Chapter 23
Breakfast was ready and Theo hurried into the great room to announce it, but first there was something more important he had to do.
Locating Quin, who was chatting with Robin and Sawyer, he rushed over, whispering into his ear, “I need to talk to you right away. There’s a problem.
” Catching Kieran’s eye, Theo gestured for him to join them as he dragged Quin over to a corner.
Letting his friend pull him away from his brother Robin, Quin whispered, “We have an emergency!”
“What’s up?” asked Kieran.
“We have a problem…” Theo wrung his hands.
“And an emergency…” Quin added.
“Fionn came back last night…” Theo said.
“My brother claimed Fionn already…” Quin said.
“Hunter claimed Fionn? When?” asked Theo.
“Last night. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. We have a full-blown emergency on our hands,” Quin whispered. “What did I tell you? My brother didn’t romance Fionn. Nope, he just did the wham bam thing.”
“Wham bam thing? What’s that?” asked Theo.
“That’s what Hunter did,” Kieran said. “I bet he didn’t take any time to talk to Fi, just pulled him into bed and claimed him which can be rather exciting because that’s what macushla did with me and I loved it.
Duh, actually that didn’t work out so well…
well eventually it did because my mate came to Ireland and then romanced me so in the end it worked out okay. ”
“But that’s the problem,” Quin said. “My brother won’t do that with Fionn. Love Queens, this is an emergency! We need to revise our plans.”
“Good idea,” agreed Kieran, “but we need more information.”
“About what?” asked Theo.
“Well, it would help if we knew how Hunter and Fi are getting along,” Kieran said.
“Can’t your spirit spy on them for us?” asked Theo.
“I asked him already,” Kieran said, “but he won’t. Said it’s private. Hey, I know. I’ll sit next to Fi at breakfast.”
“Robin told me he doesn’t think they’ll be coming down to eat,” Quin said.
“Oh my gods! I know what to do,” Theo said. “I’ll take their breakfast to them and …”
“Perfecto!” Kieran exclaimed. “You can see if there’s any problem between them…like, I don’t know…oh, I got it, like Fionn is on the other side of the room or if Hunter is busy doing something else other than hugging and kissing Fi.”
Turning to Theo, Quin said, “Maybe if Fionn’s alone, you can ask him what happened.”
“If Fionn’s alone, then we know Hunter messed up big time,” Theo said, dejectedly.
“But we can still fix it,” said Kieran. “Quin, when will Robin be finished with the love song?”
“He said today.”
“Good, then we can do the private concert and dinner tonight. Theo, you’re on food duty, Quin and I will do the rest. Now all we have to do is make sure Fionn and Hunter show up,” Kieran said.
“I’ll ask Robin to arrange that. He owes me a favor since he told Sawyer about Fionn,” Quin said.
“Perfecto! Okay, Love Queens, Operation Save Hunter is on,” Kieran said.
~/~/~/~/~
Stunned, amazed, shocked—none of those words did justice to what Hunter was feeling when he saw his wolf with wings.
Fly? My mate expects me to fly with him?
Staring at Fionn, Hunter’s mouth was moving, but nothing was coming out.
The idea a wolf could fly was so far out of the realm of reality, he didn’t know what to say.
How fucked up is that? Uhm…thanks for the wings?
What the hell am I going to tell my brothers?
Oh shit…Jackson. He’s planning a run in a couple of days… what’s he gonna say?
“Mate, aren’t you going to answer the door?
” asked Fionn, his smile fading as he watched Hunter’s reaction to the news.
When his dragon told him how to claim their mate, he didn’t ask questions, he just did it.
But now, he was pissed off at himself for not taking the time to ask his dragon what actually would happen when he claimed his mate.
“Huh?” said Hunter. When the knocking started again, he realized what Fionn had asked him.
“Uhm, sure.” Standing, he gazed at his mate, realizing he’d fucked up, then headed for the door, eager to get rid of whoever was on the other side so he could make things right.
Yanking open the door, Hunter growled, “Yeah?”
Theo squeaked when he saw Hunter’s face. Stuttering, he was finally able to spit out, “I-I-I b-b-brought b-b-breakfast.”
Glancing at the trolley laden with food, Hunter remembered that his mate needed to eat. “Thanks,” he growled, snatching the cart from Theo’s grasp, wheeling it into the room and slamming the door behind him.
Gasping at Hunter’s abruptness, Theo only had a moment to look at Fionn’s face before the closing door blocked his view, but what he saw caused him dismay. Pivoting, he left to find Quin and Kieran to tell them about it.
Silently placing the food on the table in their room, Hunter cursed himself for hurting his mate—all because he couldn’t form a coherent sentence about his wolf’s gift.
