“Yes. Alpha.”


    As we step into the conference room, I hear Gabe arguing with the warriors who are dragging him to the cells.


    “This is fucking bullshit! I was sleeping! I’ve been up all night!”


    I make sure they have a handle on him, then close the conference room door. At the table, the council has set themselves up on the opposite side of the table from Shane and Enya. The two of them have left a seat in between them for me. Unlike with the investigators, this already feels like an ‘us versus them‘ situation.


    “Alpha Christian, why don’t you start by telling us how a pack member was murdered on your watch,” Councilman Felix says after I sit.


    “Actually, Councilman, I think we need to start from the beginning. I’d hate for you to create a judgement about what has been going on in this pack without having all the facts.”


    When the other council members nod in agreement, I begin. Iy out everything that has happened so far, starting with the attack on me the moment I arrived, the interviews that got me wondering about Alpha Colin’s death, his medical records that seemed off, the money that didn’t add up, and then Dorian and Nancy’s interviews yesterday.


    “You haven’t been here very long, have you Alpha Christian?” Councilwoman Zara asks.


    “Just over two weeks.”


    “You’ve aplished a lot in just two weeks,” Councilwoman


    $500


    1288 Vouchers


    Charlotte says.


    “And yet, someone has died on your watch, Alpha,” Councilman Felix


    says.


    “Yes, Councilman, that is correct. I did not anticipate that putting Nancy in the cells would cause those who I believe to be involved in the death of Alpha Colin to panic, but it seems they did.”


    “That is a major oversight, Alpha, and now a pack member is dead. That is on you,” Councilman Felix says.


    “How can you say that?” Enya demands.


    “Enya…” I begin.


    “No, my sister <i>is </i>right! Two weeks ago, we didn’t even know my father was murdered. Now, because of Christian, we do. He’s been investigating, working hard to find answers, all while stabilizing this pack and working with two distraught Alpha heirs. Perhaps if YOU hadn’t taken so long to get back to us about my father’s medical records, this wouldn’t have happened. If Christian is to me for Nancy’s death, then I’d say an equal amount of me falls on the Council,” Shane says.


    The room is quiet for a long moment.


    “You’ve created a strong level of loyalty from the Alpha heirs of this pack in a very short amount of time, Alpha Christian,” Councilman Johnathon says, watching Enya and Shane.


    “He’s earned it,” Enya and Shane say in unison.


    I feel pride swell inside me. I’ve been beating myself up over my feelings for Enya and for not having done more to keep Nancy safe. But hearing Shane and Enya say I’ve earned their loyalty means


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    everything to me.


    “That doesn’t change the fact that a pack member is …” Councilman Felix begins.


    “Oh, shut it, Felix. We all know you’re pissed that Christian outranked your nephew at the Academy. You’re the only one who thought he was too young for this position. He’s done more than most would or could have done since he’s been here. Alpha Shane is right, without Alpha Christian, none of us would know that an Alpha had been murdered,” Councilwoman Charlotte snaps.


    “I agree with Councilwoman Charlotte. Rather than trying toy me, we should be getting as much information on the ones we know are a part of this. I’m assuming the one that you sent to the cells just now is also someone who is under scrutiny?” Councilwoman Zara


    asks.


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