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“Yes. Seems fitting somehow, doesn’t it?”
“So, you won’t get actual treatment. Just care from the doctors.” It was a statement, not a question, and pride filled Arthur as he looked at his handsome son.
“No, I won’t get treatment. I am dying, Jasper, and I would like to do it with dignity. Hell, I should’ve died ten times alone on the battlefield.”
“I’ve heard the stories, father, but this time it’s real, isn’t it?”
Arthur saw the pain in Jasper’s golden eyes, and he wondered, as he’d done a thousand times before, at the inherent magic inside of him, inside of all four of his sons.
Would they ever learn their truths?
Arthur sure hoped so. He hoped with everything inside of him, they would find whatever it was they needed to live their lives, and that they would be happy.
“It has been my honor and my privilege to be your father, Jasper. You and your brothers are the light of my lives. I could not possibly love you any more than I do, but I am worried about you all, my son.”
Arthur puffed out a cloud of smoke and watched it rise into the cold wintry night. Snow dotted the landscape, blanketing parts of it in virgin white. The pines stood tall and proud, wearing their coats year round, while their deciduous kin appeared dead, all naked and bare. They would bloom again. They’d have their time.
Everything did.
“Worried about us, Dad? I’m worried about you. Look, we will take time off, and we will take care of you—”
“No. I won’t hear of it. Besides, you have an assignment. Ms. Dylluan has a file for you. You need to leave tonight,” Arthur said, checking his watch. “You need to leave now, in fact.”
“No, I won’t go. I want to stay with you—”
“Do not dishonor yourself,or me, Jasper. After everything I’ve taught you, you must do your duty,” Arthur whispered, knowing full well Jasper heard him.
He knew his son would not disobey. He was a good boy. They all were. With brave hearts and bright minds. Intelligent, witty, courageous, noble, and handsome as sin.
His sons were Wyverns, the only four of their kind, and if the rumors about Shifters and fated mates were true, they would be even more powerful when they found theirs. Arthur only mourned not being around to see them once they found them.
“I want you to promise me you will do the right thing,” Arthur said, and waited for his son’s response.
“Yes, father,” Jasper replied, though the anger coming off him was tangible.
“I’ll see you when you get back, son.”
Arthur prayed silently that he would.
If you are listening, God, watch over my boys.
ChapterFour
Jasper growled deep in his chest as he packed his bag and loaded it into his SUV. He couldn’t fucking believe this. It was Christmas. His father was dying. But could he stay home and celebrate with the old codger?
Grrr.
No, of course fucking not. Jasper had an assignment. He was being sent to act as a bodyguard for some stupid socialite, or celebrity, or whatever the fuck this client was.
Artist, his brain supplied the word Jennifer had told him during theirvery briefbriefing.
Whatever.
Probably some ex-housewife who got TikTok famous for making picture frames or lawn statues out of recycled grocery bags or some shit like that. The things that passed for art these days were a fucking mystery to a guy like him.
Besides, who went to Egypt on a whim after getting divorced? Someone with too much money and time on their hands. Just the kind of person who would get into trouble and ruin other people’s plans without giving two shits.
Fuck. That wasn’t fair of him. He hadn’t even bothered looking at all the details. He sure as shit did not listen when Jennifer tried giving him the details. His handler had given up trying to get him to stand still and slapped him on the head with the dossier. She instructed him to read it, and warned him with that crisp, curt tone of hers that this one mattered.
