Chapter 4

Knocking on the study’s door, Brady paused for a moment before asking, “Alpha, you want to see me?”

Setting down Cain’s file, Jackson looked up and smiled. “Please, come in.”

Walking over to a chair in front of the Alpha’s desk, Brady sat down on the edge of it. He couldn’t imagine why he was there unless his mate had experienced another bout of anger while he was gone. Folding his hands neatly in his lap, he waited for Jackson to speak.

“I’m hoping you can help me.”

Brady’s eyes widened slightly before he said, “I’ll try my best, Alpha.”

“I promised to get some books about gardening for someone, but after looking on the web, I haven’t the foggiest idea which ones I should choose. Can you recommend any?”

“I can certainly understand that—there are so many. Well, it depends on what he intends to grow. For instance, I have mostly roses…”

“He’d be helping Theo in his garden,” Jackson interjected.

“Oh…well, I believe Theo will be growing herbs and vegetables…plants he can use in his cooking. He might add in some roses but you should speak to him to be sure.”

“I’ll do that but let’s start with your recommendations for someone who wants to grow herbs, vegetables, and roses. ”

“Right…there are several books I can recommend but it would help if I knew what level of experience he has in gardening.”

“What do you mean?”

“Has he grown things before?”

“I’m not sure. If he has, it wasn’t recently.”

“Okay, then it’s best to assume he’s a newcomer…someone who’s starting from scratch. I can recommend several books for beginners. And even if he’s had some experience, it will help refresh his memory if it’s been a while since he’s gardened. I’ll also include several that are more advanced.”

“That sounds great,” Jackson said, smiling. “I don’t mean to rush you but how fast can you get me the list?”

“I can do it now, if you have some paper I can use.”

Sliding a pad of paper and a pen across the desk, Jackson watched in amazement as Brady quickly jotted down the book names before handing it back. Looking at the list, Jackson grinned. “I can’t believe you also know the authors.”

“Well, many books have similar titles so it is helpful to have the author’s name; that way, ordering the wrong book can be avoided.”

Shaking his head, Jackson said, “Mystia and Oracle were right…you have an amazing memory.”

Brady’s cheeks grew red at the compliment. Remembering how the Witches’ Council members had ridiculed him when he was able to give chapter and verse of the laws to support his arguments, he’d forgotten how good it felt to be praised for his memory. “ Err…thank…thank you Alpha,” he stammered. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No…but since you’re here, I have been kicking around an idea and wanted to ask you your opinion.”

“By all means,” Brady replied.

“Would you be interested in joining my pack?”

Brady’s jaw dropped. “Why would you ask me that? I don’t have any special gifts nor does my mate.”

“Not everyone in my pack does,” Jackson replied. “But I’m concerned about Lucius. Vasile told me about the witch and the demon who were after him.”

“I plan to speak to the Ruler of the Mystic Realm about it,” Brady responded.

“I’m sure he’ll help you, but do you really think that will be the end of it?”

Frowning, Brady thought for a moment before asking, “You think there will be others?”

“Yes,” Jackson replied. “Even if Remy takes care of this witch and demon, I’d bet anything that when the word gets around that the Blood Prophecy is not just a myth, it will attract the attention of unsavory characters who’ll try to take advantage of Lucius much as his former master did.”

A shiver ran through Brady’s body at the thought that the danger to his mate would never be over. His mind quickly sorted through several possibilities until he forced it to stop. Jackson was right. The number of threats would be endless and, eventually, someone would succeed in taking Lucius from him. He couldn’t let that happen, even if it meant giving up his roses and beloved cottage. He needed help. “How do we join your pack?”

“That’s easy…I just accept you and Lucius as members,” Jackson said. “The hard part will be moving your home to pack lands.”

“Our home? I thought we would live here…in the pack house.”

“You can…but I think there are too many people here for Lucius to feel comfortable…”

“Was there a problem while I was gone?” Brady asked, worriedly.

“No…not at all. He was very polite when Sofia gave him and Vasile a tour.”

“Oh…I’m glad. I was worried about…”

“Lucius having another Blood Rage?”

Nodding, Brady murmured, “I haven’t spoken to him about it yet.”

“I figured that, but I don’t think he’ll have one again soon. During the tour, Sofia introduced him to David, her son, and after it was over, Lucius sought him out.”

“Vasile told me.”

“But I’ll bet he didn’t tell you Zane is David’s mate.”

