“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be,cariño,” Reeve said softly. “We have our whole lives ahead of us, so whether we claim each other today, tomorrow, or a month from now, the most important thing is for you to be certain.”
Nodding, Kahn looked down at his mate’s chest where his hands now rested, grateful for the reprieve. “It’s overwhelming…Josiah’s death…Rudy targeting me…Jackson’s revenge…my mother and sisters…I feel like I’m drowning. I won’t accept the Alpha title so I have to figure out where my mother and sisters will live. But first I have to decide what to do with my father’s remains. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t bury him…he should burn, the same as those he killed…but I know my sisters don’t feel that way.”
“So assuming cremation’s not an option, where would you bury him?” asked Reeve.
“That’s the problem. I don’t think he deserves to be buried on the pack land, but if not there, then where? Hell if I know. I have to talk to my mother and see if she has any ideas.”
“Let me know what she says,” Reeve replied. “As for your other problems, I’ve taken care of Rudy, so he’ll be too busy trying to save his own neck by the time I’m finished with my report. Jackson’s also taken care of so you can cross those worries off your list.”
Looking up at his mate, Kahn said, “Thanks…it helps to know my mother and sisters are safe.”
“You too,” growled Reeve. “Until I can sort out what to do with the Silver Point pack, I’d like it if you, your mother and sisters would stay here.”
Alarmed, Kahn asked, “What do you mean? You’re not going to disband it, are you? They don’t deserve to have their whole lives turned upside down because of what my father did.”
“No,cariño…that would be my last choice since most of them are victims of either Josiah or Rudy. From what Heath told me, I didn’t think you wanted the Alpha position, so that means I have to find someone who does.”
“What about Jackson? I know he’d be a good Alpha, even though his father always claimed he didn’t have what it took.”
“I asked Jackson yesterday since the High Council would be happy if he agreed to it, but I get the feeling he isn’t interested.”
“Where does that leave you?” asked Kahn.
“Not sure…but whoever does will have a hell of a job getting the pack back on its feet. And before the person can be appointed Alpha, they’ll need Jackson’s approval.”
“Why? I’ve never heard of that being required.”
“Well, technically it isn’t, but the High Council is eager for this to be wrapped up in a nice and tidy bow. And in order to do that, Jackson has to be satisfied there won’t be any more threats to him and his brothers from the Silver Point Pack.”
“Do you have someone in mind for Alpha?”
Shaking his head, Reeve said, “It’s not a problem I need to solve right now since I’m Acting Alpha until the job is finished.”
“What about Rudy? Can he claim it since I won’t?”
“He could if he knew you’d rejected it, but I’m keeping that under wraps for now…at least until I can figure out a solution. But enough about my problems…what else is troubling you?” Reeve asked, brushing back some hairs on his mate’s forehead. “Please, tell me.”
“Well...it’s…my mother,” Kahn said, haltingly, not sure how Reeve would feel about her.
“Go ahead,cariño…tell me.”
“Uhm…well…she can’t go back to the pack and I’m worried about her being on her own, even though my sisters would be with her, so...uhm…well, I was going to have her stay with me but that was before I knew about you.”
“I don’t see a problem,” Reeve said, smiling. “Do you have enough room at your condo or should we look for something bigger?”
Kahn’s eyes widened in surprise. Whatever he’d thought his mate would say, it certainly wasn’t that. “My sisters would have to stay with us, also.”
Chuckling, Reeve said, “I kinda figured that, although I’m not all that familiar with what teenage girls need.”
“From my experience, neither are they,” Kahn said, grinning.
“Duly noted.” Giving his mate a kiss, Reeve murmured, “Never be afraid to ask me anything or tell me I fucked up. I’ve been alone a long time so it would be a minor miracle if I didn’t screw up occasionally.”
“Like not listening to me?” Kahn asked, his eyes twinkling.
“Exactly! Thank goodness a friend told me I was acting like an asshole.” Then unable to stop himself, he outlined his mate’s fulllips with a finger, relishing their softness. “I have to go…Heath is leaving this morning to turn Rudy and his cohorts over to the High Council. I’ll feel better once they’re all locked up. Will you stay here for a couple more days until I’m sure no one else is involved?”
