Chapter 4
Slate sat across from his mother, wondering how to begin.
It had started shortly after Arald’s capture and at first he was sure it was a reaction to the drug used to render him unconscious, so he waited, thinking it would clear his system.
But whatever was causing him to feel this way hadn’t disappeared even after he shifted a few times and, in fact, for some reason, the reaction only intensified.
Finally, at a loss to explain it, Slate visited the hospital in Tajikistan where he found out what was happening to him.
Normally he would have confided in his brother, but decided he needed a higher authority to help him, hence the unexpected trip to see his mother.
Luckily he had the perfect excuse—to visit his nephew and his brother’s mate—although from Steel’s reaction, Slate was sure he wasn’t fooling anyone.
Beginning quietly at first, he told his mother what happened to him; then, becoming more agitated, told his mother the doctor’s diagnosis.
When her son finished, Oracle took his balled-up hands in hers. “Tell me, sweetie, why are you so upset about this?”
“I don’t have time for this. I still have the mess in Tajikistan to clean up that’ll take gods knows how long, not to mention the backlog of projects waiting for my attention.
Hospitals and housing need to be built all over the world, there’s a ton of grant proposals waiting to be handled and that’s not mentioning the… ”
“Sweetie, stop. I understand everything about what must be done, but nowhere in your list of items did you talk about taking time for yourself.”
“Mom, I know,” Slate sighed, “but right now getting shifters medical care and roofs over their heads is more important than me. I’m not trying to be a martyr, but how could anyone respect me, much less myself, if I chose me over shifters who have less than I do?”
Oracle looked at her son—her wild, fearless, fun-loving, trouble-making son—with pride.
Here was a man who put the less fortunate before himself.
Smiling, Oracle thanked the Fates for giving her Slate.
He was her miracle pup. She nearly died giving birth to his brother and Maximus was adamant about not having another child.
But she persisted, assuring her mate she would be fine.
It was a gamble because the Fates were silent about the matter.
In the end, everything was okay and Slate was born without any problems.
Now, her youngest and last son was ready to move on with life but was finding every excuse not to take the next step. Contemplating what she could say, Oracle almost missed Slate’s comment.
“This isn’t the only reason I came, I also wanted to see Kieran.”
Narrowing her eyes, she examined her son’s expression and his body language, trying to find the reason behind that statement.
She knew her son and the pending High Council deposition wasn’t why he wanted to see Kieran—so after seeing him squirm, she confirmed her suspicion.
“Kieran is the Fated Mate of Logan, Jackson’s twin brother. He was not meant for you.”
“Mom, I know that…now. I’m not going to interfere with Fated Mates, don’t worry.
It’s just that I thought…well never mind, it doesn’t matter now.
Look, the main reason I came to see you was if you knew of a way I could end my toirchigh early.
I just don’t have time to go looking for my Fated Mate right now and I was hoping you could help me. ”
Releasing Slate’s hands, she sat back and studied him.
The wrinkles of exhaustion around his eyes, the deep worry lines creasing his forehead and the tightness around his mouth spoke of a shifter that clearly needed something more in his life than just work.
“I will have to do some research to see if it is even possible. Maybe Mystia can help. That is all I can do right now.”
Smiling at the possibility of some relief, Slate said, “Mom, that’s great. I’ll be here for a few days. I want to hand over the grant work to Carson. I think he’s ready and it would lift a big burden off me. If he runs into any problems, he could ask Dad or Steel to help him.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I think Carson will do a very good job.”
“I’m hoping.” Then he asked quietly, “Oh, mom, will you keep this to yourself? I’m just not ready for the world to know right now.”
Oracle rose, leaned over and gave her son a gentle kiss on the forehead. “Other than your father and Mystia, both of whom will be able to help me research it, I will not say a word.”
“Thanks. I just can’t deal with my brother ragging me right now.”
“Hmmm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about all the teasing you did to him when he was in his toirchigh.”
Groaning, Slate said, “Don’t remind me. I’m surprised he didn’t beat me up. I owe him for that.”
