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Kahn waited for Carson to say something…anything…but when only silence ensued, his shoulders fell in defeat. He’d tried, but it wasn’t enough. The wounds Josiah had inflicted on his cousins were too deep to be healed by his mere claim of innocence. Turning away, he said, tiredly, “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the rooms.”

Glancing at his mate, Remy jerked his head towards Kahn and raised his eyebrows, urging Carson to say or do something regarding his cousin’s effort to make peace between them.

Carson cleared his throat before saying, “Wait…Kahn. I believe you…about not being involved…or knowing what Josiah was planning. It…it’s just hard to…”

“I know,” Kahn said. “It’s hard to forget, isn’t it? Every day since Reeve showed me the warrant, I think about what it must have been like for you…all of you…and as hard as I try, it’s impossible for me to understand. I can’t even figure out what words to use to tell you how sorry I am that my father…my fucking father …committed such an atrocious crime against your family. ”

“Josiah took so much from us,” Carson murmured. “It was years before I stopped dreaming of my younger siblings crying out for me to save them, and I’m sure my brothers had the same nightmares. But you should know, I’m happy now…I survived and became stronger for it.”

“What about the others…Cody, Colton, Logan, Dakota, Zane…are they also happy?”

Nodding, Carson replied, “They are…even Jackson is happy as our Alpha…I know that’s hard to believe, too.”

“I’m glad…and you have a mate!”

“We all have mates,” Carson said, grinning.

“Ah…I hate to break up this family reunion, but Tristan is probably wondering what’s holding me up,” Remy said.

“Oh hell, Reeve will have my ass for delaying you,” Kahn muttered. “C’mon, the rooms are this way.”

After inspecting all the spaces, Remy asked Kahn, “Did Tristan say how long his pack would be staying? ”

“No…but I’m guessing for a couple of days at the most. It depends on how soon Rudy shows up,” Kahn replied.

“They are going to need cots, food, and water,” Remy said. “Is he going to handle that?”

“I don’t think so…at least he didn’t say anything to me about it,” Kahn said.

Walking back into the hallway, Remy looked at the piles of furniture Kahn had moved from the meeting rooms. “Is there any other place for this stuff?” he asked.

“Not really.”

“Hmm…okay.” Then, with a wave of Remy’s hand, the furniture disappeared, only to be replaced by stacks of cots, blankets, cases of water, and boxes filled with food. “There…you should be all set for at least three days. If you run out of anything, give Carson a call so I can replace the items.”

Unable to believe what had just appeared, Kahn walked over to a cot and touched it before moving on to the other items. Finally convinced that all the supplies were real, he turned to look at Remy and asked, “Who did you say you are? ”

Chuckling, Carson stepped forward and said, “He’s Remy, my mate, but he’s also Ruler of the Mystic Kingdom, Great Warlock, and Keeper of All Magic.”

“No fucking way!” Kahn muttered, his eyes as wide as saucers. “Your mate is the King of Witches?”

“Well, to be precise, Remy’s the King of Witches and Warlocks,” Carson replied, smiling.

“No fucking way! Oh shit, I said that already,” Kahn said, staring at his cousin.

“That you did,” Remy said, smiling.

“Does Tristan know who you are?”

“He knows,” Carson replied.

“He didn’t warn me,” Kahn whispered. “He’s a fucking asshole!”

“Well, I’ll leave you to sort that out with him, but we have to go,” Remy replied, trying to keep from smiling at Kahn’s reaction. “I’ll be back shortly with the first group.”

Stunned, Kahn couldn’t believe how quickly Carson and Remy had vanished. There wasn’t even time to say goodbye or anything else before he found himself standing alone in the hallway. Shaking his head, he headed toward the first room. It had been a while since he had any contact with his friends in the Silver Point Pack, and was now eager to see if some of them would arrive with the first group. It would be good to talk to them again, since they hadn’t seen him since he’d left to pursue his art career.

~/~/~/~/~

“Mom?”

“I’m here,” Lizzie said, breathlessly, after answering the phone.

“Are you okay?” Dylon asked, worriedly. “You sound a little strange.”

