Chapter 186
“Alpha Rizen, we understand that you’re different, but this is wolf law. This is how we deal with things all over the world. We keep what we kill,” Allison pleads.
Some wolves are nodding their heads in approval of her words. I think she’s out of her mind. How did she set up a meeting only to try to sabotage my decision without so much as a warning? She was the last person I thought would stand up and tell me to shut the hell up.
“I’m not going to argue with anyone about this. I’m sorry, but this is how things are going to play out. I know how you’re all feeling. I will stand by you through all of this, but we can’t make life–altering decisions based on emotion.
“As a mortal and as a rogue, I have learned to survive in the most complicated scenarios. I am here because I did what was best for me to get to where I am now. What are you going to gain from keeping those wolves? Nothing. Our loved ones are still going to be dead.
“Eloise Lockwood is still alive and will forever carry the weight of her mistake. The entire wolf world will know she’s a fucking psycho. We gain nothing with this. We’re sending them back as a mercy to them. Their alpha messed up. Yours is trying her best for all of us involved.”
“I agree with Alpha Rizen,” Ren steps away from Allison. “I don’t care if they’re buried here or over there. We’re standing here because they aren’t. I want to honor the wolves we lost. Those were my brothers. I’ve trained with them day in and day out since we were pups.
“Alpha Rizen risked her life and her pup’s to save us. We didn’t know what to do, and the first thing she did was clear the pack house and start pulling in anyone needing refuge. I think we should do this her way.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve been attacked in broad daylight like this, and it won’t be the last. If this is a vote, I vote to let them go.”
Several others stand with her–more than half the crowd. Allison is upset about this, but she takes a seat, looking disappointed with both Ren and me.
“It wasn’t up for a vote, but thank you, Ren.” I smile. “Thank you, everyone.
“I’d like to give you all my condolences. I know losing someone you love isn’t easy. The families of those affected have our full support. We will take the eight nights of grieving as a pack, and I will personally take care of the funeral arrangements. If there are no questions, our kitchen staff has put together some food for us. I’d like you all to join us.”
“Alpha Rizen, what do you plan on doing with Alpha Lockwood?” someone asks.
“Alpha King Savage is here. We will be discussing how this will proceed. As of now, we’re declaring a manhunt for Henry Lockwood, who is responsible for the deaths of forty–eight wolves, both ours and Lockwood City’s, That includes the murder of his sister, her mate, and their four teenage pups.”
They all begin to applaud. My question is, why the hell did they not do anything about this asshole before? Did he take advantage of Alpha Rizen’s distraction? I feel like there’s a lot of context missing here, and it was the first case that landed on my desk when I arrived. How was he casually walking around doing things for the pack if they knew he was a killer?
“That wasn’t the worst speech given at a pack meeting,” Mr. Knightly holds out a bottle of water for me. “But it got the point across.”
“Thanks for stating the obvious.” I smile at him. “And for enjoying my misery.”
“We need to practice your mannerisms,” he sighs. “Be nice. They’re pack wolves.”
I’m going to get something to eat. I’m starving. Everything looks amazing. I don’t make it halfway to the table when someone steps in front of me with a fixed plate. My heart starts to race. My instincts cross, and I don’t know what to do. Everything in me tells me to take it because it’s the polite thing to do, but then the images of Perry and Knight telling about people who have tried to poison them flood through my mind.
“You know better than to be handing an alpha anything without being asked,” Ren reprimands the girl. She waves her away, and I feel bad to see the disappointment in her eyes. “You can’t give a speech like that and then get all tongue–tied because you’re overly cautious.”
“You can’t tell me what to do. I’m the alpha here,” I smirk, and she laughs. “Thank you for sticking up for me.”
“Allison is old school/ Most of those who hate it are elders,” she says as we approach the food table. I get a clean plate and begin to serve myself. “They’re going to try to pull the elder card on you. Everyone knows you’re kind of soft.
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“Ouch, bruise my ego’a little more, why don’t ya?” I shrug. “It is what it is. I don’t think I’m soft. I’m just not a total p.o.s.”
“Some may argue that. Me. Mostly. Because you weren’t here to greet me,” I turn around to see Violetta standing behind us.
“Luna Wolfe,” I greet her. It catches the attention of several others. I give her a quick hug.
“Alpha Rizen, I’d like to formally introduce you to my brother. Vincent Wolfe, Alpha of Magique City,” she introduces her brother.
“We’ve met a couple of times.” I smile. He returns it and offers his hand.
“In passing, yes. It’s an honor to meet you, Alpha Rizen. You’ve been the talk of our community for some time now, and Vy never shuts up about you.” he bows courteously.
“I’m sorry the introduction was given under such grim circumstances.”
“We have to take this inside, Angel. Say goodbye to your wolves,” Knight comes over to me.
It could be the argument we had earlier, but he takes my hand possessively to get me away from Alpha Vincent.
“We can take over,” Allison reappears. She doesn’t look as upset as she did before, but she has had a few minutes to cool off. “I’ll catch up once everything is cleaned up.”
“Thank you, Allison,” I say, taking her hand and squeezing it. She looks down at our hands and then at me. She nods and steps away.
“Ren, make sure Alpha Rizen and her guests are comfortable since you’ve been so hospitable,” she all but growls at her.
“Of course, Beta Allison,” Ren agrees without hesitation.
I grab a soda from a cooler and follow behind everyone else. Knight takes it and my plate of food without acknowledging me in the slightest. He keeps up with Vince and his father.
“Are you two fighting?” Vy beams.
“Monumentally. Beta Allison is pissed at both of us. That was ice cold,” Ren breathes out heavily.
“No way, you managed to piss off your beta and Knight. Today is turning out to be the best day ever,” she shimmies. “Oh, and by the way, thanks for setting your crazy sister on me. She was hysterical over us spending time together without her.”
“She was your best friend first. That’s on you for spoiling her,” I laugh.
“She spoils herself. I’m convinced that reality and what goes on in her head are two completely different dimensions.”
