Kingdom of Wolves - Page 67

“Oh, yes, we have the proof and the two shifter councilmembers who helped cover the murders, and hide the evidence that Torranceinstigated the murders have now been dispatched,” Porter speaks, looking overthe pack members. “All we need to know from the pack is do you want the councilto dispatch Alpha Torrance, Connell to do it as the heir to the pack, or do youwant to call the ‘old way’?”

The hall explodes with anger, fear and hatred. I’m not surewho all those emotions are aimed at, but I hope they are aimed at AlphaTorrance.

“Why is she here?” Bellamy shouts above the pack noise.

Flint responds with a sneer on his face. “She has a right tobe here to see her parents find justice. Be aware all of you, if we find outany of you knew about this, or were involved in this in any way, we’ll beseeking the same justice from you.”

Bellamy slinks back into the crowd and I notice Jackson,Bellamy’s friend, and Evangeline remain quiet, although throwing hateful looksin my direction. When Poppa Lykos notices the looks, he snarls while looking ateach of them, and I somehow manage to keep the smirk off my face as all threedrop their eyes showing no challenge to Troy who is showing himself in PoppaLykos’ eyes.

Beta Goldman and Connell drag the Alpha to the challengecircle and I can see it’s hard for Connell, but I also see how determined he isto see this through.

When the chanting starts, I jerk with surprise because theforce of it coming from the pack is shocking. ‘Old way’, ‘Old way’, ‘Oldway’.

Alpha Torrance is snarling, half-shifted at this point andit’s taking four warriors to hold him. I’ve only seen the one feral, but to seeyour prior Alpha feral is frightening.

Ulmer holds his hand in the air, then shouts, “YOU HAVECHOSEN THE OLD WAY TO DISPATCH YOUR ALPHA. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED FOR THE ALPHAAND LUNA OF YOUR HEARTS.”

Before I know what is happening Poppa Lykos drags me backfrom the challenge circle and the pack shifts into wolf form, surging forwardto snap, bite and snarl at Alpha Torrance. Connell is standing on the edge ofthe circle watching the pack tear his father to pieces. I cannot imagine whatthat must feel like to watch, but I’m thankful the Beta is standing with him,holding a hand on his shoulder, giving him the support in the only way he can.

I have to admit the Alpha tried to fight his way out of thecircle but with the pack so angry and bitter he didn’t get more than a fewsteps before they are on him and he is dispatched fairly quickly.

Once the pack move away, I make sure not to look in thecircle because I don’t want to see the torn remains of Alpha Torrance. Connellshifts into his wolf and raises his head, howling at the loss of his Alpha andfather. The pack joins his song, but it’s easy to see they are only doing so tosupport what will be their Alpha once the ceremony has been completed.

If Connell had killed him, the ceremony would not have beenneeded as he would have won the position through conquest. I turn away withPoppa Lykos and walk back towards the packhouse, both of us with our ownthoughts.

Flint walks up behind us and calls Poppa Lykos’ name. “Doyou want to wait here and watch the ceremony tomorrow?”

“No, we’ll go home.” Poppa Lykos states, and walks towardsthe vehicle we’d arrived in.

Flint holds out his hand with the vehicle key. “Take thevehicle. We’ll get someone to bring us to your home and pick it up in a fewdays. We are needed here to get Connell in place and stabilize the pack. You’resure, Tatiana, that you don’t want to take the pack?”

“I’m sure,” I reply and climb into the vehicle. I’m morethan ready to go home.

Chapter 27

GABRIEL

I’m not sure if I’m annoyed with going back to the BlackshadowPack or not. Flint wants me back to train the warriors, as they’ve becomesloppy and neglectful of duty. But more importantly, to support my father, whois still the Beta of the pack.

“Gabriel, go back, train the warriors, and support the Alphaand Beta. I’ve trained you the last few months and although I would have likedyou to stay, it’s more important that you go back to the Blackshadow Pack andsupport where you can.” Flint slaps my shoulder, squeezing it before lettinghis hand slide away.

Not verbally responding, I give a small nod, pick up myduffle bag, and head to the vehicle outside the shifter council. I throw myduffle onto the back seat and climb in next to a driver I don’t recognize butam not interested in getting to know either.

Giving a lift of the hand to Flint as we drive away, Isettle into the passenger seat and tip my head back, closing my eyes andresting while I have the chance.

“Gabriel, we’re here.”

“Thank you.” Replying to the driver, and when I look out ofthe window, I see the driveway up to the packhouse. “I must have been tired tohave slept all the way here.”

Chuckling, the driver looks over at me. “You slept all theway, even when I stopped to go behind a bush.”

“I’m sorry to be rude. What’s your name?”

“Gerry, and it’s okay. I understand about having a minute torelax.”

“Are you heading right back, or staying until tomorrow?”

Gerry pulls up outside the main door of the packhouse andsighs. “I think I’ll leave in the morning. I’m pretty tired and I want to drivestraight through again when I go back.”