Chapter 30

Jackson entered the playroom and was greeted with a smile from Carson, who then resumed watching Remy, who was across the room.

“What’s he doing?” asked Jackson, gesturing at his brother’s mate.

“He decided it was time Galen and Eamon resumed their magic lessons,” Carson replied, keeping his eyes fixed on Remy and the boys.

“What about Rune?”

“He’s too young for now, but in another couple of months Remy will start him on the basics along with Jessica.”

Chuckling, Jackson said, “I bet Cody is looking forward to that.”

“I doubt it, but Remy said it’s important she starts soon because he doesn’t want to keep her magic bound for too much longer or it could burst forth on its own and he’s not sure what would happen if it did.”

A slight shiver crept up Jackson’s spine as he remembered Cain’s fear of being turned into a frog. “Maybe she should join Galen and Eamon now.”

“Cody felt the same way after he learned about the dangers of bound magic, but Remy thought it would be okay to wait, at least until he discovers what Galen and Eamon already know, since their lessons stopped when they came to live with him.”

“Four small magic uses in a house full of shifters…what could possibly go wrong?” Jackson asked dryly, watching Galen attempt a spell .

Laughing, Carson said, “Don’t worry…they’ll be forbidden to use their powers unless they’re in class with Remy or he gives them permission to use it elsewhere.”

Suddenly, the playroom door opened with a bang, and three pups ran inside, growling and yapping as they circled Galen and Eamon. Trailing after them was Cody.

“Hunting lesson over already?” asked Carson.

“What hunting lesson?” Cody smirked.

Puzzled, Carson said, “I thought you planned to teach the pups how to hunt?”

“I did…but Danny thought it was better to chat with his prey rather than kill it,” Cody replied, barely able to hold back his laughter.

“No way!” exclaimed Carson, looking at Jackson. “You’re okay with that?”

Rolling his eyes, Jackson muttered, “Of course I’m not…but I can certainly understand my son’s reluctance to kill someone who’s begging to be spared.”

“How do you know they were begging?” asked Carson.

Chuckling, Cody asked, “Wouldn’t you be begging for mercy if a giant animal cornered you?”

“Well, yeah…but how do you know that Danny’s prey was doing that?”

“His wolf told me when Dylon brought him back,” Jackson said, sighing. “What was I supposed to say?”

“Yeah…I guess…” Carson murmured. “What are you gonna do? ”

“Fuck if I know,” Jackson said. “It would help if Maximus could find that book he read about Danny’s destiny. At least then I would know what to expect.”

“Well, so far,” Cody said, “ Danny can talk to animals, has become an uber-Alpha pup, and…and…” then looking at Carson…“Help me out here…what else? I know I’m forgetting something.”

“Danny can change his fur color to blend in with other wolves,” Carson added.

Groaning, Jackson murmured, “Don’t remind me.”

“Oh, oh, I think that’s the end of the magic lesson for today,” Carson said, pointing to Jessica’s pup tackling Eamon to the ground and licking his face.

“Oh, hell,” Cody muttered, heading over to his daughter.

“That girl has a big crush on my brother,” Remy said, joining his mate and Jackson.

“Not just a case of puppy love, I see,” Jackson said as Eamon struggled to get away.

“Nope, “ Carson replied. “Not even a little bit.”

“I don’t know about that,” Remy said, “I think Eamon secretly enjoys it.”

“Maybe…” Jackson murmured. Glancing at Remy, he said, “I gather Kieran arrived in time for the Nessies’ births.”

“He did and I got to watch. Did you know they’re able to fly right away?”

“I wonder if Alex’s will be able to do that, too, when it’s born,” Carson mused .

“Let’s hope not,” Jackson said, shifting his eyes from Danny to Remy. “I have another favor to ask.”

“Sure…what do you need?”

After explaining Tristan’s situation to Remy and Carson, Jackson said, “Is it possible for you to move that number of people in such a short a period of time?”

“I could, but I’d prefer to do it in smaller groups.”

“Any reason why?” asked Jackson.

“Easier to manage, especially if there will be several different rooms for me to put them in,” explained Remy. “I’ll need Carson’s help, and I want to visit the location of the rooms first, to make sure there aren’t any obstructions in the way.”

“No problem…Cody can watch your brothers and I’ll get somebody to help him. How soon can you go?”

“Ten...no, make that fifteen minutes.”

