Chapter 21

After returning to the house, Jackson said, "Mom, I want Mac to check you over to make sure those bruises are the only injuries you have."

Giving Jackson a brief nod, Mac tucked his aunt's hand into the crook of his arm. "C'mon Aunt Hope…let's make your son happy."

"But I'm fine," Hope said, eager to see Willow first. Although Smokey had assured Hope her friend was well, she wanted to see it with her own eyes.

"Then it won't take any time at all," Mac said, smiling.

"Mom, please…for me," Jackson murmured, kissing Hope's forehead. "I'll send Willow to keep you company, okay?"

Smiling at how well Jackson knew her, Hope nodded. "Okay sweetie…and thank you."

Waiting until Mac and his mother were in the pack house, Jackson turned to Smokey. "Reeve will be here shortly to speak with you."

Looking down at his naked body covered with streaks of blood and dirt, Smokey said, "I need to shower first. Can you delay him?"

"Yup," Jackson replied. "However, we need to talk first, so meet me in my study when you're finished."

Will do," Smokey said, heading into the house. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know what the conversation would be about, but whether he was ready or not for the world to know who he was, Josiah had taken away his choice in the matter. He could only guess what Reeve's intentions were; it was impossible to figure out what the man was thinking. Shutting the front door, he sniffed, grinning when he recognized the aroma of Willow's beef stew. Maybe he could grab a bowl of it after his shower, before he spoke with Jackson. Climbing the steps to his and his mates' bedroom, Smokey's mind was being bombarded with a myriad of jumbled images from the afternoon and he failed to hear the footsteps behind him.

"Golden Sun!" called Theo, running up behind Smokey. Wrapping his arms around his mate's waist, he hugged him tightly, ignoring the grungy state of his body.

Turning around, Smokey grinned down at his pregnant mate, humming his pleasure. "Love you, Shining Star…how's our cub?"

"Good…but what about you? Willow told us what happened and how you saved her using your Manetu. I'm so proud of you!" Theo said, checking his mate over carefully, finding nothing but… "Eww…you're filthy!"

Chuckling, Smokey replied, "So are you. C'mon, we can shower together. Where's Eagle Feather?"

"He offered to help clean up in the kitchen, while I came to find out if you were back."

"Jackson's waiting for me but a shower must come first," Smokey said, holding Theo's hand as they ascended the steps together. "By the way, is there any of Willow's beef stew left?"

Theo's eyes widened in astonishment. "How did you know it was hers?"

"She always made it for Ghost and me whenever we came home with Glenn. I don't know exactly what she puts in it, but I can tell because she adds the same herb every time." Opening the door to their bedroom, Smokey ushered Theo in before closing it. Pausing for a moment, he bent down and cupped his mate's face with his hands, gently brushing his lips against Theo's. "Sorry about leaving you and Norm but…"

Kissing Smokey back, Theo murmured, "Nothing to be sorry about…I'm…we're just glad you're okay."

"I killed Josiah," Smokey whispered.

Theo heard the catch in his mate's voice and saw the regret in his eyes. Putting his hands over Smokey's, he murmured, "Listen to me…Josiah was totally bad…and he caused so much heartbreak for Jackson and his brothers. Norm and I haven't had a chance to tell you the whole story, but you have to trust me, Golden Sun…you did our world a great service by getting rid of him."

Searching Theo's face, Smokey found only love, shining so brightly he had to close his eyes. It had been a long time since someone gave him unconditional love. Deeply inhaling the scent of his mate, he held his breath for a moment before slowly letting it escape. When he opened his eyes, he found Theo looking at him tenderly. "I love you so much, Shining Star. You and Eagle Feather are my whole world."

"As you are ours, Golden Sun," Theo whispered. "Now and forever."

The words were simple, but they were the ones Smokey had waited a long time to hear—the words which had been missing since his grandfather and parents died. And now, by the grace of the Fates, he was whole again. At that moment, Smokey realized the fears that had ruled his life about who he really was were gone like a puff of smoke in the wind, and he was ready to emerge from the dark, embrace the light, and fulfill his destiny. Softly rubbing his thumb over Theo's cheek, he murmured, "I want you and Norm to be with me when I tell Jackson who I am."

"Absolutely," Theo said, his voice still a whisper. "Whatever you need, we'll be there for you."

Smokey nodded; his smile wide as he led Theo to their shower.

~/~/~/~/~

Examining the three bullets in his hand, Dylon listened as Jackson told him and Steel about Josiah. He couldn't have planned a better ending for the sonofabitch. He regretted only that it wasn't he who'd struck the killing blow, but he could live with that. The threat that hung over the Pack for so long was gone and damned if that didn't feel good.

