Maximus sighed deeply, “This distresses me greatly, bringing back memories of the greed that consumed the Dire Wolf packs, fighting and killing for the treasure. I had hoped other wolves learned that an Alpha’s greed only ends up harming the pack.”
“It doesn’t seem so,” said Steel. “But what’s really scary here is Silver Point almost got the money from us for their mining operation. You know it’s not easy for wolves to produce titles to land so, as has happened in the past, our company might have waived this requirement. It’s made me realize we might have to change some of our procedures to prevent this from happening again.”
“I agree,” said Maximus, “but I think that can wait. I’ll tell Slate to put the Silver Point application on hold while you deal with the situation over here.” Then he asked, “Are you going to tell Jackson about this?”
“Yes, I will, but first I want to come up with a game plan to recommend,” said Steel.
“Good thinking. I assume that’s what you were doing when I snuck up on you?” his father said, smiling.
“Yeah, I want Jackson to report the massacre to the Universal Paranormal High Council. I know my mate has told me it’s his word against theirs but I think this needs to be made public. The High Council will investigate and it will take time, and during that period I’m hoping the Silver Point Alpha will call off his enforcers.”
Steel paused for a moment in thought before continuing, “I also want to move the entire Blackwood Pack to my house. There’s plenty of room and it’s more isolated thanwhere we are now. And finally, I want to hire a team of my own enforcers to patrol my land so my mate and his brothers are safe.”
Maximus nodded, thinking about the measures Steel had proposed, decided to add one more. “I’m going to ask Slate to come here as additional backup. He’s been after me to meet your mate, so it seems like a perfect time.”
“Good idea,” agreed Steel. ‘Now let’s go next door to see my mate and hear what he has to say about our plans.” When they reached Jackson’s office, Steel gave one knock before entering and once inside, walked over to his mate. “Hi babe, do you have time to talk? We have some information about the Silver Point Pack to share with you.”
Jackson reached up, pulling Steel down for a kiss, murmuring against his mate’s mouth, “I always have time for you, love.” Then Jackson turned, acknowledging Maximus. “This must be serious if you’re here. Is this about your visit to our pack lands?”
“Yes, in a way. I’ll let Steel tell you.”
“Babe, I asked Slate if our companies had any dealings with the Silver Point Pack and when I got back to my office this was waiting,” Steel said. Handing the email to his mate, Steel watched closely while Jackson read it, seeing the exact moment red hot rage crossed his mate’s face.
Chapter 21
“Are you telling me my family was killed because that asshole wanted our land for mining? That sonofabitch! He butchered men, women, and children—all because of greed? My mother and my younger brothers and sisters all slaughtered because he wanted the land? Sonofabitch!!! What’s on our land that’s worth killing for? Dammit, dammit, dammit!!!” yelled Jackson, anger burning into his heart as grief and frustration shook his body. He dropped his head into his hands, tears streaming down his face.
Steel gathered his mate in his arms, whispering words of love into Jackson’s ear while rubbing his mate’s back. He knew it was a lot for him to process—the senseless killing of his family and pack mates in the name of greed. Steel held Jackson until his tears stopped and his mate’s breath only occasionally hitched.
Finally, Jackson sat up, embarrassed at falling apart in front of Maximus. Furtively wiping away tear streaks from his face, he turned toward his father-in-law, but Maximus wasn’t there. Jackson looked questioningly at his mate. “Dad left the room because he felt you wouldn’t want him to see you cry. He’ll come back when you’re ready to continue.”
“I’m sorry about that,” muttered Jackson.
“Babe, there’s nothing to be sorry about. I was shocked when I read Slate’s email, so I can only imagine how you felt when you finally found out. My wolf wants to hunt the Silver Point Pack down and make them pay for what they did to you,” he said softly.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t think that’s the answer. First of all, I could never kill children and women as theydid and, secondly, fighting would put my brothers in danger.”
Steel nodded. “I knew that’s how you’d feel, so I came up with a plan that doesn’t include violence. Are you all right now? Can Dad come back in?” he asked.
“I’m okay, thanks, babe. Get your dad back in here and let’s hear your proposal,” Jackson said.
After hearing his son’s voice calling him, Maximus walked in, smiling at Jackson. “Sorry for leaving but I needed to ask my wife a question.”
“Okay, then let’s continue,” said Jackson, grateful for Maximus’ sensitivity. He then looked at his mate, “Why does Silver Point want to mine on our land?”
“According to the application, the Fox River that runs through your land contains gold, and evidently quite a lot of it. It’s in their application—here, have a look at it,” said Steel, handing the paperwork to his mate.
“Gold? On our land? How would they know it was there?” asked Jackson.
“I’m not sure but they must have found it before the massacre took place. There’s no proof but it’s a reasonable assumption,” replied Steel. “When I asked your brothers what they knew about the land, Zane told me your father had complained to his brother, Josiah, about their members trespassing on Fox River land.”
“My uncle never took my father’s complaints seriously, though,” said Jackson, “because the two packs got along. We all knew the Silver Point members—they’d join us to celebrate the Long Night Moon Festival. Did Zane say more?”
“That’s all he knew,” Steel answered. “He didn’t think it was serious because he said your father and uncle were always bitching at each other.”
Jackson thought about it for a minute before saying, “On the surface, they seemed to get along but I always thought my uncle—who was the first-born—was pissed off that our father ended up as the Alpha of the Fox River Pack…though, I never heard that brought up.”
Then he asked Steel, “Okay, what’s the plan you want me to approve?”
