Chapter 20
Dylon was getting dressed when he heard the knock. That must be Dakota. Opening the door, he saw Jackson leaning against the frame.
“Oh, hi, what’s up?” he asked.
“Your parents are going to San Francisco for a few days so your mother can take a cooking course.”
“Oh cool. She always wanted to do that.”
“Well, I don’t think your father is as happy about it as she is but he’s agreed to it. He’s asked to speak to you before he leaves.”
“Oh shit.”
“You should know that this morning he used his Alpha power on me full force.”
“Fuck! What happened?”
“Let’s just say, I don’t think he will be doing that again anytime soon,” Jackson smirked.
“Good for you.”
“I don’t know why he wants to see you, but I suspect it has something to do with that.”
“Maybe. My bet would be he wants to know if I’ll return with him and work for the High Council. Before you ask, my answer is no. My mate belongs here, so that is where I will be.”
“Fine. When do you want to see him?”
Dylon glanced at his mate, then turned to Jackson, “Give me five minutes and I’ll meet him in your study if that’s okay.”
“Works for me. What about Cody?”
“I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.”
“See you then,” Jackson said, as he pushed off and walked down the hall.
Dylon shut the door and quickly walked to the bed.
Stripping off the stained sheets, he threw them in the hamper and made up the bed with fresh ones while Cody watched.
Then sitting at the foot of the bed he said, “I have to speak with my father but regardless of what he offers me, I won’t be leaving.
I’m a member of the Blackwood Pack. And will make my home here with you, my Fated Mate.
But until you are convinced of that, I know you will worry.
So, climb into bed my pet, I’m going to put the cuffs on you.
That way, you and I know you will be safe from any visions. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Cody answered as he rose and crawled on the bed until he reached his pillow.
Lying down, he held out his arms to his mate and watched as Dylon secured the handcuffs once more to his wrists.
His body relaxed as soon as he heard the clicks.
He was safe again. Feeling the soft sheets on his skin, he closed his eyes, still tired from months of little sleep.
He loved it when Dylon tucked him in and covered him with the blanket.
The warmth reminded him of lying next to his mate, and gave him a sense of security.
A soft kiss on his forehead and a whispered “I love you” sent Cody off to a visionless dreamland.
Dylon walked softly to their bedroom door, not wanting to wake Cody.
He blessed his mother for figuring out how to give his mate time to heal, without having to deal with his father.
Taking one last look at his mate, Dylon slipped out of the room quietly.
Cody would be able to sleep without fear and he could leave his mate without worrying about him disappearing.
Strolling to Jackson’s study, he wanted this meeting with his father to be brief.
Dylon wasn’t going to accept any job at the High Council.
It was a battle they’d had many times in the past and Dylon had always said he’d consider it—unwilling to leave home with hard feelings between them.
But now, well now is a whole different matter because I have a mate!
The door was open and upon entering, 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 reaction.
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’s always a faster gun.”
“I wasn’t throwing my ‘Alpha balls’ around as you so crudely 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 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 ten 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 hoping 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.
But in order for Steel to follow through on 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…a wolf shifter in Mexico…
to attack other wolves in an effort to lure 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.”