Chapter 15
Kneeling next to Fionn, his mother tentatively reached out, not sure her son would feel her touch. Slowly, she lowered her hand until it was on his back, feeling his dragon’s fire burning inside. “Angel…baby, look at me.”
His mother’s touch soothed his pain, helping to stem his tears.
It brought back good memories of his childhood—like the fun he had with her when they played games she made up—but more importantly, knowing how it felt to be loved unconditionally by someone.
When she died, he was tossed into a world of hate, greed and revenge, a darkness that was always trying to eclipse the joyful light she’d given him.
Tears filled Fionn’s eyes again as he saw the pure love for him burning in his mother’s eyes. “Mummy…” he choked out, wanting to be held in her arms once more.
Gathering him up as she used to do, Fionn’s mother hugged him tightly, humming his favorite childhood song, flooding him with her love.
Rocking back and forth, she let him cry until tears would no longer flow.
Then, she murmured, “Angel, my darling boy, please never doubt for a second how much joy you brought to my life. When the Fates gave you to me, my world became filled with love…a love so bright it made everything else pale in comparison. So please don’t weep over what my father or husband did to me because you were worth it all.
Now, please angel, go back home to meet the man the Fates have deemed perfect for you, so you can be loved the way you should… completely and forever.”
“How can you be sure he’ll do that?” Fionn asked, his voice breaking.
“Because, my darling angel, he is the chosen one for you,” his mother replied.
Fionn remained where he was, soaking up his mother’s love, reluctant to leave her arms, a place he’d always found comfort.
But he could see the light surrounding her grow fainter; her time with him was coming to an end.
Using the heels of his palms, he rubbed his face dry and then, sitting up, he said, “I love you, Mum, always did and always will.” Sighing, he gazed at his mother as she began to fade, quickly adding, “I’ll go home and meet my mate, mum, I promise you.
” His mother smiled and then was gone, leaving Fionn alone in the cold, dank cavern that even the glow of his gold couldn’t warm up.
~/~/~/~/~
“Thank you, sweetie,” Oracle said, picking up her cup of tea.
Sitting down in a chair opposite Oracle and Maximus, Jackson said, “No problem. Steel was going to bring it but then Dakota messaged him that he’d be able to resume his chef’s duties for lunch, sending my mate into a panic. Right now he and Theo are frantically cleaning the kitchen.”
“How is Dakota?” asked Maximus.
“According to Ian, he and his pup are doing fine which is a relief after yesterday,” Jackson said. Seeing their puzzled looks, he explained, “When my brother found out our mother was still alive, he fainted. After making sure he and the pup were fine, Ian kept him in the hospital overnight.”
“Is Slate with him?” asked Maximus.
“Of course,” Jackson said, grinning. “The pups will be happy to see both of you again.”
“As we will be to see them,” said Oracle, smiling. “Are you happy everyone is home again?”
“Very much so. It was a bit of a mess yesterday when our cousins arrived but eventually everything got sorted out.”
“I can imagine. How is your mother doing?” asked Oracle.
Jackson frowned. “She’s still in a coma…Ian doesn’t know if she’ll ever come out of it.”
“Sweetie, your mother survived for a reason,” Oracle said softly. “You must believe everything will turn out fine.”
“I hope so,” Jackson said, thinking about what would happen to his brothers if she didn’t. Then he stood up. “I better check on Daniel. Hopefully he hasn’t gotten into any trouble.”
“Just a moment, sweetie,” Oracle said, “Steel asked if I knew a doctor who could fill in for Ian while he was on paternity leave.”
“Right. Did you find one?”
“Yes, he just joined Frontline Doctors, so he was free to accept the job.”
“Who is he? Can he be trusted with our secrets?” asked Jackson.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” said Maximus, “since all medical information is confidential and he’d lose his license if he disclosed it to an unauthorized party.”
“True, and Ian and Kieran are Omegas so that’s not a problem. The only one would be Dakota, who’s like me,” said Jackson. “When will the doctor arrive?”
“He’s already here…your cousin, Dr. Mac Evans.”
Gobsmacked, Jackson stared at Oracle. “Mac? He’s going to replace Ian?”
“No sweetie, not replace…substitute…he only agreed to nine months,” Oracle clarified.
Sitting back down with a thump, Jackson began shaking his head, remembering Ian’s anger yesterday. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” asked Maximus. “If you’re worried about his skill, don’t be, Frontline Doctors vetted him thoroughly.”