Nodding, Jackson said, “I’ll meet you in the great room.” Then Jackson headed back to his study to call Tristan with the good news.

~/~/~/~/~

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, Tristan pulled it out and said, “Alpha here.”

“Listen to you, big brother!” Kahn exclaimed. “All growly and sounding just like an Alpha should.”

“Oh shit!” Tristan muttered. “I forgot about the dinner with your mother.”

“Reeve told me what that scumbag Rudy did, so dinner has been postponed until you can take care of Rudy.”

“I appreciate that,” Tristan murmured while gesturing to one of his enforcers to help corral some wayward youngsters who thought it was fun to avoid capture by their parents. Then turning his attention back to his brother, he said, “Listen, I don’t mean to be rude but…”

“I get it…you have a million things to do,” Kahn replied. “So I’ll make this short…what can we do to help?”

Distracted, Tristan said, “Reeve is already…”

“I know that but I’m asking what my mother and I can do?”

Surprised, Tristan asked, “You want to help?”

“Yes, and my mother does too. Surely there’s something we can do at this end.”

Smiling, Tristan replied, “There is…can you make sure each of the meeting rooms is clear of all furniture?”

“Sure…we can pile it in the hallways for now…I’ll get Reeve’s men to help us.”

“Thanks…oh shit, I have to go but please thank your mother for me.”

“Will do.”

No sooner than Tristan hung up, his phone rang again. Answering the call, he said, “Alpha here.”

“It’s Jackson…Remy and Carson will be there in about fifteen minutes to move your members.”

“We’ll be ready,” Tristan said, scooping up another youngster making a run for it.

“Call me if there’s anything else I can do.”

“Thanks,” Tristan replied, before snagging yet another child by the back of his pants. “Oh no you don’t,” he said, handing him to his parents before turning to help his enforcers shepherd his pack members into the main building. Watching the last few enter, Tristan looked around the empty area that had been teeming with people just a few moments before. It was hard to believe how quickly the pack had responded to his instructions and he made a mental note to hire Julia’s son to help him bring the Silver Point Pack into the digital age.

“That’s all, boss, everyone’s here,” Eddie said, walking up to Tristan. “We checked every house and they’re all empty.”

“Good. I want the men to surround this building just in case Rudy shows up early.” Tristan waited until he saw his order being carried out before heading inside. It would be the first time he’d be speaking to his whole pack as their Alpha and, unfortunately, he would be delivering bad news. Not exactly what he’d hoped to do, but Rudy had taken that choice out of his hands.

Entering, Tristan nodded at Reeve before making his way to the stage located at one end of the long room. It was a welcome boost to his self-confidence as various members called out their support as he passed them. Stopping at the foot of the stage’s stairs, he glanced up, smiling at his mate waiting for him.

“C’mon, Alpha, your pack’s a-waitin’,” Heath murmured, holding out his hand.

Grasping it, Tristan bounded onto the stage and then turned to face the sea of faces staring at him. He froze for a moment when he realized they were counting on him to guide them through this latest crisis, but then he felt Heath’s hand on his back. Inhaling deeply, Tristan began speaking.

Watching the pack members’ faces as Tristan spoke, Heath saw their willingness to follow him no matter what came their way. And just like that, Heath realized Tristan, his mate, was born to be the Alpha of the Silver Point Pack. His mate had an innate quality that immediately made the pack trust him and that was something many Alphas spent their entire lives trying to achieve without success.

Glancing around, Heath felt life coming back to the pack. Men stood straighter, women’s eyes were no longer filled with fear, and pups looked eager. And even the threat of what Rudy might do wasn’t enough to wipe out the pride that members of the pack had begun to feel since Tristan became their Alpha. All in all, it was an amazing reformation to witness. Spotting a hand in the air, Heath tuned back into his mate.

“Yes…you with your hand up,” Tristan called, pointing to a man in the audience. “Sorry I don’t know your name, yet.”

“Marty, Alpha. We appreciate you making sure our mates and pups are safe,” the man began, but was interrupted by cheers and, when it was quiet again, he continued. “But for too long we…me and others…remained silent when Rudy forced us to give him our money. But after you took over, we decided never again would we stand by and not fight for what’s ours. So, me and some others won’t be going with everyone else…instead, we’ll be standing by your side and fighting along with you.”

“Thank you, Marty,” Tristan replied. “Will you give the Alpha Mate the names of the others who will be staying to fight?” After Marty nodded, he turned to Heath and murmured, “Once a member gives you his name, check it off on the list I gave you.”

