Page 8

Jaxson

WITH MY BLADDER empty, my lips tingling from the mini-make-out session, and my hands on my mate’s shoulders as we walk through the kitchen, heading into the dining room, I feel reenergized and ready to get through the rest of this. Xander can handle most of what is left, and I can just focus on snuggling with my mate and maybe start playing our new PDA game, Who Stops First?

The subdued voices I’ve been ignoring on the short trek here are drowned out by the agonizing sound of my father crying out, “JAXSON!”

I spin my head around to see him rushing from the front hallway entrance into the dining room toward Billie and me. His normally joyful round face is etched and drawn out with pain and exhaustion. His short light-brown hair is sticking up at all angles, his brown eyes are lost in dark circles, the blue-and-black flannel he’s wearing is definitely misbuttoned, and he’s missing his usual white undershirt.

I’m so struck by the sight of him that I just stand and stare at him, then before I know it, his thick, short arms are wrapped around both Billie and me from the side, his fingers gripping and grabbing at me. Several inches shorter, he buries his face into the crook of my neck, and I feel his hot tears on my skin. My body shakes with the quaking, convulsing sobs exploding from him, and my heart plummets under the weight of guilt I feel seeing him like this. I should have called him. I should have reached out personally and let him know I was okay. I was ashamed and being selfish just thinking about how this all affected me and not how this would hit him.

He blubbers his apologies for what happened in so many different ways, asking me how I’m doing but never giving me a chance to answer.

“Dad,” I croak out, his emotions jerking at mine hovering just below the surface. “Dad,” I repeat. “I’m okay, I’m okay. My mates saved me. They got to me in time.”

He pulls back from us, and under the shine of his tears is a look I never knew my father could hold: one of absolute fury and rage and determination. A fire that lights flames of burned orange fills his normally warm brown eyes. “I never once thought...” he growls lowly and threateningly, his wolf fully supporting his anger. “I never thought your mom would help someone hurt you like that. That she’d go so far.” His upper lip tugs up on one side. “I will never let her hurt you again. Either of them. I swear to you Jaxson.”

Gripping the back of my head with his hand, he pulls my forehead down to his, and he sends a wave of pure beta wolf power throughout the entire room. There are several gasps, and I feel Billie shiver in my arms while my wolf rises to meet my father’s—both so similar, more so than I ever knew. Blondie and my dad’s wolf are both fun-loving, and I’ve always known the warrior that Blondie is, the beta inside, but my dad has never let me see this side of his wolf. He snarls, “I swear, I will remind that bitch about the wolf within me, of the power and skill that attracted her and her wolf to us when we were younger—the power she thought she tamed.”

Little Fox rises within Billie, and with a fiendish cackle, she seethes. “We want a piece of her too.” An image of the Joker’s smile superimposed over Little Fox’s snout flashes through my mind. I glance between the two of them, and Blondie’s tail thumps in enthusiastic agreement while my heart fills with a heaviness, a sadness, and I’m uncertain of how to handle the conflicting emotions.

As if reading my thoughts, which wouldn’t be far-fetched, Xander clears his throat and pushes up from the seat he took at the head of the rustic milled-cedar dining table, his back to the red-brick fireplace. “I’m glad we all want justice for what happened to Jax and that we understand his attacker did not work on her own,” he says in an even tone, his alpha power interwoven into each word, sending calming energy throughout the room, tempering the rising anger. “I would like to make sure we go about this in the correct way, to ensure that this type of incident doesn’t happen to other pack members. If we could all take a seat at the table, there’s more to discuss. A lot more.”

My father steps back from me, and it’s then I notice he’s not even wearing shoes or socks. His feet are not just bare but completely covered in dirt, leaf litter, and some blood. Obviously, he was too frantic with his concern for me to care. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I whisper, releasing Billie and wrapping my father up in my arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t reach out sooner. I—”

My words are cut short from the breath-stealing force of his arms squeezing around my ribs crushing my lungs. “Don’t, Jaxson. Don’t apologize. Luna Ophelia let me know what happened, the need to secure our house, and that you were okay, that your mates were taking care of you.” With a few firm pats on my shoulder blades, he draws back, his brown eyes swimming in tears. “I just—” He inhales a garbled breath and looks down at his clothes. “I just couldn’t sit and do nothing. My wolf demanded we run and remember who we are. I feel like I failed you as a father. If I’d been stronger and fought more—”

“No,” I object, as does Xander and Ethan.

