CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE
Talia’s POV
We made it to the Shadoww border checkpoint right before sunset. A metal gate stretched across the road with two SUVS parked at an angle behind it. This gate was new. Michael had worked fast once he found out Jason had failed again. It didn’t matter what he did. He was going to lose Shadoww, and he was going to be banished.
As Nn’s car slowed, two armed guards approached us. I could hear Nn growling low in his throat. I touched his forearm and said, “Stay calm. We have to y it smart.”
“I know,” Nn responded without looking at me.
Behind us, De and Marco pulled up in their own car. Farther back, the transport vehicle rolled to a stop.
“State your purpose,” the first guard said as he walked up to the driver’s side window.
“We are here under the Alpha King’s authority,” Nn responded.
“We have orders from Elder Michael. No entry into Shadoww until further notice. Turn back,” the guard stated.
“Do you know who you’re speaking to?” Nn asked. “I’m Alpha Nn of BloodMoon and this is Princess Talia of Silverfang. Go and open the gate now.”
The guard barely reacted to my title, which told me he was not going to cooperate. “And I have my orders. No one enters,” the guard replied.
Nn’s eyes narrowed and his hand tightened on the steering wheel. “Elder Michael does not outrank the Alpha King.”
The second guard stepped closer. His hand hovered near the weapon strapped to his belt.
“We follow Elder Michael,” the second guard said firmly.
Behind us, I saw Marco step out of the car. De followed, and even from a distance I could tell she was ready for a fight with the way she was rolling her shoulders. Marco’s body tensed as if he was seconds away from incapacitating both guards.
“I don’t think you two understand the situation you’re in,” I said.
“Talia, you no longer have authority here. Leave. We will not warn you again,” the first guard responded, earning a growl from Nn. I gripped his forearm and shook my head.
“Let me handle this,” I said and Nn nodded.
I opened the door and stepped out of the car. Nn got out of the car and leaned against it, watching to see what I would do next.
I turned my head slightly toward the transport vehicle. “Beta Henry.”
“Yes, Princess.” Henry got my hint and yanked the cover from the cage, revealing Jason inside.
“Alpha Jason?!” The guards whispered, eyes wide.
I kept my hand on the cage frame and looked over my shoulder at them. “Tell Elder Michael if you do not allow us entry,” I said,
“I will execute his son right here and the only thing he will have left of him is his bloodied head.”
Jason jerked against the restraints, and the muffled sound that came from behind the gag was pure fury.
“You’re bluffing,” the first guard said, but his voice shook.
“Try me,” I told him. “Do you want your Alpha’s blood on your hands? What do you think Elder Michael will do to you if you are the reason for his only son’s death?”
“Open the gate,” the first guard finallymanded.
CHAPITR ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE
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The second guard moved fast, rushing back to the gate. He punched in a code. The metal gate began to move to the left.
I stepped out of the transport vehicle and Henry closed the door. Then I walked back to Nn’s car and got inside. Nn got back in right after me and finally allowed himself tough.
“Well done. I don’t think I could’ve done it better myself,” he said.
“Thank you.”
After a moment, he asked, “Would you really want to kill him?”
“It was a bluff,” I admitted.
“Good. Death would be too merciful for him,” Nn replied.
We crossed the border and drove toward Shadoww’s pack house. The road inside the border looked the same as I remembered. A few pack members stood near storefronts farther down, pausing to stare as we passed.
A momentter, Elder Michael appeared at the entrance of the pack house, nked by two guards. His expression was hard, but I saw the panic beneath it. At least he cared a little about the wellbeing of his son.
Michael walked toward us in quick strides. “What have you done with my son?” His voice carried, meant to nt the idea that we were the aggressors.
I stepped forward before Nn could speak. I had to own this. I would not allow Michael to bully me.
“Jason is alive,” I said. “He is restrained for transport and judgment for his crimes against Silverfang.”
“Lies. Jason has been a loyal Alpha,” Michael responded.
I almostughed and said, “You and I both know that isn’t true.”
“How dare youugh! You walk into my territory with my son in a cage and you expect cooperation?” Michael snapped.
“I expect obedience,” I growled, stepping toward him. I am here to enforce the Alpha King’smand.” Michael’s mouth tightened. “You have no authority here.”
“That’s where you are mistaken, Michael,” I said firmly. “I am Princess Talia of Silverfang, the daughter of the Alpha King. Seeing me is as if you’re seeing the Alpha King himself.”
“Whatever my son has done, it has nothing to do with me or Shadoww. You can leave,” Michael stated in an attempt to control the situation. I wasn’t going to let him, not this time.
“Shadoww is under Silverfang’s authority now, pending formal reform,” I told him.
Michael’s eyes shed. “This is unheard of. You can’t do this.”
“I can and I will, Michael. You and your son havemitted multiple crimes against the crown. You are lucky I am even discussing this with you,” I snapped.
“You have no evidence or proof. You…”
“You encouraged your son to drug me with Moonlust,” I interrupted him. “You helped him attempt to force a mark and restore a bond I rejected. You are as guilty as he is.”
His lip curled into a sneer, “Prove it.”
“Your son and former Beta did that for me,” I said.
Michael frowned. I could see him trying to work through a n to escape except there was no way for him to escape this.
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