by Mary Rundle
The door was open when he arrived. Walking in, Dylon saw his father staring out the window. “You wanted to talk to me?” he asked, as his father turned around.
“Yes. Have a seat,” Frank said.
Dylon sat and waited.
“Congratulations on your mating, son. Your mother and I are very happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“We were very surprised when you told us you found Cody. Happy but surprised.”
“Dad, enough with the small talk. What do you want?”
“I have a job offer for you and…”
“I’m not interested.”
“Well you might be in this one. I spoke with Alpha Silver Point and told him you hadn’t been in contact with me because you’d found your Fated Mate. Then Josiah asked me to pass along a message—well more of an offer. He is offering you the job of head enforcer at Silver Point Pack.”
Dylon was dumbfounded but masked his confusion on his face. What fucking game are they playing? Rudy orders me beaten nearly to death and now I’m offered a job like that? Wait until I tell Jackson. “That’s quite an offer, however, you already know there’s bad blood between the Blackwood Pack and Silver Point Pack. I don’t know why you’re even telling me about it. So, fess up, Dad, what game are you playing with me?”
Frank smiled to himself. His son was sharp and had a mind like a steel trap. That was exactly the reason he’d always pushed Dylon to join the High Council. “How’s Cody? Jackson said he wasn’t feeling well.”
Dylon growled. “Okay have it your way. No, I’m not interested in the job at Silver Point and I’m not interested in working for the High Council. My mate belongs here and so do I. Now, if you will excuse me, tell Mom I hope she has a great time and I will see her when she gets back.” Standing, he then added, “And I don’t know why you pulled that stunt at dinner the other night, but if you ever disrespect my Alpha again like that, I won’t wait for him to act. I’ll throw you out myself. This is my home now and I expect you to respect it as you would for any other wolf.”
“Dylon, wait. I’m sorry. Look, I’m worried about your safety in the Blackwood Pack. Yes, you’re right. I know about the complaint Jackson filed against Silver Point. I tried to talk to Jackson about it, but he refused. Why is that do you suppose? Here’s a golden opportunity for him to have the ear of a council member and yet he wouldn’t discuss it.”
“Did you ask him why?”
“Of course, I did. He fobbed off some excuse about me having a conflict of interest.”
“You don’t think you have one?”
“No, I’m Vice Chair of the High Council. It’s my job. Jackson’s complaint will come before me and I have the right to talk to the parties involved.”
“Well, I don’t know about that but I’m very safe here…and happy.”
“What do you know about Jackson? He hasn’t had a lot of experience as an Alpha. How can you be sure of anything?”
“Is that what’s bothering you? He bested you without lifting a finger?”
“How do you know about that?”
“Jackson told me. Frankly, I find it funny as hell. I’ve seen you throw your Alpha balls around and everyone cowers. But you know what they say? Be careful because there is always a faster gun.”
“I wasn’t throwing my ‘Alpha balls’ around as you so eloquently put it. I do it to find out how an Alpha reacts—especially when a complaint has been filed. You know that.”
“What did you learn about Jackson?”
“His responses are measured. He only does what is necessary to protect his pack.”
“And?”
“I believe he is telling the truth about the massacre. But that is only my opinion. If push comes to shove, the High Council will require Jackson to produce an eyewitness.” Frank’s eyes bored into his son’s. “When you worked for the Silver Point pack, did you hear any talk about what happened?”
“No, all I knew was what I was told. Jackson and his brothers killed Josiah’s brother and the rest of the family which is why a kill-on-sight order had been issued. It was ultimately rescinded, and all the enforcers had to sign an acknowledgement and acceptance of it which is why you have a copy of mine in your file.”
“Right. I’m going to review the file while I’m cooling my heels in San Francisco. This whole affair doesn’t pass the smell test. If Jackson’s complaint is accurate, then I don’t think Josiah will give up his quest to kill this pack as everyone believes. And if I’m correct, your mate and his brothers are still in danger—and it now includes you. It won’t take long for Josiah to figure out which pack your Fated Mate came from.”
“I can take care of myself and my mate, Dad.”
“Yes, I know. But your mate will fight with his brothers and that will involve you, so understand that.”
“I know. Listen, you better get going. I’m sure Mom is ready and waiting for you at the front door.”
Frank chuckled. “You’re probably right,” he said as he reached for Dylon and gave him a hug. “Be safe.” Picking up his briefcase, he left the room with a wave to his son.
Dylon sat, deep in thought about what his father didn’t say, wondering why he hadn’t brought up the recording of him that had nearly gotten him killed.
“Any problems I should know about?” asked Jackson as he walked in holding Daniel.
“No. Not yet, anyway. He wanted to pass on a job offer from the Silver Point Alpha.”
Sitting at his desk, Jackson cuddled his son. “Really? And what was the that?”
“Josiah offered me the head enforcer position.”
“Why?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. If I know my father, he didn’t disclose which pack I mated into. It’s another trick he uses when he’s investigating complaints.”
“Is that what he is doing with ours?”
