Conrad POV
I just stared at the shock in both of their faces. The smell of fear rolled off them in waves. They looked around the room at the growling, smiling faces and quickly realised there would be no support in this room. Instead, they know I wouldn’t stop them if the soldiers wanted blood.
They both scurried out the door, likely to engage in more scheming, but they are not my concern at the moment. Liam
was.
Liam looks over at Lewana and sighs. “The sooner the crown is on your head, the sooner I can put that Jackass in our
prison“.
This gets my attention. “What do you mean?“.
….
“While you two were away on vacation, night stalker hacked all of Alpha Williams‘ files. He has embezzled millions from his pack, projects, and even council funds. Hunters got him, and he is in the cells. Alpha Anthony knew and was blackmailing him to vote for Cordelia. There was also an incident of a building collapse that was Alpha William’s fault, which killed a lot of wolves. Alpha Anthony helped cover it up. Valerie has all the details“.
I can’t believe I let him walk out of here intact. “That FUCKER. Is there anything else?“.
“Apart from rigging the ceremony from the start. Abusing Lewana. Bribing officials, abuse of council power, and conspiring against the crown. No. I was working on it all with Valerie, so she has the files. We weren’t sure if we charged him before the ceremony, it would delay the Luna Queen announcement because there is no other Eastern representative here“.
My blood is boiling with rage at this point. I turn and look at the soldiers. “Go get him and put him in prison. If it means the announcement is delayed while we wait for someone to travel here, then so be it“.
The soldiers get wicked grins on their faces. They have clearly been waiting on this.
They shift and bolt out of the room. I follow to watch.
Cordelia and Anthony are walking back to the pack house when the soldiers surround them. Cordelia let out a scream and hid behind her father. This attracts a crowd of pack members to watch the show.
I purposely don’t use any title for this piece of crap. He doesn’t deserve them. “Anthony, you are being charged with conspiracy, blackmail, mistreatment of wolves, fraud, and treason against the crown. You are being detained while you await trial“.
He snarls at me. “Your precious mutt won’t get the crown without a formal ceremony, and it will won’t be valid without a representative from the east“.
I walk up to him slowly. “Don’t. Care. We will wait for someone“.
CRACK
I punch him in the face, breaking his jaw. “And that was for calling my mate and your Luna Queen a mutt”.
Cordelia starts pleading with me. Actual tears for a change and not the crocodile tears she normally has. “Please don’t do this. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding. I need my father“.
1/3
SLAP
1 backhand her again. I have had enough of both of them.
Any more words from you and you will be in a cell next to him“.
She goes white and looks around for help. Every pack member is glaring daggers at her. No one will help. She turns and bolts to the pack house while I stare at her father.
One of the soldiers puts him in silver chains and walks him to the cells past every pack member and visitor. Could have put him in a van, but he deserves this humiliation.
I go check in with Arthur and get updates on how the pack is going. Honestly, the old coot surprised me.
“You did a great job, Arthur“,
“Well, it was definitely easier than organising stuff at my old pack. Especially with your credit cards“.
I just laugh. “Do you think you can keep going with this stuff. Liam is going to be out of action for a while, and Lewana told me the Sirens and Phoenix’s parents are coming. I also need to find a new person to represent the East“.
“Can’t help you with the other magical creature, but you should get Valerie to find someone. The south has a lot of border packs along the territory line. It would be good to have someone not so close to Alpha Anthony’s pack in case they align with him“.
“Good idea“. Surprises me again.
“Also, has anyone checked on the fairy girl? Someone did take a flamethrower to the forest“.
SHIT. I forgot all about Rose. I mind–link Lewana, and we both race to the forest.
We both tried to scent her, but it was difficult over the smell of charcoal and with ash everywhere. Eventually, I heard soft crying and mumbles.
There on the forest floor was Rose furiously digging with her hands. She was covered in dirt, and her flower crown had wilted. Tears stained her face, and the edge of her dress was burned.
Lewana approaches Rose cautiously. “Rose, are you OK.? I’m here to help you“.
Through soft sobs, she looked at Lewana. “Look what they did. They hurt the trees. The fairies were able to get out, but their homes are destroyed. I have to fix it. I can’t let the forest feel pain“.
“You know fire doesn’t destroy forests. Some of these trees are Sequoia. Fire helps them release seeds, so there are more of them. This is an ancient forest. I will survive“.
She just holds Rose while she sobs. “Rose, I think you need to call your parents, so they know there was an attack”.
“They know. I am to guard the forest until they get back. I have to keep planting“.
I look at Lewana, concerned, and she explained through the mind–link that the Faes are very resilient but emotional creatures. They take protecting the forest extremely seriously, so it is going to be more of a mental battle for Rose than anything else.
