Chapter Twelve #2
Since Alaina’s reign, the council’s overthrowing had begun, but a reliable source said the crown meant to abolish it completely.
It’s about time.
“Why is that?”
“Because it is the council that reviews all matters regarding leadership matchmaking,” Ezra says.
Sam plops into his seat, crosses his ankles on the table, then laces his fingers on his stomach.
He shrugs casually, but his retort is all business and heavy with a professional yet subtle smackdown.
“It seems you are misinformed. That was the old rule. Since the hybrid reign, the crown has final say on the matter.”
Sweat drips from the councilman’s brow. Alexa chimes in to save him. “Perhaps we should get started?”
Sam stares them down, not taking his eyes off them as he reaches down beside him to grip bottom of Taya’s seat.
Her chair screeches against the hardwood floor as he pulls her closer to him.
With her close, he kisses the back of Taya’s hand, holds it to his lips and inhales her scent.
He’s trying to steady himself. It’s like taking that first puff of herbs after a long day, calming and uplifting all in one.
It’s knowing you’re home, and all worries can finally leave you.
I know because that’s what Jay’s scent does to me, even if it is short-lived.
Taya, ever poised and proper, sits tall with her arm angled like a teapot spout.
With eyes fixed ahead, she’s fully aware of the power she holds over him.
But not in a tyrannical way but like someone who understands the importance of being someone else’s peace.
To be the most fragile one in the room, and to have power over one of the most beastly soul’s .
. . She understands the weight and holds the responsibility of a supportive partner well.
Once calm, Sam speaks, “Thanks, pup.”
Taya smiles, and her hand floats back into her lap.
“Okay, I’m good now.” He nods to Alexa. “Please, proceed.”
“Er, yes. Let’s start by getting an update on Bloodhound.” Alexa looks at me with a raised brow, and her glasses fall to the bridge of her nose. “Caleb?”
“Certainly.” I clear my throat.
“As you are aware”—I start—“the attacks on our pack have been decreasing significantly with my mother’s plans in motion.”
First of all, they are likely not aware. As you are aware’ is a term we’ve gotten comfortable using to respectfully relay to the council information they should know, but they don’t know shit. To suggest that they do not know what’s going on with the packs below them would be disrespectful.
Second, she didn’t do shit either. I could barely get her to sign off on things on time, let alone put anything in place. No, this was all due to my efforts. Well, mine and Tyler’s. But under my leadership. I don’t need the credit. The pack is safer than it was, and that’s all that matters.
You know it’s serious when Sam shakes his head, waves and leans forward from his comfortable position.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa—wait a second.” He whips his head at the two council members with disbelief.
“That’s it? A pack, whose resources the entire kingdom relies on, who reports directly to you, says they’re still being attacked—”
“It’s decreasing—” Ezra says, shamefully missing the royal beta’s point that attacks still happen.
Sam ignores his ignorant comment. “And you don’t have a single question about it? You aren’t wondering why the attacks are still happening?”
Unless you count what Jay did, the attacks haven’t just decreased but have practically been eradicated. But I’m enjoying the councilman’s stammering too much to correct the narrative.
“Well—uh—we know everything.”
“Bullshit,” Tyler coughs.
Sam leans back in his chair and folds his hands, ready to expose this guy for what he is. A fraud. “I find that interesting, considering you report directly to me and my mate.” He turns his head to Taya. “And I don’t remember hearing anything. Do you, angel?”
“Nope. I’d definitely remember something like that,” Taya says, popping the p.
Tyler and I exchange glances. We know some shit’s about to go down.
“Precisely.” He reverts his attention back to the council members—who sweat as they exchange nervous glances.
“Good thing you are aware of everything already, right? So, you should be able to tell us how the attacks keep happening. Actually, I’ll make it even easier for you .
. . Tell me why they were even able to happen in the first place. ”
“Uh . . .” Ezra freezes.
If he doesn’t even know that, forget it. He’s done.
“Go on then. The floor is yours,” Sam says, intimidating the male further.
“Um . . .” He gapes at Tyler and me for a lifeline.
Tyler and I avoid their pleasing gaze, looking around the room—really anywhere else but directly at them.
“You don’t know . . . do you?”
“Well, I—”
This is pure gold. I hate the council just as much as the next guy.
They’re helpful when they actually do their job, but most of them stick to the status quo and are compensated for doing nothing.
They are an obstacle to any sort of change.
And Sam clearly sees right through that.
They’ve been a broken system for quite some time.
“We’ve been rather busy . . .”
“Aw, I understand.”
Sam is sarcastic, yet the councilman doesn’t seem to pick up on this.
The council nods and grins at Sam’s faux understanding, but their relieved smile falls as Sam says, “You’re lazy.”
It happens quickly. Sam pounces on Ezra and slices his neck without even shifting. He lies on the ground next to his chair holding his throat, choking on his own blood.
Alexa holds the pendant on her chain close to his lips, her eyes closed tightly shut. She says a prayer and waits for Sam to end her life as well. But he doesn’t.