“I believe so—or at least he’s paying attention to it right now. So back to the issue of the job offer—Bruno is the head enforcer and I wonder if he knows about the offer to me? I can’t see how he would agree to it so I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know. I’m positive Josiah told Rudy, his second, but I would bet Rudy never told Bruno.”
“Who ordered you beaten?”
“I’m not sure. Rudy’s idea or under Josiah’s orders? Hmmm, I’m going with Rudy’s idea. During the entire time I was there, I never saw or met Josiah. Rudy ruled the enforcers with an iron hand. One of the enforcers who was close to me let me know how sorry he was about having to hit me.”
“But not enough to stand up to Rudy, eh?”
“No, definitely not.”
“What did your father say about the offer?”
“Nothing specific. However, I think he finds it strange. He cautioned me about my safety as well as my mate’s now that I’m a member of this pack.”
“Let’s go back to the beatings. If Rudy did this on his own, then I assume my uncle doesn’t know. What do you suppose would happen if you agreed to take the job?”
“Other than a very short lifespan? I don’t know. I’m sure my father said I was well, and mated. It would have shocked Rudy because as far as he knew, I was as good as dead when I was dumped,” Dylon said, before pausing, then added, “If I were Rudy, I would want to make sure the son of the Vice Chair of the High Council I had beaten up, was dead and buried. You know the adage, ‘dead men—or in this case—shifters, tell no tales’.”
“You mean Rudy might have sent some men to retrieve your body and bury it?”
“Yes. I’d take that bet.”
Jackson shifted Daniel to free a hand. Picking up his phone, he dialed someone who could help. “Hi Jimmy, how’s it going?”
“Fine. Are you taking good care of my grandson?”
Chuckling, Jackson said, “You don’t have to worry about him with six uncles doting on him.”
“As soon as Mystia gets back, we’ll be over to see him. But that ain’t why you called.”
“Yeah, listen,
can you go have a look at the place you found Dylon? And let me know if you see or smell anything out of the ordinary?”
“Sure, gimme 10 minutes. It’s not far from here.”
“Thanks. Oh, and Jimmy? Be very careful.”
“Will do. Bye.”
“Is that the guy who found me?”
“Jimmy, yeah. He’s going to check it out. What did your father say about the video?”
“Nothing. My guess is he doesn’t know about it.”
“How come?”
“Because it wasn’t part of your complaint. Who sent it in?”
“Steel’s brother, Slate, COO of Dire Enterprises.”
“Did you report to the High Council what happened to Colton in Mexico?”
“No, not yet. We are conducting a further investigation into it in hopes we can show my uncle has broken a law.”
“You don’t have to do that. Silver Point Pack is already under the High Council warning while the complaint is pending,” Dylon said.
“I know that. However, Colton suffered no harm. Do you know what a ‘Dire Warning’ is?”
“Nope, what is it?”
“Josiah applied to Dire Enterprises for a grant to fund gold mining operations he wants to do on Fox River Pack land that now belongs to me as the eldest son. When Slate, Steel’s brother received the tape of you confirming the kill order, he called Josiah and asked for proof that he had properly served the seven of us with notice of the kill order as required by the High Council law. When he admitted it hadn’t been done, Slate told him he would have to rescind the kill order and have all Silver Point enforcers acknowledge they knew about the cancelling of the kill order otherwise Dire Enterprises would not move forward on Silver Point’s grant proposal.”
“I signed that.”
“Right, and so did all the other enforcers. Once Slate had the signed documents, our lawyer filed them with the High Council in support of our complaint. And Slate issued a ‘Dire Warning’.”
“Which is?”
“If Dire Enterprises found that Josiah or any of his pack broke one of the High Council’s laws, a challenge—a fight to the death— by a Dire Wolf would be issued for the leadership of the pack. In order for Steel to issue it, he must have proof Josiah and/or his pack broke a law. That’s what we’re working on about what happened to Colton. We think Josiah hired Pablo—the wolf shifter in Mexico—to attack other wolves in an effort to get Colton down there. But we have no proof—yet.”
“That explains why my father hasn’t seen the recording. It would have ended up in a different division. All he would have is a copy of the document I signed stating I knew the kill order was rescinded, which is suspicious in and of itself. I’m sure it’s part of the reason my father believes your complaint is valid.”
“That’s good to hear. But my uncle is a crafty old bastard. If there’s an eye of a needle to slip through he’ll use it.”
“Is that why you wouldn’t talk to my father about the complaint?”
“Yes, the mere fact you are mated to Cody gives my uncle the justification to cry prejudice and ask for the complaint to be dismissed.”
“Good point.”
Chapter 21
Hearing his phone ring, Jackson picked it up and said, “Hi Jimmy. Did you find anything?”
“Yup. A number of paw prints belonging to the Silver Point Pack.”
“How many?”
“Hard to be exact but probably a half dozen at least.”
“Thanks. Please let Mystia know. In the meantime, I’ll send a couple of enforcers to stay with you.”
“That’s not necessary. Mystia has a spell on this place. Don’t worry. You just take care of my grandson.”
“I will. And please be careful. My uncle is ruthless.”
“Don’t worry. Give Daniel a kiss from me. Bye.”
“Consider it done. Bye.” Jackson ended the call. “Jimmy said there were at least a half dozen Silver Point wolves snooping around where they dumped you.”
