“And…what’s the issue? They don’t want me to come?” asked Heath.
“Kahn didn’t know about you when he extended the invitation, but of course, you’re invited,” Reeve replied.
After seeing Heath’s smile in response to his inclusion, Tristan inwardly sighed, knowing it was time to suck it up and face Kahn’s mother. Hopefully, with Heath by his side, they could get through the meal with the least amount of tension his presence would otherwise cause. “Will tomorrow night work…or maybe it would be better if we waited a few weeks…you know so his mother can get settled.”
“Tomorrow is fine,” Reeve replied, trying to hold back his grin at Tristan’s attempt to put it off. He stopped in front of the Silver Point Pack office building. “Here you are…have fun tonight…I know I will.”
“Asshole,” Heath muttered, getting out.
After opening his door, Tristan paused for a moment before asking, “Do you think the High Council will agree to Jackson’s terms?”
“In a fucking heartbeat,” Reeve murmured. “Now get out…I have a mate who’s waiting for me.”
Climbing out, Tristan stepped back into the arms of his waiting mate. After Reeve drove off, he twisted his body around until he was face-to-face with Heath. Leaning forward until his lips ghosted over his mate’s, he whispered, “Ready to be claimed?”
~/~/~/~/~
Shutting down his computer, Jackson’s mind was still on his conversation with Maximus, debating as to whether or not he should talk to Kahn. He wasn’t sure it would help, but then, unless another solution presented itself to him about Reeve and Smokey, there really was no other choice. After finding out about Reeve’s childhood, his worries about him had dissipated because the strength it took to survive years of brutality had made Reeve the man he was today—and one Jackson knew for certain he could trust. So that left only Kahn. Turning off his desk lamp, Jackson rose, at peace with the decision he’d just made. Tomorrow he would call Reeve and tell him about it.
“Hey, Jackson, got a minute?” asked Dylon, standing in the study’s doorway. “It won’t take long.”
“Sure…have a seat.”
Closing the door behind him, Dylon claimed one of the chairs, then looking at his Alpha, asked, “Will Cain be joining the pack?”
“I don’t know…why?”
Dylon studied Jackson for a moment before saying, “We need him.”
Raising an eyebrow, Jackson said, “What’s changed from this morning when you were reluctant about it?”
“After going over everything with Smokey, Glenn, Sawyer, and Alex, we now know more about the human intrusion into our world and…”
“Alex?” interrupted Jackson. “What’s that all about?”
“Yeah…Glenn promised him he could go on the next mission…”
“And you agreed, even though he hasn’t any experience?”
“No way…but unless I let him stay, the meeting would have ended. And I promised Norm to keep Smokey busy while they…”
Waving his hand, Jackson grinned. “Understood. Go on, what about the humans?”
“We realized it started earlier than any of us thought. I checked with Zane, and he verified that humans were bidding on Colton when his kidnapper had put him up for sale. And Glenn pointed out the High Council has a number of missing shifter cases going back several years with circumstances surrounding their disappearances that are eerily similar to his mother’s.”
“Humans kidnapped her, didn’t they?”
“Yes, so it’s likely humans were involved in other missing shifter cases, too,” Dylon said. “Right now, there are more questions than answers, but Cain can change that. That’s the reason I now feel he’s crucial to the mission.”
Nodding, Jackson said, “Thanks for telling me. I’ll take it into consideration.” He sat there for a few minutes after Dylon left, thinking about the new information regarding humans, but quickly set it aside as he got up and headed out of his study to find his son. It had been a long day, and Jackson definitely needed to spend some time with Danny and Steel.
~/~/~/~/~
“Honey, I’m home!” Reeve called out as he entered their condo. “And I bring the food of the gods!”
Grinning at his mate’s announcement, Kahn threw his paint-covered brushes into the sink before running down the stairs. Stopping in front of Reeve, he inhaled deeply, then exclaimed, “Oh my gods! Pizza!” Grabbing the three boxes out of his mate’s hands, Kahn lifted the lid of the top one and moaned when he saw what it was. “Fuck! My favorite!” Balancing the boxes in one hand, Kahn snagged a slice of the Meat Lover’s Pizza with the other and took a bite. Groaning as the flavors filled his mouth, he mumbled, “I forgive you for leaving me hard and wet this morning.”
Chuckling, Reeve took the precariously balanced boxes from his mate, but not before Kahn had snatched another piece. Walking into the kitchen, he said, “It’s good to know a pizza will get me out of the doghouse.” Setting them down on the counter, he grabbed two beers out of the fridge and handed one to Kahn. Opening his,he lifted the bottle to his mouth, taking a long swig before sitting down next to his mate. Then, eagerly picking up a slice, he savored the first food he’d had since breakfast.
