BirthStone Read online

  Silas stood as well. “I know you think I don’t understand what you’re going through, I do. Remember, Jasmine is still married. Her husband is below ground with his mate. Fortunately for us all, he is mated or things would be really bad. I cannot allow myself to think about it without a red mist of anger. So I do understand. It will happen. I promise you that one day you and Victoria will be mated, but she cannot think you are mentally deficient. She needs to see you as a man worthy of her love. Back up but don’t disappear. Remain busy but always be available. Be charming but not a suck-up.” He chuckled at the glare Jacques sent him. “Some of the stuff you said sounded like you were trying to get on Renee’s good side, which was unnecessary by the way. I picked up that you were her favorite as soon as she came into the room.”

  Jacques grinned. “I like her. She’s got spunk. Pity she only likes women, she’s a fine bitch.” He glanced at Silas. “Who does Jasmine prefer?”

  “Ask her.” Silas left the dining room.

  <<<<>>>>

  Jasmine couldn’t stop grinning. The christening had been perfect. The children behaved admirably, allowing Minister Jones to make a cross with his oiled finger on their forehead. David balked initially, but calmed after Silas gave him a look. They had just finished dinner and retired to the living room for the presentations of gifts. The minister was on his way back home. The twins, Rose, Cameron, and Lilly rounded out the small gathering.

  “Mark and I have checks for each of my grandbabies,” Victoria said, handing Jasmine four envelopes. “It’s the same as I did for the twins, no need in breaking tradition.”

  “Thanks, Mama,” Jasmine said, quieting David, who sat on her lap. Tyrone held Adam, while Renee and Jacques held their namesakes. She didn’t miss the quick glance her mom sent Jacques before settling back next to Mark in their seat.

  Jacques stood and handed Jacqueline to Victoria. Mark’s lips tightened but he remained quiet. “I have four deeds of land in four different countries, one for each child.” He handed Silas a brown envelope before looking at the children. “May you always own a piece of earth to call your special place. A place to reflect on the challenges of life and living. You are blessed children of a phenomenal couple who I am honored to call friends.” He bowed and then reclaimed Jacqueline, who nestled quite contently against him.

  “Wow, that was beautiful, Jacques. I hate to come behind you,” Renee said, rising. She handed little Renee to Tyrese and then picked up a box. “Okay, I have a titanium necklace containing a gratitude stone for each of you.” She placed the first one on little Renee. It was a highly polished mahogany-colored granite stone. “My hope is that each day you rise, you will find at least one thing to be grateful for.” She placed a silver stone around Jacqueline. “And as you realize how special each day is, you will speak words of gratitude aloud.” She placed a blue stone around Adam. “And as your positive words enter the atmosphere, they will attract good and positive things to you.” She placed an onyx stone around David. Instead of allowing it to rest on his chest as the others did, he held the stone and rubbed it for a moment before releasing it. “My gift to you is a stone to remind you that every day is a gift and you should always be grateful.”

  Jasmine smiled at the beautiful sentiment.

  “Thank you, Renee,” Silas spoke before Jasmine could. “Those are indeed precious gifts.”

  Renee took little Renee from Tyrese.

  “I want to hold a baby,” Victoria said, pouting. Tyrone handed her Adam.

  Jasmine took Silas' hand and squeezed. She hoped he understood what having her family here today meant to her. David stroked his stone as he looked around the room quietly. Adam played with Mark and her mom now held Jackie again.

  “Happy?”

  “Yes, thank you for not fighting me on this,” she said, pouring love down their link. “I know you have a lot going on with…work. So thanks for stopping to do this.”

  “You and my pups are my world, Jasmine. This brings me pleasure seeing them honored from the heart of those we know. It is a good tradition.”

  She hugged his compliment tight. It was rare that he saw anything good in human events, and that he liked the christening pleased her greatly.

  Chapter 20

  “I want them out of here,” Silas yelled.

  Jasmine closed her eyes as splotches of heat danced across her skin. Counting to ten, she looked at his clenched jaw and red face, and counted silently again. Her anger took on a life of its own, rising to the top like cream.

