“Hmm…” Jackson murmured, thinking for a moment before saying, “I agree that it’s too risky for Theo to go, but have you thought of whether he wants to see his parents again? Bringing them here without his knowledge—or agreement—could be even more stressful, resulting in a miscarriage. And if they don’t comehere, where would you take them so their Alpha couldn’t find them?”
“I-I-I don’t know,” Ollie replied hesitantly. “I guess I always thought Theo would want to see his parents. But if that’s not the case, then maybe they can come with me to Tajikistan if I go back to finish my assignment with Frontline Doctors.”
“What about Mac? Would he go too?” asked Jackson.
Before Ollie could respond, Mac spoke. “You already know the answer to that.”
Ollie turned to Mac, searched his face, and found only truth and love there. The quickness of his mate’s response resulted in a warmth that infused his body, an emotion, he realized, he’d been missing ever since his parents died. Leaning over, he kissed Mac before whispering, “Thank you.”
“Always, my love,” Mac murmured.
“Ollie,” Jackson said softly, “I have no problem with you bringing Theo's parents here…”
“They’re my family too,” Ollie murmured.
“Of course…your aunt and uncle,” Jackson replied, “and I believe it would benefit Theo to talk to them, if for no other reason than to find out why they sent him to Arald’s.”
“I want to know that, too,” Ollie said. “Believe me when I say they loved Theo, and that’s why none of this makes any sense to me. My cousin was their entire world, and I just cannot accept that they would ever want to hurt him. There has to be another explanation.”
“I hope for both of your sakes, you’re right,” Jackson said. “But I must consider that there could be other possibilities…and howthey might affect Theo. After all, three years of his life were stolen...years during which someone made every choice for him. I won’t allow that to happen to him again. Theo must be told about his parents so he can decide if he wants to see them.”
Ollie’s shoulders fell in defeat. While he understood the reasoning behind Jackson’s decision, he now realized it was his unannounced arrival that had caused the dilemma they now faced—the possible loss of his cousin’s cub. Looking at Mac in despair, he murmured, “I shouldn’t have come…I can’t do this…I can’t…I won’t hurt Theo.”
Mac grasped Ollie’s hand and squeezed it, letting him know he understood, but he wasn’t giving up just yet. Shifting his gaze to Jackson, he said quietly, “You do not have the authority to make that decision. As Theo’s doctor, his care is in my hands, and I cannot allow you to talk to my patient about his parents. The health risks are too great. And by that, I mean it could not only cause the loss of his cub but also his own life.”
Before Jackson could respond, Mac continued, “I know your focus is on Theo and how the sudden appearance of his parents might affect him, but please remember that he’s not the only one impacted here. They are Oliver’s relatives…his only relatives other than Theo…and that also makes them mine. If you choose not to help us rescue them because you disagree with my medical decision regarding Theo…that I will accept. But you should also know it will not stop us from mounting a rescue mission for his parents.”
Silence filled the room as Jackson considered Mac’s position. Then sighing, he said, “Mac…I’ll help you and Ollie, but the first thing I need is a plan and that means Dylon has to be involved. Is that okay with you?”
Mac exchanged glances with Ollie and, after seeing his nod, he said, “Yes…but what about telling Theo?”
“I’ll talk to Smokey…and Norm…first. They would know how Theo feels about his parents and whether he wants to see them again. If he wants to see them, then I’m sure you’ll agree the risk will be minimized.”
“And if he doesn’t?” asked Mac.
“Then I will still help you and Ollie, but we’ll need to find a place they can stay that will be safe from the Ghost Bear Alpha. Maybe Remy can help me with that,” Jackson said.
“Ollie? What do you think?” asked Mac.
“I’m okay with it but how long will all this take?” Ollie asked. “We’ll need almost a week to get to them and from what I saw, I’m not sure they even have that much time left.”
“If that’s the case, then Colton definitely will have to be a member of the rescue team,” Jackson said, “along with whoever else Dylon decides. And Remy can handle getting everyone there fast so that should help. And you and Ollie will have all the muscle needed if anything goes wrong and you end up fighting the Alpha and his enforcers.”
“Thank you,” Mac said. “Regarding Theo, please let me know what you find out. If Smokey and Norm are in agreement about telling him about his parents, then I’ll support it as well.”
“Good,” Jackson said before rising. “In the meantime, I’ll get Dylon on devising a rescue plan.”
“And talk to Smokey, right?” asked Ollie.
“Yeah…and Norm,” Jackson replied, heading out of the sitting room.
Mac waited until he heard Jackson leave before looking at Ollie and said, “Well, that went well, don’t you think?”
Ollie stared at his mate for a moment before shaking his head. “I’ll have to take your word for it. I’m just glad he isn’t insisting on telling Theo without first talking to his mates.”
“Yeah…Jackson’s good at finding a middle ground in situations like this. I agree with you that telling Theo has an element of risk, but I also agree with Jackson that Theo has a right to make his own decision regarding his parents.”
“Even if it would cause him to lose the cub?” asked Ollie.