“No, I’m fine. I was upstairs going through our clothes since we won’t need any winter ones out in California, although come to think of it, I should save a few of your father’s sweaters and coats just in case he…just a minute, I better write that down or otherwise it will fly right out of my head. There, I swear this list just gets longer and longer. I don’t remember moving being this hard the last time we did it.”

“Maybe it’s because you lived where you are now longer than in any other place,” Dylon replied .

“That does make sense, I guess, but I don’t see how that would apply this time since we only lived here slightly longer than we did in the last place your father was stationed.”

“Mom, I don’t think thirty years is only slightly longer,” Dylon laughed. “And don’t forget you and Dad had to go to so many events when he became Vice Chair which means you probably have a ton of new dresses and other clothes. And what about all the entertaining you guys did? It all adds up.”

Sighing, Lizzie said, “I forgot all about that.”

“Maybe you should hire some help?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary because once your father gets home, I’m sure he’ll be able to sort it all out. In fact, I should call him and find out when he’s coming back.”

“Uh…Mom, about Dad…”

“What about him? Oh no, you didn’t tell him I told you we were moving to California, did you? He wanted to surprise you, and now he can’t, and it’s all my fault for letting it slip…I really should have been more careful, but when you told me how much my sweet little princess had grown and then asked me when we were going to come for a visit…well, I was so exci ted because I was just thinking how I wouldn’t miss any more of our grandpups’ milestones since we were moving out there to be close to them.”

“Dad doesn’t know we know, so please stop worrying,” Dylon said.

“Oh…well, that’s good because Cody did promise to act surprised when Frank gave you two the news.”

“And we will, Mom, but that’s not why I’m calling,” Dylon said. Then, taking a deep breath, continued, “Early this morning, a bunch of prisoners escaped, and they took Dad as a hostage. The High Council kept it quiet, hoping the ringleader would call them with their list of demands in return for Dad. But so far they haven’t heard anything, so the High Council decided to contact Jackson.”

“Are you sure?” Lizzie whispered into the phone, her fear rising as her son’s words sunk in. “My Frank…kidnapped…no one from the High Council called me…”

“I know…they didn’t call me either, Mom. But it’s true…I saw it myself when Zane found the recording from the prison security cameras,” Dylon said, softly .

“Do you know who took him?”

“Yes…and Jackson and I have a plan for getting him back, but I need you to be here.”

“Why? I don’t understand…what can I do there that I can’t do here?” asked Lizzie.

“I can’t tell you over the phone, but Mom, right now you’re the only hope we have of finding Dad. Will you come?”

“Of course…I’ll have to pack first and then get a ride to the airport…”

“There isn’t time for that, Mom. Jackson’s gonna send Brady and Lucius to transport you here.”

“Who are these people? Have I met them before? Are you sure I can’t fly?”

“No, Mom. It’s important we find Dad as soon as possible, and flying is gonna take too long.”

“Oooh,” Lizzie said softly, tears filling her eyes when she finally understood what her son was not telling her. “I’ll do whatever is necessary. When will they arrive?”

“I’ll call you back and let you know,” Dylon replied. “And Mom, I promise you I will get Dad back…safely. ”

“I believe you,” Lizzie murmured before hanging up and collapsing into a nearby chair. It couldn’t be happening to them now, not when they would finally have the time to enjoy life without the burden of his job weighing them down. She knew Frank enjoyed his work, which was why she never complained, but lately he hadn’t seemed as eager to get to the office as he used to be.

When she’d finally asked him about it, he told her he was thinking of retiring. And though she never mentioned it to Frank until that moment, she’d gotten tired of waiting for the High Council to give him a new assignment; she really wasn’t looking forward to it, anyway. All it would mean was another move, more traveling, and having to make new friends. So, together they discussed what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives and, to her surprise, Frank told her he wanted to be close to the grandpups. She readily agreed with him and they began to make plans that night to move to California.

But now, their dream of a quieter life was in danger of vanishing…all because the High Council refused to listen to Frank about the need to upgrade their prison security protocols. Anger surged through her when she thought about the High Council not telling her about Fr ank’s abduction. It was just so typical of them to hide anything that might make them appear in a bad light.

She and Frank had discussed Council politics many times and she knew how hard he’d tried to change the mentality of some senior members who could not accept change. He was just tired of fighting the ‘old guard’ as he called it. Even now, that conversation was still fresh in her mind.