My eyes and my dad’s eyes widen, and we turn to face the table. Xander and Ethan are both standing, looking at my father like they’re ready for a fight, as if his last statement insulted them. The three of us share a look, and Ethan dips his chin. Standing at the seat on Xander’s right, he rolls his shoulders back and erects his spine. With his hands on his hips, he stares at my father and states “You were the best parent the three of us had. You were there for us and gave the support, the kindness, and...” Ethan drops his chin and shakes his head while lowly chuckling before lifting his now-watery gaze back to my father. “The love. Not just making us feel loved, but your love for life, for the woods, for having a good time that we desperately needed. Your joy for life, your happiness, I mean.” Ethan scrubs a hand over his short-shaved head. “I don’t think you understand how little Xander and I ever heard laughter in our childhood homes—true, honest, good-hearted laughter.” He grows quiet for a moment and hitches a shoulder. “Even when my parents were alive, they were not the laughing type of people. I love them, I miss them, and I wish they were here, but...” He holds my father with a stare so serious, so raw, that one could never question his words as anything but truth. “But I learned how to laugh and how good it felt from you and Jax.”

“You gave them shelter to feel free, to be children, to play,” Luna Ophelia adds from her seat at the opposite end of the table, her back to the entryway my father came through. Looking at her, I don’t see any hurt or regret upon hearing Ethan’s words. Her brown eyes are warm, and her face is serene. “I was thankful for you, appreciated you more than I think you ever knew,” she assures him in a soft voice, one that is all caring, loving mother and not luna. “When Xander was with you, he was safe, and he was a boy who could act like boys act: carefree and playful. He would stand by the front door, looking down the long driveway just waiting for you, and when he heard you honk?” Her eyes brim with tears, and she inhales a quavering breath while her pink-painted lips curve up at the edges. “Oh, Gerald, his whole face would light up, and he’d fling the door open and yell out his goodbye before sprinting down the driveway. At times I wished I could go with him. But seeing my son, my Alexander, smile like that made me smile too. And that was a rarity in our home.” She pauses a moment and pats down the ends of her pixie haircut as if she’s shared too much and feels vulnerable. She waves an arm over the table. “So, please, won’t you three join us, and we will be the best we can be for our sons and for our pack?”

“Yeah, let’s sit down,” I say, hugging my dad, who’s got tears rolling down his face looking between Ethan, Xander, and Luna Ophelia with a stunned expression. I whisper in his ear “I love you, Dad.” Then I help guide him to the chair next to Ken Kubrick, and I take the one between my dad and Xander, pulling my mate down on my lap.

Billie doesn’t object just presses her hands against my thighs and spreads them out wide so her bum can sit on the edge of the large wooden seat, the rustic chairs oversized like the table, before she leans back into my chest. My arms wrap around her waist, and she lays her arms atop mine. Xander slides a piece of cinnamon gum in front of her, and she quickly snatches it up while making an appreciative hum. He looks at me and places a hand on my thigh. “You good to continue?”

Billie rubs her head against my chest, and I nod. “Yeah. This is more you than me, so long as Billie and I don’t have to take official notes or anything, we’re good.” My mate concurs by softly giggling and snuggling deeper into my hold. I soak it up, her warmth, her happiness, her love.

Xander’s lips tip up on one side, and he dips his chin. “As long as you’re good, that’s all I care about.” He gives my thigh a firm squeeze, then looks out at the gathered wolves. His eyes settle on Officer Sutherland, who’s been casually standing in the corner, dressed in jeans and a dark-blue fleece. He’s the newest pack officer and the youngest at around thirty. Feeling Xander’s gaze, he stands at attention, shoulders rolled back and spine straight, his hands interlaced low in front. “Officer Southerland, if you could, lock the door to the kitchen, close the pocket doors to the entryway, and stand guard outside while we discuss some things.”

Officer Sutherland bows his head, and his medium-length russet hair doesn’t move, the gel keeping everything in place. “Of course, Alpha,” he replies, then immediately does as asked.

