Chapter 9

After giving a cursory glance at the imposing structure looming before him, Tristan’s gaze was drawn to the man standing on the front porch. The power he exuded was overwhelming—there wasn’t any way he could avoid it. “Who’s that?” he muttered to Reeve.

“Jackson, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack…and your cousin.”

“Fucking hell,” Heath whispered. “You never told me about that.”

“About what?” asked Reeve glancing over at him.

“His freaking Alpha Power.”

“Don’t worry,” Reeve said, smirking, “he won’t use it on you. C’mon, I promise he won’t bite.”

“Not funny, boss,” Heath mumbled, taking Tristan’s hand before following Reeve.

Standing next to Jackson, Steel kept his eyes on the men walking behind Reeve. Neither appeared to be a threat, but appearances could be deceiving.

“Down, boy,” Jackson murmured, his eyes homing in on Tristan. “Let’s not scare my new relative…at least not until he meets me.”

Stopping at the base of the steps, Reeve nodded to Steel before focusing back on the man who would decide Tristan’s fate. “Alpha,” he said, tilting his head in deference.

“Reeve, good to see you again. How’s your mate?” asked Jackson .

“Happy today because he’s finally back in his studio,” Reeve answered, before stepping aside and gesturing to the men behind him. “Alpha, meet Tristan, son of Josiah, half-brother to Kahn, and the new Alpha of the Silver Point Pack.”

“And my new cousin,” Jackson said, smiling. “Welcome to the Blackwood Pack, Tristan.”

Tilting his head in acknowledgment, Tristan replied, “Thank you, Alpha.” Then, placing his hand on his mate’s back, he added, “And this is Heath, my Fated Mate.”

“Congratulations on finding him,” Jackson said. “It’s always a great day when that happens…I know it was for me when I met mine.”

“As it was for me, mo chroí,” Steel said softly. Then shifting his eyes to Tristan and Heath, he continued, “I’m Steel Valentin, Alpha Mate of the Blackwood Pack. Welcome to our home.”

Giving Steel a nod, Tristan turned his attention back to Jackson, mentally rolling his eyes because it was obvious his cousin wasn’t one who dressed to impress. Nope…he is definitely a man comfortable in his own skin. Glancing at the Alpha Mate, he noted his protective stance and the obvious love he had for Jackson. And my fucking father wanted to destroy them…fucking asshole .

Opening the front door, Jackson, said, “The only place we can talk without interruptions is my study.” He’d only taken a few steps inside when a bundle of fur leaped into his arms. Grinning at his son, he said, “I thought you were guarding Max.”

Closing the front door behind him, Tristan was impressed by his surroundings. Looking around, he couldn’t help but smile at how warm and cozy the great room was, despite its size.

“Holy crap!” Heath muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on Tristan’s hand. “I suddenly feel…”

“Reeve!” Maximus called out, walking towards the group of men. “It’s so good to see you again. Have you met my grandpup?”

A broad smile broke out on Reeve’s face at the sight of the man who’d saved him from a life of hell. “Yeah…but I don’t think I made much of an impression on him. Is Mystia with you?”

“No, she’s off somewhere,” Maximus replied, taking Reeve’s outstretched hand and pulling him into a bear hug. “You okay, son?” he whispered in Reeve’s ear.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Reeve murmured, “Better than ever, especially after claiming my Fated Mate.”

Maximus grinned as he let Reeve go. “Congratulations! Wait until I tell Mystia…you know she’ll want to meet him.”

“She might know him already, because he’s Jackson’s cousin, Kahn.”

Glancing quickly at Jackson, Maximus said, “I don’t think she’s had the pleasure, yet.”

“Then,” said Reeve, “you and Mystia must come to the opening of a one-man show a gallery is putting on for him. Wait till you see his paintings…he’s an amazing artist. ”

“We’d love to.” Hearing his grandpup growl, Maximus looked over Reeve’s shoulder and saw Jackson holding Daniel tightly. Frowning, he asked, “What’s going on?”

“Your grandpup thinks I’m a threat to his Alpha,” Reeve said, trying to keep a straight face.

Maximus’ eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Why in the world would he think that?”

“Maybe he doesn’t like my animal,” Reeve joked.

“Jackson, may I please?” Maximus held out his hands.

“I don’t think you should force it, Dad,” Steel said.