“I don’t doubt that…it’s just that…well, Ian doesn’t like him,” murmured Jackson.
“That doesn’t sound like Ian at all,” Maximus said.
“No, not at all,” agreed Oracle. “Let me speak with Ian about it and if he does not feel comfortable with Dr. Evans, then I will try to find someone else.”
Rising, Jackson said, “Fine. I’ll ask Ian to see you as soon as he’s free. In the meantime, please keep this to yourselves.”
“Certainly,” replied Maximus. After Jackson had left their suite, he turned to his wife and said, “So, Mac hasn’t said anything to anyone about accepting the job.”
“No, obviously not,” Oracle said, smiling.
~/~/~/~/~
Stalking into the great room, Jackson was trying hard to keep his anger under control. Not finding who he was seeking, he headed into the kitchen, pushing the door hard, slamming it against the wall. “Where is he?” Jackson growled.
Startled, Theo jumped at the noise and then, seeing the fury in his Alpha’s eyes, whimpered, moving closer to Steel in an attempt to hide.
Looking up at his angry mate, Steel stopped cleaning the stove, stepping in front of Theo. “Where is who?” he asked.
“Hunter,” Jackson ground out, his teeth clenched.
“Babe,” Steel said, “what happened? Why do you want to see him?”
Shaking his head, Jackson backed out of the kitchen and right into Norm who was rushing in.
“Omph!” Norman grunted, then gaining his footing, said, “Sorry Alpha, I didn’t mean to do that.”
Hearing his fiancé’s voice, Theo cried out, “Pooh bear!”
Glancing at Theo peering around Steel with panic in his eyes, Norm pushed passed Jackson, muttering, “Excuse me.” Rushing to his fiancé, Norm wrapped his arms around him, pulling Theo tight to his chest.
Throwing his sponge in the sink, Steel strode over to Jackson, took him by the arm and led him to his office.
Closing the door behind him he scooped Jackson up and carried him to the sofa.
Hugging his mate to his chest, surrounding him with his scent, Steel waited until he felt the anger ease out of Jackson’s body before speaking. “Babe, what happened with Hunter?”
Inhaling the familiar scents of orange, clove, and bourbon, Jackson turned his head, nuzzling Steel’s neck.
Concentrating on his breathing, he finally relaxed.
“Hunter blindsided me again,” he said, exasperation in his voice.
“First it was with my mother, then his mate, and now I find out from your mother that his brother…Dr. Mac Evans, accepted the position.”
“What position, babe?”
“Our doctor, of course. According to your mother, he just joined Frontline Doctors and agreed to be the pack’s doctor for nine months…
enough time to deliver Ian, Kieran and Dakota’s pups.
But Hunter never said a fucking word to me, and he certainly had plenty of chances.
See, this is exactly what I’m worried about…
how can I protect Fionn if Hunter is intent on keeping things from me? ” Jackson asked.
“Are you positive Hunter knew about Mac?” asked Steel.
Chewing his bottom lip, Jackson thought about it. “I’m not a hundred percent positive, but I’m pretty sure. He kept my mother a secret, and also that his mate was a member of my pack, so it’s more than likely he knew this, too.”
“Babe, I never got the feeling Hunter knew in advance his mate was here. Regarding his brother, it doesn’t sound like you to accuse Hunter without proof, no matter how logical you feel your argument is,” Steel said, kissing the top of his mate’s head.
“Now, what’s this really all about? Ever since your cousins showed up, you haven’t been acting like yourself, and that’s putting it mildly. ”
Pursing his lips, Jackson knew his mate was probably correct.
Trying to pinpoint the exact moment it all went to hell, he said, “Actually, finding out one of my pack members was Hunter’s mate threw me for a loop, but when I found out he’d hidden my mother’s existence from me all those years…
yup, that pretty much was the final nail in the coffin. ”
“What’s your biggest worry?”
“Easy…Hunter becoming a member of my pack,” Jackson said, biting his lower lip.
“Why, exactly?”
“Hmm.” Jackson hesitated, not wanting to tell Steel because it didn’t make sense and he knew it would sound stupid.
“C’mon, babe, tell me why you barged into the kitchen, spitting fire and nearly caused Theo to crap in his pants.”
“Oh fuck…I did that, didn’t I,” Jackson groaned. “I have to apologize to him… and Norman.”
“Good idea, but unless we sort this out now, I see a lot of apologies in your future. Babe, tell me why…or I’ll tickle you until you do.”