“Kahn refusing to be Alpha.”
Sighing, Reeve said, “Yeah, you were.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Keep it quiet for now while I try to figure it out. It would solve every problem if Jackson would take over the pack. Then Rudy wouldn’t have claim to the Alpha position because Jackson was Josiah’s nephew, and family trumps a non-family claim.”
“That’s why Rudy wanted to marry Kahn’s sister. That would’ve made him family,” Heath said.
“Don’t I know,” Reeve agreed.
“Are you sure Jackson doesn’t want the pack? I find that hard to believe cuz what Alpha doesn’t want a bigger pack? You know the saying…the bigger the pack the bigger the Alpha’s balls.”
Laughing, Reeve asked, “Where the hell do you come up with this shit?”
“You haven’t heard that before? Where the fuck have you been? Everyone knows that,” Heath retorted.
“You’re making this shit up,” Reeve replied. “And even if you’re not, I get the impression that Jackson’s balls are big enough for a pack ten times the size of his. Regardless of all your testicular bullshit, I have to find someone who’s willing to take over the pack.”
“What about one of his brothers? Besides Jackson, six others survived and they’re all related to Josiah.”
“And they’re all Alpha’s,” Reeve added. “Damn, now I know why I keep you around. That’s a fucking excellent idea.”
“You should call him today and throw out the suggestion. Who knows, maybe Jackson’s twin would like to lead his own pack, after all he can’t be too happy being down on the totem pole.”
“Logan…I forgot all about him…probably because he wasn’t around when I spoke to Jackson…only his mate, Steel, and the Vice Chair’s son, Dylon Royd.”
“Well, that says it all. Most likely, Logan would jump at the chance to get out from under Jackson.”
“Yeah…” Reeve said, more to himself than Heath. “I’ll have to get Jackson’s permission to speak with Logan, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Nope…a piece of cake.”
The more Reeve thought about Heath’s idea, the more he liked it because it ticked all the boxes: related to Josiah, approved by Jackson, acceptable to the High Council. Besides, the faster he wrapped up this job, the quicker he could tender his resignation. Then, he’d be free to begin his new life with Kahn. “I’ll callJackson when I get to the pack and see if Logan’s available to see me today.”
“Sounds good,” Heath said. “Hey, the pilot just announced we’re ready to leave. I’ll call you once these goons have been handed over.”
“Good…have a safe trip.” Reeve ended the call and then sped up, eager to get to the pack and do some research on Logan Blackwood. He’d use every scrap of information he could find to help him convince Logan to take the job of Alpha of the Silver Point Pack.
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson stood outside Cain’s cell, peering through the small window at the man the Fates had picked. Nothing about his looks would lead anyone to believe he’d committed the heinous crimes attributed to him, but looks could be deceiving as Jackson knew only too well. Shifting his gaze to Frank, he nodded and then waited for the cell door to slowly creak open. Stepping inside, he looked around and was pleased at what he saw. Even though he was in prison, Cain had kept his surroundings neat and orderly, a sure sign the man hadn’t given up on life. And he could work with that. When Cain finally looked up at him, he said, “I’m Jackson, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. Before we talk, I have a couple of questions for you. First, if you could have your choice of any job, what would it be?”
Cain sat on his bunk, staring at the man Oracle told him would decide if he had a chance at a new life. There was nothing extraordinary about him except the aura of power emanating from him. Ignoring that for the moment, Cain thought about the man’s question. What he expected was to hear a rehash of his past and how fucking lucky he was to be given a chance at a newlife. He’d already come to that conclusion, so he was surprised when the man didn’t behave the way everyone else had always done.
During the time between Oracle’s last meeting and today, he thought about what he’d be asked and had spent a lot of time figuring out how to respond, but that question never crossed his mind. No one had ever asked him whathewanted to do; instead, he was always given orders. But Jackson…yes, Jackson, that’s his name…hadn’t done that.
Cain considered possible answers but then intuitively guessed Jackson wanted him to be truthful. “I love growing things.”
“Like flowers, you mean?”
“Yes, that and vegetables.”
Nodding, Jackson asked, “What’s your sexual orientation?”
What the fuck!Cain’s instinct was to tell Jackson it wasn’t any of his freakin’ business, but then, he remembered his promise to Oracle to answer every question Jackson asked. Biting back his initial response, he answered, “Bi-sexual…is that a problem?”
Ignoring Cain’s question for the moment, Jackson asked his last question. “Do you like children?”
