“If you could...or better yet, do you have a phone number I can reach them at?”
“I don’t, but I’ll get it and send it to you,” Heath said, pausing when he heard the front door open. Curious, he got up and peered around the corner of the kitchen to the foyer, grinning when he saw it was his mate. Holding up a finger, he said, “Dad, got to go…talk to you later.” Then hanging up, he slipped the phone in his pocket before heading to Tristan. “This is a pleasant surprise,” he murmured, his eyes locked on the need in his mate’s eyes. Then, without another word, Heath fell to his knees, groaning when Tristan slid his cock into his mouth.
Chapter 19
Jackson leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, thinking about his conversation with Penn about the uphill battle they’d need to fight to get the arrest warrant canceled. The odds of winning it without Theo’s parents were nil; even with their sworn statement, it still would be an almost impossible victory. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his mate, who headed over to Jackson and kissed him before sitting down next to him.
“Want to tell me why you look like someone just gave you bad news?” Steel asked.
“Because Penn just did,” Jackson frowned, picking up the arrest warrant and passing it to his mate.
After reading it, Steel said angrily, “You have to be kidding me! There’s no way they could have done it since they were both here.”
“That’s the only good thing going for them,” Jackson said, sighing. “Penn said Theo and Norm must surrender and he might be able to bail them out after they’re charged. But…and this is a big but…Penn said we shouldn’t count on it.”
“What? You mean they have to stay in jail? Until when? The trial? And how soon would that be?” Steel asked, trying to control the anger welling up inside him.
Shrugging, Jackson said, “Maybe six months…but only if the other side doesn’t object.”
“If Theo stays locked up for that long, he’ll lose the cub.”
“No shit!” Jackson growled.
“Can’t Penn petition the court to release Theo and Norm into your custody…because of his risky pregnancy?”
“Yes…but until a judge can hear his motion, they’ll both have to stay in jail. And, according to Penn, since there isn’t any merit to the warrant, he doubts the other side is gonna agree to an early date for the hearing…meaning it could also delay the start of the trial.”
Steel thought for a moment, then asked, “What are your rights as their Alpha? Can you demand their release pending the outcome of the trial?”
“Maybe…it depends on what claims the other side makes. For instance, their former Alpha can argue Theo and Norm could not formally leave the pack since they were minors when they disappeared…”
“Fucking hell!” Steel growled. “They didn’t just leave; the asshole sent them to Arald’s.”
“He can claim that their parents were the ones who sent them to Arald’s without his permission, which means Theo and Norm are still members of his pack.”
“But they’re not minors anymore.”
Shaking his head, Jackson said, “Doesn’t matter. After they came of age and left the pack, they didn’t file the required separation papers with the High Council.”
“So officially they’re still in his pack? Fuck!”
“The only possible solution Penn can see is if Theo and Norm disappear while Penn challenges the legal validity of the warrant.”
“Is that Penn’s legal opinion?” Steel asked, smirking.
Chuckling, Jackson said, “It depends on whether you’re referring to his official legal one or the one he offered off the record.”
“It doesn’t really matter since there’s only one viable option you have—and that’s to protect Theo and Norm. So, have you figured out where you are going to send them?”
“Maybe…it has to be close since Theo needs Mac, and it has to be with someone I have absolute trust in to keep a secret…”
Steel studied his mate, then laughed. “Have you asked him yet?”
“No…but there’s no time like the present.” Picking up his phone, he entered a number.
“I can’t fucking believe it!” muttered Tristan, looking at his phone.
When the call went to voicemail, Jackson hung up and called again, hoping his cousin would answer.