  When she could speak in a calm voice, she opened her eyes. “I am not going to accuse my mom or sister of making the kids sick. They have a fever, kids get fevers. It’s not uncommon.”

  His scowl deepened. “With the exception of David, my pups have never been sick, not one day, until your family entered my compound.” His nostrils flared as he stepped closer and leaned forward. “Tell them to leave,” he growled.

  Jasmine ground her teeth as her patience snapped. “No. I will not. Do you think Rese or Rone would allow their mates to tell me to leave their homes because their children were sick? Worse, do you think they would suspect I was the problem?” They both knew her sons would never do that.

  “No. They know better. You’re twisting this around.”

  “That’s my mama you’re accusing, damn it. I know better than to accuse her of making my children sick.” She inhaled and pointed at him. “They stay and you will not say one fucking word to them or I will leave with them. Don’t test me in this, Silas. That’s my mama, my sister. They had nothing to do with our kids having temperatures and I will not accuse them of anything.”

  “Did I say accuse them? I said tell them to leave, give them any damn reason you want, just get them the hell out of this compound and don’t you dare threaten to leave me woman, I won’t have you giving me ultimatums.”

  She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Ultimatum?” she scoffed. “That was a damned promise. I’m not your servant. I am your mate, an equal partner. You don’t get to treat me as some ignorant bitch who you give commands to…no sir. This is not going to work like that.” She tilted her chin up meeting his icy glare. “Is this my home?”

  “What?” He eyed her suspiciously.

  “Answer me. Is this my home or not?”

  “Yes, it’s your home, you know that. But our children are in danger. It’s my job to protect them.”

  “And I don’t want to protect them?” She exhaled. “Look Silas, if I thought for one moment that my family had anything to do with the kids getting sick, I’d be on their asses so fast you couldn’t blink. But I don’t. I’m asking you to trust me on this.”

  Silas met her gaze for another moment. They were getting nowhere fast. His wolf howled with the knowledge that someone had gotten to his pups beneath his nose. She had no idea what that did to him. His failure to protect his den, his pups, ate at his very essence. It tap-danced on who he was, what he did, and he was within his rights to expel everyone new to his domain.

  He could not agree to this.

  The one thing his wolf knew was that one of the five new people who'd entered his compound within the past two days was guilty of harming his pups and Jasmine was too close to sense it. Without another word he turned and left their suites, heading for his pups.

  “I’m changing your assignment,” he said to Jarcee, who stood outside their suite. His primary responsibility had been to shadow Jasmine, to keep her safe. “Follow me,” Silas said without looking back. His mind flew in a whirlwind of anger, pain, shame and embarrassment that his sanctuary had once again been violated he strode to the nursery. “Wait here,” he said as he walked inside.

  Matt and his assistants were taking blood samples and his pups were not happy at being poked with needles. “Almost done,” Matt said, returning Renee to her bed. “David’s temperature has normalized, but the other three, theirs is still high and rising. What did the doctor say?”

  Silas stroked Jacqueline’s warm cheek. It p
ained him to see her lying listless in her crib making pitiful small noises. “He’s baffled. He ran some tests, gave them something to bring the temperatures down, but nothing has worked. That was eight hours ago, which is why I wanted you to run some tests to see if there’s something more going on. Too many damn strangers around my pups,” he growled as he stroked Renee’s cheek.

  “I understand. I’ll get started on this right away.” Matt paused. “You have a beautiful litter, Sir.”

  Silas glanced up at him and nodded before turning to Adam, who whimpered while turning on his side. Silas picked him up and rubbed his back. Jasmine entered the room and checked the babies without speaking to him. He was in no mood to argue with her and moved away.

  She picked up David and kissed his cheek. Silas turned and walked a few feet away as he sent healing energy into Adam.

  Renee whimpered.

