“I agree with your assessment,” said Logan. “So, if we submit proof we were someplace else while the massacre was happening, the spotlight then goes back on only him and I would think he’d be in a worse spot than before.”
“Exactly.”
“So, what’s this crap about Daniel? He wants guardianship of all and any children that have been born or will be born in the pack? How did he know about Daniel?”
“I don’t know…yet,” said Jackson, “but I want to talk to Dylon after the pack meeting. He might know something.”
“Are you concerned about it?” asked Logan.
“No. Parental rights override Josiah’s demand. I think it’s just another game our asshole uncle is playing. I think he’s trying to provoke us into attacking Silver Point pack.”
“And if we did that…”
“Right. We’d be walking right into a trap and no matter what happened regarding the two complaints, we’d lose.”
Logan mulled over Jackson’s reasoning. Then, he said, “Let me guess, you are concerned how Colton and Cody will act when they find out about our uncle’s claim for their pups.”
“Yes. I’m thinking about not disclosing that part of the complaint.”
Slowly shaking his head, Logan spoke. “I can’t agree with that idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because if they find out later about the threat to their pups and that you knew about it but hid it from them, they’ll never trust you the same way again. Look, how would you feel if someone did this to you about Daniel? Would you ever trust them again? Or worse, would you ever forgive them? No, I see this as a slippery slope thathas the possibility of tearing this pack apart. If you’re worried, then talk to them in private before the meeting so at least they know. Since the demand…as bogus as it may be…affects you, Cody, and Colton along with your mates, discuss it in private so they can never claim they were blindsided.”
Jackson leaned back, considering Logan’s points and knew they were valid. As far as he was concerned, no reason would ever be good enough if it prevented him learning about any danger to his pup. Jackson heard his mate concur with his conclusion via their mind link and asked him to find Cody, Dylon, Colton and Ian and ask them to come to his study.
After Steel left, Jackson turned his attention back to his brother. “So, what’s up? I haven’t seen you for a while.”
Logan knew where this was leading, but he was going to make his brother work for it. “Oh, I didn’t realize you lost your ability to remember stuff when you had Daniel. Have you talked to Ian about it? Is that normal?”
“Asshole. You’re avoiding my question.”
“I beg to differ. I distinctly remember telling you I was going to be in my ‘design tower’ for a while since I had a backlog of work on my drafting table. How soon you forget.”
“I didn’t forget anything. But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t hear me call your name or that love-sick dreamy look on your face when you sat down. Now fess up. What’s up?”
“Nothing more than a desire to fuck someone I saw on the internet. Maybe it’s time for another visit to Seattle. I could use a break.”
Jackson’s mouth dropped open. His brother said he wanted to fuck? And go to Seattle again?Of all his brothers, his twin was the most reserved. He never discussed anything about sex—not even with him and they always had confided in each other. But now talking about fucking is what made Logan’s statement so strange. His eyes narrowed as he examined Logan’s face, looking for something that could tell Jackson why the abrupt turnabout. Before he could explore this new side of his brother, Steel returned with news that Ian and Colton were on their way and Cody and Dylon would follow shortly. Jackson smiled as his mate told him what was causing the delay.
After Colton and Ian arrived and were seated, Jackson spoke. “Here’s the complaint Josiah filed against us and I will discuss it at the pack meeting. But what I’m not discussing there is on the second page and it concerns both of you.” While they were reading it, Cody and Dylon appeared and Jackson repeated himself and handed them a copy of Josiah’s complaint.
Waiting for all to finish, his eyes moved back to his twin as he contemplated what had changed in Logan’s life because now he could see the subtle differences—lack of tension in his body, lips curved upwards, eyes turning dreamy—all indicating his twin was keeping a secret. He was pulled back when he heard Colton swear.
“What the fuck is this crap? If my asshole uncle thinks he’d ever get near our pup, he’s fucking crazier than I thought,” Colton growled as he pulled Ian onto his lap.
Using their mind link, Dylon assured Cody it would never happen due to the High Council laws protecting parents. “Jackson, you don’t have anything to worry about. There’s a whole section of High Council lawsprotecting the rights of parents. This is a ploy your uncle is using but it really is an empty threat.”
“Are you sure, Dylon? I won’t take any chances with Ian and our pup,” said Colton.
“Dylon’s right, bro,” assured Jackson. “The reason I called you in here is about our reaction to Josiah’s demand for the pups. I think he’s hoping we’ll let our wolves take over and attack without waiting for the High Council to overrule it.”
“Yes, that makes sense,” said Dylon. “Then we would have violated the High Council directive about not harming any member of Silver Point.”
“Correct. If we do that, we will be playing right into his hands,” said Jackson. “We can’t do that. Look, it’s almost time for the pack meeting, but I need your word that none of you will allow your wolves to shift and go after Josiah. Even if only one does, it won’t help the rest of us. We’re a pack and if one’s in trouble, we all attack to protect that one.”
Dylon looked at Cody and after receiving a nod, he said, “Cody and I are in agreement. We will not go after Josiah.”