“How does he know they were from Silver Point?”
“He knows their scent. So that lends support to the theory my uncle doesn’t know about your beating. We can talk later, I have to go and feed Daniel.”
“And I must get back to Cody. Just so you know, by the time my father gets back here, I expect he’ll have a copy of the recording.”
“Let me think how I want to handle that. On another matter, how is Cody doing?”
“I think a little bit better. He fought to come back to me when we were in your office. That’s a good sign. With my parents gone, I don’t have to interrupt his training to spend time with them. He needs to heal enough so he can bite me. Once that happens, the bonding will be complete, and he’ll be permanently connected to me.”
Just then, Daniel let out a howl, showing his displeasure. “Okay, baby boy, let’s go,” Jackson said, kissing his son’s head. “I want to talk more about this bonding and connection, but it’ll have to be later,” Jackson said as he got up with Daniel and headed out the door. Before he left the room, he turned to Dylon. “I’m going to take you up on your offer to contact your friends to see if they’ve heard anything. That’s a good idea you had.”
Following Jackson out, Dylon was eager to get back to Cody. The two meetings with his father and then with Jackson took longer than he expected, and he hoped his mate hadn’t awoken. Keeping Cody secure and free from any worry would go a long way in speeding up the healing process. As he approached their bedroom, he met Dakota wheeling his cart with their rather late lunch. “That smells great. Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate your extra work. Hopefully, soon Cody will be ready to eat with the rest of the pack.”
“No problem. It seems I got an extra helper these days.”
“Oh, my mother? I thought she went to San Francisco with my father.”
“She did. I meant Zane. It’s his punishment. Jackson asked me to collect your laundry. It was Cody’s chore but, as I understand it, Carson will be doing it for a while; however, he’s been forbidden to go near your room.”
Dylon opened the bedroom door for Dakota who wheeled the food cart into the adjoining sitting room. As he walked over to the hamper, he saw his mate look at him. “Did you just wake up, my pet?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, I’ll be there in a minute.” Dylon grabbed the laundry bag and set it down near the bedroom door. Joining Dakota, he was surprised to see the table set with a tablecloth, napkins and a bouquet made up of fresh, forest flowers. “This is amazing. Thank you, I know Cody will love it.”
“Ask my brother about seeing his visions when he is in his wolf form,” Dakota whispered, so faintly that if Dylon weren’t standing next to him, he never would’ve heard it. After handing the laundry bag to Dakota as he left the room, Dylon shut the bedroom door and hurried over to Cody to unlock the handcuffs. Scooping his mate into his arms, he carried Cody to the sitting room and placed him in a chair at the table.
“We are going to spend the rest of the afternoon talking about everything and anything. No subject is off limits. I’m sure you want to know more about me as I do about you. Rules are suspended. And I want you to eat everything I place on your dish. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. I’m very hungry.”
“So am I, but I don’t think we will be able to eat all this food. What was Dakota thinking?”
“He believes good food will help no matter what the problem is.”
“Huh. Do you think he’s right?”
“I guess. But he knows more about ‘why’ than I do.” Looking at his plate piled with food, Cody had serious doubts about being able to eat it all, but he dug in, intent on pleasing his mate. They ate in silence but Cody didn’t mind. It was nice not to have all the ceaseless chatter that usually accompanied his brothers’ presence. When he heard his mate’s fork rattle, signaling Dylon had finished, he ate the last two forkfuls on his plate. Then, he picked up his mug of coffee, and sat back, stuffed and
relaxed as he sipped the hot liquid.
Pleased that his mate had followed his orders, Dylon looked at their life thread and knew it was time to ask Cody about what Dakota had whispered to him. “Pet, I was wondering how your wolf reacts when you think about the visions you’ve already seen—you know the ones that cause you pain.”
“My wolf doesn’t see them—I don’t know why but it’s like he blocks them.”
“If I understand you correctly, when you have shifted, then you don’t see visions or feel the pain of these who are in it. Correct?”
“Yes. As I said, I don’t know why but he protects me.”
“Got it. Let’s move to the couch. I have lots of questions about your brothers. I’m an only child but I always wanted siblings,” Dylon said, chuckling as he took his mate’s hand and pulled Cody up into his arms.
Kissing Cody’s pouty lips, Dylon walked them backwards over to the couch where he sat down with his mate. Tucking Cody into his side, he said, “You go first. What do you want to know about me?”
“So you’re an only child.
“Yup, there were complications with my birth and my mother couldn’t have any more pups. There were times in my childhood I thought about how it would feel to have a sibling,” Dylon said, shrugging his shoulders, “but it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Were you ever sad about it?”
“No, not really. I mean I had nothing to compare it to so how could I be sad about something I didn’t know anything about.”
“Did you always want to be an enforcer?”
“Always, much to my father’s dismay. He had hopes I would join him in politics but that wasn’t for me. Being a politician means too many compromises to be made about what’s right and what’s necessary. Don’t get me wrong—I know how hard it is on my father when he’s forced into a decision that’s not 100% right. I understand the reasons for it—I just don’t want to be bound by those rules.”