  He twisted slightly and watched as Jasmine picked up the child. She rocked her on the balls of her feet until the babe quieted a bit. Adam had fallen asleep on his shoulder and he returned his son to the crib. Next he picked up Jacqueline and sent healing energy into her body. Once she fell asleep, he laid her down. Renee still whimpered, and he touched the child’s back before lifting her.

  “I’ve got her.” Jasmine tightened her hold.

  He didn’t speak as he took his daughter, stepped aside, and sent healing energy through her body. He had done this exact thing four hours ago. It brought his pups’ temporary relief, but eventually they woke screaming with high temperatures.

  “Why was Matt in here?” Jasmine asked to his back.

  Without turning he answered. “I want him to run some tests to see if there is anything else going on.”

  “They have temperatures, could be teething or allergies, Silas. It happens with babies.”

  He glanced at her. She had been wrong with her own diagnosis. If he had listened to her then she’d probably still be lying in bed. “If that’s the case, no problem. But my wolf says you’re wrong, so I’m going to go with my gut on this one. No one is allowed in the nursery other than me, you, or the twins. Security will enforce my decree. Tell your family whatever you want, but they will not be allowed in here.”

  “Jacques too? You suspect Jacques?” she asked incredulously.

  “No. But he is one of the five new people to interact with my pups in the last two days.”

  “This is…I cannot believe you’re doing this.” She released a breath. “Okay, if this is how you want to do it, fine.”

  He nodded and left. Jarcee stood in the same position as before. Silas explained his new duties and left for his office. Dark coldness burned his gut. Somehow his enemies had crossed into his den and affected his pups. The thought slammed against his mind. For that they would pay the highest price. His wolf pressed against him, the desire to shift and destroy his enemies had never been stronger. He stopped, leaned against the wall and took in gulps of air. His wolf howled for freedom. It was all he could do not to join his beast right then. Moving toward the stairs he ran down to the basement level to the gym. Once there, he ran to the door, sending a message to security to open it before he reached it. The slight burn that flowed through his limbs as they stretched and reconfigured melted the whips of ice buffeting him. Shifting complete, he took off for the woods.

  “Sir?” Tyrese called to him but he refused to answer. His wolf had to release some energy so he could think. Over grassy mounds of dirt his beast ran. The dirt beneath the pads of his paws eased his spirit. Crisp mountain air cleansed his nostril. The warmth of the mid-day sun warmed his back and hindquarters. It came as no surprise when the twins and Cameron caught up and ran behind him. In silence, they ran until they reached the edge of the forest.

  Silas slowed and then stopped. His wolf had calmed but the underlying current of anger remained. He nosed the ground, clearing his scent as he searched the area for prey. A sound caught his attention and he took off tearing through the woods. The footfalls of his pack were behind him as he sighted the small wild boar. He scented the air for the sounder, or group of pigs, and picked up nothing. This boor had somehow become separated. Silas doubted the animal would survive alone, but he would not be the one to kill the animal. With a howl, he took off running toward the compound. There was work to be done.

  “Sir?” Tyrone said once they sat in the office after the run. “I missed one of Corrina Griggs marriages, possibly because it wasn’t recorded through proper channels.” He waved his hand dismissively. “She married Cornell Merriweather, they had two sons—”

  “Robert, who died in the cave, and Alfred, the one who has been a pain in the ass. That explains a piece of the puzzle. Since the truck was registered to one of her past names it’s safe to say she is either running the shots or is heavily vested in this scheme of a breeder world.”

  “Yes,” Tyrone said.

  “How are we coming in the search for the Merriweathers?” Silas asked, although his thoughts were on his pups. They should be resting. In a few hours he would return to the nursery to give them more relief. His stomach clenched in disgust with the knowledge that he could heal other wolves and not his own pups. The deficiency galled him.

  “The cops are searching, as well as our network. They went to ground. When they resurface, and I think they are somewhere nearby regrouping, there’s no telling what new toys they will bring to the party,” Tyrone said.

  “That’s the problem,” Cameron said. “We have no idea which group has what toys. I thought the group who sent Asia was behind the bombings, but it was Merriweather’s group, right?” He gazed at Tyrone.