Once we’re alone, Xander looks around the table. Next to Ethan is Warren DeLuca, followed by Elder Allan and then Bruce, who’s on one side of Luna Ophelia. On her other side is Elder Ralph, and next to him, Ken Kubrick. With the exception of the two lawyers and Luna Ophelia, everyone is dressed rather causally in jeans and sweaters or flannels. Xander looks to Ethan, and they place the binders from this morning on the table. “After we arrived home last night,” Xander states, “Elder Allan and Luna Ophelia directed my attention to the”—he taps the larger binder— “unabridged version of pack law, in particular this volume. There are three more.” He then taps the other smaller binder. “This, as many of you may know, is the abridged version, the one we’re taught, and there are major discrepancies.” Ethan then stands and begins handing out stapled packets of paper. When did he have time to prepare those? “These are the sections that most concern us today, however,” Xander continues with raised brows. “Based on this example alone, I’m worried about what else we’ll find. And”—he makes eye contact with everyone at the table— “I do mean we . For now, let’s address the protocol for determining the verdict of a pack member and their punishment. Myself along with my betas were too young to remember how these changes went into effect, the reasons behind the changes, and how the pack reacted initially.” He gazes at Kubrick. “Ken.”

Ken lifts his head up, his blue eyes the same shade as his tie, a deep sky blue, and his blond hair is just as gelled as Sutherland’s. He replies, “Yes, Alpha?”

“I know your father is listed as the overseeing legal attorney for the changes in the abridged version, but I’m hoping you could shed some light on what happened and if there were any legal repercussions from the pack in protest,” Xander states.

Ken spins his head around and stares at Bruce. He brings his focus back to Xander, and his throat bobs. “I was an undergrad when these changes went into effect, doing mostly clerical work at the firm during my summer breaks. From what I can remember legal claims, motions, and appeals were all made. But”—sweat beads on his tan forehead— “as far as I know, all such claims were directed to Alpha William Knight and his betas at the time, at our alpha’s command. Alpha.”

Xander sets his attention on Bruce. “Who wanted the change in the proceedings? Who pushed for it, and what was the supposed benefit?” he inquires, but it’s more of a demand.

“Regarding this particular section, it was for efficiency,” Bruce answers, sitting up higher in his chair. “William felt that since the final decision came down to the alpha, there was no reason to get the pack involved, to have a long, drawn-out process, when he could simply have written statements documented, hold a few conversations, and make the decision himself, Alpha.”

“How was the change received?” Xander probes.

To Bruce’s credit, he doesn’t flinch or fidget. He holds himself and maintains eye contact with Xander. “At first not well, but after those initial complaints were...” Pursing his lips, he clears his throat. “ Handled ... the pack accepted the law.”

“We’re going back to how it is described in the unabridged version,” Xander declares, reclining back in his chair. “Immediately. And I need those at this table to help with this. I expect everyone here to do their best, to ensure that we’re abiding by the unabridged version. We need to work together in determining the differences, pulling together resources, and deciding how best to inform the pack. The attack on my beta, Jaxson Lewis Benton, will be the first case to go through the previous, now-reinstated process.”

“You know what that means, Alpha?” Luna Ophelia questions, her eyes heavy.

“I do, and...” Xander inhales a breath, and I feel Ethan send energy through our bond, a cautioning. Xander pauses and dips his chin in understanding. “And Jaxson is pack. He is my bonded pack-mate and beta, but he is still pack. How we determine justice for one pack member is how we determine justice for all pack members, regardless of standing in the pack.” He sits up taller, and his eyes don’t glow, but they harden as he presses his finger into the table. “This is the first case. We will ensure that the process we follow does what it’s supposed to do: serve justice to our pack members and to those who have been wronged, abused, or attacked, and to punish those who do harm to their fellow pack members, to those that break pack law.” He leans back and blows out a breath. “I am open to suggestions on how we go about this, and please note”—he looks to Ethan— “Beta Ethan Emerson will be taking point on this. He will report to me when I’m not available, and his word is my word.”

Billie fidgets in her spot between my legs and shyly raises a hand. Xander turns to her and raises his brows. “You have a question or something to add, Duchessa ?”

