Chapter 16
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Iris said quietly.
Aiden was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter next to her. He leaned closer to his sister next to him. “What’s that? Are you talking about Jamie?” He hadn’t been worried about Jamie in the safety of the Jensens’ home, but should he be?
Iris’s brown eyes danced. “You keep staring at the kitchen door. Look, I’m sure May’s just trying to pull some gossip out of him. He doesn’t need a tour of this place. He’s been here loads of times when he was stuck in his wolf form. You know, before we knew Riley was Jamie.”
Riley was what Iris called Jamie back when she thought he was a stray she’d found near-death on the streets of Providence. She didn’t know Riley was actually James “Jamie” Stanton’s middle name.
Aiden’s cheeks heated. Man, he shouldn’t be blushing at his age. “Gossip? What do you mean?”
Iris smirked. “You two just seem close. I mean, closer than you’ve been.”
Aiden glanced around the kitchen. Heath and Deacon were chatting about the upcoming meeting with the pack. Mac was on her cellphone speaking to one of her colleagues at Grey Lake Hospital. “I kissed him,” he whispered.
Iris’s eyes went wide. “You did! When?”
Heath and Deacon turned at her exclamation.
“Sorry, don’t mind us. Everything’s fine,” Iris babbled to her husband and Heath. She turned to Aiden and bent her head closer. “When?” she asked in a much lower voice.
“In the car out in the driveway.” Aiden nodded toward the front of the Jensens’ home.
Iris grinned. “Great. I’m glad. This is good, right?”
He felt himself smile. “Yeah, I think so. I hope so,” he said.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner. Everyone else did,” Iris grumbled.
“What? I wasn’t even sure it’d ever happen. Who saw this?” Aiden asked.
“The other Guardians. They all saw that you two were drawn to each other. I just thought you guys were best friends,” Iris said.
“We are. Best friends, I mean.”
“I didn’t even know you were into guys,” Iris said, shrugging. “But then, I haven’t seen you really into anyone, female or male.”
“I’m into him. Just him. It’s always been just him. For years, Dad kept shoving these shifter socialites at me, but I was never interested. I tried to shove my feelings for Jamie down to keep him safe. I never thought I deserved him. Still don’t, but I need to protect him. There’s this burning need inside me to protect him, especially after what happened to him. My phoenix feels it, too.”
“Whoa, what do you mean you don’t think you deserve him?” Iris asked through gritted teeth.
May chose that moment to burst into the kitchen with Jamie on her heels.
“Enjoy the tour?” Aiden asked Jamie. He was thrilled to change the subject.
“Yeah. May was an excellent tour guide.”
May gave an exaggerated bow. “I aim to please.”
Jamie took a seat next to Aiden. He frowned at Iris and leaned over Aiden to ask her, “What’s going on?”
She pursed her lips, then sighed. “Nothing. My big brother was just saying some nonsensical things that we’ll need to discuss further at another time.” She glared at Aiden.
Jamie raised one eyebrow. “Oookay. As long as I’m not in trouble.”
“Of course not,” Iris said. “Just brother-sister stuff. No worries.” She gave Jamie a smile and then grimaced at Aiden.
“So, what’s the plan?” Jamie asked Aiden. “We still waiting for Piper?”
“Hey, hold up,” Mac said to Jamie while holding her cellphone away from her mouth. “Let me just finish my call. I want to try something.”
Jamie leaned closer to Aiden. “You sure you’re OK?”
Aiden gave him a soft smile and grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently. “Yes.”
Jamie’s cheeks pinked. His eyes flickered to the ice blue of his wolf’s for a split second before returning to his darker blue human hue.
“That’s so cute.”
Aiden looked away from Jamie to see a smiling May staring at him and Jamie.
“May, cut it out,” Heath warned from across the room. He and Deacon strolled back over to the island and each took a seat. “Leave them alone.”
Deacon chuckled. “Yeah, please don’t harass the phoenix shifter.”
“What! I can be happy for my friends, can’t it?” May asked dramatically.
Iris rolled her eyes.
“It’s fine,” Aiden said. He sighed.
Mac walked over and leaned against the island opposite where Aiden and Jamie sat. “Alright. So, do you want to see if I can coax your phoenix out using my healing powers?”
Aiden glanced at Jamie, who shrugged. “We could wait for Piper or try this. Your choice,” Jamie said.
“Wait for me for what?” Piper asked. She’d just stepped into the kitchen. She dropped her messenger bag on the floor near the door and walked over to the island.
“Aiden wants to shift into his phoenix. He feels close, but not quite there. He was hoping you could help,” May blurted out. “Mac thinks she may be able to help.”
“It’s just that we’ve tried before, and it didn’t help,” Aiden said to Mac.
“Yeah, but you seem to be in a better frame of mind now. And I’ve gotten better at boosting my powers with their help.” Mac gestured to the other Guardians with her hand.
Aiden shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you guys think will work best. I’m just tired of feeling useless.”
“You’re not useless!” Jamie hissed. He leaned even closer to Aiden, placing a hand on his arm. “Don’t ever say that.”
Aiden noticed the four women’s surprise at Jamie’s declaration.
Aiden patted Jamie’s arm. “I just want to help. Our father”—he peered at Iris and then back to the others—“needs to be stopped.”
“Why don’t we see what Mac can do?” Piper suggested. “May and I can boost her powers if need be.”
“Me, too,” Iris added.
Mac shook her head. “No, not right now. You need to focus on the baby inside of you. I wouldn’t want to risk it.”
Iris frowned and opened her mouth to say something. Before she could respond though, Deacon strode over so he was beside her. He placed an arm around her shoulders. “Please just listen to her. She is a doctor,” Deacon beseeched her in an even voice.
Iris groaned, but then nodded. “You’re right.” She sighed heavily. “I’ll watch and keep an eye on everything.”
“Me too,” Deacon added.
Aiden glanced around the kitchen. “Where should we do this?” Aiden asked.
“Downstairs. There aren’t any windows down there. We have time before the pack meeting,” Mac said. “Heath, can you check on Amber?”
Heath walked over to his petite wife and wrapped her up in a hug that raised her off her feet. He kissed her chastely on the lips and then placed her back on the floor. “Of course. I’ll see if she’s terrorizing Mom and Dad yet.”
Aiden turned to Jamie, who seemed worried.
“You feeling good about this?” Jamie asked.
Aiden nodded. “Let’s do this.”