“You already know I can read Smokey’s mind…” Norm said, his voice trailing off as he thought about Jackson’s request. Then, his eyes fell to Theo’s baby bump, and he grinned. Looking over at Jackson, he said, “I can also read the mind of our cub.”
One of Jackson’s eyebrows winged up at the news. “When did that happen? Could you do it early on, or has it happened lately?”
Chapter 38
“Wait!” Theo exclaimed. “You can read our cub’s mind? What is he thinking? Is he all right?”
“He’s fine, honey bunch,” Norm said softly. “He loves you already.”
“He does?” asked Theo.
“Yup, and can’t wait to meet you and Smokey.”
“What about you? Doesn’t he love you?” asked Theo.
Chuckling, Norm said, “He loves all of us, honey bunch.” Then, turning to Jackson, he added, “I could sense him a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn’t until last week that I could read his thoughts.”
Nodding, Jackson asked, “Anyone else?”
“Wesley and Heather…but not until this morning.”
“That figures,” Jackson mused.
“Why?” asked Smokey.
“Because this morning I decided to send them here…to stay with you guys until the warrants are rescinded,” Jackson said. “I figured it would be the safest place for them to be until I can determine if Norm is the rightful heir.”
“And what happens if he is?” asked Smokey.
“That’s up to Norm,” Jackson said. “He can either claim his position as Alpha or maybe make a deal with the current Alpha to leave you guys alone in exchange for him keeping the position of Alpha.”
“Do you want us to leave the Blackwood Pack?” Theo asked fearfully.
Shaking his head, Jackson said, “Absolutely not! You will always have a home with me, but if Norm is the rightful heir, then your son would be next in line…as Danny is with me. Giving up the Alpha position might also mean giving it up for your son, so that’s something you guys need to consider when deciding.”
Norm glanced at Theo, then Smokey, before turning back to Jackson. “We will…but can you explain your reaction when I told you I could read Wesley and Heather’s minds?”
“Right…well, I’m not sure, but it appears that your Alpha power views them as members of your pack now.”
“My pack? I don’t have…”
“Yes, you do,” growled Smokey. “Theo, me, our cub, and now Theo’s parents…we’re all members of your pack…the one your Alpha spirit is forming.”
“No…it can’t be…” Norm said, his voice fading as he tried to wrap his mind around it.
“I agree with Smokey,” Jackson said. “When you found your Fated Mate, it started a chain reaction that included the forming of a pack. And it’s probably why the Ghost Bear Alpha is so desperate to get you back.” Then, seeing the confusion on Norm’s face, he explained, “According to Wesley, you, as the first-born son of the former Alpha, have the Power of the Alpha.”
“Why is that important?” asked Smokey.
“It’s the only thing that will keep a pack together,” Jackson said.
“If you’re correct, then the current Alpha doesn’t have it and he needs Norm to keep his pack together?” asked Smokey.
“Exactly,” Jackson said. “And given the fact that Norm is already assembling his own pack…”
“The ties that bind the pack he grew up in are fraying,” Smokey said.
“What does that mean?” asked Theo.