Chapter 29

Reeve wasn't sure what to expect from the Alpha when questioned about Dylon, but he'd bet anything Jackson would not be forthcoming with answers. As he entered the Alpha's study, he nodded to Jackson before sitting down in the chair in front of him.

Studying him, Jackson noted the lines creasing Reeve's forehead, alerting him to the fact that their conversation wasn't going to be a pleasant one. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

Yeah…what's on my mind…just you killing my mate. While Reeve wanted to say it out loud, he knew better than to accuse Jackson without facts. "There are two things I actually needed to ask you about, starting with Kahn Silver Point."

"My cousin? What about him?" Jackson asked, puzzled.

"A complaint…well not really a complaint…but it has been suggested you and your brothers might seek to punish him for Josiah's crimes."

Jackson snorted in disgust. "If I wanted to, trust me, neither you nor the High Council could ever stop me. But to put my cousin's mind at ease, as far as I'm concerned, the matter was closed when Josiah died."

"So you have no intention to seek revenge for the death of your father and siblings?" Reeve asked, shifting uneasily in his chair at Jackson's claim that no one could prevent him from carrying out his quest for justice if he wanted to.

"That's what I said."

"Not exactly," Reeve replied, deciding to take a different approach. "Look, I know how you feel…"

"You have no idea how I feel!!" roared Jackson, pounding his desk with his fist. Then, pausing to get control of his emotions, he rose and walked over to the window. Looking out at the forest always calmed him and, hopefully, it would do so again. He hadn't meant to lose his temper but he was pissed that it looked like the only thing Kahn was concerned about was his own skin. What did I expect…condolences for my loss...yeah, right…like father, like son.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"Luck," Jackson said quietly, keeping his back to Reeve. "My brother Zane was lucky that night because he was with us in Las Vegas where we made an unplanned stop to have a night of fun. Luck…it was just luck that kept us all from being killed while it was the lack of it that killed our brothers and sisters. Ironic isn't it, that the luckiest night of our lives happened in Las Vegas…the place where everyone expects to be lucky and yet it can be so elusive…"

Jackson paused for a moment, before going on. "I didn't know it was going to be the last time we would laugh for a very long time nor did I know we'd never see our brothers and sisters again. Each of us reacted differently at what Josiah had done, but I can tell you the one thing we all had in common was guilt…guilt that we were enjoying ourselves while our brothers and sisters were dying horrible deaths…guilt because we weren't there to try to save them...and the list goes on. You know…that's the interesting thing about guilt…it never goes away. No matter how hard a person tries to forget, guilt is always lurking there, trying to find a way in…and if you don't fight to keep it out, it'll destroy you.

"I know, because it almost happened to me and my brothers. Dakota asked if we could bury them but that was impossible because Josiah made sure there wasn't anything left but ashes. Sometimes I think it was better that way because it allowed us to run without feeling guilty that we hadn't given them the respect they deserved.

"But in the end, guilt or no guilt, it didn't matter. Josiah gave us no choice because he was hunting us to finish the job he'd begun. If it weren't for a wolf shifter and a magic user giving us a safe place to hide, my brothers and I would've have been dead long ago."

Stopping to gain control of his emotions, Jackson's thoughts spiraled back into that dark time and it took him a few moments to push them back before he could continue. "That we survived was, in and of itself, a miracle, because each of us had to fight the demons that had invaded our souls when doubt was the only emotion we had. How do you go on living when you constantly question yourself if a decision you're making is the right one? That someone you love might suffer because of what you do? Josiah did that to me and my brothers. He ripped away our confidence and replaced it with uncertainty.

"It has taken me a long time to finally make peace with my decision to stop in Las Vegas that night. For years, every night, I dreaded going to sleep because of the dreams I knew would come…nightmares, actually. I can't begin to tell you how often I heard my younger siblings calling out for me as the fire crept closer…their screams of pain as the fire consumed them…it took years before the nightmares finally stopped.

"The worst part was waking up and realizing over and over again, it wasn't just a dream—it really happened. I would never take my brothers and sisters on that trip they were looking forward to…I would never see them grow up and find their mates…and never, ever would I get to hold their pups…my nieces and nephews.