Taking Daniel from Jackson, Maximus murmured, “I don’t plan to.” Turning Daniel around in his arms until the pup was facing Reeve, Maximus bent down until his mouth was next to Daniel’s ear and began to whisper.

It was impossible for Jackson to hear what Maximus was saying, but slowly his son’s growls grew softer until they entirely ceased. Then, much to his amazement, Daniel yipped and gave a wolfy smile at Reeve.

“Dad, how did you do that?” asked Steel.

Winking at his son, Maximus set Daniel on the floor, then said, “Go guard Max, Danny.”

Jackson watched as his son scampered off, heading downstairs to find Max. “Okay, fess up…what did you say to him?”

“It’s not what I said, it’s who said it,” Maximus chuckled, glancing over at Reeve. “Send me the info about your mate’s show. I look forward to meeting him.”

“You can count on it,” Reeve murmured. “It was really good seeing you again. ”

After Maximus left, Reeve, with Tristan and Heath trailing behind him, followed Jackson through the great room and down the hall that led to the study. It was now obvious to Reeve that Jackson hadn’t told anyone that Kahn was his mate, but then, there was no reason for him to have done so. Certainly, it never would have crossed Jackson’s mind that his father-in-law had saved Reeve from perdition. No, that was a secret he kept deeply buried. He’d made enemies during his career at the High Council and wasn’t going to let them use threats against Maximus as a way to bend him to their will.

Staring at Jackson’s back, Reeve noticed the tension in his shoulders and concluded Jackson was perplexed about his prior relationship with Maximus. Too bad…it’s not your business. But Reeve knew if Jackson insisted, he’d be forced to explain their history, whether he wanted to or not because Jackson controlled Reeve’s access to Smokey. Dammit!

After they entered the Alpha’s study and were seated, Reeve shifted his gaze to Jackson, stunned to see the Alpha smiling at Tristan. What the fuck? What the hell did I miss? Jackson then began to speak.

“Reeve asked me if I objected to you replacing your father as Alpha…”

“But you’re hesitant because you know nothing about me, right?”

“Not exactly,” Jackson said. “So far, I know you’re my cousin, you’re mated and you like cowboy boots.”

Looking down at his favorite pair, Tristan chuckled. “Yeah, my mom bought them for me.”

“So not only are you sentimental, you also must love your mother very much,” Jackson said .

“I did love her,” Tristan murmured, looking down. “Cancer recently took her, but I’m pretty sure her broken heart didn’t help.”

“I’m sorry,” Jackson said, softly.

“It is what it is,” Tristan replied, raising his head and looking at his cousin. “I appreciate your sympathy, but we’re not here to talk about my mother.”

Smiling briefly, Jackson shook his head. “You’re right…”

“I know…you’re wondering if I’m at all like Josiah, my father…and along with that, you’re trying to figure out if I’m dangerous to you and your brothers.”

“Cutting to the chase,” Jackson replied. “I like that. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out. Josiah went after my family for absolutely no reason…at least I haven’t yet discovered the real one.”

“Josiah also kicked my pregnant mother out of his pack even though he swore to love and protect her forever. I came here to kill him for what he did to her, only to find out one of your pack members beat me to it. I know it won’t bring back your family, but I pray that, in some way, his death will give you some comfort, as it does for me.”

Tilting his office chair back, Jackson studied his cousin, searching and then finding that Tristan had spoken the truth. His cousin was a good person and would make a much better leader of the Silver Point Pack than Josiah ever could. The burden Jackson had carried since that fateful night in Las Vegas so many years ago had finally been lifted. Leaning forward in his chair, he said, “Tell me your thoughts about the members of your pack.”

“What would you like to know? ”

“Do you think any of them will be a danger to my pack?”

Reeve started to answer, “I have…”

But Jackson held up his hand. “I want to hear what my cousin thinks.”

“I honestly don’t know,” Tristan said. “I’m still going through the pack member’s files, and I haven’t held a pack meeting either. But I’ll promise you this…anyone who feels the need for revenge is not welcome in my pack, nor will I tolerate hatred of any kind.

“Look, I have a lot of rebuilding to do in my pack, so I don’t have time for anyone who doesn’t want to help me do it. According to Reeve, anyone involved in the massacre has been either killed or arrested so, for now, there isn’t any reason for you to worry.”

“I’m the Alpha, worry comes with the job,” Jackson replied.

“As I’m learning,” Tristan said, smiling.