"Dylon!"

Hearing his name, he looked up, realizing Jackson had asked him a question. "Sorry…just thinking about the twins."

"Can't blame you," chuckled Steel. "You and Cody won't have to worry anymore about Josiah trying to take them from you."

"The same goes for you…Danny is safe along with all the other kids in the Blackwood Pack," Dylon agreed.

"Everyone is safe from that asshole now," Jackson said. "However, Smokey will be here soon and before he arrives, I want to know if you've ever heard of a gift like the one he apparently has."

Turning his attention back to the bullets, Dylon looked closely at them, thinking for a moment, before saying, "The only healing gift I know of is Colton's Raphael's Power."

"But Colton can't use it on himself…only others," Jackson pointed out.

"Hmmm…you're sure Smokey was shot?" asked Dylon.

"I have no reason to doubt Willow," Jackson said. "And after the first two shots, Norm heard three more. The only witness to what actually happened is my mother, but…"

"Yeah…better wait till Mac gives the all-clear before you ask her anything about Josiah," Dylon muttered. "The only person I can think of who might know about Smokey's power is Glenn, but he's with Sawyer at Alex's hoard."

"That's not going to help me right now," Jackson said. "The biggest problem facing me is the Council's representative who was with me when Willow explained what happened to her and Smokey."

"What's his name?" asked Dylon.

"Reeve Nicolet," Jackson replied. "Do you know him?"

"I know of him," Dylon responded. "I've never met him but he's a legend at the High Council. I could ask my dad."

"Do that," Jackson said. "Josiah may be dead, but there's still Rudy, and there may also be others who are involved. Reeve is keeping pretty closed mouth about his investigation, but unless he can give me assurances that no one else from the Silver Point pack is targeting us, I intend to keep the enforcers on high alert. This whole thing with Josiah was a little too close for comfort."

~/~/~/~/~

Standing outside Jackson's study, Smokey glanced down the hall, watching his mates hurry toward him. His nerves settled as each took one of his hands and gave him reassuring squeezes. Smiling briefly, he lifted his mates' hands to his mouth kissing them both before murmuring his thanks.

"Hey," Norm said, quietly, "everything'll be okay. Jackson is a good guy, and you'll see, he'll accept you as you are, with open arms."

Then Theo chimed in. "I know you can't imagine that could ever happen, but it will. Remember when I said you'd fit in here? You're about to see I was telling you the truth."

Nodding, Smokey swallowed the lump caught in his throat, while forcing back the tears brought on by the support of his mates. Finally, able to speak, he asked, "Are you guys ready?"

"Yup," Norm answered, for both himself and Theo. Raising his free hand, he knocked, waiting until he heard Jackson give permission to enter. Then, giving Smokey's hand one last squeeze, he opened the door, leading his mates into the room.

Smokey thought it would be a meeting with Jackson alone, but when he saw two other men sitting in the room, he hesitated for a moment, his anxiety rising again. He had psyched himself up to tell Jackson but hadn't considered the possibility that anyone else would be present. Glancing at them, Smokey realized Steel wasn't a problem—it was the other man who unnerved him—the one built like Hercules or what he imagined Hercules would look like if he ever met him.

Theo felt Smokey freeze up at the sight of Dylon and realized his mate hadn't met him yet. "Golden Sun, that's Dylon, Cody's mate," he whispered close to Smokey's ear.

Dylon…that's Dylon?He's the one who taught Norm about being a Dom? Dueling emotions of jealousy and admiration fought inside him until his bear reminded him of the love his mates had for him. Dropping Norm's hand, he stepped forward and held out his hand. "Hey, nice to meet you. I owe you a lot for rescuing my mates from Arald's prison."

Shaking Smokey's hand, Dylon said, "Actually my mate, Cody, is responsible…I was just along for the ride." Then glancing at Theo and Norm, he continued, "Congratulations are in order I hear…both for finding your Fated mate and the upcoming birth of your cub. If Ki hasn't already heard, then I expect…"

The door to Jackson's study opened abruptly, banging against the wall as Kieran rushed in. "Is it true? Oh my gods, I can't believe it, my pup and your cub are gonna be besties, just like we are! This is the best surprise ever, well, finding macushla was the best, and then maybe our sprout but this is right up there! I have some great ideas for a cub shower for you with lots of baby bear decorations. Oh do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet? Oh. My. Gods. A baby cub princess would be ah-maaa-zing! Think of all the pink! Did you have an ultrasound yet? Where's the picture of your cub? Who does she, or he, look like? Our sprout looks like Logan and when we were in France I found the cutest matching onesies for Logan and our sprout. It was Colton's idea, I think he was gonna give them as a gift when the pup was born but when I saw them, I couldn't resist. Hey, I'm gonna order some for you guys."