"Each of my surviving brothers had their own hell to live through, and each had to find a way to make peace with it. For me, I decided to remember the happy times I had with my younger brothers and sisters. So once a year, on each of their birthdays, I put a candle in a cupcake and go out into the woods and, after lighting it, I sing Happy Birthday, and then I talk to them. I never asked my brothers what they do, but what I do know, is they all feel the loss as keenly as I do.

"It's always with you…the loss…some days are better than others, but my younger siblings are never far away. Sometimes, all it takes is the smell of a favorite food…or the sound of my son giggling…to bring them back to life in my mind. That's when it's the hardest…when the pain is the sharpest."

Turning around and crossing his arms across his chest, Jackson looked at Reeve. "I'm not telling you this because I want your pity or sympathy but to show you Josiah failed in whatever he hoped to accomplish when he killed my younger brothers and sisters. I survived…as did my brothers…and not only survived but thrived because we're happy…and can laugh once more. Josiah may have taken that away from us temporarily, but he failed if he thought he'd gotten the better of us."

Holding up his hand to stop Reeve from responding, Jackson continued, "However, my mother still has a long road to travel before she'll be truly happy again. She spent years believing all her children were dead, so it is by the grace of the gods she is with us today. Her path has been filled with obstacles…some so impenetrable, I'm amazed she could get through them. And as unbelievable as it may sound, it was a good thing that Josiah kidnapped her because it enabled her to be there to see the nemesis of her nightmares finally gone.

"According to our doctor, that single act helped my mother begin to rid herself of fears that Josiah would try to kill the rest of her children. So you see, the last thing I would ever want to do is reignite those fears by continuing the war Josiah started.

"Considering all that Josiah has put me, my mother and my brothers through, I know I'd be within my rights to claim revenge, but that would be letting my emotions decide what's good for my pack. The past is the past; let it die along with Josiah. So, to answer your question, neither I nor my pack will seek revenge against Kahn, his mother, or his sisters."

Reclaiming his chair, Jackson studied Reeve. "As for my personal feelings about my cousin, I have a great deal of sympathy for the position his father put him in. We grew up together, both first-born sons, both gay, and both with fathers who were as rotten as they come. And there was one other thing we shared…neither of us wanted to become Alphas but, in the end, Josiah was the catalyst that thrust both of us into that role. The massacre forced me to become Alpha in order to save my brothers and Josiah's death forced Kahn into a position I know he hates. Life is ironic, isn't it?"

Looking at the photo of his mate and son on his desk, Jackson smiled. It had been a long hard journey but the reward he received at the end was worth all the pain and suffering. Returning his gaze to Reeve, he asked, "Now, what was the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?"

As Reeve listened to Jackson, many thoughts tumbled through his head, but one, in particular, stood out; he knew exactly what Jackson had gone through because of his first-hand experience with guilt and doubt. The Alpha didn't know it, but they had more in common than Jackson was aware of. He knew how hard it was to overcome those emotions and, just like Jackson, he, too, had needed help. But that was neither here nor there. Jackson certainly didn't care about Reeve's past, nor did Reeve expect him to. The Alpha had plenty of his own baggage to carry without his. Reeve had gotten what he came for—his mate was safe—and he couldn't wait to assuage Kahn's worries about the matter. Still, there was Rudy and those ready to do his dirty work. "The other thing is about Josiah's second," he said, answering Jackson.

"Rudy."

"Yes…I have good reason to believe he has allies who are determined to kill Kahn so Rudy can claim the Alpha title."

Raising one eyebrow, Jackson asked, "How does that concern me? It's been years since I've seen Rudy. The last time was when my father had invited Josiah and his family over for dinner…and that was before my second year at college. And even then, we never spoke because he was there only as Josiah's bodyguard. He certainly never shared any meals with my family…ever."

"Actually, I wanted to speak with Dylon," Reeve said. "According to a file we found on Rudy's computer, Dylon Royd worked as an enforcer at the Silver Point Pack. His employment dates coincide with the time Josiah was hunting you and your brothers. Did you know that before he joined the Blackwood Pack?"

"I'm aware of that, but I don't see how he could help you," Jackson said, guardedly. "You already have Willow's statement of Rudy's involvement in the massacre."

