Chapter 12
The girls walked into the kitchen and found Keeva and Alastar. Keeva explained she was feeling better and sick of eating in bed, so she convinced Alastar to let her eat in the kitchen.
"But being the stubborn man my mate is, he carried me here," she added laughing.
Alastar just grinned as his mate before Maeve asked him why he hadn't been called to the dominant wolf party in "the almighty Kael's" office. He explained he was given the freedom to come and go as he wanted until Keeva was well.
"I told him to join them and that I was fine, but does he listen? No, ma'am. Jenna, I would say I hope your mate isn't as controlling as the rest of ours, but since you are guaranteed an alpha mate, you should prepare yourself for Eamon caliber controllage."
"Great," Jenna moaned.
"Speaking of mates and Eamon," Jacks said. "He told me two more alphas are here to see our lovely bachelorette," she motioned to Jenna.
"Why?" Jenna said banging her head on the table.
"Did he tell you which alphas were here?" Alastar asked ignoring Jenna.
"All he told me was there is an alpha from the U.S., he didn't specify where, and his cousin from the Ireland pack."
"Treasach is here?" Alastar asked.
"Sure?" Jacks replied since that name had no significance for her.
"Will the four of you stay here with Keeva? I would like to say hello to my old friend."
The four girls quickly agreed to keep his mate company while Alastar practically took of skipping.
"What was that all about?" Jenna asked.
"Treasach and Eamon spent a great deal of time here when Kael's father was alpha under their uncle's orders. He wanted them to learn from another pack before taking over his, so they both spent six months here every year from the age of ten," Maeve answered.
Jacks was confused, "I thought Eamon was from here?"
"He was born here and lived here until he was six, then he moved to live with his uncle. His uncle only had one son, so he wanted both of them to be ready to take over his pack," Keeva supplied.
"Did his parents move to Ireland too? I don't understand."
"Maeve?" Keeva asked.
"Maybe we should leave this for Eamon to explain if he wants," Maeve replied.
Jacks wasn't a patient person, Eamon, why do they all glue their mouths shut when I ask about your parents?
Why are you guys talking about my parents?
Well, they were explaining why Alastar took off skipping down the hall to see your cousin. They stopped their explanation after telling me you lived with your uncle for four years before coming back here six months out of the year with Treasach. Maeve said she wanted to leave the parent explanation to you.
Tell her it's okay since the rest of the pack knows and it really isn't a concern since Jenna's here.
What?
Talk to Maeve, mo chroí, and you will understand. I will see you soon. Stay out of trouble.
Jacks turned to Maeve, "Maevy Baby, Eamon said you can explain to me since everyone knows and "it really isn't a concern since Jenna's here,"' she said using air quotes. "What in Wisconsin does that mean?"
Maeve took a deep breath before she started, "Jackie, Eamon's mom died giving birth to his sister, Nora."
"I will have a sister-in-law?"
"Yes, Nora lives with her uncle and sometimes comes to see Eamon, but you have to understand, she feels guilty for killing Eamon's parents because she considers her aunt and uncle her parents since they are the only ones she has ever known." Jacks nodded, so she continued. "Eamon's father died shortly after as a result of having completed the mate ritual. Once a couple completes the mate ritual, they are bound in life and death. So, he was sent to live with his uncle, which is unusual since usually the pack raises orphaned pups. Blyana is an example of this. Her parents died when she was eleven."
"Okay, so his parents died, so he and his baby sister were sent to his uncle in Ireland to be raised. I got that, but where does Jenna come in?"
"In our species, pregnancies are unpredictable. Some go smoothly and without incident, but for every five easy births, there will be one that will go horribly wrong. As a healer, Jenna has the ability to save both mother and child during a difficult delivery."
"I have to deliver babies?" Jenna squeaked in disbelief.
"I forgot about the whole "healers save pregnant ladies" bit," Adara said. "Now I can stop avoiding my mate."
"You're pregnant?" Keeva shouted.
"Keep it quiet I don't want the rest of the pack to know before Brady," Adara chided.
"Sorry, how have you managed to keep it from him?" Keeva asked.
"I found out yesterday and have been avoiding him and blocking him out up here," she said pointing to her head. "He knows something is up, he just doesn't know what yet."
