“I know,” Dylon said, pausing a moment before continuing, “I came into his life at the right moment and together we were able to control the pain, so Cody could find peace. But he was adamant we go and rescue you. He told me the Fates wanted him to save you and he would not fail them. During the preparation for the rescue operation, we found out about the auction and the other shifters being held.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Theo said, “Norm and I were just a few days away from being sold. Ki was trying to figure out how he could stop it, but we knew it was impossible.”
“Yes, I agree with you on that point,” Dylon said. “Once you were rescued, and Cody saw what had been done to you, he immediately wanted you to come home with him, so he could make up for what Arald did to you…”
“But that wasn’t his fault,” interjected Norman as Kieran and Theo nodded in agreement.
“I know that, but Cody feels you suffered longer than necessary because he didn’t act when he had the first vision.” Dylon held up his hand to forestall any response. “In time, I hope Cody will realize he wasn’t ready to mount a rescue operation but for now, the guilt he feels is still very fresh. So where am I going with this tale? Well, right now, Cody feels totally responsible and wants to make your life the best it can be. Since he feels that way, Cody suffered a severe panic attack after Norman left.”
“Why?” asked Kieran.
“Because when Norman said he was going to hold a meeting about leaving the pack, Cody was overwhelmed by feelings that he failed you, the Fates and himself and it overloaded his system. Luckily, he called for me and I was able to stop the attack and calm him down,” Dylon said. “I’m not telling you this to make you feel guilty, but so you will understand Cody’s need to protect the three of you. I’ll be talking to him about what you said here and try to help him see his absolute need to protect is not warranted. But I ask you to make allowances for him. Jackson will help Cody understand your rights, needs and desires, but I beg of you, please give Cody a little leeway in his reactions.”
Streaks of tears could be seen on Kieran’s face as he turned to Theo and Norman. They stared at each other and then one by one they nodded at each other. Kieran turned to Dylon. “We understand. There won’t be a repeat of what happened this morning. But I have one condition…I want to talk to Cody when you think he is up to doing so.”
Dylon gave them a smile of gratitude. “I think he would like that. Let me see how he feels in a little while.”
“Okay, do you guys have anything else you want to cover with me or Dylon?” asked Jackson.
“Can we go back to our intern stuff now? I was making bread with Dakota and he told me he’d wait for me to help him finish,” said Theo.
“And Zane and I were researching stuff,” said Kieran.
“By all means,” said Jackson. “Norman, if you would like, Dylon can assign you to someone else if you’d rather not do medical right now.”
Dylon spoke up before Norman could answer. “If you don’t mind, Norman, I’d rather pair you up with Carsonfor now, just until Jackson can hold the pack meeting and the air can be cleared.”
“What does Carson do?” asked Norman.
“He works for Dire Enterprises, so you would learn something about business,” said Dylon.
“Okay,” said Norman. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 6
After lunch, Wolfgrim Morris of the Universal Paranormal High Council sat at his desk and looked at the complaint in front of him. This had to be the strangest one he’d ever gotten in all his years. He was sure this was a ploy by the Silver Point Alpha but what he hoped to gain from it was impossible to see. Nevertheless, he could delay no further, so he reluctantly placed the call.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Alpha Blackwood speaking?” Wolfgrim asked.
“Just a minute…” Steel said, setting the phone down by Jackson and taking their son from him.
“Hello, Alpha Blackwood speaking. Who is this?”
“Alpha Blackwood, this is Wolfgrim Morris…Universal Paranormal High Council.”
“Oh, hi Mr. Morris. Was there a problem with my request for additional time to respond?”
“Err…no-o-o, no problem. I granted you the additional time. My call is about a complaint that has been filed against you and your pack.”
“Complaint? Who complained?” asked Jackson, wondering if Pablo’s sister filed it.
“Alpha Silver Point. I’m emailing it to you now and of course you have 60 days in which to file an answer with the Universal Paranormal High Council. Also, please consider this as putting you and your pack on notice; if harm befalls any member of the Silver Point pack, you and your pack will be held responsible for it…whether or not any of you personally caused the harm.”
“My uncle filed a complaint against us? Whatever for?”
“The accusations in the complaint are very clear. You should have it now as my email program has indicated it has been received. Good-bye, Alpha Blackwood.”
