Chapter 36
After leaving the examination room, Jackson headed upstairs to his study, intent on proving his theory about Norman being the rightful heir to the Ghost Bear Pack.
Despite Ian’s comments about it being far-fetched, it was the only explanation he could come up with since nothing else made sense.
But honestly, our Norman, the long-lost heir to the Ghost Bear Pack? Fucking fantastic if I can prove it.
Entering his study, Jackson walked over to his desk and sat down before turning on his computer.
There was a lot to be done in a very short time since the Ghost Bear Alpha would have discovered his missing prisoners by now.
And if Norman was the true Alpha, Jackson guessed the shit was about to hit the fan since the current Alpha would be desperate to get his hands on him.
Picking up his phone, he sent a text message to Dylon and Zane, asking them to see him immediately.
Next, Jackson logged onto the High Council website and searched its database for information about the Ghost Bear Alpha.
Locating a file, he opened it and began reading, looking for information about how he’d attained his position.
But other than a brief listing, there was nothing more that would help Jackson in his quest. Before he could search further, Zane skidded into his study with a grin.
“Hey there, big brother…you rang?” Zane asked, sitting down in a chair in front of Jackson’s desk.
“Yeah…” Jackson began, pausing as Dylon sauntered in.
Claiming the chair next to Zane, Dylon looked at Jackson for a moment before he said, “Isn’t it a little early for a crisis?”
Zane’s eyes widened. “What crisis? I thought the rescue went well.”
“It did,” Dylon said.
“Then why are we here?” asked Zane. “Does it have to do with Theo’s parents?”
Shaking his head, Jackson said, “I’m satisfied they had nothing to do with sending Theo to Arald’s.”
“Then who did?” asked Zane.
“Most likely the Ghost Bear Alpha.”
“No shit! Did they tell you that?” asked Dylon.
“That’s the conclusion I reached after talking to them,” Jackson said. Continuing on, he explained what he’d learned and why he believed Norman was the rightful heir to the Ghost Bear Alpha position.
“So…let me get this right,” Dylon said. “All of this…sending Theo and Norm to Arald’s, Theo’s parents kept as slaves, the arrest warrant…all because the Ghost Bear Alpha wanted to remain in power?”
“Yup,” Jackson said. “But, let me stress, it’s only a theory right now until we can prove it.
And that’s where you two come in. Zane, I need any information you can find about the death of the Alpha mate of the former Ghost Bear Alpha.
I’m looking specifically for the how and why she died and where she is buried.
Also, see if you can find any record of her giving birth to a son. ”
“Have you searched the High Council files?” asked Dylon. “Usually, it would list that information in order to prevent an imposter from claiming the position.”
“I had just started before you arrived, but all I found was a brief sentence that the Ghost Bear Pack elected the current Alpha after their previous one died.”
“Doesn’t that contradict what Wesley told you?” asked Dylon.
“It does, but I’m betting he’s telling me the truth,” Jackson said.
“At first, I agreed with Theo and Norman that they were sent to Arald’s because they were gay, but when I found out Theo is a rare white Ghost Bear Omega, something didn’t add up.
If Theo were so valuable, why would he be sent to Arald’s?
I could understand if Norman was…but both of them? Nope, that just didn’t follow.”
Dylon nodded his head in agreement. “I doubt very many people know about the first-born son of a Ghost Bear Alpha having the Power of the Alpha.”
“I believe it’s a well-guarded secret,” Jackson said.
“How do we know if Wesley is right?” Zane asked Jackson.
“If Norman heard the thoughts of Theo before claiming each other…”
Interrupting Jackson, Dylon said, “Kieran said Norman could do that while they were prisoners at Arald’s.”
“That was before they claimed each other, right?” asked Jackson.
“Yeah…they were kept in separate cells until Cody and I freed them.”
“Hey, if he can do that with Theo, won’t he be able to do it with Theo’s parents?” asked Zane. “They’re members of the Ghost Bear Pack.”
“Good point,” Jackson said. “It would be just one more piece of evidence that would support my theory.”
“What do you want me to do?” asked Dylon.
“Get a DNA sample from the current Ghost Bear Alpha,” Jackson replied.
Dylon raised an eyebrow, then laughed. “You gotta be kidding.”
“Unfortunately, no. Since he’s the brother of the former Alpha, Ian can use it to compare to Norman’s and hopefully it will show they share some DNA,” Jackson said.
“If it does, will it be enough to prove your theory?” asked Zane.
