“I’d rather them give it willingly,” Justice rebutted.
“I know. But the youngest one. I’m not sure. He’s different. Only twenty-two, and was the most cooperative. He’s the one that gave us all the information on how many members are currently in the pack, their strengths, weaknesses, everything. So I’ll take you to him.”
Justice liked that the shifters were separated and in their own rooms, with plenty of space to move around and even shift if needed. There were also no metal bars and it looked as if they’d just recently been fed a generous meal. Alpha was glad that Mikel had adhered to Justice’s law that no alpha should have an inhumane facility on their land to hold their violators.
Justice opened the door, not bothering to knock. The young man scurried to his feet, dropping not only his eyes from Justice’s, but his head too. “Alpha Zenith. I’m so sorry I betrayed you and my pack. I’m begging for mercy. Please let me out of here. I swear I won’t go back to the Ruby Dome and join the other rebels. If you just let me go, I’ll plead for my father’s forgiveness and he’ll let me come back home.”
Justice stood there for a moment, assessing. The young man was being honest. He wouldn’t go back. But Justice had to gauge how much trouble the young man had already caused with his defiance. Inhaling deeply, Justice took in the boy’s scent, submitting it to his mental database.
“You’re one of Alpha McCullen’s sons. He’s the alpha of the Washoe pack.”
“Yes, AZ. I’m Shawn McCullen and I’ve disgraced him and my entire family because I believed lies and false promises. My father always said money was the root of all evil, and that’s what the Ruby Dome rebels get to sell out packs. And like an idiot, I fell for it, too.” The defeated spirit plopped back down on his small cot and folded his head down in his lap.
“Hold your head up!” Alek barked.
Shawn’s head flew up so fast at the command, his neck cracked.
“I’ll have your father notified,” Justice said. The young man looked like he was about to rejoice, but Justice shut it down. “After you’ve done two months at the restraint facility in California.”
“Noooo,” the boy whined, falling down on his knees. “Please, I promise I won’t go back to the Dome.”
“I know you won’t. That’s why I’m only giving you two months. Your ex-pack members will do a year for breaking the pack’s cardinal law – for their participation in the death of a human, compounded by their complete lack of remorse.” Justice waited for Shawn to get off the floor and wipe his eyes and nose.
“I understand,” the boy answered with more determination, though Justice could feel Shawn’s and his wolf’s devastation. Eventually, he’d be all right and he’d get back on the straight path. Justice would make sure of it. He was a young man who’d gone astray from his father’s teachings. It happened. Justice wouldn’t punish him too harshly. “Your discipline is more than fair, Alpha. Thank you for your kindness.”
That’s all Justice wanted to hear… that he’d been reasonable. He turned and left with his brother close behind him.
“Alek, have Mikel send a few shifters Shawn’s age down to comfort his wolf before the transport arrives.”
“You really are too kind, Justice.”
“Mom used to tell me there’s no such thing as being too kind.”
The thought of their mom had them quiet and walking close enough to each other that their arms brushed.
“Oh yeah. Taleb wanted to put in his request to officially meet your mate. He wanted me to ask you if he could go back with you.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be heading back in a few hours. Wick is still in meetings.” Justice looked at his cell. It was after one in the morning. He wanted to stop in one final time on his administrative staff that was working diligently to send word of Justice’s mating to packs all across the country. Then he could finally get back to Wick.
“Do you know what he’s doing at all times?” Alek elbowed Justice, wanting some details. It was funny because usually it was Mac who was the nosy one.
“No. But it seems when I start to think of him, he becomes aware. How? I’m not exactly sure. We just call it a mate thing.”
Alek nodded. “I think I get it. Mom and Dad weren’t true mates, but remember Uncle Roslo’s true mate? They were practically one and the same after so many years.”
Justice laughed. “I remember. Although, I promise Wick and I are different from other true mates.”
“How? Besides the obvious.”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Wick reached out to Justice as soon as he finished with all his political crap. It took a lot to shield his anger from his mate after it took almost thirty-five minutes to convince his father and the rest of the royal family that his mating was real and blessed. They’d accepted it for now, and Wick’s revelation of a potential group of human extremists that were targeting them. He had full autonomy to handle this how he saw fit.