Page 50 of Crimson Moon Falling

Sawyer stepped forward, his charm dialed to a pleasant, disarming warmth. “I’ll have to decline.”

“Same,” Conall informed them.

Ashley’s smile faltered, but Elena’s didn’t. “Alright. Is there anything else you need?”

“No. Alpha Christopherson has a peculiar way of showing hospitality.” His wolf pressed against his skin, disgust coursing through his veins. “Sending Betas to my hotel room like you’re a bottle of whiskey or a bag of potato chips, and not a valuable member of his Pack. You both deserve better, and so does my Alpha Mate.”

Elena’s eyes flared in surprise, but she quickly masked it. “It’s my Alpha’s right to use me as he sees fit.” She’d known he was mated, of course. But hearing it stated so possessively changed the atmosphere in the room.

Conall’s nostrils flared. “That’s bullshit. It’s his duty and privilege to protect and respect his Packmates. You can tell him if he wants to discuss Council business, my door is open. If he wants to bribe me with flesh, he’s no different than a sex trafficker.”

Ashley’s face flushed dark. Her hands curled at her sides, and he could smell her sharp, acrid anger mingling with wounded pride. “That’s not—”

“It’s exactly what this is,” Conall cut her off. “Tell him that the Northwestern States Pack doesn’t operate this way.”

Ashley looked like she’d been slapped. She opened her mouth, but Elena put a hand on her arm.

“We understand, Alpha Segerson. Please don’t take offense.” Elena’s voice was smooth and calm. Her winter-blue eyes held his for a beat, then her mouth curved up as she turned to the door. Ashley hesitated, her pride clearly wounded, before following.

At the threshold, Elena paused and looked back over her shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I agree with you.” She shrugged an elegant shoulder. “Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.”

The door closed behind them with a soft click.

“Well, that was something,” Sawyer muttered, his expression shifting from polite amusement to annoyance. “My intel informs me that Alexander Christopherson is an autocrat and runs his Pack like a dictatorship.”

Conall nodded. “Same. Drew’s dossier on his Betas says that Elena has an advanced degree in cross-cultural political science. She’s the one who should be at the negotiating table. What a waste.”

Conall turned back to the window as his wolf paced inside him, restless and furious. The Northeastern Alpha had just insulted him, his mate, and his Pack, all wrapped in the guise of hospitality. The bond with Riley was a distant thread of warmth he clung to.

Sawyer pulled out his phone and dialed his sister, Madison, who was also one of his top Betas. “Sawyer, it’s almost midnight. What are you still doing awake?”

“We have a situation. Conall and Ash are here with me.” Sawyer put her on speaker.

“Of course you do,” she sighed. “Let me guess. The Council vote is going sideways, and you need me to strong-arm a few shifters.”

“Yes, but Conall and I will work on that. He’s here with me.”

Madison raised her voice. “Is Riley there?”

“Hello to you too, Beta Castillo,” Conall teased. The Southwestern Pack loved Riley and barely tolerated him. He wasn’t surprised after what’d happened with Anna.

“Good evening, Alpha Segerson. Will you put Riley on the phone now?”

Sawyer leaned forward. “She’s in Yellowstone on a missing persons case. That’s actually why we’re calling. Riley and her partner were ambushed a few days ago by Commander Marlowe and four Apex operatives while they were investigating a suspicious area inside the Park.”

Madison’s voice went serious. “Is she hurt? What happened?” They filled her in and told her about Jamie and Gunnar’s injuries.

“Is Riley alright? The Pack kids she helped rescue from ApGen ask about her all the time.”

Conall’s voice took on a low growl. “A bullet graze to her thigh that she still hasn’t fessed up to. Freda and the hellhounds are with her. But Marlowe has an implant now, and Riley says he’s exhibiting high-level Compulsor traits. He tried to use it on her.”

Another silence, longer this time. Through the speaker, Conall heard Madison let out a long breath.

“Did I just hear you correctly?”

“Yes,” Ash answered. “We’re all shocked.”

“How? Why? My mind is having difficulty processing the ramifications. What do you need from me?”