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‘Scott Larsden was killed on pack land and his killer is being sought. They will be found and brought to justice.’ I let my gaze sweep around the room, lingering a heartbeat longer on Elena and Aitken. ‘In investigating his death, however, it has become clear that Larsden was embroiled with the black tourney.’
Noise burst through the room as everyone murmured at once. I looked at the Council members: Harden looked shocked, as did Walker. Aitken’s face was deadpan, revealing nothing – which, in turn, revealed something. Had he been in on it with Larsden, or was he just in the know about Larsden’s dark activities?
‘Silence!’ I called.
Silence! Esme snapped out at the same time.
The room fell silent like a switch had been flipped. It was incredibly gratifying, but I didn’t know whether it was because of my command or hers. I supposed it didn’t really matter.
‘I will be conducting an investigation during the coming days, but in the meantime another area must be addressed. Noah Frank may have lost his wolf due to Roan’s willing sacrifice to save his life, but he is pack and he is under my protection. If anyone harms him, I will take it as a personal insult.’ I let my threat sit for a moment in the heavy silence and glared at Harry, Matt and Toby.
Noah shrank even further; he hated being the centre of attention. I hated that I’d made him feel uncomfortable in this dark time, but I cared more for his safety than his comfort. To take the sting out of my words, I smiled. ‘Now, I know the Devon pack are adjusting to life here, but you must all be eager to return home to your land and the remainder of the pack. Rest assured, I am in the process of making certain arrangements for that, but for now you will remain here and abide by my rule and law.’
‘As should all wolves,’ said Harden loudly. He moved forward through the crowd to approach me and gave a low bow. ‘My Queen, with the deaths of Larsden and Ramsay coming on the heels of the loss of Ace Frost, the Council is not at full strength. Moreover, it is time for you to travel to the seat of power to take the Crown of Torr. Whilst you do so, the Council can discuss appointing the replacements for Frost, Larsen and Ramsay.’
I gave him a cool smile. ‘I will happily travel to the seat of power, but if I am to be Queen in more than name then I will appoint their replacements once I have the Crown of Torr. With the Council's advice, of course. It is notable that there are no females on the Council, something we will need to rectify.’
Harden’s smile became distinctly strained. ‘The Council is usually formed of beta wolves, my Queen.’
‘I’m well aware of that,’ I said drily. Appointing alphas to the Council would be a foolish decision; all the ones I’d ever met had egos as big as a dragon’s dick so any meeting involving them was doomed to failure. Appointing betas, however, meant that they could retain their loyalty to their own pack whilst supposedly acting in the best interests of all werewolves. ‘I see no reason why a woman shouldn’t be beta to a pack.’
‘They are simply not strong enough to win in a tourney,’ Aitken said stiffly.
I raised an elegant eyebrow. ‘And yet here I sit, the proclaimed Queen of the English werewolves.’ Of course, I hadn’t technically fought in a tourney because I’d mercy-killed Lord Samuel and inherited his pack, but breaking the curse had been all my doing. And Amber’s, and my grandfather Alessandro’s; okay, it had been a team effort, but they didn’t need to know that.
‘Indeed,’ Aitken said. ‘But though you are proclaimed Queen, your coronation will not take place until the crown has been attained. As such, we invite you to travel post haste to the seat of power at Fellworth House.’
‘And where is Fellworth House?’
Aitken’s smile was shark-like. ‘Why, on my lands, my Queen. The Staffordshire pack would be honoured to host you.’
My stomach sank. Dammit, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. They’d used my own meeting to pin me down and force me to agree to go to the damned seat of power – whatever and wherever it was – and who knew what awaited me there? Nothing pleasant, I was sure.
Just wonderful.
I plastered a smile on my face and hoped that it hid the hammering of my heart. ‘That would be lovely,’ I said calmly, as if I were not fully aware that I had just agreed to leave my home to stroll directly into the lion’s den whilst smelling like a gazelle.
Chapter 12
Though the formal side of the meet was concluded, the food side had only just started. Even so, it wasn’t long before I was cornered by Sally Frank, Noah’s mum. ‘Thank you, alpha.’ She gave me a low bow. ‘I appreciate everything you are doing for my son.’
I hastily finished my mouthful of pizza. ‘Not at all.’ I gave a polite smile.
‘Noah is struggling to acclimatise to life without Roan,’ she admitted, looking worried. ‘I thought perhaps a boyfriend would help – you know, something to distract him? But he won’t leave the mansion. Do you know if anyone is gay or bi in the Devon pack newcomers?’ She frowned, ‘Besides those assholes that jumped him, of course.’
I blinked. ‘I’m unaware of anyone’s sexual orientation.’ Did she think the pack had come with a spreadsheet listing personal details and everyone’s strengths and weaknesses? Actually, that was a great idea considering how much I loved a spreadsheet. Maybe when I had time I could interview all the newcomers and compile some colour-coded notes.
‘ Just give him time,’ I suggested lightly. ‘He’s grieving. Nothing but time will help.’ Though even time did little to dull grief’s sharp, cutting edge.
Sally sighed. ‘I know you’re right, alpha, but it is so hard to see him this way. I’m a born fixer, you see. I can’t help but try and make things better.’
A fixer? Esme snorted. A meddler, more like. Noah should find his own mate in his own time.
I wanted to point out that she wasn’t giving me the same courtesy with her constant urging for me to mate formally with Greg, but we had just healed our rift and I had no wish to reopen it so I swallowed my words.
I excused myself from Sally and made the rounds, talking to the pack and taking time to speak to the Devon newcomers as well. I decided to leave after an hour of mingling; so often I’d found that my presence inhibited a party, even more so now that I had the Devon pack members to think about; they flinched visibly in my presence.
After circulating for a while, I ordered more drinks to be brought up from the cellar and then I left. I hoped that my absence would keep the party going for longer to keep everyone in place so Greg had plenty of time to set up and monitor the camera in the pack living room.