“What if it isn’t on the list? ”

“Enter the name below so I can check out who they are.”

“Right.” Jumping off the stage, Heath made his way through the crowd to Marty. Holding out his hand, he said, “Nice to meet you Marty…I’m Heath…the Alpha Mate.”

Grasping Heath’s hand, Marty shook it. “You, too.”

“Why doesn’t everyone who’ll be staying follow me over to the corner of the room…that way it will be easier for us to hear each other.”

“Alpha Mate?” called Eddie.

Turning, Heath found the enforcer heading his way followed by two men. Pausing, his eyes slid past Eddie, recognizing one of Jackson’s brothers. He’d seen him the day Tristan met with Jackson but couldn’t recall his name.

Stopping in front of Heath, Eddie said, “These two appeared suddenly in front of me outside and insisted they were here to help Tristan.”

Stepping forward, Carson held out his hand, “Nice to see you again Heath. I’m not sure you met my mate, Remy, the other day.”

“No, I don’t believe I did,” Heath replied, shaking Carson’s hand. “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’ve forgotten your name.”

“I’m Jackson’s brother, Carson…and also Tristan’s cousin. We’re here to evacuate everyone.”

“We aren’t leaving,” growled Marty.

Seeing the confusion on Carson’s face, Heath explained, “Some of the men have decided to stay and fight alongside their Alpha. As for the others, Tristan is handling that.” Then pointing to his mate on the stage, he added, “He’s over there.”

Nodding, Carson grasped Remy’s hand, and led his mate through the throngs of shifters milling around, breathing a sigh of relief after reaching Tristan. “Hey Cousin, reporting for duty. This is Remy, Ruler of the Mystic Kingdom, Great Warlock, and Keeper of All Magic, and, most important, my mate.”

Tristan’s eyes widened slightly before he quickly bowed his head. “Your Highness…”

“Please…call me Remy.”

“Right…I appreciate you coming so quickly. What do you need from me?”

“I first want to see where I’m supposed to relocate your pack members. Jackson mentioned it’s in San Francisco,” Remy said.

“It is…there are a number of meeting rooms for our use. My brother has already cleared them out so they’re basically empty,” Tristan replied.

“Good…what’s the address?” asked Remy.

Scribbling it down on a notepad, Tristan tore it off and handed it to Remy.

Glancing down it the address, Remy murmured, “I’ll be right back.”

Before Tristan could utter a word, Remy and Carson had disappeared. “Holy fuck!” he muttered to himself. “Jackson could have at least told me who the hell he was sending…Ruler of the Mystic Realm…fucking unbelievable.”

Within a second, or at least that was how it always seemed to Carson whenever Remy translocated them, he found himself staring at a ghost from his past. “Oh hell,” he whispered to himself.

Kahn froze when his cousin materialized in front of him and no matter how hard he tried, he could not contain his fear.

After hearing his mate curse, it took Remy only a moment to realize who Tristan’s brother was—the son of the man who’d tried to kill Carson and his brothers. Stepping in front of his mate, he said, “I’m Remy…can you show me the rooms reserved for the members of the Silver Point Pack?”

There was no way Carson was going to let Remy go off alone with his cousin, so he moved to his mate’s side, explaining, “This is my cousin…Kahn.”

Hearing Carson say his name resurrected many memories of pleasant times Kahn had spent with his cousins during his childhood. Ones he’d locked away when his father accused his cousins of killing everyone in the Fox River Pack. But then the truth came out. His father had lied to Kahn to make sure he’d hate his cousins and never want to seek them out again. Now, though, it seemed the Fates were encouraging him to reclaim what had been stolen from him, and Kahn wasn’t about to hesitate. “Carson…I need you to know my father did not tell me what he was planning. If he had, I would’ve warned Aunt Hope and Jackson.”

Kahn was telling him the truth. Carson could smell it and see it clearly on his cousin’s face. And just like that, the animosity he’d harbored through the years fell away. After the massacre, his anger reached the boiling point, nearly consuming him. And though the passage of time had reduced it to a simmer, it had never cooled, not even when Smokey killed Josiah. Now, with the knowledge Kahn was not involved, he knew the threat to his brothers and the rest of the Blackwood Pack had truly been buried with Josiah. Nothing could bring back his younger siblings, but he had made peace with that and now it was time to make peace with his cousin.