Chapter 14
Startled by Kieran’s actions, Hunter quickly looked at Logan, expecting his cousin to shift and attack him for accepting his mate’s hug; his brothers had quickly closed ranks around him, ready to protect and defend him.
But instead, Logan remained standing there, relaxed and smiling as he watched Kieran hug Hunter.
Then Hunter felt tranquility wash over him, but whether it was from Kieran’s assurances, or something else the Shaman was doing to him, he wasn’t sure.
His wolf, though, was relaxed for the first time since he scented his mate.
“My wolf thinks Fionn’s in danger,” Hunter whispered.
Shaking his head, Kieran replied, “No, he’s safe.” Then, removing his hands from Hunter, he turned to Jackson and said, “Fionn is at his hoard.”
Watching his cousin closely, Jackson was relieved Kieran had calmed Hunter, easing his concern about Hunter’s control of his wolf.
Not knowing what to expect, he’d asked Mystia to watch the pups this morning—to keep them out of harm’s way should Hunter still be at odds with his wolf about Fionn not returning.
Smiling at Kieran, he asked, “Do you know when Fionn will be home?”
“Not exactly,” Kieran grinned, “but I know he’ll be back.”
Nodding, Jackson said, “C’mon everyone, time to eat. By the smell of it Theo and Steel have cooked up a great breakfast.”
~/~/~/~/~
Hunter wasn’t sure how it happened, but he found himself sitting between Jackson and Steel at the breakfast table while Quin was sandwiched between Kieran and Theo; the rest of his brothers were interspersed among the pack members.
He was pretty sure it was by design and not some random happenstance since he ended up with the two most powerful shifters in the pack bookending him—not that he could blame Jackson for arranging it that way, the Alpha knew firsthand about Hunter’s pissed off wolf.
Speaking of which, when he checked on his wolf before digging into his breakfast, he saw him curled up and sleeping peacefully.
Hunter glanced over at Kieran, wondering if he’d also calmed his wolf.
Regardless of what his brothers might believe—if he ever told them—he knew something happened when Kieran put his hands on his back; he’d felt the penetrating heat emanating from them.
Frowning slightly, Hunter remembered the reaction from Logan and Jackson when Kieran touched him.
Huh, not a fucking reaction from any of my cousins…
like this is a common occurrence. Shit! I have to talk to Mac about what Kieran did with Aunt Hope yesterday…
something about removing negative feelings…
I think that was it. Is that what he did to me?
Picking up a slice of bacon, Hunter chewed on it, feeling Jackson’s Alpha power surrounding him, but not as overwhelming as yesterday—more like a soft blanket, cocooning him, adding to the sense of calm Kieran gave him.
Glancing sideways at his cousin, he wondered how Jackson learned to do that; it was a neat trick, something he never knew was possible.
Mentally rolling his eyes, he added that to his list of unanswered questions about the Blackwood Pack.
Hunter’s gut was telling him his cousin was hiding a lot more, but he couldn’t figure out why.
Out of habit Hunter’s gaze searched out his brothers, making sure they were okay, something he’d done since childhood.
He saw Sawyer engaged in a discussion with Zane who was a…
that’s right, a computer nerd. He then heard his brother mention his favorite game and Hunter smirked.
He’d bet anything that by the end of the meal, Sawyer would have issued a challenge to Zane.
He glanced at Mason who was speaking with one of the triplets…
ah, yes, Carson. That cousin was an enigma, so he was curious as to what they were talking about; he’d ask his brother later.
Seeking out Robin, he wasn’t surprised to find him jotting down notes in his ever-present notebook. Probably more song lyrics.
“Hunter?”
Hearing his name, Hunter looked up at Jackson. “What?”
“Steel asked you a question.”
“I’m sorry,” Hunter said, looking at Jackson’s mate. “I was deep in thought.”
“I understand. I wondered what you do?” asked Steel.
“Oh, I’m in finance.”
“Like a financial advisor?” asked Steel.
“Not exactly. My company does investment management, trust services, financial and estate planning for a select clientele,” Hunter replied.
“What’s the name of your company?” asked Jackson.
“Beowulf Trust,” Hunter answered.
“Good name,” said Steel. “I know Mac’s a doctor. What about the rest of your brothers?”
“Robin is a singer, Mason works with me, and Sawyer…well Sawyer’s a free spirit,” Hunter explained.
“What about Quin?” asked Jackson.
“What about him?” Hunter growled.
“I mean, what does he do?” asked Jackson.
