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Chapter 36

Anxious to speak with Dylon alone, Frank glanced at Lizzie who was seated at the side of his bed, holding his hand and said, “Darling, I’m starving.”

“Goodness me! “Lizzie exclaimed. “Didn’t they feed you? What kind of monsters were they? I’ll just go and get you something from the kitchen. I don’t know what there is, but I’m sure I can find something and, if not, I can certainly make you a couple of sandwiches. Is that okay? Or do you want to come with me?”

“That’s fine, Lizzie,” Frank said. “I’ll wait here.”

“Okay,” Lizzie said, letting go of Frank’s hand. Passing Dylon on her way out of the room, she said, “You stay with your father until I get back.”

Dylon nodded and waited until she was gone before turning to his father. “The answer to the question you asked Jackson is yes, Rudy nearly killed me, but luckily, Jimmy found me in time and brought me here where Colton used his Raphael’s Power to save my life.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Frank.

“If I had, what would you have done?”

“Make him pay for it.”

“I figured as much,” Dylon said, quietly. “Tell me Dad, how would you explain the lack of evidence on my body when Josiah demanded proof that I’d been beaten so badly? It was a miracle I lived long enough for Rudy to dump my body in a ditch.” When Frank remained silent, he continued, “Jackson gave me the choice of reporting Rudy or not and I chose not to in order to protect his pack and the secrets it has .

“The kindness Jackson showed me when he ordered Colton to use his power to save my life was something I found hard to believe. During your many years with the High Council, how often have you heard of an Alpha doing that for an enemy? None, I bet. But Jackson did it for me who, just days before, had been hunting him and his brothers to kill them. It boggles the mind, doesn’t it?”

Pausing for a moment to let his father think about it, he then continued, “Rudy had me beaten for days, only giving me enough time between sessions to barely heal before doing it over and over again until my wolf was so weak, I could no longer shift. Then he had his men get rid of me. But in the end he failed and I survived, found my mate, and also a home in a pack with an Alpha I would give my life for.”

Frank looked at his son for a moment before asking, “Are you going to kill Rudy?”

Shrugging, Dylon said, “Only if Jackson tells me to.”

“Even after what he did to you and me?” Frank asked.

“Jackson is my Alpha, and I’ll do as he orders.” Then, seeing the disbelief on his father’s face, he said, “If you ask me if I want to kill him, my answer would be yes…but not for what he did to me, but for what he did to you.”

“It was revenge that was behind Rudy’s actions,” Frank said.

“I figured that out, but even knowing that, I would not go against my Alpha. From the moment Jackson found out you were taken, he made it clear his first priority was to rescue you. He didn’t have to…could have insisted it was the High Council’s job, but he knew how much it would hurt me, Cody, Jake, and Jessica if you we re taken from us and that wasn’t acceptable to him. So he chose you, someone who’s not even a member of his pack and for that I’ll be forever grateful.”

“In all my years, I’ve never met an Alpha like Jackson,” Frank said, quietly.

“And I doubt you will,” Dylon replied. “I thank the gods every day for leading me here and if being beaten up was the price I had to pay, I’d gladly pay it again.”

Nodding, Frank said, “All I ever wanted was for you to find a place where you’d be happy.”

“I am, Dad…very much,” Dylon said, smiling. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Frank studied his son, and saw the truth of his words reflected on his face. It was something he’d worried about as Dylon grew up and had wondered from time to time if his son would ever find a place where he could find happiness. Even though Lizzie had assured him that Dylon would find his place in the world, it never was enough to ease his doubts.

But that changed when Jackson—an Alpha who understood Dylon better than Frank ever had—came into their lives. By putting Frank first, Jackson had made sure Dylon’s focus was on saving his father instead of seeking revenge. He owed Jackson a lot for making that decision and it was a debt he could never repay.

Satisfied his son’s reasoning, Frank grinned. “So…your mom told you we were moving to California.”

“You are?” asked Dylon, trying his best to act surprised. “When?”

Chuckling, Frank said, “It’s a good thing you didn’t want to be an actor. And before you deny it, you should know that your mom talks in her sleep…especially when she’s upset about something…like letting the cat out of the bag when she slipped up and told you and Cody about our move.”

“Fuck! Cody has been making me practice my surprise face every day so you wouldn’t find out Mom spilled the beans.”

