Chapter 92
Chapter 92
My father was back to his normal self. Regan’s rash act had paid off and the antidote had worked its magic. As my father strode through the packhouse, I could see how cloudy his eyes were and knew that he was mind-linking the entire pack in his search for Isabelle and Heather. We walked behind him, Regan slowly because of her broken ribs. I kept a careful eye on her, steadying her with my arm but she seemed to be okay, albeit in a slight amount of pain. I couldn’t even begin to fathom what had made her take such a daring risk, but part of me was eternally grateful to her. Because of her, we had my father back. We hadn’t been too late after all.
“Where are they” my father bellowed, stomping through the pack house, his voice so loud that it carried all the way through, stopping omegas and pack members in their tracks.
For a man who had just recovered from the effects of what I considered to be a poison, he seen be in remarkably good health. One of the omegas stopped us, handing us all clothes to put on. We thanked them, don nem on autopilot, while my father stared around intently. So far there had been no signs of either Heather or Isabelle Ramona.I doubted they would be brave enough to show their faces with the mood our father was in though. They would be fools to do so. Several warriors began to crowd the front foyer, their heads bowed respectfully as they began to address my father.
“Alpha Jackson, we have combed the nearby grounds and there is no sign of either of the women” one reported sounding slightly panicked.
My father looked on the verge of exploding at his men. “Then expand the search through the forest and this pack house. I want every room turned upside down, every cave in the forest explored, every dam tree shaken down if it comes to it” he bellowed. “Neither of those traitors get to escape, do you hear me?”
The warriors winced and then nodded in agreement. None of them were about to argue with my father. On the contrary, several looked relieved to see that he was acting like the old Alpha Jackson they all knew. I watched as they began to peel off in teams, several heading upstairs to start checking every room and level in the pack house while the others supposedly began to head to the forest to do as my father had instructed.
My father’s nostrils were flaring with rage as he turned to look at all of us. “In the study, now” he shot out.
We didn’t dare object or protest. We followed him into the room, and he kicked the door shut behind us, motioning for us to take a seat. We sat, watching as he ran a hand through his hair in exasperation, muttering under his breath. We couldn’t hear him, but perhaps that was a good thing, I thought, knowing that it must have been cursing or some other damning words.
“Regan” he looked towards her, his brow creasing, “I sincerely apologize for hurting you,” he said, a look of concern on his face.
“It’s okay Alpha Jackson you weren’t yourself,” she said quietly but my father’s eyes remained pained.
“Sons I can’t even begin to describe how ashamed I feel that I tried to hurt you. The guilt I feel is overwhelming and killing me inside. I would never lay a hand on either of you in normal circumstances, I want you two to believe that” he said grimly, looking at us with desperation as though fearing we would refute that.
I nodded as did Xander. “We know father.”
Our father had always shown nothing but the utmost kindness and love for us. We would never hold something like this against him
He exhaled looking relieved. “Now we have the situation to discuss regarding Isabelle’s child. Is it true that the child is indeed Xander’s?” he looked at my twin brother who had flattened his lips and began to look mutinous at the question. Xander still hated that fact. Isabelle had done something unforgivable in his eyes and Xander was never she had done. going to forget what
“Yes” Xander muttered sourly, “although I did not consent to it. What difference does it make if you’re going to execute her anyway?” he shot out, leaning forward and meeting our father’s eyes. “You are going to execute them both for what they did to you, aren’t you?” he asked uncertainly as my father gave a long-suffering sigh, a look of frustration on his face.
Somehow I knew that what father was about to say was going to make Xander even angrier than he already was. Evidently, Xander had forgotten about pack laws or maybe he was hoping that father would make an exception in this case. I felt sorry for him.
“The child complicates matters,” he said evenly, glancing at Regan apologetically as she sat stiffly in her chair. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but if Isabelle’s child is indeed biologically yours as well” he looked at Xander “then that child is also part of our bloodline and a possible heir to the pack.”
We already knew that. Shifters placed a lot of value on continuing their family lineage. It was just as sacred as our mate bond in some aspects.
“So, she gets away with what she’s done?” Xander’s voice is incredulous as he stares at our father as though hoping that he’s lying. “She just gets to walk away as though nothing has happened?” he demanded aggressively.
“I’m not suggesting that” my father’s voice is remarkably patient, even as I sympathize with Xander and glance at our mate.
Although Regan has said nothing I can still read her like an open book. I knew this couldn’t be easy on her.
Regan looks hurt. The idea that Isabelle is giving birth to a child of one of ours, instead of Regan being pregnant instead is making her look devastated. I take hold of her hand while my father clears his throat, trying to explain to us all.
“We can’t kill an innocent child. Not while she’s pregnant. It’s against pack laws” he reminded us regretfully. He avoided Xander’s eyes.
“Even though I did not consent?” ander repeated, his tone turning dark. “You’re insisting that the baby remain alive? You know that means you can’t execute Isabelle” he glowered looking thoroughly exasperated.
“I know that’s perfectly well what I’m saying,” our father said, putting both his hands palms up on the desk, “and I know it’s not what you want to hear. But Xander, could you live with yourself knowing that you’ve killed your own child? Your own flesh and blood?” his voice is soft and his expression one of understanding.
Xander shifts in his chair. “But Regan” he protests, looking at our mate whose blood has drained out of her face.
“It’s a shit situation” our father agrees “and entirely unfair to Regan. But you’re going to have to make a decision in regard to the child eventually. Whether you keep it” he rubbed his forehead, looking tired all of a sudden “or choose to adopt him or her out until they reach legal age. Whatever you decide, I will support you wholeheartedly, but I encourage you to talk about it with your mate” he glanced apologetically at Regan and then at me “as this effects all three of you.”
Regan’s eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Xander reached for her other hand and squeezed tightly. “Regan” his voice is low.
“Not now” she choked out, causing Xander to look even more miserable. “We can discuss it later when Heather and Isabelle are found.”
The pain in her voice was such that it brought tears to my and Xander’s eyes. For all her bravado she was hurting and it was blatantly obvious to see.
“Alpha Jackson” a warrior knocks on the door and waits for permission to enter.
“Enter” my father answers, looking grateful for the interruption.
The tension in the air was almost suffocating in the
room.
The warrior opens the door and steps inside, bowing respectfully. “The pack house has been searched top to bottom. Unfortunately, there is no sign of Heather or Isabelle Ramona. If they are still here, they must be on the grounds or hidden away in the forest” he informed
us.
“You are certain our father’s tone was sharp as he narrowed his ryes at the warrior.
“Yes sir. We checked everything, including whatever could be red as a hiding place. They aren’t here” the warrior sounded regretful
Alpha Jackson waved a dismissive hand in him. “Join the search on the grounds” he ordered, find those traitorous bitches if at’s the last thing you do he demanded frostily.