After everything was ready, he strode over to Fionn, intent on making it right.
Getting down on one knee in front of his mate, Hunter grasped Fionn’s hands.
“Thank you for the wings because they take a great deal of worry off my shoulders. I’m sorry, my pet I didn’t say it sooner, but I’m very happy to have them. ”
Searching Hunter’s face, Fionn saw only the truth of his mate’s words, but that only confused him more. “Why did you look so angry before?”
“I wasn’t really…more like a ‘holy fucking shit’ moment with an ‘I don’t know how to fly’ tagged on.”
“I can teach you!”
“I hope so, pet, because otherwise, I’m going to look pretty dumb running alongside my brothers with my wings flapping at my sides.”
Giggling as he visualized that scenario, Fionn lifted one of Hunter’s hands, rubbing the back of it against his cheek. “I’m sorry, also. I thought you were angry with me.”
“No, not at all, my pet. I truly was overwhelmed, but really, I think it’s the best gift I ever received. My brothers are going to be so jealous.”
“Hey, maybe later I can give you your first lesson.”
“Good idea. My wolf and I are very possessive about you, so knowing I can go with you when you’ve shifted makes both of us very happy. C’mon, I promised you something to eat and luckily, Theo delivered our breakfast.” Rising, Hunter pulled his mate up, leading him to the breakfast table.
Sitting down, Fionn lifted the covers off the food dishes and found piles of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and a couple of steaks. Shoving the steaks over to his mate, he said, “These are for you.”
“Nope, one belongs to you,” Hunter replied, jabbing his fork into a red, juicy sirloin and placing it on his mate’s plate, followed by heaping servings of the rest of the food. When a loud rumble sounded from Fionn’s stomach, Hunter laughed. “Eat up, my pet, we have lots to do today.”
~/~/~/~/~
“You’re sure Hunter and Fionn claimed each other?” Jackson asked Steel.
Dumping Fionn’s backpack on the desk before answering, he said, “From what I’ve been able to put together, Fionn came home last night, met Hunter, and they’ve been fucking like bunnies ever since.” Then he began to chuckle.
“Thank goodness for that.”
“Why? They’re Fated Mates, after all.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Jackson picked up the backpack and threw it onto the loveseat. “I kinda thought Fionn wouldn’t want to surrender his freedom…especially since he fought so hard to get it.”
“Were you worried about that?” asked Steel.
“Yes. Fionn told me about his father who ruled him and his mother with an iron fist. It’s the reason Fionn wanted to be independent.
Thankfully, Penn was able to achieve it for him.
When I found out Hunter, who’s a strong Alpha, was his mate, I thought Fionn would reject him, even though my cousin isn’t anything like Fionn’s father. ”
“So you were anticipating a fight with Hunter.”
“Yes…and I didn’t want that. The Fates picked Hunter to be the mate of the White Dragon and I’m pretty sure they got the gods’ approval before they did it,” Jackson said.
“Do you know if your cousin will get a gift?” asked Steel.
“Not a clue. But if he does, then Oracle will…”
“What will I do, sweetie?” Oracle asked, gliding into Jackson’s study.
“Right on cue,” murmured Steel.
“…want to speak to the newly mated couple.” Jackson said, smiling at his mate’s mother.
“Right you are,” Oracle said, as she sat down across from them. “Any idea when Hunter and Fionn will be available?”
“I’m not sure,” Jackson said. “Your son said they’re fuc…”
“They are busy right now, Mom,” Steel interrupted when he saw the devilish grin on Jackson’s face.
“Hmm, yes, I imagine they are,” Oracle said, smiling. “Maybe this afternoon?”
“I’ll text Hunter and let him know you want to speak with both of them,” said Jackson.
“Thanks, sweetie,” Oracle said. “In the meantime, I will be with Daniel.”
“He’s in the playroom with Jake and Jessica, Mom.”
“Oh good, I have presents for all three.”
Jackson watched Oracle leave, then, turning to his mate said, “You know your mother is spoiling our son.”
“Uh-huh…and I expect your mother will do the same,” Steel replied with a grin.
Pain sliced through Jackson at Steel’s words.
The only hope for his mother to enjoy spoiling her grandpup rested with Kieran, but that came with its own risk—one he still wasn’t sure he wanted to take.
Despite Ian’s assurance that Kieran could attempt another session as long as Logan was there to help him—and even though he’d set strict conditions to assure Kieran and his pup’s safety, Jackson was still worried about allowing another attempt to help his mother.
He tried to be optimistic, but the fear of losing her again gnawed at him.
All his brothers were now spending time with her each day, hugging and talking to her about anything and everything and, while he accepted Ian’s medical opinion that it would help her, Jackson wondered what would happen to his brothers if she never came back to them.
