“It had to do with the good spirits who are very sensitive to negative feelings in a Manetu. If he is force into being who he is, then those feelings will weaken the good spirits, making them susceptible to being overpowered by bad ones,” explained Maximus. “However, whether Reeve told Smokey back then or now isn’t the problem you’re wrestling with, is it?”
The corners of Jackson’s lip curled upward. “Did anyone ever tell you it’s impossible to hide anything from you?”
“My sons do all the time, “Maximus said, smiling. “So, tell me what’s really causing you to hold Reeve at arm’s length? Is it his mate? Kahn?”
“Partly…but it’s also Reeve, although now, after hearing his story, I understand why he’s so secretive.”
“Do you blame him?”
“No…not really. He told me he’s worried about you and Mystia being in danger if anyone finds out about his friendship with you.”
“He has cause to be.”
“Are you and Mystia in danger?” Jackson asked.
“No, not anymore…the threat has been eliminated. But Reeve is always worried there might be someone else.”
Nodding, Jackson trusted Maximus to tell him if the situation ever changed. Sighing, he said, “I guess that leaves his mate…my cousin and Josiah’s son.”
“Kahn…what exactly is the problem?” asked Maximus.
“I don’t trust him, and if I can’t trust him, then I can’t trust Reeve,” Jackson replied. “You know as well as I do, secrecy keeps the members of my pack safe. Thereare going to be times when Smokey and Reeve will need the skillset of one or more of my members to complete their mission. When that happens, Reeve will learn about the Blackwood Pack’s secrets. And if he does, then you and I both know that, as Reeve’s Fated Mate, Kahn will know also. I have already discussed this issue with Reeve and, unless I can come up with a solution, Smokey will have to be out of his life since there’s no way Reeve would ever give up his Fated Mate.”
“Hmm…you grew up with Kahn, didn’t you?”
“I did…he and I were close because we were both heirs apparent. But that changed when Josiah killed my family.”
“Do you think Kahn was in on it?”
“Honestly? No, not anymore.”
“But you did at one time,” Maximus murmured.
“I did,” Jackson said. “Right after it happened, I was angry, and I blamed Kahn for not telling me what his father was planning. But I had to put my anger on a back burner because my brothers’ survival was more important. Several years later, Logan asked me if I thought Kahn was involved, and after thinking about it without animosity coloring my thoughts, I found it hard to accept with any certainty that he was. And though Reeve has assured me the High Council cleared Kahn of any involvement, I guess there still is some residual doubt in my mind.”
“Then you need to meet with him and ask him that question.”
“I don’t know…maybe it’s better to let it go. One thing that bothers me is that he’s never given any indication that he’s sorry about the death of my younger siblings.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know what to say. Think about it…if it were your father who killed your cousin’s family, how would you react? Would you contact Kahn…or would you be too ashamed to do so?”
“I don’t blame him.”
“Then tell him that and see what he says,” Maximus said, quietly. “Do it for Smokey, if not for yourself.”
Chapter 13
Ever since they’d left the Blackwood Pack, Heath had waited for someone to bring up Jackson’s Alpha Power, but when no one commented about it, he asked, “When are we going to talk about the elephant in the car?”
Reeve glanced at his friend and chuckled. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Snorting, Tristan said nothing, merely smiling at his mate.
“Oh for fuck’s sake! Jackson’s Alpha Power! Don’t tell me neither of you felt it!”
“Nope,” Reeve said, smirking. “Tristan, do you know what your mate’s talking about?”
“Me neither…it’s Greek to me.”