“All I can say is…keep practicing,” Frank replied, laughing.

“Fuck off!”

Balancing a tray in one hand, Lizzie pushed open the door, frowning at her son. “Dylon, mind your language!”

Hurrying over to his mother, Dylon took the tray from her and carried it over to the bedside table before answering, “Mom, I’m very careful around Jake and Jessica.”

“I know, sweetie, but all it takes is one slip and before you know it, they’ll be using it around the other kids and then what are you going to do? You can’t put the genie back in the bottle once they hear it.” Then she turned to her husband and said, “Dear, Steel was just pulling a roast out of the oven so he cut off a few pieces for you and added some mashed potatoes, corn, a small salad, and a piece of chocolate cake. And there’s plenty more if you’re still hungry after eating all this.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Frank said, eyeing the food. Picking up his fork, he scooped up some mashed potatoes and put it in his mouth, slowly swallowing it. When his stomach didn’t object, he proceeded to devour the rest of the food. He’d just set down his fork when three pups rushed in the hospital room, yapping and growling as they circled his bed .

Strolling in behind them, Cody grinned at Frank. “I hope you don’t mind but once Danny caught your scent, he was determined to see you and, where Danny goes, Jake and Jessica are right behind him.”

After circling Frank’s bed several times, Danny stopped at Lizzie and barked several times before licking the hand she held out to him. Giving her one of his wolfish grins, he then jumped onto Frank’s bed and padded slowly over to him before sitting and staring into his eyes.

“What does he want?” asked Frank, perplexed by the pup’s behavior.

“Uhm…for your wolf to acknowledge his wolf,” Dylon replied.

“You’re joking,” Frank muttered, keeping his eyes on Danny.

“Uhm…no,” Cody replied. “Danny’s wolf has decided he’s responsible for the protection of Jackson and everyone who’s a member of the pack.”

Glancing quickly at his son before returning his gaze to Danny, Frank asked, “What happens if my wolf refuses?”

“Dad…please, just let your wolf say hello to Danny’s wolf,” Dylon pleaded.

“This is most unusual…and I’m not sure it’s a good thing to encourage this type of behavior in a pup. He could get hurt,” Frank said.

“I think it’s cute,” Lizzie said, smiling at Danny. “Go ahead, Frank, hold out your hand.”

Frank knew the battle was lost as soon as Lizzie sided with Dylon. Holding out his finger, he watched as his wolf greeted the pup. He was stunned when he felt a jolt of Alpha power surging through him from Danny. He’d never met anyone so young who could repel his efforts to make them submit.

But what was even more disturbing to Frank was the behavior of his wolf. After greeting the pup as an equal, his wolf lowered himself to his belly, and grinned back at Danny’s wolf. My fucking wolf grinned! Actually grinned! He’d never seen his wolf do that before except when Frank had found Lizzie. And like then, his wolf was acting like a playful pup, enjoying the attention Danny’s wolf was giving him.

“Is this one of the pack’s secrets? A pup with more Alpha Power than what most grown wolves possess?” asked Frank, looking at his son.

“Only Jackson can answer your question,” Dylon replied. Then bending down, he picked up Jessica and Jake, handing his daughter to Lizzie and setting his son on Frank’s bed.

As soon as Jake was free, he scrambled over to his grandfather and curled up on his lap. After licking Frank’s hand, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Grinning at his sleeping grandpup, Frank buried his hand in Jake’s soft fur, murmuring, “He’s grown so much since I last saw him.”

“So has my little princess,” Lizzie replied, cuddling Jessica. “I’m so glad we’re moving to California because I don’t want to miss another moment with her or Jake.”

Cody’s eyebrows shot up at Lizzie’s unexpected announcement. Glancing quickly at Frank who was still engrossed with Jake, he looked over at his mate, who also appeared oblivious to what his mother had just said. Breathing a sigh of relief that somehow that problem had been resolved, he said, “Sorry to break this up, but these pups need to get dressed for dinner because Jackson has a firm rule against appearing without clothes at the dinner table.”

“And we should be going home,” Lizzie said. “Do you think we could use the Magic Carpet?”

