Chapter 23
Steel appreciated his mate’s effort to lighten the mood between them on the way home after what could have been a disaster.
But the episode had strengthened his resolve to question everything that might endanger his mate and unborn pup.
Driving up to the pack house, he felt the move to his land couldn’t happen fast enough.
He only hoped his mate thought the same.
Cody, Colton, and Carson were sitting on the porch drinking beers.
Steel got out and opened Jackson’s door for him.
“You guys here to help carry in the mountain of food we got?” Steel joked.
The brothers grinned at each other and Cody yelled back, “Nah, we thought we’d just watch you get your exercise today.
Ya know, keep you strong for the bedroom activities we hear at night. ”
Jackson’s ear tips turned pink and before Steel could reply, he said, “Don’t worry, bros, we got this covered.
I guess you need more chores to do if you have all this free time to sit around drinking beers in the middle of the afternoon.
” Jackson turned, reaching to take a bag from his mate, but before he could, the three brothers pushed them both aside, grabbing bags from the back of the Range Rover.
“You guys go in,” Cody said, “we got this.”
~/~/~/~/~
Steel and Jackson were sitting in the den, waiting for everyone to come in for the short meeting. One by one, the brothers arrived, claiming their favorite places. When they were all seated, Jackson began.
“As you know, Steel has been investigating the Silver Point Pack, trying to figure out what was so valuable about our land they felt they had to kill for it. Well, he’s found the answer.
” Jackson handed Logan copies of Slate’s email with the application which he passed out to his brothers.
Jackson waited while they read the documents. The reactions were swift in coming.
“Those sons of bitches!!!”
“Is this for real??”
“We have to kill them!!!”
“What the fuck???”
“Why???”
Jackson heard his brothers heatedly talking over and to each other.
He gave them time to vent their emotions then, holding up his hands, said, “Enough.” After they fell silent, he spoke.
“I know how you feel but we’re not going to kill them—at least not now.
We wouldn’t stand a chance against Silver Point—they’re a much larger pack.
Instead, I’ve decided on a different course of action.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be faxing a complaint to the Universal Paranormal High Council against the Silver Point Pack for the massacre of the Fox River Pack.
As soon as it’s received, our uncle will get a call from the Council informing him of the complaint.
” Jackson looked at each of his brothers before saying, “That should make him back off about hunting us, at least until this is resolved.” Pausing to see if his brothers had any questions and, when none were forthcoming, he continued.
“In addition, according Slate’s email, since he feels we’re in even more danger than before, we’ll be moving to Steel’s compound.
The house is big enough for all of us and he’s going to hire a squad of enforcers to patrol his land so no intruders can get close to any of us. ”
Cody exchanged glances with Colton and Carson then asked, “Why can’t we stay here and the enforcers patrol this land?”
Dakota broke in before Jackson could answer. “Is there a kitchen there outfitted like ours?”
Jackson answered Dakota first. “Yes, you’ll find everything you need in Steel’s kitchen.
” Then he hesitated slightly before going on, because he knew what he was about to say would affect Zane the most. “Cody, today while we were shopping, I almost ran into Khan, our cousin. And Steel tells me he and Maximus ran into him on the Fox River Pack land when they were there. While one time might be a coincidence, two times is a pattern—and one I don’t like.
Steel’s land is further north and his house is surrounded by 200,000 acres which are fenced.
That’s a safer place for us until this mess is sorted out by the High Council. ”
As Zane heard his brother talk about running into a Silver Point pack member, his body started to shiver. Logan move close to him, putting his arm around him and murmured in his ear, “Zane, calm down. Steel and his family won’t let anything happen to us.”
“I know, but this just brings back feelings I had when I found out about the massacre, even though I’ve worked hard to bury that,” whispered Zane.
Jackson looked over with a raised eyebrow at Logan.
His brother was talking softly to Zane, probably trying to reassure him that everything would be all right.
Damn his uncle! Damn him for making Zane worry about every change in his life when he should be footloose and fancy-free, having a good time.
As Logan talked to Zane, Jackson could see some of the tension leave his brother’s body; he was obviously reassured by what Logan was saying.
“When are we going to move?” asked Carson.
“Within the next few days,” said Jackson.
“Can we take our stuff with us?” asked Cody.
Mind-talking to his mate, Steel asked if he could answer this one, and after receiving approval, he answered Cody.
“Yes, you can. Pack a bag with only the items you need for a couple of days and pack the rest of your things in boxes. After all of you are at my house, I’ll have a moving company pick up your stuff. ”
“Okay, one other thing,” said Jackson. “Steel’s brother will be staying with us indefinitely at our new home in order to help with security.” He looked around and, seeing no more questions forthcoming, said, “Okay, goodnight then. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
Steel took his mate’s hand, pulling him toward him for a kiss. “Goodnight, everyone,” Steel said, ushering his mate out of the den and up to their bedroom.
~/~/~/~/~
Khan watched his father pace the room, anger radiating off him in waves. Josiah suddenly stopped in front of him. “Do you know for sure the wolf you scented was your cousin Jackson?”
