Mac watched Theo and Ollie head toward a well-worn path leading into the forest. Then, turning his attention back to his phone, he said, “I’ll be right there…and see if Ian can join us.” Ending the call, he slipped his phone into his pocket before taking a last look at the spot where his mate and Theo had entered the forest. He wished he could join them, but it was probably best if Ollie kept Theo occupied. Sighing, Mac headed inside to Jackson’s study.
~/~/~/~/~
Logan had just begun to gather up his sketches for the Scottish Wolves’ new housing project when he heard the door open. Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at Brian standing in the doorway with Julius perched on his shoulder. Setting down his leather case, he turned and said, “I can’t believe how big he’s gotten.”
“Ay…guid strong blood they have,” Brian said.
“From two very strong daddies,” Kieran added, before slipping past him into the room. “I can’t wait until they shift. Won’t it be wonderful if their hair matches the color of their scales? I can just see it now…Julius with pink hair…”
“I don’t think that would be so good,” Logan replied.
Kieran’s eyes widened. “Why not? I would love pink hair!”
Chuckling, Brian said, “Ay…pink is nae so bad, but what aboot rainbow hair?”
“Or blue hair…or green hair?” Logan asked. “The only one who would fit into the human world would be Tobias with his midnight-colored hair.”
“Uh-uh,macushla,” Kieran said. “A lot of humans are dyeing their hair pink or green or even purple now, so the nessies would fit right in.”
“Who told you this?” asked Logan.
“Quin did. He wants to dye his hair but couldn’t make up his mind which color, so we looked on the internet, and you wouldn’t believe how many pictures we found of humans with so many different colors. We couldn’t decide which color would look the best on him with, you know, with his high cheekbones and delicate features, but then I had the bestest idea of all time. Do you want to know it? I’ll tell you. Q has just a ton of fabric he bought because he decided to become a fashion designer…that was my idea because he has so much talent…”
“Babe, what does this have to do with dyeing his hair?” asked Logan.
“Everything! We sorted through his pile of material and picked out ones that were close in color to the ones we saw online and then I draped the different pieces of fabric over his head and that made it so easy to see which color worked best with his skin tone, lips and eyes. After we finally agreed on a color for him, we did the same for me and Theo. I can’t wait till you see his new look!”
It took a moment for it to sink in, but when it did, Logan’s expression changed from amused to horrified. Shaking his head, he said emphatically, “You are not dyeing your hair. I love it just the way it is.”
Giggling, Kieran replied, “Don’t be silly…I didn’t say I was going to,macushla…only Quin’s gonna do it…at least for now. I don’t know about Theo but I’m pretty sure he wants to wait until after his cub is born, but he might do it for his wedding and, oh shoot, I better check with him to see if he plans to because then I’ll probably have to make some changes to their suits. I better send him a text and make sure he’s gonna wait until after the ceremony, but that reminds me to…”
“Wait a minute,” Logan interrupted Kieran. “Let me get this straight. Quin is dyeing his hair, but you and Theo aren’t…right?”
“Well…not right away, but then, Theo might have changed his mind since I left. That’s why I have to ask him, so…”
“Thank fucking gods,” Logan muttered under his breath.
“Well anyway, that’s why the nessies will blend in because so many humans now have pink or green or blue or purple or…”
“I get it,” Logan said, “but I still don’t think the nessies will have anything other than normal hair color…just like Brian or Reif do.”
“Ay,” Brian said. “Naw fancy colors.”
“Pink hair!” Julius chirped excitedly as he launched himself off Brian’s shoulder and flew around his daddy’s head.
“Ye never mind,” Brian said, shaking his finger. “Brown will be guid enough.”
Pouting, Julius opened his mouth and shot out a small flame that was followed by a puff of smoke before shouting, “Pink hair! Pink hair!”
Shaking his head in exasperation, Brian said, “Shaman, ye have to fix this. My son canna have pink hair.”
Kieran giggled, then held out his arm and called, “Juli, come to Uncle Ki!”
After several more circles around Brian’s head, Julius headed over to Kieran and landed on his arm. Then, after rubbing his snout along Kieran’s cheek, he puckered his lips and noisily kissed it.
“Aw, Juli,” Kieran murmured, gently kissing the nessie’s head. “Are you excited to see Uncle Angus tonight?”
His confusion over Kieran’s question clearly reflected on his face, Logan said, “Er…babe…I don’t think it’s wise…”