"I do," Reeve replied nodding. Then, taking his phone out of his pocket, he swiped the screen several times before he found what he was looking for and handed it to Jackson. "We found these photos showing a badly beaten Dylon, and Rudy's notation that he was killed by another shifter. But obviously, that can't be true since he's a current member of your pack."

Jackson kept his face expressionless while he looked at the photos of Dylon. Fucking hell, I forgot how bad off he was when Jimmy brought him to us.

Reeve had to give Jackson credit for a great poker face, but he'd spent years reading people. He was positive the Alpha knew about the beating and who had done it. That left him with the question of who Jackson was protecting—Dylon, or the shifter who beat the crap out of him. "In all my years in the field, I don't think I've ever seen anyone beaten as badly as Dylon. I'm honestly surprised he survived. Did he ever mention it to you…or by chance, tell you who did it?"

"What does this have to do with Rudy's actions regarding the massacre?" Jackson asked, handing the phone back.

"Well…maybe nothing, but I wonder why Dylon never filed charges against the shifter who did this to him? Even if he wasn't in any shape to do so, his father certainly could have. And furthermore, if this happened when Dylon was a member of the Silver Point Pack, why didn't Rudy or Josiah file a complaint with the High Council. Whoever did this would be charged and probably convicted of attempted murder. After all, even if the prosecutor was dumb as mud, he could get a conviction. With just the photos and Dylon's testimony, it'd be a slam dunk."

"I'm sure Dylon had his own reason for not pursuing the matter."

"That may be, but I don't have that choice. Once there is evidence a crime has been committed, I'm duty-bound to investigate it, especially in this instance."

"Even if the victim does not want it?" asked Jackson.

"Unfortunately, yes," Reeve said. "That's why I would appreciate it if I could speak with Dylon…or if that's not possible, I can call his father instead. It's not my first choice but…"

Reeve's threat, while implied, was perfectly clear to Jackson. If he refused to produce Dylon for Reeve, then Frank would find out about the beating that almost killed his son. The fact that Dylon hadn't told his father would strain their relationship and Frank's anger would spread to Jackson. And without a doubt, a full-blowen investigation would happen and there would be no way to stop it. Reeve had neatly cornered him, leaving him no choice. "You can speak to Dylon but only in my presence."

Not ideal but Reeve would take it. "I don't have any objection to that."

~/~/~/~/~

Although he knew Reeve was waiting for him, Dylon headed to Zane's geek cave first. He needed to see the photos and the only person who could get them for him quickly without being detected was his brother-in-law. Giving a quick knock before opening the door, Dylon stuck his head in and found Zane seated at his usual place, in front of his computer screen. "Hey, did you find them?"

"Yeah, I'm just printing them now," Zane replied, turning to look at Dylon. "Holy shit! How the hell did you survive to even get here?"

Walking over, Dylon took the copies of the photos from Zane, going through them slowly, jogging his memory about the repeated beatings. Looking at them closely, he knew it would be impossible for anyone to tell that he was the victim in the pictures, but denying it would only raise Reeve's curiosity. He'd have to come up with a different strategy if there was any hope of burying the whole matter. "Thanks…you're sure no one will be able to trace you?"

"Well…" Zane grinned, "there's always that possibility…you know the old saying about a faster gun…but luckily for you, I haven't found one that can outdraw me."

"Cocky…I like that about you," Dylon said, returning the grin.

"Not cocky…just pure, fucking talent."

"True…and you're gonna need it when you do a deep dive into Reeve Nicolet for me."

"The guy from the High Council?"

"Yeah…him. According to Jackson, he's a white buffalo shifter…"

"Holy guacamole! For real? You aren't shittin' me, are you?"

Chuckling, Dylon shook his head. "For real. So get going cuz Jackson and I need it asap."

"I'll get right on it," Zane promised, turning back to his computer.

"Send me a text when you have something…I'll be with Jackson."

Leaving Zane to it, Dylon folded up the photocopies and slipped them into his pocket before heading upstairs to Jackson's study. The only reason Reeve could have for bringing up the beating was to use it to get something out of Jackson. But what that something was he'd have to figure out quickly to stop Reeve from pursuing it any further.