Laughing softly, Oracle said, “Your brother loves you and only wants the best for you. You know as well as I do, if you told him, he would do everything in his power to help you find your Fated Mate.”
“Yeah, I know that, Mom. I guess that’s part of why I don’t want him to know right now. I’m still trying to get used to the idea of being mated,” Slate said, running his hands through his hair. “For some strange reason, I thought it would be years before this happens.”
“Slate, sweetie, it may indeed be years before you find your Fated Mate. Steel went through a number of toirchighs before he found Jackson.”
“Yeah. I remember but I don’t want it hanging over my head that long. The Fates want me to have Dire Wolf pups so I figure I should get on with it.”
“Slate, a Fated Mate is a gift…not something to ‘get on with’.”
“Sorry, that wasn’t what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Slate looked down at his hands. No matter how he said it, his mother wasn’t going to be happy.
He was resentful sometimes that the Fates could decide his life for him and this was one of them.
Slate knew he was going to be a terrible father—always on the go, never in any one place for very long.
Not that he minded that part—in fact he loved the travel but how would a Fated Mate like it if he was gone all the time.
From what he could see of his brother’s relationship with Jackson, once he mated, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Mom, please forget I said that. It slipped out because I’m exhausted and if you don’t mind, I would love to find my bedroom and take a nap.”
Oracle rubbed Slate’s shoulder. “Oh sweetie, it is all right. Come on, I will take you to your bedroom.”
Slate stood, weaving a bit before steadying himself. He didn’t know if it was the toirchigh or just plain exhaustion, but he felt like he could sleep for a year. Following his mother out, he prayed she’d find a way to end the turmoil his body was experiencing.
~/~/~/~/~
Putting in a call to Penn, Jackson looked down at Daniel in his lap, playing with his stuffed wolf.
He was growing so fast since his first full shift, he knew it was time to bring out the bigger sizes of clothing he bought and pass Daniel’s smaller ones on to Cody and Colton for their pups.
His brow furrowed, thinking of Colton’s concern about Ian.
He wondered if his mate should find another doctor who could stand in for Ian while he was pregnant.
Probably not a bad idea. Jackson made a mental note to himself just as Steel’s phone rang.
“Penn? I’m putting you on speaker. Jackson is with me,” said Steel
“Hi Penn. Jackson here.”
“Hi Jackson. What’s up?”
“I have the evidence you need to prove we were in Las Vegas at the time of the massacre.”
“Really? That’s great. Tell me what it is,” said Penn.
Jackson explained about the phone records and the police surveillance video showing him and his brothers in Las Vegas.
Penn listened to everything, then chuckled. “Police video? I’m not going to ask how you got that. The only thing I see as a problem is unless it has the date on it, your uncle is going to…”
“It does show the date it was taken—on the video, Penn,” Steel said quickly, cutting off the objection.
“Good. Then I think we’re set. Would you please make a copy of it and send it to me for my file?”
“Will do. Now what happens?” asked Jackson.
“Once I get the video, I can prepare a response to the complaint. After you sign it, I’ll forward it to the High Council. They’ll either dismiss it outright or give your uncle a chance to respond. Personally, I believe it will be dismissed.”
“Uh-huh. Would it hurt us if we delay responding?” asked Jackson.
Penn thought it over, then said, “No, but I thought you were eager to resolve this matter.”
“I am. But let me ask you a question. What do you think my uncle is going to do if his complaint is dismissed?” asked Jackson who handed a fussy Daniel over to Steel.
“Hmmm, I see where you are going. You think Josiah will come up with something else,” Penn said, pausing to consider that possibility. “Legally, he can file another complaint with different charges. There isn’t any rule against how many he can make. Is that what concerns you?”
“That’s one thing but there’s another worry I have.
Let’s look at the current complaint. You told me it’s defective and you recommended stretching out the time before we answer.
Take the extensions until the High Council won’t give us any more.
Then you’d file a motion to dismiss because my uncle’s complaint is not legally valid.
My uncle would refile because he would assume we have nothing to prove we were somewhere else.
Then we again take the extensions until we have to answer.
