Page 49 of Broken Souls

“Everyone except Carson,” I add sassily.

He groans. “Not you too. Carson and I are just friends.”

“I know.” I chuckle.

“Besides, no woman is worth Axe's wrath. That's something I'd never risk.” Brian shivers as if he's got something gruesome on his mind.

“They were mostly rumours, weren't they?” My voice wavers.

“Elora, some of those stories were true. I just hope you won't see it tonight,” Brian says pointedly.

“You think he will lose control?” Way to make my stomach flutter.

“It's a possibility. He hasn't been the alpha for seven years so this night will be a bombshell.” Brian sighs then stands up and leans closer to me. “Don't worry, the soldiers are prepared in case something happens.”

“Those soldiers will die if they don't respect Axe's commands,” I whisper.

“It'll be fine. It's probably the elders that'll have a problem with his new way. But they'll die soon enough anyway,” Brian ends with dark humour.

“Aren't you a positive one?”

“Someone has to be.” Brian grins. “I got to go. Let Axe know I tracked Joel down.”

“Wait.” I stand up and go close to him so Axe doesn't overhear. “Do you know what punishments Axe is dishing out?”

“No one knows.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Axe and I are walking hand in hand to the meeting hall. It's secluded, trees all around. I've never actually been in this hall. Axe pulls me into the side entrance and we enter a little room.

“You're going to wait in here until I tell you to come out. For now, we can watch through the window,” Axe informs me quietly.

I stand by the window and look into the huge, brightly lit room on the other side. Dozens of chairs line up through the whole room. Seeing everyone from the pack sitting in the same room is stressful. Do I really have to go out in front of all those people? There's a tall stage up front and Brian and two other men are standing to the side of the stage, looking like professional businessmen. Their hands behind their backs, their shoulders broad, their posture impeccable. They are the muscle of the pack, anyone can see that.

“Can they see us?” I ask, stepping back from the window.

“No. We can see them but they can't see us.”

The side entrance opens again and Dash walks in.

“Well, someone's fashionably late,” I tease.

“They will wait as long as I tell them. Besides, they're going to wish this meeting started later once Axe walks out.” Dash straightens himself up. “You ready?”

“Seven years ready,” Axe mutters. “Let's start this.”

Dash nods then opens the door to the hall slightly, slipping through. He goes up on stage and all attention turns to him.

“Hello, everyone, thank you for being here. This meeting is being held for a big occasion. The last seven years, I have stepped up and taken the role of leadership...”

“Hold on.” Alpha Manson, who I see in the front row, stands. “If this is a handing over the reins ceremony for you to be the new alpha, I should really have been informed. We need to discuss this before this meeting goes on.”

“Shut up already,” Axe mutters with a roll of his eyes.

“What's wrong?” I whisper.

“My father is undermining Dash. It's infuriating. I can't wait to show everyone up,” Axe tells me quietly.