Staring at the whirlwind who was hugging Theo, Smokey was gobsmacked, missing most of what was said until the comment about wearing onesies registered in his brain. Oh hell no!I'll be the butt of Glenn and Ghost's jokes for the rest of my life. Somehow, he would have to dissuade Theo from that bizarre idea and that would be easier if Norm agreed. Glancing over at his mate, Smokey found the same look on Norm's face he was sure was on his own and, since it now appeared he had an ally on his side, his worries began to subside.

Beaming, Theo returned Kieran's hug, happy his best friend was back. "I missed you," he whispered into Ki's ear before letting go and saying, "I have so much to tell you, but first, meet Smokey, he's honey bunch's and my Fated mate. Can you believe it?" And without giving Ki a chance to reply, Theo continued, "Neither did we. Were we ever surprised! But in the best way possible."

Looking up at Smokey, Ki grinned. "Nice to meet you Smokey, what a great name. Is that a nickname or did your parents give it to you? Mine named me Kieran which means ‘black' in Irish because my wolf is black even though I'm an omega. My mate, Logan; his is white but he's an Alpha like Jackson. Did you know they were twins? No, you probably didn't but now you do so that's a good thing, right?"

"Uhm." Smokey's brain knew he was supposed to respond but he had a hard time deciding which question to answer first.

"Kieran," Jackson interjected. "Nice to have you back, but I need to speak with Smokey."

"Oh that's right…the whole Josiah thing. No problemo. Catch you all later, I'll just go feed Queenie cuz travel always makes him hungry," Kieran said, walking backward out of the room. "Oh, and Smokey, I know I'm speaking on behalf of the pack when I say, thanks for taking care of crazy Josiah. You did us all a solid." Then, before anyone could respond, Kieran disappeared as fast as he'd appeared.

Chuckling, Jackson said, "Take a seat everyone. The High Council's representative will be here shortly, and I want to make sure Smokey knows his rights as a member of the Blackwood Pack." Then zeroing his eyes in on the grizzly bear, he continued, "especially regarding your gift."

~/~/~/~/~

Stepping onto the grass surrounding the Blackwood Pack house, Reeve nodded to Turk before leading his men over to where their trucks were parked. Turning to Eddie, he said, "You and the guys can go back to the Silver Point compound. I have to meet with the Alpha about Josiah."

"Are you sure we should go?" asked Eddie. "The Alpha didn't seem too friendly."

"I'll be fine," Reeve replied.

"What do you want to do with these?" Eddie asked, pointing to a bunch of bags containing Josiah's remains.

"Put them in one of the Pack's freezers until I find out what the Council wants to do."

"Groovy," Eddie murmured, tossing the bags into the SUV.

"And make sure to lock the freezer."

Chuckling, Eddie opened the driver's side door and climbed in. "What? You don't want Josiah to end up on the menu?"

Shaking his head at Eddie's joke, Reeve thumped the side of the vehicle before stepping back. "Go asshole…call me if you run into any problems."

"Will do, boss."

Walking over to the far side of the driveway after his men left, Reeve dug his phone out of his pocket and checked to make sure he was alone, before calling Heath.

"Do you have him?" Heath asked, not bothering with niceties.

Snorting, Reeve said, "I guess you could say that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Josiah was killed by a grizzly bear shifter who was pissed at Josiah for shooting him."

"So he's dead."

"Oh yeah, he most certainly is dead. Have you ever seen a grizzly bear kill his prey?"

"Nope, can't say I have…does it go for the throat like a wolf shifter does?" asked Heath.

"Not even close. All that's left of Josiah are bits and pieces of his body."

"Holy shit! What are you going to tell Kahn?"

"I haven't figured that out yet," Reeve muttered. "Maybe I'll get lucky and he won't ask how his father died." Then changing the subject, he said, "I'm stuck at the Blackwood Pack for a while, so I want you to stay there tonight and make sure no one tells Kahn or his family that Josiah is dead. I want them to hear it from me."

"Sure," Heath said, hesitating before adding, "I know it wasn't what you wanted, but on the bright side, you're free to claim your mate now. Take care…and I'll see you tomorrow."

Sliding his phone slowly back into his pocket, Reeve thought about Kahn and wondered if his mate would ever forgive him for failing to find his father before someone killed him.