So how long do you think that will take? ”
“Offhand, I’d say about a year and a half. Why?” asked Penn.
“If my uncle thinks he has us tied up in a tight little ball, I’m betting he won’t take any other action against us. And that gives my pack some breathing room so we don’t have to look over our shoulder constantly,” explained Jackson.
Penn grinned. Jackson was a dream client. If all of his clients were like Jackson, his job would be so easy. “Knowing your uncle, I’d have to agree with your assessment.”
“It’ll also buy some time to find a witness who would be willing to testify as to what my uncle did,” Jackson added.
“That should be your prime focus since you now have the proof to negate your uncle’s complaint,” instructed Penn.
“It is. I have another matter to discuss, if you have the time,” Jackson said.
“If it won’t take more than ten minutes.”
“No problem. It has to do with the depositions the High Council wants.”
“What about them?”
“I don’t think I had a chance to tell you but Kieran has met his Fated Mate and been claimed.”
“No shit! When did this happen?”
“Just a couple of days ago,” answered Jackson.
“Wow, okay...do you mind if I place you on hold for a minute?”
“Nope. We’ll be here.” Jackson smirked at Steel. “That surprised him.”
Chuckling, Steel said, “Obviously. If I know Penn, he is furiously looking up the rules regarding Fated Mates and how it affects the High Council’s demand. I bet he will be back in five, four, three, two…”
“Hey, sorry about that. I just needed to check something. Well, Kieran having a Fated Mate changes things. I can file notice with the High Council but I will need a notarized statement from you swearing to that fact. By the way, who is it?” asked Penn.
“My twin, Logan.”
“Great. This will take the air right out of their sails because they can’t demand Kieran be deposed without Logan’s approval. But first we have to record the mating,” said Penn. “Maybe now their attorney will be more reasonable.”
“I hope so. You have no idea what Kieran and his friends went through when they were Arald’s prisoners.
Cody and Dylon are looking for a therapist to help them, and before any deposition is taken, I want to make sure they won’t have any setbacks if they have to relive their ordeal under questioning. ”
“That’s actually a good idea. Logan can make that a requirement of taking Kieran’s deposition,” said Penn.
“Right now, Penn, my brother and Kieran, and Theo and Norman are in Scotland on a two-week vacation. This can wait until they return, right?” asked Jackson.
“Sure. The mating has to be recorded first. Call me when Logan and Kieran get back and we can take it from there,” said Penn.
“Will do. Thanks, Penn, I’ll get the video out to you today,” Jackson replied. Turning to Steel, he asked, “Anything else, babe?”
“Nope, talk to you then, Penn,” Steel said. “Oops got to go, Daniel needs to be changed.”
Laughing, Penn said, “Bye, daddy, have fun.”
Giggling at the expression on his mate’s face, Jackson responded, “I’m sure he will. Bye, Penn.”
Leaning back, Jackson smiled at Steel. “Well, what do you think? Good decision to hold off on the evidence?”
“Yes. I think it’s a brilliant strategic move, especially after what happened to Colton in Mexico. It will also give Zane more time to follow the money trail regarding the payments to Pablo.”
“I agree. My uncle is hell bent on killing us off and I just wish I knew why. This latest stunt of baiting us with the possibility of taking our pups away makes me think he won’t stop until he does it.”
“Babe, I swear he will never get close to you, our son or the rest of this pack. I will kill him first.”
A shiver went through Jackson’s body as he saw the fierce predator lurking in his mate’s eyes. Beware, Uncle, you have no idea who you’re messing with! Rising and holding out his hands to take Daniel, Jackson said, “C’mon, let’s get our son changed and fed so we can eat lunch.”
Steel passed his son to Jackson, then rose and followed his mate. “Are you going to tell your brothers what Zane found?”
“I plan to but I’ll wait until everyone is back from Scotland to announce my decision. For now, I just want to put everyone’s mind at ease especially Colton’s. He is freaking out about Ian’s pregnancy.”
A deep belly laugh erupted from Steel. “Been there, done that. Now he’ll see it’s not so easy when it’s his mate who’s pregnant.”