Actively dying, Ezra chokes on his own blood. The gurgling continues as Sam returns to his seat. He regards Alexa, “Don’t worry, you’re our spare.” Then he focuses on me. “Can you answer my question?”
“It’s because our pack is not prepared to fight. This is a weakness that was exposed to the rogues during the attack. They see us as easy targets.”
I speak clearly, but regret is evident in my tone. I own my family’s mistakes as if they were my own.
“Honesty, finally. That is why the king will be here soon to oversee combat training to strengthen Bloodhound’s brute force and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Oh, great. Just what I need. His Majesty shows up to point out everything I’m doing wrong in my own pack and undermine me publicly—right when I most need everyone’s faith.
The pack’s loyalty has been shaky since the first attack. We didn’t prepare them to fight because we thought we were too important to the entire realm. Because of this, they question my parents’ leadership.
I can’t say I blame them.
I need to prove to them I intend to do better than my father. Starting with the crown. Which, unfortunately for me, means kissing some hybrid ass. Otherwise . . .
I peer over at a twitching Ezra. Dang, he still isn’t dead. The little fucker’s really hanging on, huh?
“As it seems that the councilman has failed to relay pertinent information to you, there is something else I should make you aware of. We have captured a rogue who we believe participated in the attack that led to my father’s death.
Typically, we would have eradicated her already, but we have imprisoned her instead—something our pack has not done previously. ”
“Why keep this one?” Taya asks.
“To give people hope. Interrogate and investigate. Plenty of reasons. But my people are also losing faith in my family. Which is a reason I believe a mate of my choosing would help.”
“Then, it might be good for Tyler to be matched as well,” Taya says to Sam.
“Hm . . .” Sam considers it as well and ultimately, seems to agree.
But Tyler does not. “Why are you even here?” Tyler snaps at Taya.
I ball my hand into a fist at his tone. My knuckles turn white.
Sam rests his elbows on the table and leans forward, clearly agitated and with my beta. “She is my mate and your superior. You will show her respect.”
“Sir, I think what my beta is trying to say is, we’ve known Taya our entire lives. She can’t fight.”
“And whose fault is that?”
His jab has a direct hit. A reminder of how many pack members we’ve failed.
“Taya is here to train as well.”
“Her? Train? This I’ve gotta see.” Tyler snickers and crosses his arms.
Tyler and Taya aren’t the biggest fans of each other ever since their rendezvous some time ago.
“Do us all a favor and stop talking,” I mindlink Tyler.
But judging by his sly grin, he’s not planning to.
Mentally, I shrug. It’s his funeral.
Taya glares at Tyler.
Sam catches her annoyance and locates the source with his eyes.
Tyler, who doesn’t see Sam staring him down, scoffs at Taya’s dirty look.
Sam stands, his jaw ticking. He stomps over to Tyler, grabs him by the back of his neck and face plants him into the glossy tabletop. His cheek is smashed flat to the surface. Sam leans down to Tyler’s ear with his weight on Tyler’s head. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did to my mate.”
Tyler gulps.
It’s then the silence becomes apparently loud. The councilman is dead.
“Your life is a privilege. Privileges can be taken away.” Sam stands and heads back to his seat, grabbing a stack of documents from the dead council. Sifting through them, Sam says, “Now, it is my understanding we are looking at finding you an arranged mate.”
I blink, making sure I heard him right. An arranged mate?
I want to choose, not have them chosen for me.
“Regarding that matter, I would like to know if the crown is open to me taking a chosen mate over one arranged. There is a she-wolf here who has a green thumb of sorts. She could be considered a perfect match given our abilities,” I say.
Sam raises an eyebrow, not convinced.
But he doesn’t stop me, so I continue, “She’s familiar with the pack, well-liked and—”
“Your father was killed by a rogue,” Sam says, “and he failed to teach those who follow him how to protect themselves. Your people are being attacked daily and are losing faith in you. Do you really think a little green thumb is going to regain their respect?” He shakes his head and points his attention back to Alexa, who is white as a ghost from the shock. “Wouldn’t you agree council?”
Alexa blinks her mental return and reaches for the documents they brought to the meeting.
They shake as she flips through them. “Y-Yes, sir. The council agrees that, given the length of time the alpha heir has been of age, an arranged match seems more appropriate in this case.” She hands Sam a page.
“I’ve taken the time to compile a list of approved potential matches. ”
Sam scans the page. “I’m looking at a list of proposed matches.
They’re leaps and bounds ahead of your local she-wolf.
” He turns to face the remaining council member and then back to me, setting down the paperwork.
“The crown approves for you to proceed with the search for an arranged mate.” He stands and holds out his palm for Taya.
She takes it and stands with him.
Before exiting the room, he says, “Invitations will be sent out to the approved, prospective matches on this list. They will be presented to you, and you will choose one from them. That’s more choice than our king would have had.
Take it. Ultimately, he will still have final approval of whether you can move forward with the match. ”
Sam stops at the doorway.
“Oh and one more thing. As someone who has worked under the most ruthless of them all, it might be a good idea to start establishing fear if you can’t be loved.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re suggesting.”
He flashes a toothy grin. “Show off your new prisoner.”