If Billie wasn’t wrapped up in my arms, I wouldn’t have noticed her little huff of a giggle at being addressed as Duchessa . She’s still so new to all of this, and I’m pretty sure the formality of offices and titles is not really my mate’s thing. “A question...” She licks her lips and adds, “Alpha.”

Xander manages to retain a blank expression, though his pupils dilate just a bit. “By all means, ask,” he says, his voice a little deep.

“Right,” Billie says, a tinge of pink to her cheeks. She looks around the table and tugs on her ear, stuttering. “I, um, I know I’m not the wisest when it comes to wolf-shifter packs—or shifters at all, for that matter—but what determines whether someone is a pack member? Because if it’s based on them accepting the current alpha as their alpha, then aren’t the Callahans and Veronica non-pack members? And if that’s the case, would this be looked at as an attack on a pack member from a non-pack member?” My mate, so smart. I snuggle around her a little more.

Bruce points to the abridged version of pack law and replies, “According to the pack law we’ve been governing under for over fifteen years, if—”

Xander shakes his head and interrupts “No.” He grabs the small binder and holds it up. “We’re not solely referring to this as guidance for our pack law. Not based on what I’ve seen. We need to check against the unabridged version and compare.”

“I believe,” Elder Allan states with a clearing of his throat. His hazel eyes scan the group of us from behind his round spectacles while he sits up taller in his seat. “If I’m remembering the unabridged version correctly, we’re in what is referred to as the Three-Month Transference of Leadership Period, in which pack members that were under the old alpha have three months of pack protection to decide to submit or not. After that, all wolves who do not acknowledge the new alpha are considered non-pack.”

“That sounds correct to me,” Elder Ralph affirms with creased brows, stroking his hand down his beard.

“We need to read the entire section,” Ethan surmises with a bob of his head, his eyes going from our elders to Xander. “We need to fully understand what it says because pack protection is one thing, but pack rights and adhering to pack law are different. Three months is a long time for non-pack members to live among the pack. It allows disgruntled former members to sow seeds of discontent, to weaken the pack from within and who knows what else.”

“Which is one of the reasons William changed things under his leadership,” Bruce adds, not looking up or addressing anyone, his eyes on the binders on the table. “Either recognize him as alpha or leave the pack. He enacted that the moment he became alpha, years before anything was put into writing, because at the end of the day, the alpha has the power, the final say.” He then looks around “The longer those members who do not accept Xander as his alpha”—he turns to stare at Luna Ophelia— “regardless of their reason, the weaker Xander’s hold on the position appears. Three months is too long to make the decision. I can understand providing time for the wolves to get their affairs in order and make plans to move to another pack or go off on their own, but the decision to recognize the new alpha as theirs, needs to happen much sooner.”

“The decision needs to be mutual,” Billie mumbles, rolling her head on my chest to look at Xander. “Just as they can decide to accept you, so too can you decide to accept or not accept them. You and your wolf... I assume, could connect to potential wolves or shifters, and decide whether you want them in your pack. A metaphysical... bum sniff of sorts.”

“They’ve got a point,” Ethan adds with a micro-grin, his eyes on Xander, whose lips are also a little twitchy with his efforts to hide his amusement. Metaphysical bum sniff? I just smush my smile into her head, while Ethan continues. “Just because it was written in the unabridged version doesn’t make it the best choice, and just because your father made the changes doesn’t mean they’re not good changes. And there’s always room to amend things on your own. But connecting with all the wolves would give you a better idea and sense of the truth of the wolves living on pack land, as well as give them a sense of you and your wolf. It may seem intrusive, but it’s not just for you.” Ethan trails his gaze around the table, stilling on our mate a little longer before returning to Xander. “It’s for all of those who accepted you, who have put their trust in you as their leader. If there are threats to the pack, better to know now than to wait.” What he doesn’t say: Better to know who doesn’t want our mate as part of our pack. Better to know our enemies and set about removing them from the pack.

At that moment, the walls shake with the force of a heavy door slamming into a wall, shortly followed by the sounds of pictures or glass or something crashing onto hardwood. Booted feet stomping a hurried pace grow louder on approach trailed by the rapid click-clacking of heels. “Where is he?” a voice I know to be Brian Callahan roars out, my skin prickling with his beta power being thrown out in front of him like the whipping wind of an oncoming storm—far more than I’ve felt from him in the past.