The girls continued to talk about Adara's pregnancy while they ate the sandwiches they had quickly thrown together. They asked her about names. She told them she hadn't really thought about them and now that she needed one there were just so many to choose from.
"You guys never talked about it?" Keeva asked.
"No, if you even mentioned babies around Brady he turns green."
"He loves you so much that the idea of you giving birth terrifies him. Why was he so sure you are going to have problems?" Maeve asked.
"I never asked, but one time he mumbled something about "children as stubborn as Adara would be trouble from the beginning,"" she said trying not to laugh.
They had finished eating when Jacks finally joined the conversation, "I think we need to go let Brady know he is going to be a dad. Keeva will you ask Alastar if we are allowed to escort you to Kael's office. Tell him I want to meet my new cousin."
Keeva frowned as she was conversing mentally with her mate, "He said he doesn't want me to walk."
Like clockwork, Niall passed the kitchen and Jacks called out to him. He came into the kitchen a little afraid of what he would find. He only became more afraid when he saw the five girls in the kitchen.
"Keeva ask Alastar if Niall is allowed to carry you to Kael's office," Jacks ordered.
Niall paled, but when Keeva said Alastar finally relented, Jacks ordered him to get Keeva and follow them. They walked into Kael's office to see two large men who they figured were the two alphas there to see Jenna. One of them made the rest of the men in the room seem small and given their size, that was a bit intimidating. Jenna gauged him to be about 6'8". He made Jenna feel a little uneasy. Apparently Alastar had not shared that the girls were heading to the office since the rest of the males glared at them. Niall put Keeva down next to Alastar who thanked him and quickly took his leave.
Alastar turned to the obnoxiously large man and pointed at Jacks, "That brunette is the stubborn little thing your cousin is stuck with for all eternity, Treasach."
"Eamon, you lucked out bro, she sure is a pretty little thing. Nice to meet you, I am Treasach," he said in a heavily accented voice.
She shook his extended hand, "It's nice to meet you as well, but if you will excuse me I need to have a word with your cousin."
He moved out of her way and she slowly made her way to her mate who once again yanked her to his side.
"Eamon," she growled. "What have I said about doing that? I am not an object you get to drag around whenever you please."
"Behave," he warned.
"Or what? Are you going to embarrass me again? Yea, I didn't think so," she said crossing her arms.
Treasach's laughter interrupted Eamon's come back. Eamon glared at him and turned his attention back to Kael who he knew was getting impatient.
Kael turned to Jenna, "Jenna, the hyena laughing over there is Eamon's cousin, Treasach. He is alpha of the pack in Ireland. The other man is Dakota he is from the Colorado pack. They have both come to see you. But first, I would like to know why you all decided to come waltzing in unannounced."
She put her hands on her hips, "Well, I wasn't aware I had to clear my movements with you. We were announced we told Alastar since we had promised to stay with Keeva in the kitchen. It is not our fault he decided to keep that little bit of information to himself."
Everyone felt her power slipping out, but stopped when Treasach spoke.
"I haven't even introduced myself maybe you could say hello and then put me in a power chokehold."
She relaxed and turned to him, "I'm sorry. Your accent is adorable." Kael growled. "Oh, shut it Mr. Growly Pants. If I have to be paraded in front of handsome alphas, I might as well enjoy it. Especially since these two seem more pleasant than Mr. Ashby."
"I told you Cassius got here first," Dakota said to Treasach.
"Okay, that's not important guys. Adara has something she needs to tell Brady and one of you might want to be ready to catch him," Maeve interrupted.
The boys looked confused, but Liam was next to him, so he heeded his mate's warning.
"Maeve, what are you talking about?" Brady asked.
"Adara, spit it out already," Jacks cried.
She took a deep breath, "Brady, I have been avoiding you until I thought you were ready to hear what I have to say."
"Okay, we will discuss that later. Tell me what's going on."
"We're going to have a baby," she said in a quiet voice.
Brady's knees gave out and Liam caught him.
Dakota was confused by this reaction, "A child is a gift is it not? Why did he just about faint?"
Adara answered, "Someone, explain what we remembered in the kitchen, please."
Jenna was happy to oblige, "Oh Brady boy, I think you forgot about me in this lovely happy family equation."
He looked at her like she was running around with underwear on her head. She reminded him about her healing abilities, but nothing registered for him.
