Setting down Dylon’s chart, Colton turned his eyes to his mate, and taking his hand, led him upstairs to Jackson’s study where, after knocking, he heard Jackson’s muffled voice inviting him in and found his brother on the phone. Sitting and pulling Ian onto his lap, Colton waited.
“Of course, Mrs. Royd. I’m also happy my brother found his Fated Mate.”
Colton’s ears perked up. His brother must be speaking to Dylon’s mother.
“Of course, you and your husband can visit but I really need to speak to Dylon in the morning first before giving permission.”
“Oh, I know that,” she burbled. “But I just wanted to introduce myself and I am so happy about it. I always knew Dylon was going to get lucky and find love. Now, I know he’s gay but I didn’t see any reason that should stop the Fates from giving him a mate. I know my husband wasn’t so sure, but I told him ‘Franklin’…that’s what I call him when I’m a tiny bit peeved at him…I said, ‘Franklin, now you listen to me. The Fates have a special plan in mind for our boy and far be it from you to try to interfere.’ That’s right. I put my foot down and stopped any foolishness about Dylon’s gayness. Why, it’s as natural as sunlight. Anyway, after that, my husband got right on board and has been supportive ever since.”
Jackson was trying hard to control his laughter. He couldn’t wait to meet Mrs. Royd—a soft spoken bundle of steel who would go all Mama Bear on anyone whodared to threaten her son and Fated Mate—just what Cody needed.
Suddenly, Jackson heard a male voice in the background. “Who are you talking to?”
“Dylon’s Alpha, Jackson of the Blackwood Pack.”
“Dammit, what did I tell you Lizzie? Are you trying to get Dylon in trouble with his Alpha? There’s procedure for this and Dylon said he would handle it in the morning. He isn’t going to like you calling.”
“Oh, you hush now. Jackson sounds like a very nice Alpha and he doesn’t mind me calling,” Lizzie said to her husband before she continued with Jackson. “You aren’t angry with me calling are you, Alpha? It was just I was so excited. I wanted to pack tonight but Frank told me I couldn’t until Dylon got your permission for us to visit. But I really wanted to pack tonight so I thought if I called you then I would know tonight, and I could pack. You aren’t going to be angry with my boy, are you? He doesn’t know I made this call. Oh fiddlesticks! I didn’t mess up, did I?”
“No, Mrs. Royd, tha…”
“Call me Lizzie, please.”
“No Lizzie, I don’t have a problem with you visiting Dylon and Cody, but I must make sure it’s okay with them. How about you go ahead and pack tonight and I’ll speak with them first thing in the morning.”
“Oh, did you hear that Frank? He said I should pack right now.”
“Gimme the phone and go pack, Lizzie.” There was a pause and then a man’s voice, probably Frank’s, was heard on the phone. “Please excuse my wife, Alpha Blackwood. We haven’t lived in a pack for many, manyyears and I’m afraid my wife has forgotten some of the protocols. Please, take your time and speak with Dylon and Cody at your convenience. Afterwards, Dylon will call me.”
“Mr. Royd, I assure you I have no problem with your visit. But please understand, I must make sure both Dylon and Cody agree to it.”
“I do understand. And again, my apologies.”
“Not necessary. I understand how your wife feels as I’m also very happy my brother has found his Fated Mate. Till tomorrow, then.”
“Yes. Good-bye Alpha Blackwood.”
Jackson hung up the phone and burst into laughter. “Oh, my gods, Dylon’s mom is such a character. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Why?” Colton asked.
“I can’t explain it. You’ll have to meet her to see what I mean. But I’m looking forward to it.”
“Has Steel met her? Oracle knows Dylon’s parents.”
“No, he hasn’t as far as I know. Right now, he’s asleep because it’s his night for Daniel duty. I get to sleep through the night,” Jackson said with a smile, as he rose.
Colton snorted, “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, bro. I know if Daniel is screaming, you’ll be right there with Steel.”
Chuckling, Jackson said, “Yeah, but don’t tell my mate that.”
~/~/~/~/~
Franklin Royd hung up the phone. Pouring himself a cognac, he took it into his Cherrywood-lined study. There he found the scents he loved but which Lizziedidn’t want in the rest of the house. Sitting in his well-worn leather club chair, he lit a Cuban cigar and inhaled the richness of it. Wolves didn’t generally smoke but a diplomatic mission to Cuba years ago showed him the error of that. Now in his study, he kept a ready supply, handy when he had thinking to do.
Well, Dylon’s Fated Mate was Alpha Blackwood’s brother.Well good for my son. Oracle’s son was mated to Jackson and that piece of information gave him some of the assurances he needed to have about the pack his son had joined. That wasn’t what was bothering him tonight—no, it was what Dylon didn’t say about Silver Point Pack.Last time we talked, he was very happy there and had no plans to leave. So why did he? What happened and how did he meet someone from the Blackwood Pack?
He didn’t pay much attention to Dylon’s employment as long as he was happy and wasn’t mistreated. He’d had his doubts about his son becoming an enforcer but he had to admit, it was the perfect job for him. But that all changed when the Blackwood Pack’s complaint was filed. The charges reverberated throughout the Council and if the allegations were true, it would be the first massacre of a complete wolf pack in a long time—something every Council member found hard to believe. But those beliefs were shaken when Blackwood Pack’s lawyer filed the paperwork showing the illegal kill-on-sight order Alpha Silver Point had been forced to withdraw. Then later, the videotape with Dylon talking about it showed up. He never asked his son about it nor did his son tell him about making it.
