BirthControl (12 page)

Frowning, Silas called out telepathically. “Cameron.” But there was no response. Had Tyrone hurt Cameron in the fight? Silas didn’t think so. He watched Cameron for a few moments and then placed a call.

“What was the final doctor’s report on Cameron?” Silas asked Jacque as soon as he answered. Guilt stabbed at Silas. He’d been so caught up with the discovery of the half-breeds, he’d left his godson’s care to others. The longer he watched Cameron, the more concerned he became.

“One moment, Sir.” Silas heard the rustling of papers and then a beep. “He was dismissed with a clean bill of health. It was suggested he work out, run, and return to his daily routine.” Jacque paused. “According to this, Cameron’s fine.”

He’s not fine
. “Thanks.” He removed the phone from his ear.

“By the way, Sir?”

“Yes?” Silas moved in his godson’s direction. It was time for another talk, and this time he wasn’t going to allow Cameron to blow him off.

“I took Ms. Bennett on a tour of the grounds. She’s a lovely lady.”

“Okay.” He wondered what Jasmine thought of his piece of Backwater, USA.

“We went to the tunnels, and I introduced her to the staff. Well, the department heads anyway.”

That bought Silas to a stand-still. Jacque had been with him longer than anyone, the man never did anything without a reason. Whether he’d share that reason with Silas was another matter.

“Why?”

“Beg your pardon, Sir?”

“Why’d you take her to the tunnels? Why’d you introduce my guest to the staff when you’ve never introduced my guests to the staff or taken them to the dens in the dungeon?”

“Your guest?” Jacque chuckled.

“Yes, guest,” Silas snapped, and then looked around to see if anyone was paying him any attention. No one had noticed him yet. He stepped back into the shadows again.

“I wanted to be sure she knew the escape route for the pups. No one will get near your litter, not on my watch. Now she’s aware that there’s a safe place for her to take the pups if there’s an emergency.”

“I can take care of my own damn pups,” Silas hissed. Unsure if he was angry because Jacque had made arrangements for the care of his pups before he’d done so or because Jacque had been alone with Jasmine in the tunnels.

“I know. But this is your first litter and they are special. They must survive the fall-out of the announcement of their birth. I’m adding extra layers of protection to make sure that happens.”

Sometimes Jacque's eerie insight shocked Silas. “What do you know?”

“Nothing more than what you know. Change has come and your pups are a part of that. I am fasting and praying for their safety.”

“Have I brought the enemy into my home? Will the breeds harm our people?” Silas searched the auditorium for the twins. They were training with the Alpha trainees on the mats.

“La Patron, you have read their minds and know their hearts. You know the answers already, otherwise you would have never lain with their mother.” Jacque sighed. “The Goddess has not given more information other than change has come and instructed me to guard your litter and their mother.”

“Jasmine?” Silas shouldn’t have been shocked by the Goddess’s command. She was all about life and fertility.

“She’s the vessel for the pups. She must be protected as well,” Jacque voice took on an incredulous tone as if he were surprised Silas asked.

“Thanks.” Silas didn’t want to think about his half-breed pups. It still rubbed him wrong that after all this time, his first litter wasn't full-bloods. “Contact Cameron’s doctor and get him here today.”

“Along with the doctor for Ms. Bennett?”

Damn, he’d forgotten. “Yes. She needs to get checked out. She’s been worn out the last couple of days.” He wasn’t sure if that was due to the pregnancy or their late night escapades. Jasmine had met his need every night since he’d agreed to monogamy. That reminded him of another matter.

“Cancel all requests for female servants. We have enough and I don’t want any problems once Jasmine begins to show.”

“Problems cannot be avoided.”

Silas sighed at the pragmatic statement. “Okay, I want to minimize the problem of jealous bitches fighting to bed me. For now, I’m off the market. Get rid of anyone you think will cause problems.”

“Will do. I’ve heard a few complaining that you haven’t sought them out. I think they’ll be the first to send packing.”

Silas didn’t care who or how. “Just handle it. I want peace in my house as long as possible.”

“Done.”

Silas clicked off and watched the activity in the gym. Cameron sat alone while the others trained. Damn. He made his way down to his godson.

“Cam?”

It took a moment before Cameron responded, and when he looked at Silas, his eyes appeared vacant and listless. Silas sat and placed his hands on either side of Cameron’s head and listened. There was nothing but the sound of wind.

Panic radiated from Silas’ chest as he realized no sign of the vibrant, funny young man he’d grown to love registered. Searching deeper he noticed Cameron’s wolf was alert but passive, almost sad. Confused, Silas pulled out and looked into Cameron’s blank eyes.

“What’s going on Cam?” He waited a bit, hoping for a response, any response.

Cameron shrugged and turned away.

In over three hundred years, Silas had never seen anything like this. Refusing to overreact, he called Jacque again. “What time will the doctor get here?” His eyes never left Cameron.

“He’s finishing up in surgery now. I’m sending the plane for him. All in all, his ETA should be in about four hours. How’s Cameron?”

“Not good. I’ve never…” He exhaled. “Not good. I’m bringing him in.”

“I’ll have rooms set up in the north wing.”

Silas stiffened. “No. I want him in my wing. I’ll watch over him.”