“He works with me,” Hunter replied, not wanting to divulge anything about his brother.
Jackson let the subject drop when it became clear his cousin wasn’t going to say anything further.
There were lots of secrets his cousin had and, while he couldn’t blame him for not wanting to disclose them, Jackson wasn’t happy about it.
But then, Hunter probably wasn’t happy about the secrets he was keeping from him either, especially about Fionn.
Looking around the table, his eyes fell on Mac who’d just asked Cody a question.
“Theo told us you were opening a home for boys?”
“A home for young gay shifters whose families don’t want them,” Cody replied. “Dylon and I decided on it after seeing what happened to the boys and Kieran.”
“The boys?” asked Sawyer.
“Sorry, Theo and Norm.”
“Theo told us about what happened and how you and Dylon saved them,” Mason said.
Changing the subject, Cody said, “What about you Mac? Now since you don’t have to take care of our mom anymore, what are your plans for the future?”
“Oh, I have a job lined up for the next nine months, then, who knows?”
“Do you have a specialty?” asked Dylon.
“Nope, no specialty. I’m a general practitioner,” Mac replied.
“How come you chose that rather than specializing?” asked Cody.
“It seemed like the best fit for what I wanted to do,” Mac said before adding, “Is Colton also a doctor?”
“He’s a nurse,” answered Cody. “His mate, Ian, is the pack’s doctor.”
“Oh,” mused Mac, thinking about the scene he interrupted that morning, puzzled how the nurse was the Alpha in their personal life but clearly had no problems taking orders from an Omega in his professional capacity. Most unusual.
“Mac is curious about the hospital we have,” Logan said.
“Indeed, I am,” replied Mac. “Most packs only have a clinic…if that, but a fully equipped hospital with operating capabilities…well that’s unheard of.”
Shrugging, Cody said, “Don’t know about that, but I’m sure Colton and Ian do.”
After finishing breakfast, Hunter leaned back in his chair, idly listening to the conversation between Mac and Cody while thinking about his mate.
Kieran assured him Fionn would return and for now, that would have to do.
Suddenly, he heard Quin’s laughter. Looking down the table, he was struck by the happiness on his youngest brother’s face.
It had been a long time since he’d seen Quin’s old, bubbly personality emerge.
Catching Mason’s eye, he tilted his head towards their youngest brother who was giggling at something Theo said, and raised his eyebrows.
Mason looked over at Quin who was in a huddle with Theo and Kieran, obviously talking about something funny from the sounds of their laughter.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Mason was astonished at how quickly his brother had changed from a quiet, shy and fearful person.
Watching Quin for a few minutes, he was thankful that Theo and Kieran were bringing his brother out of his shell.
“Theo, Ki,” Quin whispered, “I need your help.”
“With what?” asked Theo.
“Not here. After breakfast and some place private,” Quin whispered, not wanting Hunter and Mason to know what he was planning.
“What about the motorhome?” asked Ki.
“No, my brothers can come in at any time,” Quin replied.
“So this is a secret?” asked Theo.
“Yes.”
“Oh…okay, what about my bedroom? Do you care if pooh bear knows?” asked Theo.
“He won’t tell anyone, will he?” asked Quin.
“Not if I ask him not to.”
“Then that’s okay,” Quin whispered, giggling.
“Oh this is so exciting,” said Theo. “Isn’t it, Ki?’
“It is. Can I have a hint?” asked Kieran.
“Good idea, Ki,” Theo concurred. “What about it, Quin, can we have a hint?” Theo asked.
“Uh-huh,” Quin whispered, so faintly that no one other than Theo and Kieran could hear him. “I need your help in making a dream come true.”
Theo’s mouth formed an ‘O’, matching the shape of his eyes. “Oh. My. Goodness. We are going to be fairy godmothers, just like in Cinderella!”
~/~/~/~/~
“You’re awfully quiet this morning,” Maximus said during their chopper flight from San Francisco. “Is everything all right?”
Reaching out, Oracle intertwined her fingers with her husband’s.
“Am I? Sorry, I guess I am just woolgathering.” Then turning to look out the helicopter’s window, she saw they were about to land at the Blackwood Pack house.
Noticing a motorhome parked in the driveway, she said, “The cousins have arrived.”
Peering over his wife’s shoulder, Maximus said, “So they have.” Then sitting back, he studied his wife, noticing the tension in her face.
He wondered if it had anything to do with the cousins, but he knew better to ask, so he did what he always did at times like these, sent her all his love through their mind link, hoping it would ease her worries.