"Oh for crying out loud," Jacks said. "Jenna will make sure little O'Farrell and mommy O'Farrell make it through the birth. Is it really that difficult for you to connect the dots?"
They all waited for Brady to recover and when he no longer needed Liam's support, his mate slowly walked towards him. His vision was completely set on her stomach. He was having difficulty accepting the fact that there was a little werewolf there.
"Brady, if this is upsetting you, I can go chill in our room to give you some time to process it," Adara said quietly.
He still said nothing, so she turned to leave. Brady's arms shot out and he pulled his mate to his chest. She exhaled and the tension in the room lifted. Congratulations were given and Alastar started suggesting names. He was very convinced they should name their child after him. Keeva scolded him, but she proceeded to question them without mercy about names they were considering.
"People, I hate to tell you this, but you are going to have to wait a while for any potential names. We haven't ever discussed children and that subject sort of encompasses their names."
Maeve and Keeva looked offended. Jacks turned to Jenna.
"Twenty bucks says Maeve and Liam already have the names for their future children."
"You're on, Jacks. If I lose we will be square from the twenty you owe me from—"
Jacks interrupted her, "Jenna, you promised not to tell anyone about that!"
"Well, it might be worth your wrath to see how this group reacts to what those twenty dollars was for."
Jacks continued to glare and she finally relented, "Oh, fine, ruin all my fun."
Jacks smiled, "So, how about those lobitos, Yolanda?"
Maeve groaned, "How do you still remember my name from Spanish class, Daniela?"
"No es importante. Aunty Jacks wants to hear what she should call her future sobrinos."
Liam spoke up, "Only if you stop using Spanish. You are confusing Treasach and from the looks of it Alastar and Brady as well."
"Deals."
"Jenna, you owe Jacks twenty dollars," Maeve said laughing. "If we have girl we will name her Ríona after Liam and Kael's mother. If we have a boy we will name him Elisedd."
Everyone was silent sitting there thinking about the names. Kael looked a little saddened by the mention of his late mother. To lighten the mood Adara suggested they step away from Irish names.
"Maybe we could use another Jacqueline or Jenna running around," she said laughing.
The gentlemen all visibly blanched causing her to laugh even harder.
"Jenny Bean, it's funny that the idea of two of us scares them so much when they haven't seen anything yet," Jacks chuckled.
Right you are, a ghrá, I haven't seen anything, he gave her a very suggestive look.
Jacks turned bright red, Eamon, you seriously need to stop or you will never get to see anything.
That's not fair. I am fairly certain that Kael has seen more of Jenna than I have of you, but don't let that get around because if he isn't her mate, then he might get his eyes ripped out.
If he isn't her mate, that isn't the only problem we are going to have. Only, the only other person who has even caught her interest is your cousin, but I think it's the accent. It is really hot.
Eamon growled and Jacks laughed. Kael told them to behave they had two more alphas coming up to meet Jenna.
"Who is the new competition?" Treasach asked.
"Thanatos and Sullivan are here."
Maeve started laughing.
"What is so funny, dear?" Liam asked not hiding his annoyance.
"Oh, I just think we should prepare Jenna for Thanatos's superior looks is all."
Liam growled.
"Considered me prepared, Maeve. So where are these two from?"
"Thanatos is from Greece and Sullivan is from France," Kael answered.
"Is there any way this can go faster? I feel like this finding my mate process is a lot more painful than it needs to be. Especially if I am going to have to deal with a bunch of stubborn, albeit attractive, alphas," Jenna whined.
"There are ways we could speed this up, but I don't think they would be to peachy keen on my ideas," Jacks said pointing to the males.
"Why not?" Eamon asked.
"Well, one is her power stuff and that will exhaust her. The other is to test something with the shirts, but that will probably lead to her throwing up that sandwich she had for lunch. To be honest, I probably would have already thrown it up. I mean seriously Jenna who eats a turkey and Nutella sandwich?"
"Mick, please explain this t-shirt idea of yours. I don't care if they like it. I am the one who should get to decide since I'm the one who may potentially be puking."
"If you insist, Goof. Well, first we are going to have to have you put on a shirt from another pack mate, say Eamon, to see if Kael's shirt is helpful because he is pack or because of something else. If it's something else, then we can have you try on all of their shirts and anyone whose shirt doesn't make you sick gets to stay while the rest can go chill with Mr. Ashby in the guest wing."
