“It might give them the idea you’re hiding something,” Boris said.
Drumming his fingers on the desk, Josiah contemplated his options. “What if I claim the Vice Chair of the High Council has a conflict of interest?”
“What conflict of interest?”
“His son recently mated with one of the members of the Blackwood Pack.”
“Hmmm, interesting argument,” Boris said, more to himself than to his client as he thought over the legal ramifications of such a claim.
Josiah, impatient as ever, demanded, “Well? Can we do it?”
“Yes, but I don’t think we should use this right now. First, I doubt the High Council would be swayed by it this early in their investigation and might view it as an unwarranted attack on one of its highest esteemed colleagues. Second, if Mr. Royd does not disclose that his son is mated to someone in the pack making the complaint, only then would we have legitimate grounds to challenge the integrity of the High Council’s investigation. And finally, even if Mr. Royd is forthright about his conflict of interest, we can still claim it and demand dismissal.”
“So, you are telling me to sit and do nothing?”
“Yes, that is my professional advice. Of course, as always, it’s your decision whether to accept it,” replied Boris.
“Of course. I’ll get back to you,” growled Josiah. Hanging up, he wasn’t happy. More waiting and for what? He knew his fucking queer nephew couldn’tproduce an eye witness. The entire pack had been killed except for the seven of them. Cursing at everything that had gone wrong, it was time something went right. Picking up his phone, he called his son and told him he wanted to see him. Then he slammed the phone down on the desk and waited.
Kahn knocked on his father’s office door before opening it. Sticking his head in, he asked, “You wanted to see me father?”
“Come in and have a seat. It’s time we talk about your future.”
Kahn groaned inwardly as he entered and shut the door behind him. He knew what was coming. The same crap his father had been demanding since he finished college. He knew his father thought his gayness was a passing phase but he figured it would finally be put to rest when he invited his boyfriend to his graduation to see him receive a degree in art. Kahn was an artist and painted beautiful watercolors of mountains and wolves. He was beginning to receive attention in the art world—not that his father gave a damn—and was able to demand good prices for his paintings. Sitting in a chair facing his father he waited for the proverbial shit to hit the fan.
“It’s time you take a mate, son,” Josiah said. “You are the heir apparent and the pack needs to see you settled down with a wife and some pups. Continuity is key to keeping members from worrying about their future and more importantly, it keeps the challenges from within the pack for my position to none. And that makes for a very stable pack.”
“Father, no one in their right mind would challenge you for leadership. You are the strongest wolf in Silver Point.”
“Wrong! There are always wolves who aren’t satisfied with my decisions. The fact you aren’t mated and with pups of your own reflects on me. Now, I’ve picked out several female wolves from good families and have arranged for you to date them one at a time until you find a female you want for your wife. Here’s the list. I’ve set up the first date for tonight.”
Kahn took the list and left the room. It would do no good to argue with his father. It was time to talk to his mother.
Chapter 34
Even though they arrived late the night before, Frank was up early this morning, hoping to have a word with Alpha Jackson before breakfast. Walking into the great room he found the man he was looking for feeding Daniel his bottle.
Looking up when Frank entered the room, Jackson said, “Good morning, Frank. If you’re looking for Dylon, I’m afraid he and Cody are sleeping in this morning.”
“Actually, I was looking for you.”
“Is this official? Do you want to go to my study?”
Frank looked around and saw no one but Daniel and Jackson.
“Everyone is still asleep. Daniel had a big day yesterday so he fell asleep early. Great for me last night…not so much this morning. You can speak freely to me and no one will disturb us.”
“What happened to Daniel?”
“It was what he did. He completely shifted.”
“Congratulations. I wonder if he’ll do it again? Lizzie would love to play with him not to mention cuddle him to death. That’s what she did with Dylon. She had problems with the birth and we were worried Dylon would die. He didn’t but I think it was close to a year before Lizzie would set him down on the floor to play. She held him, all day long, even through his naps.”
“I can understand that feeling. But you didn’t get up early to talk to me about this, so what’s on your mind?”
“This is off the record and the only conversation I’m going to have about your complaint against Silver PointPack. I’m not doing it in my official capacity but as Dylon’s father.”
“Understood.”