“It’s one piece of the puzzle…a major one,” Jackson said.
“But we need to fill in the blanks…like did the old Alpha’s mate actually give birth and who saw it?
What about the death of the mother…or cub?
Did it really happen? Are there any witnesses who would be willing to come forward and testify?
And then there’s Norman himself. What powers does a Ghost Bear Alpha have that others do not, and does Norm have any?
We have to find as many pieces as possible before the current Ghost Bear Alpha finds out what we’re doing.
Right now they’re safe, but if the Ghost Bear Alpha thinks his position is in danger, I wouldn’t put it past him to kidnap Theo and his parents to force Norman out of hiding…
which is what I think the bounty hunter was attempting to do when he tried to take Theo. ”
“What about Smokey?” asked Zane. “He’s not gonna just let anything happen to his mates.”
“I’m counting on that,” Jackson said. “Right now, we’re the ones who know Theo and Norm have another mate, which gives us an advantage.”
“Whatcha mean?” Zane asked.
“As the Fated Mate of Theo and Norm, he has legal rights which will be important if this matter ends up in the courts,” Jackson said.
“And then there’s Smokey’s apex predator status.
He could easily win a fight between the two of them…
that is, if the Ghost Bear Alpha is stupid enough to challenge him. ”
Dylon snorted. “After seeing what Smokey did to Josiah, I pity the Ghost Bear Alpha if he goes down that route.”
“That’s a fight I would pay to see,” Zane said, grinning. “Smokey is one badass dude.”
“I can’t disagree,” Jackson said, “but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Now, to get back to getting the DNA from the Ghost Bear Alpha.
According to Wesley, he’s a deep sleeper, so I recommend you get the sample tonight.
Sawyer can cloak you and Remy will take you, but first you need to talk to Ian and find out what kind of sample he needs. ”
“Hair, most likely,” Dylon said.
“But you have to pull it out by the roots,” Zane said.
“Why?” asked Jackson. “And how do you know that?”
“That’s where the viable DNA is…at least that’s what I’ve read,” Zane replied.
“So that means I can’t just cut a few of his strands of hair,” Dylon said.
“Ouch!” exclaimed Zane, smirking.
“Hopefully Wes is right about him,” Dylon muttered.
“Hey, maybe Remy can use magic to get a sample of his hair,” Zane said.
“Worth a shot,” Jackson said. “I’ll speak to Remy and let you know. In the meantime, maybe you can use your knowledge of the High Council to find out what other powers a Ghost Bear Alpha has.”
Nodding slowly, Dylon said, “I have a buddy at the council who might know…I’ll call him.”
“Good,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, my theory will be correct…”
“If it is, will Norm replace the current Ghost Bear Alpha?” asked Zane. “And what about Theo and Smokey…will they all leave the Blackwood Pack?”
“Maybe…but before that can happen, there has to be absolute proof Norm is the rightful heir,” Jackson replied.
Dylon thought for a moment before saying, “We might not find complete proof…meaning there will be some loopholes in the theory which can’t be filled because of a variety of reasons…like missing or non-existent records.”
“I realize that,” Jackson said. “But hopefully, there will be enough evidence to create doubt about the legal right of the current Alpha to hold that position. If that happens, it’s possible the Ghost Bear Alpha will make a deal to leave Theo and Norm alone if he can remain in power.
Though I doubt he’s smart enough to do that.
But one step at a time…first we need to gather the proof. So go see what you can find.”
Nodding, Dylon stood, then said, “One other thing…does Norm know about your theory, and if not, are you gonna tell him?”
“Not yet, but I plan on telling him soon,” Jackson said.
Nodding, Dylon said, “Good luck.”
Jackson watched Dylon and Zane leave his study before leaning back in his chair and thinking about what he had just set in motion—the unmasking of an Alpha driven by greed and power.
He knew how dangerous it was to do that after what happened when he filed his legal complaint against Josiah.
Although necessary, it had put his brothers in even more danger than before, since it disclosed their location.
But, as difficult as it was to do, it was worth it in the end because it gave all of them their lives back.
But if that would be the same for Theo and Norm, Jackson wasn’t sure.
Even if Norm was the rightful heir, the current Alpha would continue hunting both him and Theo until he got what he wanted—making sure that Theo and his cub were no longer a threat to his remaining in power.
And that was the problem in a nutshell. What if Wesley wasn’t correct about the Power of the Alpha?
What if Norman didn’t possess it? What if there was another reason the Ghost Bear Alpha sent Theo and Norm away?