Her Guardian Angel (Fire and Snow)(19)

"Does he think they will be able to lay charges for it?" Dominic knew full well, just because they 'knew' who did it, didn't mean they could charge the bastard for it.

"Nah, he doesn't think they will be able to get enough evidence to charge anyone, but the manager down there is planning on sacking both the workers who are involved anyway. He doesn't want the risk of any more ship fires." Jake's voice held more than a little frustration in it--Dominic could relate one hundred percent.

"I know how you feel, Dad. I hate that these bastards get away with it so often, leaving them free to do it again." Dominic scrubbed his face as he sighed. There was no point in getting all worked up. There wasn't anything he could do to change the situation.

"Not much we can do about it. Now son, onto a different matter. I want you to start sitting in on the monthly meetings with me soon. That means you need to learn who all the members of the Council of Alphas are." His dad had leaned back in his chair as he spoke.

"What? Why would I need to sit in?" Dominic was confused. What was his Dad on about?

"You are the future, son. When it's time for me to step aside as Alpha, you will not only be Alpha of the Leap here in Rosebery but of the Continental Leap, you will be our representative on the Council of Alphas."

Dominic sat down hard into the chair in shock. His father had previously told him he would be the next Alpha of the Leap here in Rosebery, but he'd never drawn the now obvious conclusion he would also be the representative at the Council. He watched as his father pulled out a note pad and tossed it towards him with a pen.

"You'd better take notes; it will take you a while to get them all straight."

Dominic sat up, grabbing the paper and pen before he settled in for his lesson.

"Okay, you know about Choden Sangye, but I'll refresh your memory. He is the original shifter, the first of our kind. Created in 1759 when he was fifteen. He is the only one of us who is immortal. He also has a boatload of other tricks. Don't ever be surprised that he knows things that he shouldn't or turns up in places you wouldn't expect. Don't bother trying to work him out either; you won't be able to, so save your energy. He will always be the Head Alpha. Any problem you have that you need advice on. You call him.

"As for the others, you know that even though each continent has many Leaps, each continent has a ruling Leap. The Alpha of that Leap is the Council Representative for that continent. So, there are seven Council members plus Choden. I'll only give you a brief run down of who and where for now, but I'll go through their strengths and weaknesses another day; you'll never remember it if I dump it on you all at once. Let's start with North America. Maddix Torres is the Alpha; he lives in Maple Ridge, Canada."

Dominic cut in on his father. "Hang on, Dad, you're going to have to spell these names for me. I want to make sure I get them right from the start."

"Fair enough and a good point. Some of them are a mouthful. So, Maddix is M-A-D-D-I-X and Torres is T-O-R-R-E-S. You got that one?"

"Yep, all good. Who else?"

"South America. Fernando Molina, that's F-E-R-N-A-N-D-O, M-O-L-I-N-A. His Leap is based in Arica, Chile. Asia's representative is the newest on board. Dishi Wee, D-I-S-H-I, W-E-E. He's in the Himalayas, India. Europe's is Tristian Laprise, T-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, L-A-P-R-I-S-E. He's in France, the Besancon region. I believe that's a little east of where Adele's mother was raised, near the Swiss boarder. Now, who haven't I covered?"

"You've covered North and South America, Asia and Europe."

"Ah okay, so Africa would be Obi Traore, O-B-I, T-R-A-O-R-E. He's in Springbok, South Africa. And last but not least, Antarctica. Joe Fairley, Joe with an 'e', Fairley is F-A-I-R-L-E-Y. He lives on the Mawson compound down there. His is by far the smallest Leap in number, even leopards find the cold down there a little harsh."

Dominic looked over the list. He was sure he'd have the names and their locations sorted in no time, although being able to spell even half of them might take a while longer.

"How soon do you want me to join in on the meetings?"

"We might just leave it until you get things settled with Adele. Your mind won't be fully on board until you complete the mating. I just figured I'd start off your lessons a little earlier, give you time to remember everything by going slowly through it all."

"Thanks, Dad. You mind if I head out? Conner wanted to go for a run this afternoon."

"Sure, you boys have fun. Just wish I could join you, but I have way too much here that needs doing."

Dominic ripped the page from the pad and tucked it into his pocket, a grin on his face as he left his Dad's office. He and Conner always had fun on their runs. With all the tension he felt from trying to win over Adele, he really needed the stress relief it gave too.