“Yup,” Jackson said. “But, let me stress, it’s only a theory right now until we can prove it. And that’s where you two come in. Zane, I need any information you can find about the death of the Alpha mate of the former Ghost Bear Alpha. I’m looking specifically for the how and why she died and where she is buried. Also, see if you can find any record of her giving birth to a son.”
“Have you searched the High Council files?” asked Dylon. “Usually, it would list that information in order to prevent an imposter from claiming the position.”
“I had just started before you arrived, but all I found was a brief sentence that the Ghost Bear Pack elected the current Alpha after their previous one died.”
“Doesn’t that contradict what Wesley told you?” asked Dylon.
“It does, but I’m betting he’s telling me the truth,” Jackson said. “At first, I agreed with Theo and Norman that they were sent to Arald’s because they were gay, but when I found out Theo is a rare white Ghost Bear Omega, something didn’t add up. If Theo were so valuable, why would he be sent to Arald’s? I could understand if Norman was…but both of them? Nope, that just didn’t follow.”
Dylon nodded his head in agreement. “I doubt very many people know about the first-born son of a Ghost Bear Alpha having the Power of the Alpha.”
“I believe it’s a well-guarded secret,” Jackson said.
“How do we know if Wesley is right?” Zane asked Jackson.
“If Norman heard the thoughts of Theo before claiming each other…”
Interrupting Jackson, Dylon said, “Kieran said Norman could do that while they were prisoners at Arald’s.”
“That was before they claimed each other, right?” asked Jackson.
“Yeah…they were kept in separate cells until Cody and I freed them.”
“Hey, if he can do that with Theo, won’t he be able to do it with Theo’s parents?” asked Zane. “They’re members of the Ghost Bear Pack.”
“Good point,” Jackson said. “It would be just one more piece of evidence that would support my theory.”
“What do you want me to do?” asked Dylon.
“Get a DNA sample from the current Ghost Bear Alpha,” Jackson replied.
Dylon raised an eyebrow, then laughed. “You gotta be kidding.”
“Unfortunately, no. Since he’s the brother of the former Alpha, Ian can use it to compare to Norman’s and hopefully it will show they share some DNA,” Jackson said.
“If it does, will it be enough to prove your theory?” asked Zane.
“It’s one piece of the puzzle…a major one,” Jackson said. “But we need to fill in the blanks…like did the old Alpha’s mate actually give birth and who saw it? What about the death of the mother…or cub? Did it really happen? Are there any witnesses who would be willing to come forward and testify? And then there’s Norman himself. What powers does a Ghost Bear Alpha have that others do not, and does Norm have any? We have to find as many pieces as possible before the current Ghost Bear Alpha finds out what we’re doing. Right now they’re safe, but if the Ghost Bear Alpha thinks his position is in danger, I wouldn’t put it past him to kidnap Theo and his parents to force Norman out of hiding…which is what I think the bounty hunter was attempting to do when he tried to take Theo.”
“What about Smokey?” asked Zane. “He’s not gonna just let anything happen to his mates.”
“I’m counting on that,” Jackson said. “Right now, we’re the ones who know Theo and Norm have another mate, which gives us an advantage.”
“Whatcha mean?” Zane asked.
“As the Fated Mate of Theo and Norm, he has legal rights which will be important if this matter ends up in the courts,” Jackson said. “And then there’s Smokey’s apex predator status. He could easily win a fight between the two of them…that is, if the Ghost Bear Alpha is stupid enough to challenge him.”
Dylon snorted. “After seeing what Smokey did to Josiah, I pity the Ghost Bear Alpha if he goes down that route.”
“That’s a fight I would pay to see,” Zane said, grinning. “Smokey is one badass dude.”
“I can’t disagree,” Jackson said, “but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Now, to get back to getting the DNA from the Ghost Bear Alpha. According to Wesley, he’s a deep sleeper, so I recommend you get the sample tonight. Sawyer can cloak you and Remy will take you, but first you need to talk to Ian and find out what kind of sample he needs.”
“Hair, most likely,” Dylon said.
“But you have to pull it out by the roots,” Zane said.
“Why?” asked Jackson. “And how do you know that?”