“Yeah…to put it bluntly, I want to know where the buck stops. Who has the final word on telling your men what to do,” Jackson asked. “You can see how confusing it could become when their loyalty is to you, but the High Council is signing their paychecks. Now, here comes a newbie Alpha that hasn’t even learned how to use his Alpha Power, and you want me to believe that your men will follow and obey him…why? Because you ordered them to?”
Tristan sat quietly, listening to Jackson once again question his ability to lead a pack. It was beginning to piss him off, but he had a feeling it was exactly what Jackson hoped to do. Refusing to play that game, he flooded the room with his Alpha Power, making all of them tilt their heads in submission, except Jackson, who sat there, smirking. “The buck stops with me,” Tristan said, quietly. “When the High Council offered me the loan of Reeve’s men, I accepted, with one condition—each had to swear their loyalty to me until I released them from my employment.”
“And have they done so?” asked Jackson.
“Yes.”
“You should also know Reeve will be staying on indefinitely as my advisor,” Tristan said. “I asked for and also received his oath of loyalty to me.”
Nodding briefly, Jackson turned his attention to Reeve. “I haven’t ever heard of the High Council doing this before…what’s their reason behind this act of generosity?”
“Strictly political,” Reeve replied. “They want this mess to disappear with as little fanfare as possible. They fully expected you to take over Silver Point Pack and when you didn’t, it was a shock to them. Then they figured Kahn would do it, but when he also turned down the position, the High Council went into full panic mode until Tristan agreed to be Alpha, effectively putting an end to any claim Rudy might have made. While that problem was solved, a new one arose…mainly Tristan’s lack of experience.”
“That’s the only reason for their magnanimity?” asked Jackson.
“Not exactly…to truly make this problem go away, Silver Point Pack must be stable and, as you pointed out, it’s far from that right now,” Reeve replied.
“So you’re saying the High Council doesn’t have faith in my cousin,” Jackson growled.
“No…I’m not saying that at all. You are a known quantity. If anyone has doubts about you, all they have to do is look at your track record. Tristan doesn’t have that so the High Council wants to make sure he knows he has their full support in rebuilding the Silver Point Pack. That’s why they’ve decided to do whatever is needed to achieve that goal. As my boss explained…the High Council believes it is the cheapest and most efficient way to handle the problem and show themselves in a good light.”
Snorting, Steel muttered sarcastically, “How fucking altruistic.”
Jackson grinned. “Politics is all about managing the message.”
“Then you get it,” Reeve said.
“I do and that’s why my approval of Tristan as Alpha comes with conditions,” Jackson said.
“Now, wait a minute,” Tristan growled.
Ignoring his cousin’s protest, Jackson said, “The High Council will repair the homes, or, if they can’t be saved, provide the necessary funds to build new dwellings for all members of the Silver Point Pack who need them. In addition, adequate food and medical care will be provided for five years.”
“I’m…not sure they’ll agree,” Reeve replied, hesitantly.
“They will,” Jackson assured him, “otherwise I will pursue legal action against the High Council for dereliction of their responsibilities. And I can guarantee that the entire paranormal world will find out how the High Council failed to protect the Fox River Pack.”
Chuckling, Reeve said, “You should’ve gone into politics—you know how to play the game perfectly. I’ll relay your terms to the Council but before they’ll agree to them, I’m sure they’ll require that, in return, you approve Tristan as the new Alpha of the Silver Point Pack.”
“I will, if my terms are met,” Jackson said. “And by the way…I want it in writing.”
“Of course,” Reeve replied.
Standing, Jackson looked at Tristan, holding out his hand, “The Silver Point Pack is lucky to have you as their Alpha…congratulations, cousin.”
Stunned, Tristan froze for a moment before realizing the significance of what Jackson had just said. Then, he jumped up and shook his cousin’s hand. “Thank you…very much. I swear I’ll do my best.”
“I have no doubts about that,” Jackson replied. “You’re a good man.”
Rising, Reeve shook Jackson’s hand, murmuring, “Thanks for your time.”
Holding onto Reeve’s hand, Jackson said, “We need to talk…now.” After receiving a reluctant nod, Jackson continued, “Steel, would you please introduce Tristan to the rest of his cousins.”
“Sure,” Steel replied. Rising from his chair, he smiled, “This way, gentlemen,” and ushered both Tristan and Heath out of the room. Releasing Reeve’s hand, Jackson sat back down, noticing the wariness on his guest’s face. Ignoring it, he dove right in. “When did you meet Maximus and Mystia?”
“A long time ago…when I was twelve.”
“Why didn’t you mention your relationship with Maximus when we first met?”
