“Babe is there anything else you want to tell me?” asked Zane.
David shook his head. He’d bared his soul to his love and now felt better for sharing it. Resting his face against Zane’s chest, David mumbled, “I think the gods made a mistake in picking me to be their representative on earth.”
“No, babe, they most certainly did not. Want to know why?”
David nodded, but kept his face buried against his mate.
“Because you survived,tesoro mio,and none of the evil surrounding you ever triumphed over you.”
Glancing up at Zane, David blurted out, “But I should have stopped her!”
“No babe, that wasn’t your job. Just as the gods can’t interfere with decisions each person makes in their lives, neither can you. The only thing you can do is provide good moral counsel, guiding shifters to make the right decisions. That’s what the gods want you to do so evil has a harder time finding a foothold in their souls,” Zane explained. “The gods didnotmake a mistake choosing you because you always chose the right path to follow, even though evil tried very hard to divert you. You are like a beacon, guiding the world to the good that exists in it.”
Soothed, his spirits lifted by Zane’s words, David thought for a moment before saying, “Thank you, cuore mio. But there’s one more thing. After reading those papers on the desk, I’m really afraid for my mother.”
“I know babe, so am I. Let’s get dressed and go find Logan. I want to brief him on my research and then we can talk to Jackson to see if Dylon has come up with a plan.”
“Sounds good,” David said, with a tentative smile.
~/~/~/~/~
Fionn woke to the buzzing of his phone. Still half asleep, he dropped it several times before being able to answer the call. “Hello?”
“Fionn, it’s Penn. Sorry to wake you but this is important. I found the midwife and she’s agreed to provide an affidavit as to the validity of the certificate. The bad news is your father’s uncle has asked for an emergency hearing on his custody petition. He’s claiming you’re being held against your will by members of the Blackwood Pack.”
Sitting up, Fionn growled, “What the fuck? Why is he saying that?”
“He claims he’s been unable to see or talk to you since your father died.”
“So, he doesn’t know I have proof that I’m an adult, able to decide who I want to see or talk to?” Fionn asked.
“No, it appears not. I just wish I knew why your parents lied to you about this,” murmured Penn.
“I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” said Fionn, and shared his mother’s explanation with Penn. “Is that important?” he asked.
“Absolutely! The judge will question why the probate was filed listing you as a minor. If we can explain what happened along with the sworn testimony of the midwife, I’m pretty sure he’ll decide in our favor.”
“Will Cody and Dylon attend the hearing?”
“Yes, because they’re your legal guardians appointed by the High Council court. The judge will want to ask themabout your uncle’s allegations. If it’s all right with you, I’ll let them know.”
“Sure,” Fionn said. “When will you get the proof?”
“I sent her the affidavit I drafted based on my conversation with her. She promised to sign it and have it notarized tomorrow morning. A friend of mine will meet her and bring it back to me once it’s been done so I should have it sometime tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay, one final question. Do you know the date of the hearing yet?” asked Fionn.
“Not yet, but I expect it’ll be held within a week so make sure you tell Logan about it.”
“Promise,” Fionn said. “Oh…and thanks, Penn.”
“Hey, you’ve made my day!”
Chapter 41
