Chapter 13

"What the fuck is pissing you off?" asked Kahn. "You and I both know it has nothing to do with my father."

Glancing over at his passenger, Heath said, "You do realize your father is backed into a corner now that he's a hunted fugitive. "

Snorting, Kahn said, "Duh…of course I do but it still doesn't answer my question."

"And you do know once Josiah is captured, you'll become the Alpha of the Silver Point Pack," Heath replied.

"That's never going to happen…but I'll bite…what does that have to do with anything?"

"What do you mean ‘it won't happen?' You're next in line."

Kahn shook his head. "I thought you were smarter than that. Okay, let me explain the facts of life to you. One: I'm gay and no matter how many times my father tried to chalk it up to being a phase I was going through, he was wrong." Holding up a second finger, he continued, "I will never take a female mate just to produce an heir. And according to my father, the pack will never accept me as their Alpha if I don't. Finally, I'm an artist and couldn't care less about leading a pack. I always hoped one of my sisters would have a child who'd become the next Alpha, but my dear father's stupidity makes that impossible because now no one will want to marry them because of the shit he pulled." Kahn paused, catching his breath, before saying, "Someone should have challenged that bastard a long time ago."

"Why didn't they?" asked Heath.

"Because everyone knew Rudy would be ordered to kill them before they ever got to the contest. That sadist could match and even beat my father when it came to cruelty. Kahn looked down at his paint splattered fingers. "That's why my mother and sisters were at my place. She found out Rudy was going to take advantage of my father's absence and force CeCe to marry him." Raising his eyes, he looked at Heath. "I was never going to allow that…never!

"Aside from my father, very few others knew what Rudy was capable of, but I did...firsthand. I saw it every time my father forced me to attend one of Rudy's ‘training' sessions, a misnomer if ever there was one. The verbal abuse…and bloody beatings Rudy meted out were just for him to get his cookies off on the cries and howls of the trainees who weren't allowed to fight back. No matter the sacrifice I'd have to make, I was prepared to make sure my sister would never have to be under that monster's thumb."

"Why didn't you go back to assume the Alpha position after you found out your father had left?" Heath asked, curious to find out more about who Kahn really was.

"Rudy would've killed me and then what good would I be to my mother and sisters?"

Opening his mouth to speak, Heath quickly closed it as Kahn's words sunk in. Until now, he thought the man was just a spoiled son of an Alpha, playing at life. And though Reeve told him Kahn was a talented artist, he'd chalked that up to Reeve bragging about his mate. But now his initial appraisal of Kahn began to change. "How do you know Rudy would kill you? Did he ever threaten you? Does your father know about this?"

Bursting into laughter, Kahn shook his head. "Rudy is still alive because my father never found out about his secret ambition to replace him."

"How do you know that? Or are you just guessing?"

"It's not a guess…and if my father ever listened or paid attention to Rudy other than using him as a tool for his nefarious purposes, he would have realized it long ago."

"Makes sense," Heath muttered to himself. Pulling into the safe house driveway, he killed the engine, before turning to Kahn. "Does your mother know Rudy wants you dead?"

Shrugging Kahn said, "Maybe…we never talk about it if that's what you're wondering."

"Shit!" Heath murmured, rubbing his hands over his face. Reeve needed to get this information pronto. If any of the pack's enforcers were in cahoots with Rudy, then it would be dangerous to release them until a full investigation into Rudy was completed. "Listen…"

"I'm sorry…" Kahn started to say, then stopped. "Go ahead…what were you going to say?"

"We didn't know about Rudy but now that we do, it's more important than ever that you do not go out alone until Reeve makes sure Rudy doesn't have allies who might be willing to kill you in order to help him."

Frowning, Kahn asked, "I thought you have him locked up?"

"We do…but I'm not worried about Rudy as much as I am about the pack's enforcers. Right now, Reeve has them confined but he plans to release them as soon as we confirm none of them knows where your father is."

"So what does that have to do with me? I'm missing something."

"Look, right now, the Council regards you as the presumed Alpha…"

"Even though my father still hasn't been caught?"

"Yes," Heath said. "Reeve is acting as the Alpha for now, but when Josiah is captured—unless there's a valid reason preventing you from assuming the role—Reeve will transfer the position to you."

"But I don't want it…doesn't my wishes count for anything?"

"They do, but that's a battle to fight in the future. That isn't the problem right now."

"Then what is? You're not making any sense at all."