Brady’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”

Chuckling, Jackson nodded. “I asked David about your mate and, while he didn’t betray Lucius’ confidence, he did mention how Lucius felt overwhelmed by being here because it reminded him of his master’s house…”

“Which was huge and constantly filled with humans and vampires who bullied him,” Brady said, finishing Jackson’s sentence .

“That won’t happen in my pack, but there’s nothing I can do about the number of members living here. That’s why I asked Mystia if it was possible to move your house and your roses here…onto pack lands. She told me Remy can wave his hand and put it wherever I want,” Jackson said, smiling, “although I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than that.”

“There is,” Brady replied, confused by Jackson’s plan. “If we aren’t staying in this house, how will Lucius be any safer here than if our home stays where it is?”

“There are a couple of reasons…first, Remy has decided to make this his and his brothers’ permanent home. And since he has to leave occasionally to deal with Witches’ Council business, he’s cast a number of protection spells over the pack lands. No magic user can get through them unless Remy personally approves—making it impossible for other magic users to reach Lucius.

“Then there are the gifts the Fates and gods have given to my pack. I’m sure you’d agree it’s extraordinary to find so many different abilities all in one pack.”

“Indeed.”

“Because of that, Lucius and you will have additional layers of protection. And finally, the budding friendship between David and Lucius is something which will benefit both. David’s life prior to finding Zane was very similar to Lucius’ and because of that, there’s a bond they share that neither you nor Zane can match.”

“I can understand that,” said Brady, “but wouldn’t it be better if we lived in the pack house, then?”

“No…even though David won’t admit it, because he’s Zane’s mate, I know living here is tough for him. Visiting Lucius at his home would give David a much-ne eded break from the constant noise and commotion that goes on in a pack house.”

“It is quite quiet in our house,” Brady conceded, pausing for a moment before asking, “Where do you want to put our home?”

“I thought you and Lucius should pick the spot. There are some beautiful meadows with streams running through them, or maybe in the woods.”

“Hmm, it would have to be a place with enough sun to grow roses.”

“Then a meadow it is…why don’t you talk with Lucius and see how he feels about the whole thing?”

Smiling at Jackson, Brady nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“If he agrees, Steel can show you the meadows that are close by.”

“Thank you…that would be helpful, Alpha.” Brady left Jackson’s study and headed upstairs to find Lucius and talk about moving to the Blackwood Pack lands. It wasn’t something he was looking forward to, but after accepting the fact that his mate would be in danger for the foreseeable future, he had to agree that Jackson’s proposal was not only sound but extremely generous. He owed it to Lucius—and to their future security—to be honest with him about his vulnerability, something he’d held off doing to avoid upsetting his mate.

~/~/~/~/~

Kicking the door closed, Reeve leaned against it, tugging Kahn tight to his chest. Lowering his head, he nosed along his mate’s neck, inhaling the scent he loved. “Finally…alone at last,” he murmured in Kahn’s ear .

“Aww…you didn’t like CeCe flirting with you?”

Groaning, Reeve muttered, “You have no idea how thankful I am that your mother decided to buy her own place. When I said having your sisters live with us wouldn’t be a problem, I had no idea one of them would want to practice her moves on me.”

Laughing, Kahn replied, “I honestly didn’t know she would either, but at least I know you won’t take advantage of her inexperience.”

Reeve shuddered at the thought. “Nope…never gonna happen. Let some other guy enjoy her attention.”

Frowning slightly, Kahn thought about that and then said, “No one is getting close to CeCe unless I approve them.”

Smoothing out Kahn’s forehead with one of his fingers, Reeve murmured, “I don’t think CeCe will go along with that.”

“Tough shit…she’ll just have to.”

Snorting, Reeve said, “Good luck with that. Looks like you haven’t recently spent much time with your sister, cause I don’t think CeCe’s gonna take kindly to big brother tellin’ her what to do.”

Opening his mouth to protest, Kahn realized his mate was right about his sister. All the fight went out of him as he slumped against Reeve. “Oh shit…what the fuck am I going to do?”

“I have a plan…want to hear it?”

“If it includes locking CeCe up until she’s an old lady…then hell yes!”

“Nothing like that,” Reeve said, laughing .

“Too bad…that would have solved everything,” Kahn muttered, then grinned. “How about a chastity belt?”

Roaring with laughter, Reeve asked, “Where the hell do you get these ideas from…locking her up…a chastity belt? If anyone heard you, they’d think you were living in the dark ages.”

“Well, obviously, other brothers who lived during those times had sisters like CeCe.”

“Actually it was knights going off on crusades who supposedly did it to keep their wives from running around when they were gone…but neither of those two options will work today.”