  “It looks that way. Asia’s peeps deal with body modification. They used the serums to make changes and surgical reconstruction. Merriweather has found a way to insert explosives quickly. Remember Jennings had only been missing for a day. According to the lab, the triggers are imprinted in the bomb, not in or on the person.”

  “Merriweather’s group is also responsible for the serum to kill wolves. Which makes no sense considering they claim that we will all live together in harmony one day,” Tyrese said.

  “Crazy is as crazy does,” Tyrone murmured.

  Silas shook his head. “Crazy they may be, but the body count is growing and I want it stopped.”

  “Asia give us any more info to help find the labs?” Tyrese asked.

  Silas brought them current on Asia’s situation. “In the next day or so, Dr. Passen will take her through some tests to see how much of her memory is intact. Anything she tells us from this point on must be verified.”

  Cameron nodded. “She shouldn’t be under their control any longer. I hope she has coordinates. I’d love to pay that lab a visit.” He looked at Tyrese. “I saw the feed from the parking lot fight, were those amped up humans or breeds?”

  “Humans. That’s why I had to clear the grounds quickly.”

  “Mom said the babies have a cold with a temperature,” Tyrese said into the quiet.

  Silas met Tyrese’ gaze. “I don’t know what’s wrong, the doctor is looking into it.”

  “Is that why Jarcee is standing guard at the nursery?” Tyrone asked.

  “Until I know why my pups are sick for the first time, yes.”

  Cameron’s gaze swung between the twins before settling on Silas. “No way. You think someone did something to your pups?”

  Silas released a stream of air as he looked at each of them. “Yes.”

  “They’ve never been sick before, the timing is suspect,” Tyrone said slowly. “Mom’s probably freaking that you suspect one of our fam, but I see your point.”

  Tyrese nodded slowly. “It's the way I would call it.”

  “You would prevent your mother from seeing your pups?” Cameron asked the twins, his voice doubtful.

  “Hell no.” Tyrone shook his head. “Mom would never do anything to hurt me or Rese. And never our kids. I’m just saying I understand the rationale behind not wanting anyone around now who wasn’t around before the kids got
sick.”

  Tyrese shook his head. “Nope, I’d never stop mom from hanging with my kids. I can’t even imagine that.”

  “What if she wasn’t being herself? Had some challenges?” Cameron asked.

  Tyrese eyed him. “Like Nana?”

  Cameron shrugged.

  Silas waited to hear the twin’s opinion. According to Jasmine, Victoria has not been her normal self. What if his enemies had gotten to her? It was a sobering thought.

  “She’s been forgetting stuff. It’s not like her, but we don’t really have much of a guide book on breeders. This could be normal. Her body could be handling everything differently. Julie willed herself to die and walked that path. Arianna used her breeding abilities to her advantage and caused some serious damage. Breeders have powers that we know very little about. Even mom doesn’t fully understand her capabilities.” Tyrone paused. “I said all of that to say this, I don’t know if Nana could be used as a Trojan horse in this instance. It's possible.”

  “What about the necklaces? Could they be having a reaction?” Cameron asked.

  “Those were the first things I took off,” Silas said, remembering David’s outrage. His son had screamed until he'd placed the black stone back into his hand. “Still no change.”

  Cameron scooted further in his chair. “What if they were activated when the pups touched them?”

  “Or some chemical in the oil the priest used?” Tyrese added.

  “I provided the oil,” Silas said. He had refused to allow anyone put something on his pups he hadn’t checked. The minister had been surprised but went along with Jasmine’s request. “I gave it to him as he started the long prayer.”

  “Okay, so the only thing that touched the babies were the stones, damn…” Tyrese said softly.

  “Aunty is going to be hurt behind this. Let me say this for the record. Although I understand why you have the ban in place, I don’t believe my aunt or nana has anything to do with my brothers and sisters being sick. I hope it’s a cold like mom thinks but…the timing is suspect,” Tyrone said, his voice trailing off.