“Sir…La Patron. You spend every night with Ms. Bennett. We do not know what’s wrong with Cameron. You cannot afford to carry anything back to her. She’s human. If it bypasses her system, it could still impact the pups. There are just too many unknown variables. Let me set him up in the north wing. You can stay with him there and then clean up before going to Ms. Bennett.”

“How does that…”

“If it’s something that lingers in the atmosphere or on surfaces, Ms. Bennett or the pups won’t have access to the north wing. They’ll visit your wing or stay in Ms. Bennett’s. This way we can contain anything we’re not certain of.”

“Okay,” He huffed and raked his hand through his hair. “I knew having pups was going to change things, but I didn’t think it’d start so soon. We’ll play it safe and place him in the north wing. Prepare a room for the doctor. I’ll want him to monitor Cameron for a few days.”

“Done.” Jacque clicked off.

Silas placed his hand on Cameron’s shoulder to gain his attention.

Cameron flinched, then shrugged his hand off.

Ignoring the spasm of pain from that rejection, Silas stood and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

“I wanna run.” The rushed words held an angry undertone like a rebellious teenager.

“Later.” Silas was out of his depth, he had no experience dealing with a stubborn Cameron.

“No. Now.” Cameron stood, pouting and looking toward the woods.

Silas was stumped. Even when Cameron was a teenager, he hadn't acted like this. Had something else happened? Did the doctors miss something?

“Okay, we’ll go running.”

Cameron stared at him as though considering whether or not to allow Silas to accompany him. This was strange considering the blankness on his face and in his eyes. Finally Cameron nodded and walked toward the steel door leading outside.

Concerned, Silas followed after sending a message to Jacque to contact him if the doctor arrived before they returned. Cameron stripped and shifted. Without looking backward at Silas, he took off into the woods. Shifting mid-stride, Silas ran behind him. He stayed a few feet behind, allowing the pup to run wild. Or at least he thought the run was wild. The deeper into the eight hundred acres of woodlands Cameron ran, the more certain Silas became that this was no wild run. The pup was headed to a specific location.

Chapter Eight

“You sent Mia and Kristen home?” Bonita, a distant relative of Silas asked Jacque as he strode down the hall leading to the north wing.

He nodded.

“Why?”

“Patron’s orders.” He unwarded and unlocked the entrance to the private areas, ignoring the fast clip of her heels.

“Wait. The Patron sent them away?” Her voice rose in amazement.

Jacque walked through the room set aside for the doctor. Everything appeared to be in order. The maids had done a good job. He locked the door and walked to the room next door, ignoring her.

“I don’t understand…I mean, is the Patron okay?” She walked behind him, asking inappropriate questions. When he reached the door to Cameron’s new temporary quarters, he turned and looked down at her.

“Ask him when you see him,” he challenged, pleased to see the color leave her cheeks. He counted silently.
One, two, three—

“Jacque…Silas beds two, three bitches at a time. There are over twenty here now waiting for him to look in their direction. Granted, some are interested in the Alpha trainees, but two in that group are already mated. Cameron hasn’t touched anyone since his return, which is causing some grumbling. The only thing that’s kept things halfway quiet around here is those twins and the hope Silas will snap out of whatever’s keeping him in his rooms at nights.”

Jacque nodded. This was the information he needed. “His rooms at nights?” He pretended to be surprised.

Bonita leapt at the chance to share her information. She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “A few of the bitches stake out the entry to his wing every evening hoping to catch a glance of him, to offer their services for the night. But so far no one has seen him.”

Jacque made a note to send those bitches packing as soon as possible. He almost missed Bonita’s next words. “What?”

“I said Samantha arrives later this morning. She called saying Silas sent for her last month.”

Jacque cursed. Samantha had been the closest Silas ever had to a girlfriend over the past fifty years. They had a fiery history, but she’d never been to the compound and he doubted Silas had invited her after all this time.
Damn it
.

“I thought that was why you were sending the other bitches away, but I can tell you had no idea she was coming. That means Silas doesn’t know either.” Bonita’s voice cracked as she started backing away. “I think I’ll leave today. If you need me to make sure some of the other women leave as well, I’ll do that.”

“Yeah, take all the ones who came within the last month. The rest are staff and mated. The last thing La Patron wants is for his home to turn into a battleground, and that’s what’s going to happen with Samantha here.”

“And her crew. She never travels alone.”

Jacque smiled remembering Silas’ edict for peace. “I will ask if his doors are open to them.”

A cynical smile lit Bonita’s face. “Good. She needs to be knocked down a peg for coming uninvited. I will let La Patron know of my plans.” She nodded and strode off.

After ascertaining he was alone, Jacque entered the room set aside for Cameron. He checked the security and escape routes before placing wards on them. The last thing he wanted was Cameron or the doctor to have access to the tunnel. Jacque didn’t know what was happening with Cameron, and he empathized with Silas regarding his godson. But Jacque’s mission from the Goddess was clear.

Protect the pups and human at all costs
.

In his opinion, that meant no one would have access to the tunnels that led to the wing housing Jasmine. He suspected that’s how Silas entered her home and bed every night. Surprised and pleased with the added layer of protection Jasmine received having her sons and Silas with her at night, eased some of his anxiety.