went into the woods.”
“Hmm, did Fionn draw a lot in Scotland?” asked Jackson.
Shaking his head, Theo replied, “I never knew he could even do that.”
“Did Fionn ever leave the hotel by himself?” asked Steel.
“Not really. Wait, I guess he did if you count the times he went to his hoard,” Theo replied.
“Where’s his hoard? In Scotland?” asked Hunter.
“No.” Jackson replied. “It was moved here…to Blackwood Pack land.” Then, thanking Theo and Norm, he asked, “Are you going back to your friend?”
“Yes, if you don’t need us for anything,” replied Norman.
“Nope, I don’t, but let me know if you go anywhere else.”
Hunter started to speak but stopped when Jackson shook his head slightly. Waiting until the bear shifters were gone, he tried again. “I want to go with you to Fionn’s hoard.”
Ignoring his cousin’s demand, Jackson said, “Close your eyes, Hunt. Concentrate on the bond you have with Fionn.”
“What bond? I haven’t claimed him yet,” replied Hunter.
“But you scented him. As soon as you did that, a bond was formed. It’s probably weak since I’m not sure Fionn did the same, but the bond should be strong enough for you to sense your mate. Now, please, give it a try.”
Closing his eyes, Hunter asked his wolf if they were connected to their mate. Receiving an affirmative answer, he searched until he located the very thin glowing white chain. “I found it,” he announced.
“Good, follow it until you see your mate.”
Unsure how to do that, Hunter asked his wolf for help, then watched in awe as his wolf led him to his mate. “I found him.”
“Is he with his hoard?” asked Jackson.
Looking around, he saw a large cavern, his mate sitting at a gold table, with a pencil in his hand, deep in thought.
Totally mesmerized by Fionn’s beauty Hunter reached out, needing to touch him, wanting to feel the warmth of his mate’s dragon through his skin.
Suddenly, he felt himself being yanked away and, after his eyes shot open, he glared at Jackson. “What the fuck did you do?” he snarled.
“Stopped you from scaring your mate. Fionn doesn’t know about you, and he thinks he’s safe from intruders there,” Jackson explained.
“Why all the security?” growled Hunter. “Is he being hunted?”
Jackson thought for a moment as to how much he wanted to reveal before replying, “It’s because his father tried to kill him. A friend of mine created a space for Fionn’s hoard…a place only he can access…a place he feels safe in.”
“Hunt,” said Mason, “I think it’s time for you to listen to what our cousin has to say about your mate.”
Nodding in agreement, Hunter swallowed the bile that had filled his throat after hearing about what happened to his mate.
Making a vow with his wolf, he intended to kill anyone who dared to threaten his mate.
He understood, now, why Steel had reacted so violently in Jackson’s office.
Turning to Steel, Hunter said, “Sorry about before. My wolf was frantic to find our mate and I lost control of him, but believe me, I had no intention of hurting your mate.”
“I figured that out afterwards, but I can’t take any chances. Jackson is my life—my everything, so please forgive me if I overreacted,” Steel said, gazing lovingly at Jackson.
“I get it. It’s how I feel about Fionn and I haven’t even met him yet. No one will ever make my mate feel unsafe again or they will answer to me,” growled Hunter.
Giving Steel a knowing smile, Jackson said, “Babe, would you show our cousins to their rooms?”
Mason spoke up, “Quin and I will be sleeping out here.”
“Are you sure? We have plenty of room,” Jackson said.
“Thanks, but we’ll be fine out here,” replied Mason. “I’ll go get my brothers.”
“C’mon, Hunt,” Jackson said, then after giving Steel a kiss, he led his cousin back to the pack house.