Kraig’s insight sent the alphas into an uproar. They
spoke over each other, everything from denying the possibility to declaring it
a reason to hunt down and eradicate everyone involved. I let them get it out of
their system before I spoke up.
“You’ve seen the evidence I’ve presented.” I pushed my
chair back and stood. “My streak has born the burden of this discovery, but and
the ongoing conspiracy against all werekin. We know, from my mate, that those
who set this in motion will harm those innocent and unwilling to further their
cause. I call upon the alphas attending this counsel to authorize an investigation
with the full weight of all our power behind it.
“They’ve had years to prepare, and we have far less time
to prevent a catastrophe of such proportions we might risk humans learning
about our kind. An all-out war would do just that.” I knew that fear; all
werekin were raised to know the danger humans learning about paranormal beings
could wreak on the secret societies hidden among them. It was our cardinal
rule, the one never to be broken. “We must stop this before more people are
hurt.”
I met each alpha’s gaze, letting them see my conviction
and dedication. I may have been young, but I was my father’s son, his heir, and
he’d prepared me well to wield the power of my position. “What say you?”
Those calling for extermination quickly stood. They were
convinced, but it wasn’t enough. I looked to Durant who was frowning as he
stared at the table. His eyes were troubled when he looked up. “I fear that
this hunting down of our own people may be the undoing of our society.”
“That’s already begun. And we have no one to blame but
the alphas of the clans who’ve showed so little disregard to their own members.
There’s no other way to protect ourselves.”
Durant sighed. “I fear you’re right.” He slowly stood,
and the alphas still undecided followed him one by one.
“Thank you.” I sat and the rest of the alphas followed
suit. “As my beta is the most familiar with the case, I believe he would be
best to lead the investigation.”
Valon protested, “He is too young, and his father was
the traitor. What if he—”
Park’s snarl was drowned out by mine and Kraig’s. I cast
a warning look at Park, and he subsided, but there was no quelling my mate. Kraig
leaned forward over the table, his claws scraping grooves in the lacquered
surface. He snarled again. “Don’t you dare impugn my brother’s name or my alpha’s
power. My father might have been a traitor, but do you really think Deke would
allow any risk to his power, much less his streak?” He sneered as he raked
Valon and the other alphas who dared try to stare him down with an equal
challenge. “If you do, you’re a fool.”
I squeezed Kraig’s leg and then rubbed it to calm him
down. He lifted his hands, seeming to just notice the damage to the table. He
glanced at me, and I gave him a reassuring nod.
“My tie to the members of my clan have never been
tighter. I know where the risk lies, and it is no longer inside my borders. I
would like Park to lead the investigation, but Ritch was the only one who met
the doctor. He may have met other werekin who were involved, even if he didn’t
know it. Since Trein has proved himself unwilling to assist with a member of
his clan, I would request that Ritch fulfill that role.”
This time the murmurs around the table were muted, with
more than a few glances sent Kraig’s way. I could scent fear, wariness, and a
distinct bitter odor coming from my mate.
Hate.
It took another hour, but the investigation team was
declared. It was decided each alpha would imbue their chosen representative
with their power and authority, and they would meet back here and report to
Park within two days.
The uneasy truce between us sizzled with the power not
even the most experienced alphas could contain for long in the presence of so
many others. My tiger soul was restless, needing them off his territory. I was
happy when they didn’t linger.
“Let’s go sit down,” Kraig suggested after I closed the
door behind the last beta.
Lydia bustled in the kitchen and brought out drinks and
food, her not-so-subtle looks at Kraig making it clear who she was trying to
feed. He took a second sandwich as soon as he finished his first one.
“Thank you, Lydia. I think that’s just what we needed.”
I was calmer now, and exhaustion dragged at me.
Park was sitting next to Ritch on the couch while Kraig
took up residence in my lap. His presence soothed me further. Still…
“You’ll find out who is behind this and bring stop them.
I know you will. I wish I could go with you though.” Losing my dad had been
hard, but taking up the mantle of power was harder. I wanted to hunt down those
bastards and gut them like I had the doctor who hurt Kraig. But I couldn’t. I had
to stay to lead my streak and protect my mate.
“I won’t stop until I do.”
Ritch, still uneasy in my presence, actually met my eyes
for the first time that day. “I will too. They left me all alone in this world,
killed my family. They need to pay, and it’s the least I can do for you
protecting me from Trein.”
“You’re not alone,” Park said. He squeezed Ritch’s leg
just above his knee, then patted it. “You have us now. You heard what Deke said
to your former alpha. You’re welcome here.”
Kraig turned in my arms and rubbed his cheek against my
neck. “I’m full. Can we go lay down?”
TBC
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