An Alpha devastated by everything that’s befallen my pack.
Alpha Crane responds with his own howl, attempting to regroup his likely startled wolves.
So I open my mouth once more, unleashing another wave of power. Only this one is amplified by the howls of Caius and Volt. The three of us sing in unison, capturing the night with our dark and deadly song.
Silence greets us when we’re done.
I wait.
Alpha Crane appears several minutes later with only two wolves at his side.
Volt has his gun drawn. Caius, too.
But I just hold the phone, waiting for an image to appear.
“The Elders will hear about this, Tieran,” Alpha Crane says, his disgust palpable as he takes in Alpha Bryson’s dead body. “Using guns instead of teeth. It’s despicable.”
“I agree,” I tell him honestly. “But Bryson is known for his silver tactics. I merely beat him at his own game.”
A true wolf fights with claws and teeth.
But Bryson proved long ago that he wasn’t a true wolf.
“Tell the Elders,” I add. “I look forward to finally presenting my case.”
Alpha Crane’s brow furrows. “What case?”
I don’t grace him with a response. He hasn’t earned one. But I do offer him one final comment. “When I ascend, I’ll be calling a meeting. I suggest you attend. We have a few items to discuss.”
One being Clove’s mother.
I continue checking the phone.
There are no sounds coming from it now.
Come on, Clove, I think.Tell me you’re okay.
It’s almost an appropriate punishment—me not knowing.
“You can go,” Caius says calmly, his words for Alpha Crane. “We'll be in touch.”
The Santeetlah Alpha bristles at being dismissed, so three of my wolves step forwardwithoutguns. They simply snarl.
And Alpha Crane stiffens.
He has a pack of weak wolves, similar to the one we just destroyed.
And he came without weapons.
I meant what I said about the guns. But that doesn’t mean he trusts me to honor him in a fair fight.
He believes all the rumors, which are helping me in this situation.
Because he accepts our dismissal with a low grunt, making his displeasure at the insult known, and leaves with his tail tucked between his legs.
“That’sAlpha Crane’s heir?” Volt asks, sounding entirely unimpressed. “His son, right?”
“Yeah, the shaking one was his son,” Caius confirms.
