Chapter 254
“This is also the reason why we don’t want you to wait for the committee to remove you. The information that your father has access to without much digging on the process says if you make it to the final step in the investigation ten members of the council will move into your pack and you will be simultaneously moved out. The move is permanent no matter if you go to trial or not as the council members that move in are not simply investigating you.”
I stop my gentle rub just under the hem of Jessa’s shirt and cock my head slightly as this was where Dr. Pierce had essentially stopped when breaking down the process.
“So what are they doing when the committee starts their nine month investigation?”
“What they’ve done for ten years now is remove the wolf being investigated to a temporary sanctuary pack within an hour’s drive of the regional committee’s headquarters. The pack has constant contact with the committee and as soon as any feral behaviors are seen the wolf is placed in the pack’s jail until the committee picks them up but if the pack reports behaviors consistent with abuse or neglect the wolf remains there until the committee concludes their investigation. In both cases the behavior is documented and used as evidence when determining if a trial should be held.”
I nod my head, satisfied that she finally answered my question.
“What the council members do when they move into your pack for three months is interview every registered adult wolf in the territory. The department head assigned to the case starts with your dad. He must turn over documentation showing the names of those wolves so they can track who they have talked to. You have a large pack so it’s unlikely that they will call on teens for testimony. They will start with questions about you and depending on how well they know you will determine when they ask about your father as an alpha and the pack as a whole. The committee during this time will subpoena the security company your father uses to obtain two years of video footage to go through.”
“That’s what’s been in place for ten years?”
“Yes. The thing is, at the time I was trying to get this passed into law there was a second part to the committee’s investigation that got left out. I was surprised to find that they amended the law to include this second part at the beginning of this year.”
“What is it that got added in?”
“As I said before the way I set this up is so ferals that are in fact dangerous are removed from the pack about three to four months after the application is submitted to the council. What got left out that was recently implemented is no matter when a case is dropped the committee still sends council members to the pack. Unfortunately it ends up being a little longer but most wolves in trouble, wolves like you that have nowhere to run, are usually removed in six months to a year of the application being filed.”
“That’s when they are taken to a sanctuary pack?”
My voice trembles with the thought of going to an unknown pack.
“Yes. No matter if the wolf is removed during the committee’s nine months of evidence gathering or if they are removed after the case is dropped the wolf under investigation is moved to an undisclosed sanctuary pack. The bad news is if the committee removes you from your pack and relocates you to a sanctuary pack, that relocation is permanent and you have no choice in where you go.”
“So running is the only way I can choose to come here.”
I look up enough to see alpha nodding.
“It is possible, once they relocate you, to petition for you to come here but it can take a long time to do and without the ability to verify that a request for an investigation has been turned in my concern is that if you wait for the committee to remove you they may never come. I realize that it’s a scary thought. Especially considering it took three days last time for you to come around. It’s going to be a challenge but I do feel that your plan to run from your pack is the best one we got. It’s important that you accept the help Jamie and Jon want to give.”
I shake my head hard.
“No alpha. You have no idea what my father is doing to them. They can’t be involved with me.”
I shrink back into the couch as he stands from his chair. My trust in him this last month had slowly faded as I prepare myself for returning to the harsh reality of my life and such a response back home is deserving of a slap across the face for talking out of turn. He sighs as he approaches me, slowing down as he kneels beside me. I’m stuck where I am as I have no desire to shove my mate off my lap in order to get away from him.
“It hurts to see you fear me again.”
There’s sorrow in his voice as he whispers.
“There are only a few things in life that are truly destined to be. Your fated mate is one that is always talked about but for alphas the fated beta exists as well. We may not have known it growing up but I do believe that Patrick was destined to be my beta as my pack didn’t come together and work as seamlessly as it does until he came back. Just like my luna, Pat and I compliment each other. He challenges me, asks questions that I haven’t thought of when things get tough. He gives me strength when I am weak, hope when I am lost and I do believe that you have found yours without realizing it as well.”
“You do?”
I can barely choke out the words as he places his hand on mine.
“Jamison is as loyal to you as you are to him. He will not leave until you are gone.”
I look into alpha’s eyes holding my gaze with him for the first time in months.
“Jamie?” I whisper. He nods his head slowly.
“I offered him the same opportunity to stay that I offered you and Micayla. He has chosen to help you. I promise you, once you are here I will start making moves to get them out. Just as you deserve to live a peaceful life with your luna, you also deserve to have your beta. I would never separate the two of you.”
It’s the first time I have heard such sincerity from an alpha and I simply cannot pull myself away from his gaze.
“The most important thing you can do when you get home is to follow through with your plan. Get what you need to Jamie and run without hesitation.”
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