“No, Shane. And would it matter? He holds me at night while I cry,” she says thest part softly, looking away from me.


    “Don’t be embarrassed about that, Enya. We’re both struggling. I should have been a better brother. I should have been there for you,” I


    tell her.


    She gives me a look. “I’m the older sibling.”


    “And I’m the Alpha heir. It’s my job to put my feelings aside for my pack.”


    “Stop, you’re an amazing brother and I love you. We’ve both been overwhelmed with our grief,” she says, pulling me into a hug.


    “I love you too,” I say, hugging her tightly.


    “Alpha Shane, can I speak with you please?” Councilman Johnathon says from behind me.


    I pull back and look at my sister. Her lips are pressed tightly together, and I squeeze her hands before turning to look at Councilman Johnathon.


    “Of course.”


    The moment we enter the room, I start.


    “Enya already told me that you’re on a witch hunt for Alpha Christian. I don’t know why you want to make him look bad, but I’m here to tell you that he is an incredible man. He’s somehow made me feel safe and empowered at the same time. He never makes unteral decisions,


    0.00%


    always asking Enya and I if we agree with his decisions before implementing them. He takes time with me, training me to be a better fighter and he takes time to talk to me, helping me deal with my own grief. I don’t know what you THINK he is or isn’t doing, but you’re wrong,” I say.


    “Would you like to sit, Alpha Shane?” he asks, gesturing to a chair.


    “No, I don’t think so,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.


    He sighs. “Would you still agree with that statement if I told you that Alpha Christian was seen leaving your sister’s bedroom early this morning.”


    “Yes, I would. Even if I didn’t already know that he holds her while she cries, I wouldn’t care if they were having sex. Enya could do a lot worse than Christian and if she decides that she wants to involve herself with a man like him, I won’t say a word against it.”


    He looks at me assessingly. “How has he created such loyalty in such a short amount of time?”


    “By being everything that my sister and I need, whether we knew we needed it or not. He’s like a big brother, protective, but also challenging. He’s making me a better man and Alpha. I know when I go to the Academy next year, I will be much better prepared than I would have been if my parents were alive. That’s because of Christian. Only Christian. You won’t hear me say anything bad about him because there isn’t anything bad to say. So, if that’s all you want, I have work to do. Unlike this witch hunt, I’m trying to figure out everyone who was involved in the betrayal of my family.”


    I turn, heading for the door.


    “Alpha Shane,” he says.


    1289 Noches


    I stop and turn back to him.


    “For what it’s worth, this isn’t a witch hunt. This is me, as a member of the council, doing my due diligence to ensure that the person we put into ce to assist you is doing what you and this pack need to ensure the safety and prosperity of the pack.”


    “I can assure you, if Christian wasn’t here, Dorian would have overthrown Enya and I by now, probably killed us both and made it look like an ident. I’m here, having this conversation with you, because of Christian. He is the real deal, and I feel honored to be working with him.”