Sighing, Kahn agreed his mate was right again, but he might revisit his ideas if CeCe kept coming on to Reeve. “Okay, so what’s your plan to keep my sister from hitting on you?”

“ Cari?o ,” Reeve murmured, “you’re jealous!”

Snorting, Kahn muttered, “Of my sister…I highly doubt it…but I am pissed…CeCe knows better.”

“I’m sure she does, but have you ever wondered why she’s doing it?”

“Because she’s a spoiled brat!”

Laughing, Reeve said, “While she might be, that’s not the reason. Think about it…why would she flirt with me when she knows I’m totally committed to you?”

“Not a fucking clue.”

“CeCe does it because she knows I’m not going to respond to it.”

“I don’t get it…if she knows that, then why do it? ”

“She can practice her feminine wiles knowing nothing will come of it and, believe me, it’s better she does that with me, than with some guy who’s free to pursue her.”

“Fuck! I see what you mean,” Kahn replied. “But, that just tells me she’s already thinking about guys, and she’s too fucking young to be doing that. Fucking Josiah! If he had taken the time to be a father, CeCe wouldn’t be acting this way.”

“Maybe, but she might just be an early bloomer.”

“No, no, no…don’t even think that. I’m not prepared to be an uncle and she sure-as-shit isn’t prepared to be a mother…she can barely take care of herself.”

Reeve shook his head, chuckling. “It’s fascinating to see how your mind works, cari?o , but I’m sure CeCe doesn’t want to get pregnant, which is why she’s flirting with me. Follow?”

Frowning, Kahn rubbed his forehead. “My head hurts from all this crap. Tell me your plan to keep my sister from making a mistake she’ll regret.”

“Okay…I was speaking to Patty and she mentioned…” Reeve paused at the sound of their doorbell ringing. Raising an eyebrow, he whispered, “Are you expecting someone?”

“No…are you?” Kahn asked as the person outside pressed the doorbell again.

Shaking his head, Reeve held his finger up to his lips just as the doorbell rang a third time.

“Boss? Your mate’s mother told me where you were. Can we talk? It’s important.”

Inwardly groaning, Reeve closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and whispering to his mate, “Do you mind? He wouldn’t interrupt me if there wasn’t a problem.”

“Nope…see what he wants, then come find me…I’ll be waiting for you naked and wet in the shower. Don’t be too long…” Kahn said, backing out of Reeve’s arms and giving his mate a look full of sexual promise before heading upstairs.

When the doorbell rang again, Reeve turned around, cursing the bad timing. Wrenching the door open, he growled, “What is it?”

Startled, Heath stared at Reeve and, seeing his friend’s agitated state, muttered, “Never mind.” Taking a step back, he started to turn away, and then suddenly a hand grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Reeve said, pulling Heath inside and shutting the door behind him. When his friend didn’t reply, Reeve took the moment to examine him and what he saw had him kicking himself for his rudeness. “C’mon, we can talk in the kitchen while I make us some coffee.”

Heath followed his friend into the kitchen and sat down. He was feeling miserable and was sure Reeve would laugh his head off once he found out what had happened.

Waiting for the coffee to brew, Reeve leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. When the silence became overwhelming, he asked, “When did you get back?”

Eyes downcast, Heath mumbled, “Last night.”

That answer hardly helped Reeve figure out what the hell was making his friend so unhappy. “I bet your family was happy to see you. ”

Shrugging, Heath muttered, “Yeah, they were.”

“Everyone okay?”

“Yup.”

Well, it’s not his family. Pouring coffee into two mugs, he slid one over to Heath before taking a sip of his. Setting it down, he asked, “What’s the matter, Heath? I can’t help you if I don’t know.”

Unable to stop himself, Heath growled, “He laughed at me.”

When nothing else was forthcoming, Reeve asked angrily, “Who laughed? Tell me and I’ll kick his fucking ass. Who fucking dared laugh at you?”

The thought of Reeve hurting his mate catapulted Heath out of his chair, which fell backward onto the floor. “You better not!” he roared, his hands clenched by his side.

Surprised at his normally easy-going friend’s reaction, Reeve snapped, “Fine…I won’t kick his butt. Now will you fucking tell me what the hell is going on?”

Shaking his head, Heath bent down, picked the chair up, and sat back down on it.

Throwing up his hands in frustration, Reeve growled, “I’m ordering you to tell me who laughed at you…and why!”

Heath had been trained too well to disobey a direct order. Looking down at the floor, he finally murmured, “My mate.”