“If I’m right, it means the current Alpha is desperate to get Norm back to prevent his pack from unraveling,” Jackson explained.
“What about me and Smokey? We have to go also, cuz we’re his mates,” Theo said.
When Jackson hesitated to respond, Smokey studied him and realized there was more to his ‘Power of the Alpha’ explanation, and it had to do with Theo and him. “Tell us the rest,” he said, locking his eyes with Jackson’s. “I can’t protect them with only half the information.”
Sighing, Jackson slowly nodded, then said, “Wesley said the current Alpha needs to kill Theo and the cub in order to keep in power.”
“NO! NO FUCKING WAY!” Smokey roared, pounding the table with his fist. “I’LL KILL THE SONOFABITCH BEFORE THAT WILL EVER HAPPEN.”
Grabbing his mate’s fist before it could connect with the wood again, Norm ordered, “Stop, Smokey…you’re scaring Theo.”
Jerking his head around to Theo, Smokey felt his anger instantly dissipate at the frightened look on his mate’s face, filling him with shame over his reaction. “Oh, hell, Shining Star, I’m sorry…”
Blinking back the tears filling his eyes, Theo whispered, “I’m not scared of you. I’m scared for our cub. He’s innocent in this whole mess…”
“No one will harm you…or your cub, I promise,” Jackson said softly.
“You can’t promise that,” Theo said sadly.
“I can…Once Wesley told me that, I had Remy place a protection spell over the three of you and Theo’s parents. No one who intends to harm any of you will make it through it alive…trust me.”
Relieved at the news, Smokey said, “Thanks…and give Remy my thanks too.”
“I will,” Jackson said. “And I have a favor to ask of you…”
“Shoot.”
“Dylon brought back one enforcer they encountered on the rescue mission…”
“I’ll do it!” Smokey blurted out.
Laughing, Jackson said, “I haven’t asked you yet.”
“Doesn’t matter…count me in.”
“Good, because I need someone to interrogate him, and according to Dylon, you’re one of the best,” Jackson said.
“Just tell me where and when,” Smokey said.
“What do you want to know from the enforcer?” asked Norm.
Jackson pressed his lips together for a moment as he looked at Norm, then finding what he’d hoped for, said, “One questionI have is why did the current Alpha decide to act now…what triggered that response in him.”
“And what did you come up with?” asked Norm.
“It has to do with your Power of the Alpha,” Jackson said. “Wesley said the current Alpha needed it to keep the pack together, but when Theo became pregnant, your Power of the Alpha abandoned your old pack and began to assemble a new one…one that included your mates, the cub, and now Theo’s parents. If I’m correct, several members have left your old pack, and when that exodus began, the current Alpha realized what caused it. So, he came up with a plan to get you and Theo back under his control.”
“What about Smokey?” asked Theo.
“Ah…he doesn’t know about him yet,” Jackson smiled. “And since Ghost Bears always mate in twos, he’s Norm’s secret weapon.”
Glancing at his mate, Norm murmured, “The best secret weapon there is.” Then, turning back to Jackson, he asked, “Do you think the enforcer will tell you how many members have left?”
Snorting, Smokey said, “Trust me…by the time I’m done, I’ll know everything there is about what’s been happening in your old pack.”
Nodding, Norm turned to Jackson. “I want to be there. I have some questions of my own to ask.”
Shaking his head, Smokey said, “No way, Eagle Feather…it’s not safe for you.”