*****Erika''s POV*****


    "Who are you to talk to me?!" Elder Grigshade bellowed at me.


    This man had an issue with me being the next Alpha. But I would not let whatever n he had work, it would not work. I would make sure to deal with him. If he was going to be the obstacle I was going to face, I would not mind getting him out of my way, by hook or by crook.


    "Mind your tone with me, Elder Grigshade!" I stood up to him. "Do not make me unleash my powers on you."


    He scoffed In contempt. "You! You''re just a child, your brother can do better."


    "In case you have forgotten, I am older than Jace. So I ask, do you have problem with my age or my gender?"


    He sneered at me. "I don''t want you there."


    "Unfortunately, we can not choose our family. I am a ckwood and by right, as the eldest, I will ascend the throne, Elder Grigshade whether you like it or not." I threw back at him.


    "Let us try to settle this amicably." Another of the elder. Elder Spugjourn put in. He was also one of the influential werewolves in the pack but he was a better person. Respected everyone. He had two sons and they were just like him. One would never know the Spugjourns had money.


    They had contributed somewhat to the growth of themunity. Always trying to help the poor and sick, unlike Elder Grigshade who just decided to be selfish and overbearing. I wondered why he was part of the Elders of the pack.


    I looked at the man. "I am only going to respect your words, Elder Spugjourn and ignore Elder Grigshade." I took my seat, turning to my father''swyer. "Let''s go on."


    My father''swyer, re-opened the documents and read dad''s ns for his pack. By the time he was done, it was obvious what dad had said.


    "As I have read, it is obvious what the past Alpha want to be done. His daughter, Erika ckwood as the eldest in the family of the royals of ckwood, is the next


    in line and heir apparent to the rulership of Iron w pack." Thewyer concluded.


    I passed a victorious smile to the Elder Grigshade.


    "How can the Alpha do such?! The Alpha is supposed to be smarter than this!" Grigshade red.


    I stood, fury speared. "Do not speak of my father in such tone and light."


    Jace stood beside me. "Elder Grigshade, I will not have you talk about my father that way."


    Grigshade seemed to be startled by Jace''s words. "You are supposed to be the Alpha of the pack."


    "Says who?!" Jace retorted. "Elder Grigshade, who said that? Have I evere to you with that notion or n in mind? Have I ever visited your home for this reason?"


    Elder Grigshade could not say anything, but he fumed so bad that I thought Isaw mes emitting from his ears. That served him right. Why was hepushing for Jace to climb the throne of Iron w? Had Jace ever asked him to help him fight for the throne? He was trying to make this difficult but I would not let him.


    It was official and there was nothing he could do to stop this reign. I was the next Alpha of Iron w pack.


    "Why are you fighting this, Grigshade?" Spugjourn asked. The man seemed to quite bewildered at Grigshade''s insistence on Jace being the new Alpha, rather than myself.


    "A woman can not rule Iron w. This is not River Moon or Crystal Lake." He was mentioning the smallest packs in Fangoria.


    "But these packs are ruled by men." I told him.


    "What I mean is you can go there to rule those insignificant packs, but Iron w is different. You can not handle the politics, the duty. It''s not all about wearing gowns and looking all prettied up." He sneered at my gown.


    "Who''s going to take over your businesses and investments, Elder Grigshade?" I stared challengingly into his face.


    He growled. I had gotten him there. Tasyra was his only child and daughter. Since he was against me taking over my father''s businesses and throne, probably he had another child out there that would one day take over.


    "Cat has got your tongue, Elder Grigshade? Because I remember you have only one daughter, Tasyra. And if I can also remember, you love her and give her everything she wants. Why are you against me?"


    "I am not your mate, speak to me with respect!" He gritted his teeth.


    "You do not deserve my respect, Elder Grigshade. I only respect those who respect me and my family." Remembering what he had said about my father drew more anger out of me but I tried to control it. "And onest thing, Elder Grigshade, let this be the first and thest time you will talk about my father in that manner. I am ready to kill anyone who would speak ill of him." I made sure to let him see the seriousness in my eyes before I stood straight.


    "Your Highness, I would suggest we all calm down. It is your birthright. Elder Grigshade might have his reasons for speaking this way, but it should not deter us from moving on with what is meant to be." Another elder, Elder Crix, advised.


    In all, we had six elders in the pack. Elders were supposed to be well respected members of the pack but Elder Grigshade was just a total disgrace. I eyed him in great dislike. Like had said before, this man was a suspect and I would love nothing more than to be right about him.


    And if I ever discovered he was the mastermind behind everything that had been going on, I would deal with him. I would finally get back at him the way I had always wanted to.


    "See you at the coronation, Elders." I picked my bag and walked out of the ce.