“It takes a special skill set to be an Alpha,” Jackson said. “Lessons begin early in childhood and continue even as an adult. Khan and I both were subjected to those lessons, but according to Reeve, you weren’t.”

“The High Council…” Reeve began.

Holding up his hand again to stop Reeve, Jackson said, “Please, let my cousin answer.”

“You’re right. My father denied me those lessons when he kicked my mother out and refused to acknowledge my birthright,” Tristan replied. “Fortunately, my mother taught me love instead of hate, generosity instead of selfishness, respect instead of disregard for a person’s rights…lessons my father never would’ve taught me. Bu t these particular lessons are vitally important for anyone who becomes the Alpha of a pack.”

“I agree, but there is more than just that,” Jackson replied.

“But those are the most important,” Tristan insisted. “A pack is made up of members with different wants, wishes, dreams, and needs. An Alpha not only has to unite the pack, but he also has to treat each member as an individual. From what I’ve seen so far, my father didn’t do that, so I view it as a good thing my mother was my teacher and not him.

“Regarding the rest, I have a Master’s degree in business management with an emphasis on leadership, change, and social responsibility. To put it simply, I specialized in management, ethical business practices, economics, and accounting. All the skills needed to run a pack which, as you know, is very much like a small business.”

It was obvious his cousin had given a great deal of thought to their meeting and, while Jackson was impressed by Tristan, he knew there were other factors of importance to running a pack. “Then you certainly will agree capitalization plays a very important role in the success or failure of any business…but even more so with Silver Point. According to Reeve, Josiah stripped his pack of every asset, leaving the members starving and barely surviving. In addition, again, due to Josiah’s actions, your pack owes reparations to my pack which you, as Alpha, won’t be able to disburse. So not only is your pack undercapitalized, it also has a debt that exceeds the worth of its assets. In my book, no business can survive both of those situations. But Silver Point is not a business…it’s a pack. How long do you thin k your members will follow you when they can’t see a better future?”

“I can’t answer some of your questions because I don’t have all the facts. For instance, I don’t know what my pack owes you for reparations. I believe Reeve has asked you several times, but has yet to receive an answer. So your assumption that Silver Point owes a debt that exceeds its assets isn’t correct since you know neither my pack’s assets nor, it appears, the amount of debt I owe you.”

Fuck ! Reeve was finding it harder and harder not to smile. He knew Tristan had a set of balls on him when he barged into his office and challenged him, but now he realized just how big his balls were. Holding his own against Jackson was no small feat, but Tristan was doing it and in some instances, pushing back. Something he was pretty sure no one had dared to do to Jackson before today.

“ Touché …well played,” Jackson said, grinning. “So, let’s talk about reparations. First, you should know I’m not interested in bankrupting your pack, nor does my pack need money. However, that doesn’t mean I can simply ignore what Josiah did to my family. Since no amount of money will bring back my siblings, I have to find a way forward that will not only satisfy my family, but also allow your pack to recover after Josiah’s treachery. And I want you to know that I regard your pack members as victims in this mess and I will not inflict more pain on them.”

“Thank you…very much,” Tristan replied. “I’m waiting for the final tally of the value of assets Reeve has recovered. Once that’s in hand, I’ll be able to discuss reparations with you. In the meantime, I’m working on fi nding a doctor because it seems many of the pups are suffering from malnutrition.”

“I can help with that,” Jackson said. “Talk to your pack and see if they’ll agree to having my pack doctor see their pups. If they’re okay with that, I’ll put you in touch with him to arrange visits.”

“I appreciate that a lot.”

“What about your supply of food? It won’t matter what the doc does for them if the pups can’t get enough to eat,” Jackson said.

“Right now, I’m managing, thanks to the extra supplies the High Council sent,” Tristan replied. “But the future will depend on what assets Reeve can find.”

“Dire Enterprises can also help,” Steel said. “We have a grant program that can help your pack with getting necessary healthcare, food, and other necessities. I can have the director of the program contact you if you’re interested.”

“Definitely!” exclaimed Tristan. “Every little bit will help me ensure a brighter future for my pack.”

“I have one final question,” Jackson said, “Enforcers are as necessary to a pack as an Alpha. And right now, the Silver Point Pack has none and that worries me. Hiring good ones is a time-consuming and expensive job which means your pack won’t have some for a while. What are…”

“I can answer that,” Reeve replied. “My men will be staying at the Silver Point Pack until Tristan can hire replacements.”