“Yes, Dad, I’d know his scent anywhere. He’s with a guy I met for a date named Steel.
But I told you, I don’t know where either of them went after they left the store.
When I first met Steel in the store, I didn’t realize another wolf was there because Steel’s scent is so strong.
But after he left the store, I could pick up the faint scent of Jackson.
Both scents ended at the same spot in the parking lot,” explained Khan.
“I must find him because his brothers will be with him. At least we know he is still alive. Thanks, son, I’ll take it from here,” said the Alpha of the Silver Point Pack.
~/~/~/~/~
The complaint had been filled out by Steel and was awaiting Jackson’s signature. Reading it over several times, he hesitated signing it, because once he did, everything would change. But would it be for the better? That was the question Jackson kept asking himself.
His brothers would be endangered because the document stated they were living.
He and his unborn pup would be exposed to the evilness of his uncle, the one who ordered his death and the deaths of his brothers.
Inhaling deeply, Jackson reached for his pen.
In the end, there was no choice; he owed his brothers a chance at more than living a half-life, because when he thought about it, that wasn’t any life at all.
His mate came in just as Jackson put down the pen. “Is it ready to fax off? I want it to get there before the end of the day.”
“Yup, just signed it, so here you go,” replied Jackson, handing the sheaf of papers to Steel. “When will you hear back from the High Council that the Alpha of Silver Point has been notified?”
“Hopefully, later today if they can reach him, otherwise probably tomorrow. Do you want to start packing now? My muscles are available for you to use any way you want,” said Steel with a leer.
Jackson laughed. “Sure, let’s pack. The sooner that’s done, the sooner we can move and get settled in our new home.”
~/~/~/~/~
Josiah angrily drummed his fingers on the desk while waiting for Rudy, his second in command. A series of staccato knocks on his door had him shouting, “Come in!”
Rudy entered, walking almost casually over to his Alpha’s desk.
He didn’t have to wait long to find out why he was summoned.
“Khan got a bead on Jackson but lost him in North Ridge. He was at a supermarket with a wolf named Steel but by the time Khan figured out his cousin was with the wolf, they’d both left in a car.
I need you to find him and his brothers fast because I need the title to that land. ”
“Did Khan know in which direction they went?” asked Rudy.
“No, but they can’t be far. I want all of them dead by next week. This fuck-up has to be fixed and I’m running out of patience,” snarled Josiah.
“I need more men to search in order to meet your deadline,” said Rudy.
“Use any many as you need. Just get the job done,” barked Josiah.
~/~/~/~/~
It was moving day and Jackson was eager for everyone to get on the road.
Steel organized a caravan of all the different vehicles the Blackwood Pack owned.
Even Oracle and Maximus were enlisted to help.
Jackson looked around his bedroom, remembering how he’d felt when the pack house was finally built and they were no longer living in tents.
Yeah, that was an experience but we all came through it and my pack is stronger for it.
Picking up his suitcase, he headed downstairs only to be met by Steel who promptly took the suitcase from him.
Jackson sighed; his mate was becoming more protective each passing day.
Walking into the dining room, he was immediately assaulted by the smells of cooking bacon.
He stopped short, feeling his stomach do a quick roll and then right itself.
That was weird, thought Jackson, continuing to his chair at the head of the table.
Sitting down, he listened to his brothers’ chatter floating over the table, most of which pertained to their new home.
The only two that seemed a bit restrained were Carson and Zane but for very different reasons—Carson, because as an Alpha wolf, he was heading into a much stronger wolf’s territory, and Zane because he just didn’t like changes of any kind.
But today, at least, both of them showed some excitement for what was about to happen.
Dakota brought in the rest of the food and everybody dug in.
For the first time since he could remember, Jackson didn’t take any bacon.
In fact, every time he got a whiff of it, his stomach did the roll thing.
Desperate for some meat, he heaped his plate with sausages instead, hoping his stomach would like those better.
As a wolf, he never got sick, but something was off today.
He managed to finish his breakfast, but just barely.
He wondered if the move was causing his anxiety, and then huffed—of course it was.
His brothers were going to be out in the open for the first time since they’d gone into hiding.
Once the stores of food were packed up and put into one of the cars, Jackson and his brothers stood in the den, surveying their home.
“I’m going to miss this place,” said Cody, his brothers all murmuring in agreement.
“Well, I’m looking forward to my new kitchen,” Dakota said excitedly, “Steel told me whatever it didn’t have, I could get for it.”
“Huh, I had to make that promise if I wanted to keep enjoying your delicious meals,” joked Steel.
“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” said Jackson, moving to the front door. He felt sad his pup wouldn’t be raised in the home he and his brothers built; it was a happy place because of the love they shared between them. He locked the door, giving the key to his mate.
Each brother got into the vehicle assigned to him; Jackson’s was the one behind the truck Steel was driving.
Maximus and Oracle were driving behind Jackson.
The way his mate organized the caravan, Jackson had a Dire Wolf in front and two behind as protection.
He considered it overkill but there was no way to dissuade Steel.