“Sweetie, why didn’t you let us know you were coming?” Oracle said, after giving her youngest son a hug and kiss on his cheek.
“Hi Mom, it was a last minute trip to see Penn, so I took advantage of the opportunity to meet Jackson and my nephew, who also happens to be the newest Dire Wolf.”
“Is everything all right, son?” asked Maximus, hugging Slate.
“Yeah, the High Council is pushing for depositions from Kieran, Theodore and Norman. I’m pretty sure it’s in response to some of the high profile prisoners I gave them. Some of the buyers at Arald’s shifter slave auctions came from prominent families.”
Shaking his head, Maximus said, “If the High Council has all the recordings of their discussions with Dylon and you, what’s the purpose of pushing for a deposition when it won’t contradict the evidence?”
“That’s what I wanted to discuss with Penn. I believe the real reason behind the request is to try to intimidate Kieran who has first-hand knowledge of both Arald’s operations and the buyers who came specifically to buy slaves. Theodore and Norman can offer nothing more than their testimony about being kept as slaves and all the other shifters can also confirm that. That’s why I think it’s a veiled attempt to get at Kieran.”
“Logan isn’t going to agree to his mate being in a room without him,” said Steel.
“No, he isn’t,” agreed Maximus. “Does Penn know Kieran has found his Fated Mate?”
“I haven’t mentioned it and unless Jackson did, I don’t think he knows. By chance, did you tell him, bro?” asked Slate.
“No. With all the shit going on around here, it slipped my mind,” said Steel. “Dad, is there a reason you’re asking?”
“Yes, there are laws in place regarding the rights of Fated Mates and if I’m not mistaken, the High Council has to obtain the permission of Logan before moving forward on their request for a deposition from Kieran.”
“Does Logan have to give it?” asked Steel.
“No, but he should have a good reason for refusing. The other part of the law allows Logan to set down guidelines, such as how long the deposition will last, the scope of the questions that will be asked, who will be present and so on. The important thing is the High Council can’t proceed until permission is granted and terms are agreed to. Penn must inform the High Council of Kieran’s change of status.”
“Logan and Kieran are in Scotland right now. Does Logan have to handle this right away or can it wait until they return?” asked Steel.
“Oh, it can wait. It will take the High Council time to record the mating and then relay it to the attorney who is going to prosecute the buyers,” Maximus said. “The important thing is for Penn to relay the change of Kieran’s status to the High Council right away to stop them from going forward.”
“I’ll have Jackson call Penn after he puts Daniel down for his nap,” said Steel.
“How long will you stay, sweetie?” asked Oracle.
“Just a couple of days. I’m still taking testimony from the families who had pups and men taken by Arald. That’s progressing nicely and with the amount of evidence piling up against Arald, I expect his lawyer will move for a reduction of charges if he pleads guilty…probably bargain for life in prison instead of a death sentence.”
“Fuck him!” Steel said angrily. “What about Theodore and Norman? Does that asshole have any idea how they still suffer from what he did to them? Well I do and so does everyone else and it shocks the hell out of me! It’ll take years for them to recover before they can live a full and happy life.”
“Whoa, don’t kill the messenger,” said Slate. “You know it isn’t up to me what happens with the High Council. If I had my way, Arald would face a firing squad. Remember, I saw the conditions they had to put up with; I was in that place myself after I was captured. You’re preaching to the choir, bro.”
“Sorry,” said Steel. “I just get angry whenever I think about what happened.”
“Enough boys” said Oracle. “Slate, have you met Jackson? What about Daniel?”
“Daniel is a charmer! I can’t wait to see his wolf. Hey Dad, Steel said you read something about a wolf with silver fur and silver eyes?”
“Yes, but I can’t remember where. I’ll ask Mystia the next time I see her. It might have been in one of her books.”
“Hey Mom, I noticed the strength of Jackson’s Alpha power when I met him. Steel tells me it’s getting even stronger. And what’s up with the size of his wolf?” asked Slate.
“Son, you know better than to ask your mother a question like that. Any information she is allowed to share, she will,” Maximus said.
Glancing at Steel, Slate shrugged his shoulders and grinned. It was worth a shot because he hoped his mother would slip up one day. So far, it hadn’t happened—but he’d never stop trying. Seeing his brother smirk at him brought back good memories of their childhood, when he was always testing what his mother knew.
Oracle smiled. She knew what her youngest son was trying to do; she always enjoyed his attempts while he was growing up. Now, though, she knew he was hiding the real purpose of his visit. Using their mind link, she asked Maximus to give her some time alone with their youngest.
“Steel, while your mother and Slate catch up, I have some questions for Carson about the latest financial report for Dire Medical, and I think you should be there with me.”
“Sure, no problem. Mom, Slate, see you at lunch,” Steel said, leaving with his father.