“Times have changed, Lizzie, and the High Council has to change with them, or otherwise, it will lose all the respect it has in our world. Already, I see cracks forming, and I fear that’s only the beginning of its eventual downfall. Then where are we? Back in a world filled with fighting and hatred.”

“If you really think that, Frank, shouldn’t you stay and try to save it…if not for us then certainly for Jessica and Jake.”

“There’s nothing I can do anymore working from the inside…that’s why I want to leave. Once I finish my term as Vice Chair, I’ll be free to tackle the problem from the outside.”

“How? ”

“I don’t know yet, but I refuse to believe there aren’t others out there that feel as I do…that there can be a better High Council than what there is today.”

“Once we are in our new home, maybe you should talk to Dylon and see what he thinks...at least it’s a starting point.”

“Excellent idea, my love.”

Lizzie was astounded by how fast everything seemed to move after their discussion. But now everything was in jeopardy because someone took Frank to use as a bargaining chip. That someone would dare do that fueled her anger until it was a roaring flame. Rising from the chair, Lizzie brushed the whisps of hair off her face, squared her shoulders, and said to the empty room: “You hold on Frank, because I will not give up until you are back with me.”

~/~/~/~/~

On her way out of the kitchen, Sofia saw Jackson walking toward his study. It was a perfect opportunity to talk to him about Cain. Sticking her head back into the kitchen she asked Steel, “Do you need me right now? ”

Looking over his shoulder, Steel smiled and replied, “Nope…just making a list of what we’re short of while the roast is cooking.”

“Okay,” Sophia said. “Don’t forget to check the list Dakota keeps in the pantry. I think Theo put a number of items on it a couple of days ago.” As she left, she heard Steel yell his thanks to her.

Hurrying to the Alpha’s study, Sofia thought about Cain and how much he reminded her of David before Zane came into his life. Her son had changed so much, but there were times he would once again become the frightened boy of his youth. Thankfully, Zane would quickly pick up on it and give David the positive support he needed to forget what was troubling him. But Cain had no one to do that. Knocking on the open door, Sofia stood in the doorway, waiting for permission to enter.

Looking up, Jackson smiled. “Sofia, come in…what can I help you with?”

Sofia walked into the room, stopping in front of Jackson’s desk. “It’s about Cain…he told me about his life and how he ended up here…at the Blackwood Pack.”

“I see…and do you have a problem with it?” Jackson asked, softly .

It took a moment before Sofia understood what the Alpha meant before she quickly shook her head and said, “No…not with who he is, but more with what he is.”

Frowning slightly, Jackson said, “I’m not sure I understand what you mean…is your issue with his background or the fact he’s a human?”

“Oh goodness, I’m messing this all up,” Sofia murmured, wringing her hands in distress.

“Hey…take it easy…why don’t we start from the beginning. When did you meet Cain?”

“The Alpha Mate sent me up to his room with his lunch.”

“Okay, then what happened?”

“Cain opened the door, then asked if I would eat with him since there was so much food. I told him I was human and he was surprised, so I told him how I ended up here. Then I asked him the same question and he told me his story…all of it.”

“And are you okay with his past?” asked Jackson, softly.

“Oh yes…well, not really, but it’s because he didn’t really have a chance, did he, Alpha? After he lost his only friend, there wasn’t an yone who cared for him…like I did for my David when he was kept a prisoner all those years. Cain had no one to love him, no one he could trust, no one to comfort him when life got too hard…he was all alone. I’m amazed he turned out as good as he did. Now he has a real chance to find love and happiness but I’m afraid he won’t.”

“Why not?” asked Jackson.

“Because even though he’s here, he’s still alone, and, from what I gathered, there are lots of things he doesn’t really understand…like he didn’t even know how to use the computer to order some clothes. I know that sounds strange because, after all, he’s not that old, but I don’t think he had anyone to help him learn about it. His friend, Sarge, was an old man and I doubt he knew much about computers and such. All he taught Cain was how to survive living on the streets.”

Taking a deep breath, Sofia said, “What I’m trying to say is, after Cain tells you the information you need, would you please let Zane teach him about computers, so when he leaves us he’ll at least have a skill so he can get a job?”