"I believe I have a fair idea ..." Tobias looked towards the orange tabby that was watching them both carefully. "As curious as I am on the details, I'm afraid we don't have time for that today, so let's just focus on the pack for now."

The only time Sean could recall feeling so immediately relieved had been when Conor had told him that his parents knew he was okay while at the ranch.

Tobias picked up the frog cage and set it back on the sliding shelf. "You're skeptical about my theory," he stated plainly. "That's fair. So, how about we test it?"

"Test it how?"

"All we'll need is a wolf... and a witch, of course."

Through the pungent stench of motor oil, Dakota could smell Byron hovering nearby. He'd dragged out his chore as long as he could, but now that he was cleaning up, a conversation with Byron was looking unavoidable.

"What's up?" Dakota greeted, closing his Charger's hood as Byron came to stand at his side.

Byron Silver was easily one of the most intimidating men that Dakota had ever met, not because of how he looked, but because of how sharp and direct he was.

Byron didn't answer right away. He was sure that Dakota knew the answer.

"Are you sure now is the best time to be leaving?"

Dakota took in a breath before looking his packmate in the eyes. "If this is about my brother... I'm not making a decision within the next few days, Byron, you know that." Dakota picked up the empty Valvoline bottle and rags before motioning for Byron to follow him inside. "And Kaiden will be here." He added as they cleared the front door.

"It's not like he just got here, Dakota. We've had him locked up for months," said Byron as he followed after him. "And what about his kid?"

Dakota pitched the spent container and strode the short distance to the small bathroom, flinging the oil-blotched rags into the hamper before meeting Byron back in the living area.

As he stared at the man looking at him expectantly, Dakota felt like he might as well have been staring down his own father. They looked nothing alike. Byron's dark skin and shorter, rounder features were a stark contrast to his father's narrow, pale frame. But when he got that look in his eyes, Dakota felt the very same pressure--the kind your old man always seemed to be able to exert, no matter your age or rank.

"Slade would go nuts without someone to mother. If he had a problem taking care of Rex, he'd say so."

"And when Rex wants to see his father?"

"He can," Dakota said, his expression stern. "And you know what? If I'd have carried out pack law by now, like everyone keeps fucking pushing me to, that wouldn't be the case. That's what this is about, isn't it?" He sat down and sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I'm not a damn kid anymore, Byron, you don't have to prance around it."

"No, you're our Alpha and I'm behind you. You know that. You can rewrite every pack law for all I care. But Riley's had more than his fair share of chances. He's killed." Byron took in a slow breath as he stared right into Dakota's eyes. "And you can be damned sure, if he gets the chance, he'll do it again."

"I want to talk to Nate in person before we get on with all this," Dakota finally replied in a resigned tone. "He has to know if it's going to happen. Even if he doesn't want to come back before it does, he should at least know."

"Heh, never pegged him for a college boy." Neither Slade or Kaiden had gone, so Byron had just assumed that Nate wouldn't either.

Byron's comment pulled a small smile out of Dakota.

"He sure as hell didn't drag his ass to Colorado for an education."

"I take it you let him go on the off chance that he might accidentally learn something?"

"Something like that."

Dakota had made good time on the drive southeast to Aspinview. Not having his daughter along or two disgruntled teens and a cat, made for a considerably less stressful trip. After pulling up in front of his parent's house, he got out of the Charger and stretched. His first breath outside of the warmth of his car flew away in a hazy white cloud.

He knocked on the front door a couple of times before stepping inside. It was quiet, but a quick sniff told him both of his parents were home. He strolled over to the entrance to the den where he found his mother doing a crossword puzzle and his father reading. He stood in the doorframe watching them for a few moments, with a small pain in his chest. Of course, they were getting older, but he supposed it was easy to pretend like they'd always be around. Regardless, it was undeniable that age was indeed beginning to dull their senses.

"Oh!" His mother exclaimed when she finally noticed him, causing his father to nearly rip his paper when he jumped.

A laugh escaped Dakota and he covered his mouth while his father swore.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," Irene said as Dakota crossed the den and leaned over to hug her.

"It's good to see you," Dakota replied as her delicate arms encircled him.

Jobe gave his youngest son a stern glare for having startled them before his expression softened. "How's the pack?"

"Good." Dakota exhaled as he stood to face him.

"And your brothers?" Jobe said pointedly.

Dakota didn't get a chance to reply before his mother was already standing.

"Jobe, he just got here, give him a break." She squeezed Dakota's forearm. "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat, Mom, thanks."

"I take it you're here to see the witches..." Jobe said.

"Yeah." Dakota sighed as he sat down on the sofa nearest to his father's chair. Jobe folded his paper while Dakota watched him intently. His father looked like there were a million things on his mind... and all of it was being held at bay only by a pair of stern, thin lips.

Jobe hadn't liked the idea of Travis approaching the coven when Nate had exposed them to Sean, and he didn't like the prospect of Dakota talking to them now.

Sean's mother was doing dishes when Sean came out of his room.

"He's here," Sean called as he passed the kitchen.

Dakota was getting out of his car when Sean stepped out onto the porch.

"Hey!"

"Sup?" Dakota waved.

Sean shrugged, grinning. He hadn't anticipated how excited he'd be to see the pack leader strolling up to his house. It made the prospect of seeing Nate and Kaiden soon feel so much more real.

"I'm not about to walk into a bear trap, am I?" Dakota asked with a slight smirk as he stepped onto the porch.

"No." Sean laughed, giving the alpha a one-armed hug that the wolf returned. "My mom's nice--I swear. And my dad got stuck at work. He's gonna be a little late getting home."

Dakota snorted, following Sean and Trevor inside.

Shout outs to CosmicAxel, TeeMitchelle, munti7866 and AngelLankford!! Thanks so much for your support!