Walking in, Jackson said, “I’m sure Brady and Lucius would be happy to whisk you home, but I think it’s better if you stay here until Rudy and the rest of his gang are caught, Lizzie. Right now, no one knows Frank has been rescued and I want to keep it that way.”

“What about the High Council? Shouldn’t Frank inform them he’s okay?” asked Lizzie.

“I agree with Jackson,” Frank said, grasping Lizzie’s hand and tugging her over to him. “Someone helped the prisoners escape and until we know who it was, it’s better if no one knows where we are.”

“But there’s so much to do at home.”

“It can wait. There’s nothing that important that it needs to be done immediately,” Frank said, wrapping his arms around his mate, thankful he could do that once again. It was another debt he owed to Jackson.

“Well, if you’re sure,” Lizzie replied. “It would give us more time with Jake and Jessica.”

“And to meet Colton and Ian’s triplets and Dakota and Slate’s pup,” Cody said.

“Don’t forget Carson and Remy’s boys,” Dylon added.

“Oh my goodness!” Lizzie exclaimed. “A house full of children…you’re right Frank, we should stay here for a while. ”

“Good,” Jackson replied, smiling. “Quin has prepared the same suite you stayed in the last time you were here.”

“Thanks,” Frank said, tilting his head as a show of his respect for Jackson, “for everything.”

~/~/~/~/~

“Where the fuck is he?” Rudy bellowed, his voice echoing off the concrete walls as he stomped around the empty room. When no one answered him, he pushed through the men crowding the doorway. “Where’s Osrum?”

“He’s gone, boss,” Hans muttered.

“Gone where?”

Shrugging, Hans said, “I dunno…one minute he was next to me and then he suddenly was gone.”

“That fucking no good, washed up warlock,” Rudy fumed. “I swear if he double-crossed me…”

“Do you want me to kill him?” asked a voice in the crowd.

Turning sharply, Rudy asked, “Who said that?”

Pushing aside the shifter in front of him, Pocus stepped forward. “I did.”

“Who are you?”

“They call me Pocus.”

Frowning, Rudy asked, “What kind of fucking name is that?”

“One that belongs to a killer of magic users.”

“I never heard of someone doing that,” Rudy snorted “Why were you in prison? ”

“I told you…I killed a magic user,” replied Pocus.

“How?” Rudy asked skeptically. “By shooting him? I don’t need you for that…I can do it myself.”

Pocus scoffed. “Why would I waste my time with a gun when I can kill any magic user with a touch of my hand.”

“A lot good that does when Osrum has disappeared,” sneered Rudy. Turning away, he marched over to the shifter assigned to guard Frank. “Tell me what happened.”

“Everything was quiet until the alarm when off. When I opened the door, he was gone,” Seth said. “I swear there wasn’t anyone who got past me.”

“Well someone did,” Rudy growled. “He just didn’t disappear.”

“No boss…I swear I didn’t see or hear anyone.” Then seeing the rage building in Rudy, he quickly added, “Go ahead, sniff the air. You won’t smell anyone other than the wolf shifter. ”

Striding back into the concrete room, Rudy sniffed and quickly picked up Frank’s scent. Starting at the place where it was the strongest, he slowly moved around, searching for other scents, but eventually had to admit Seth was right—there was only one and it belonged to Frank.

Turning his attention to a broken chain on the floor, he picked it up, carefully examining it. Whoever severed it hadn’t used brute force—all the links were intact. After checking the others and finding them in the same condition, Rudy realized he’d clearly underestimated Frank and concluded he wasn’t any ordinary shifter .

Stomping out of the room Rudy yelled, “Pack up…we’re leaving. What we can’t take…burn it.”

Seth looked at Hans and shook his head. Nothing had gone as they expected and now their location had been compromised by an unknown enemy. “What do ya think? Should we stay with him or take off on our own?”

“I dunno,” murmured Hans. “Whoever has Frank…they know where we are and if they got in here undetected, then I don’t think there’s any place we’ll be safe.”

Who do you think could do that?”

“Someone with magic since they triggered Osrum’s spell.”

“Hans, Seth! Let’s go!” shouted Rudy.

“Be right there, boss,” Seth replied. Then, looking back at Hans, muttered. “Let’s stay with him until we can talk to Bruno.”

Giving a short nod of agreement, Hans headed to Rudy, trying to quell the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him it was only going to get worse.

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