"Right…okay, I'll try to explain it. If Rudy has someone kill you, he's next in line to be Alpha of the Silver Point pack, and…"

"The Council would allow that? How? According to the eyewitness, Rudy is just as guilty as my father."

"Of course the Council would never permit it…but being the presumed Alpha gives him certain legal rights in the Courts," Heath said.

"You mean he could get off?" Kahn asked.

"Maybe…who knows? But as the pack's Alpha, Rudy has certain rights he doesn't have as a pack's second."

"Holy shit! Why didn't you tell me this before?" Kahn stared at Heath, suddenly realizing the impact it could have on his mother and sisters. "Fuck! That means my Alpha father also has those rights and could escape punishment."

Sighing heavily, Heath nodded. "However, he'd have to have a damn good defense in order for him to beat the charges."

"Like blaming Rudy," Kahn mused.

"Yeah, but that's unlikely to work because an eyewitness places Josiah at the scene, giving orders. He'd have to come up with something else."

"Like someone drugged him?"

"Possible," Heath conceded. "But without proof, I don't think the Courts would buy it."

"I wouldn't put anything past my father," Kahn replied, "especially if it meant getting out of the shitstorm he's in."

"I agree, but right now, I have to call Reeve and tell him about Rudy. Believe it or not, you are in serious danger…at least until Reeve clears every enforcer."

"Yeah…well there may be others. Rudy basically ran everything because my father hated to deal with problems pack members had."

"You mean he was acting like the Alpha?"

Shrugging, Kahn said, "I guess you could say that…but it wasn't always that way. It was different when I was young. My father knew what was going on with every pack member, but once Rudy was hired, things slowly began to change with Rudy handling not only the enforcers but the day-to-day stuff too. When I questioned my father about it, he told me it gave him more time for more important things."

Heath contemplated everything he'd learned from Kahn and the only logical conclusion wasn't going to sit well with Reeve. Instead of treating Rudy as a secondary player—one who simply carried out Josiah's orders—he was, instead, a major one. And that fact shifted the focus of the entire investigation because Heath would bet his last dollar that Rudy was just as crooked as Josiah. Looking over at Kahn, he finally saw what Reeve had surmised—here was a man with honor, one who tried his damnedest to do the right thing even when his father had tried his hardest to corrupt him. Kahn was exactly what the Silver Point pack needed in a leader, but that decision would have to wait for another day. "I cannot stress enough the danger you are in, so please, let me and my men protect you and your family."

Kahn searched Heath's face. The man truly feared for Kahn's safety and he now had to admit it was justified. Knowing his death could only help Rudy escape paying the price for the crimes he'd committed, he'd now do everything possible to stop that from happening. "I will…and I promise I won't leave again…but I need you to understand, there are things I must accomplish in order to make sure my mother and sisters have a home."

"Understood. You tell me what it is and I'll figure out a way for you to do it…deal?"

Extending his hand, Kahn shook Heath's. "Deal."

~/~/~/~/~

"Are you really a bear?" Galen asked Smokey.

"Theo sez he is," Eamon replied. "Why are you askin' him?"

"I'm just checkin,'" Galen said.

"Why?" asked Eamon.

"Cuz if he is, then maybe he'll give me a ride like Carsey did on his wolf."

"I want a ride too," Eamon insisted.

Sighing, Smokey wondered how he ever got into this predicament. Oh yeah, my mates think it will do me good when our cub comes. He wasn't convinced spending the afternoon with members of the puppy pack would help him when it came to taking care of their cub, but if Theo thought so, he would try.

"Hey mister, whaz your name again?" asked Eamon.

"Smokey."

"Smokey? What kinda name is that?" asked Eamon.

"It's his name," Galen replied. "Smokey the bear…you're a bear, isn't you?"

"Aren't you," Smokey said, correcting Galen.

"Aren't you what? A bear?" asked Galen. "Theo said you waz."

"I'm a bear…a grizzly bear."

"What's a grizzy bear?" asked Eamon.

"A grizzly bear," Smokey corrected.

"That's what I said…a grizzy bear," Eamon replied.

"Is your bear white like Theo's?" asked Galen. "He makes us white bear cookies. Do you like cookies? I love ‘em."

"Me too!" exclaimed Eamon. "Can I have a cookie? I'm hungry."

Smokey was out of his depth. He never knew kids could talk so much about so little and have so many questions. They weren't even a third of the way to the meadow and he was already exhausted.