Hearing Jackson’s concerns through their mind link, Steel pulled his mate onto his lap. “Babe, your mom is going to wake up. Trust me.”
Jackson’s eyes teared over as he tucked his face under Steel’s chin, trying to draw strength from his mate’s confidence.
He wished he felt the same way—knowing without a doubt his mother would wake up and that everything would be all right—that Daniel would get to know his grandmother, the one Jackson thought was gone forever.
But only time would tell if his wish would be granted.
~/~/~/~/~
“Wow!” Fionn exclaimed, setting down his fork. “I don’t ever remember eating this much.”
“Feeling better, my pet?”
“Yup.” Leaning back in his chair, Fionn rubbed his stomach. “So, what’s next? More hanky panky?”
“Hanky Panky?” Hunter chuckled. “Is that what we’ve been doing?”
“Ki calls it that,” Fionn replied.
“You’re talking about Kieran, right?”
“Yeah, he’s the first friend I ever had, but now I also have Theo and Norm. I’m part of their family,” Fionn said. “Have you met them?”
“Yes, I have,” Hunter replied. “They seem like nice guys.” Hearing his phone ding, he removed it from his pocket, read the message and said, “According to Jackson, Oracle wants to meet with us this afternoon.”
“Shit.” Fionn knew what was coming. Oracle was going to tell him about his supernatural power—something he neither wanted or needed.
But as he’d found out throughout his life, his wishes didn’t matter.
Worrying his bottom lip, he wondered if there was a way he could reject the power without his mate finding out about it.
From Fionn’s reaction, Hunter figured his mate knew why an Oracle wanted to speak with them. And by the look of the impressions his teeth were leaving on his lip, Fionn wasn’t too happy about it. “Fionn, do you know anything about this?”
Nodding briefly, Fionn ducked his head, unable to look at his mate.
Gentling his voice, Hunter asked, “Is it about you?”
Nodding, Fionn kept his eyes on the floor.
Hunter looked at his mate, then pushing his chair back from the table, said, “Come here, my pet.”
Reluctantly Fionn did as Hunter asked, standing in front of his mate, then drew a sharp breath when his mate lifted him up and set him on his lap. “You know, when you left for your hoard, I behaved like a prick.”
Fionn’s eyes shot up to his mate’s face. Seeing the self-deprecating grimace on Hunter’s face, he asked, “What did you do?”
“Well, let’s see…accused Jackson of keeping you away from me…was rude to him…threatened him…need I go on?”
“Uh-uh, but why? Jackson’s a good guy…he took me in…and Theo and Norm too.”
“My wolf was sure you were in trouble and I was sure no one was listening to me. When I told Jackson, he…”
“Wait, Jackson knows you’re my mate?”
“Yes, he does. Anyway, when I told him you were in trouble…let’s just say, I didn’t get the response I expected. That pissed me and my wolf off. Long story short, I was an asshole.”
“Is Jackson angry with you, now?”
“No, we made up and he welcomed me by telling me all the secrets of the Blackwood Pack.”
“All of them?”
“If you’re asking if I know the powers the Fates have given to my cousins, then yes.
The only thing Jackson wouldn’t talk about is anything concerning you…
or I should say anything other than telling me about your father’s attempts to kill you, your uncle’s attempt to gain custody and your successful court battle to be declared an adult…
but other than that, nothing. He said he didn’t have your permission to talk about your dragon.
Given the extraordinary gifts my cousins have received, is it safe to assume you’ll be getting a gift too? ”
Staring at his mate, Fionn was astounded at what Hunter knew about him. And he still wants me. Slowly he nodded.
“Do you know what it is?”
Shaking his head, Fionn blurted out, “All I know is I’m a Lunar White Dragon protected by the Goddess of the Moon who will give me a supernatural power that Jackson can control so I don’t use it to hurt anyone.”
“A white dragon? Then the pale dragon I saw with my wolf wasn’t a-a-a, fuck, I don’t know what to call it…a ghost or spirit of your dragon?”
“Nope, my dragon is with your wolf and has been since we claimed each other.”
“Holy shit! Do you know how rare a white dragon is? Fuck, of course you do.”
“I do. Is that a problem for you?”
Finally understanding why his mate was worried about the meeting with an Oracle, Hunter rushed to reassure him. “No, my pet. Not even a tiny one. Did you think it would be?”
“Uh-huh. Logan thinks my uncle wanted custody of me because of my white dragon. Kieran told me what happened to the last white dragon…FYI, he was killed. My mother told me I’d be safe here. I guess I should have told you all this before you claimed me, but…”
Tugging Fionn close to his chest, Hunter hugged him. “It wouldn’t have mattered one bit, my pet. I still would have claimed you.”