"Alright, Eamon give me your shirt."
"What?" he asked like he hadn't understood.
"Give. Me. Your. Shirt. I know Jacks picked you because she wants to ogle your chest again," Jenna added grinning.
"She could have just asked, but I am waiting for my alpha to give me the okay because as much as I want to help, I would prefer not to invoke the wrath of a bunch of alphas."
"One of you almighty alphas tell him I can use his shirt, please," Jenna ordered.
"Fine, I don't want to hear any complaining when you lose your lunch," Kael muttered.
Eamon took off his shirt and handed it to Jacks with a knowing grin.
There's a lot more where this came from, he winked.
She bee-lined it to Jenna with the shirt and Keeva headed over with the trash can. Adara and Maeve joined them to offer support. Jenna took off Kael's shirt and handed it to Adara before taking the shirt from Jacks. Jacks was too busy memorizing every muscle on Eamon to notice, so Jenna pinched her. Jacks was embarrassed at being caught enjoying the artwork.
"Sorry to interrupt chickadee, but if I start upchucking, you get to hold my hair back," Jenna teased.
"Yes ma'am," Jacks saluted.
Jenna took a deep breath before slipping Eamon's shirt on. Keeva was ready to pass off the trash can, but no vomiting occurred. Kael was a little discouraged, because that meant he would have to deal with all the other alphas longer. Jenna started slipping off the shirt, but she felt her stomach churning, so she stopped fearing she would vomit all over Eamon's shirt. Not that Jacks would complain, she thought. She held her breathe and quickly tore Eamon's shirt off, but it only made things worse when Dougal's scent wafted up to her nose.
"Keeva," Jenna groaned.
Keeva made it over to Jenna right before she lost her lunch.
"Well, I guess the test worked," Eamon said.
"Eamon's scent made me feel sick to my stomach, but I didn't vomit until I took the shirt off and Dougal's scent hit me," Jenna corrected.
"Should we continue with this test?" Dakota asked.
Before anyone could answer, two more men entered the room. Jenna was in the process of putting Kael's shirt on to give her a reprieve when her jaw, along with Jacks's, dropped at the sight of the god who had just entered the room. The other man was the complete opposite of the bronzed angel with dark, alluring features. He had a patrician face accented with a light complexion and even lighter blond hair and gray eyes.
"Thanatos and Sullivan, you are just in time for the next test. We just need to decide which alpha gets weaned out first," Treasach teased.
"What are you talking about?" an obviously confused Sullivan asked.
Before Kael could stop her, Jenna answered, "He is talking about me. Nice to meet you both, I believe you're here to see me. Jenna Darlington."
Sullivan extended his hand, "Sullivan Dubois."
Jenna shook his hand and turned to her next guest, "That makes you Thanatos. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine. Thanatos Petro at your service," he leaned down and kissed her hand.
Jenna tried to hide the chills that ran through her, "Kael, who is going next? I want to get this over."
Liam answered, "Cassius is going next. We are going in order of when they got here. So, Dakota will follow Cassius, then Treasach, Sullivan, Thanatos, and whoever else shows up."
Jenna was a little disappointed because she was hoping to get rid of Thanatos sooner. He was attractive, but she was getting a bad vibe from him, especially after seeing how he eyed all the mated females in the room. Eamon noticed and he was debating whether or not it was worth putting his mate in harm's way to rid the world of Thanatos Petro. Jenna was impatiently waiting Cassius's arrival. When he finally walked in, she demanded he take of his shirt and hand it to Jacks. He was happy to oblige and looked smug thinking Jenna wanted to gawk. He didn't understand the situation until Treasach couldn't take his gloating and explained it to him. Cassius's ego deflated and everyone watched as Jacks walked over to Jenna.
"Here goes nothing," Jenna muttered as she quickly changed from Kael's shirt to Cassius's.
They didn't have to wait long for Jenna's stomach to let her know Cassius was not in the running to be her mate. She ripped the shirt off before she threw up, and Maeve was smart enough to shove Kael's shirt in her face before Dougal's scent hit her. No one seemed too upset that Cassius would be leaving so soon.