Chuckling, Norm answered for Smokey. "No cookies until we stop."

"Oh, man," Eamon said, kicking at the loose gravel on the path. "That's not fair, I need food."

"Hey," Galen said, tugging on Smokey's hand, "will you give me a ride on your bear? I rode Carsey's wolf and it was so cool."

"I rode him too," Eamon shouted, his voice echoing in the trees.

"No yelling in the woods," Norm said softly.

Twisting his head so he could see Norm behind him, Galen asked, "Why not?'

"Because you'll scare the animals," Smokey replied.

"What animals?" asked Eamon, looking around.

"All kinds…rabbits, squirrels, foxes, wolves, bears," Smokey said.

"Wolves? Like Carsey?" asked Galen, staring into the woods.

"No, just regular wolves," Smokey answered.

"Like Carsey," Eamon insisted.

Rolling his eyes, Smokey decided it was better if he changed the subject. "What are your favorite animals?"

Shaking his head, Norm muttered, "Now you've done it."

"Wolves!" exclaimed Galen.

"Na uh, that's mine," Eamon said. "You can't have mine."

"I said it first," Galen replied.

"That's not fair," Eamon cried. "You knew wolves waz mine."

Pausing, Theo turned around and, taking pity on Smokey, said, "Jake and Jessica could use a rest." Sitting down on a log, he lifted Jessica up next to him, while Jake scrambled up on his other side.

Norm stepped around Smokey and placed the picnic basket at Theo's feet. Sitting down, he said, "C'mon, Danny, I saved a place for you."

Remembering Colton's comments about Jessica's crush on Eamon, Smokey immediately lifted Galen up and placed him next to Jessica and then put Eamon next to Jake. Then he plopped down next to Norm, grateful for a breather from the endless barrage of questions his two charges had aimed at him.

Opening up the basket, Theo smiled. "Okay, who wants a cookie?"

A chorus of "Me's" echoed around Smokey and soon the only sounds were the crunch of cookies. Closing his eyes, he leaned back, inhaling deeply of the forest air. It was exactly what he needed to calm his soul. Tuning out everything except for some bird calls, he concentrated on them while continuing his deep breathing. It had been a while since he'd needed to resort to this routine, but his confidence had been greatly shaken by the two young boys. During the hike, doubts had begun to gnaw at him about his ability to be a good father to their cub. It brought back memories of his time at the Agency when Reeve Nicolet used to tear him down repeatedly.

Nudging Smokey, Norm whispered, "Don't let it get to you…you're doing fine."

Startled out of his deep thoughts, Smokey opened his eyes and stared at his mate. He'd forgotten Norm could sync into his thoughts. "Not really…I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

"Of course not, that's why Theo came up with this idea. The more time you spend with kids, the easier it becomes," Norm replied, chuckling. "Though, he kinda threw you into the deep end with Galen and Eamon. Those two are a real handful."

"No sh…I mean kidding…no kidding," Smokey muttered.

"Hey…look at you. You're already learning a new language," Norm joked.

Shaking his head, Smokey muttered, "Wait until Glenn finds out…I'll never hear the end of it."

Laughing, Norm said, "I don't think that'll happen. Alex has already decreed there will be no swearing in front of their cub."

"Glenn's okay with that?" asked Smokey, not sure whether to believe his mate or not.

"I'm not sure he likes it, but Sawyer agreed with Alex, so Glenn had no choice but to go along."

"Well, I'll be da…"

"Uh-uh!" Norm interrupted.

Sighing, Smokey asked, "Do you know how hard it's gonna be for me to stop?"

"It won't, really. My parents didn't swear and didn't allow me to…though once I joined the Blackwood Pack I started to, but I'm working on breaking the habit."

"Thank the gods," Smokey muttered. "At least I'm not alone."

Noticing that Theo was closing the basket, Norm turned to Smokey. "I didn't grow up with any brothers or sisters, so I was like you…having kids was something I never thought about, but Theo wanted them and once I figured out why, I was onboard. Luckily, Danny, Jessica and Jake were around and Theo volunteered us to babysit them as often as he could.

"You should have seen me at first…I was all thumbs and sure I'd screw up royally. But you know what? The more I was around them, the more confident I became and now I look forward to spending time with them all…even Galen and Eamon. And I'll pass on a piece of advice Ki gave me: look at the world through their eyes. It's amazing."