Leviathan
That evening, Rainier returned. June and I were sitting on the porch, enjoying each other’s company.
Only one issue had been dealt with. Anders and Eugenia were out of the way, but they had been the least of our worries.
The Red Maw was gathering only a few miles from here, preparing to invade.
They were going to be more difficult to deal with.
“How’s the patient?” Rainier asked, grinning at June as he took the steps up to join us.
June gave me a sidelong glance and smirked. “He’s more… energetic than I would have thought, after what he’s been through.”
Rainier looked from June to me, then made a retching sound.
“Fuck, I don’t need to hear about that.” He waved a hand through the air. “Anyway, are you guys ready to meet with the other alphas?”
I sat forward, anxious to get something done. “Are they gathered? Where?”
Rainier pointed behind his back with his thumb. “Elementary school auditorium. They were all headed there when I left to get you.”
June glanced at me, a resolute but anxious look on her face. “Do you think they’ll still help us?” she asked. “I mean, after what happened?”
“I guess we’re about to see,” I said as I rose from my chair.
“I’m sure they will,” June said, putting her hand on my back. “They know what’s at stake, regardless of who the alpha is or whatever pack drama is going on.”
I wished I could agree with her, but I knew better.
Shifters followed both strength and honor.
Sure, before the challenge, they’d all said they’d stand with me and wouldn’t go along with the alliance if Anders was in charge, but people were fickle.
There was a very real chance these men might bolt if they didn’t respect me.
Rainier led us along, the three of us walking in silence, June’s hand in mine.
As we went, I tried to think of all the ways to try and talk the other alphas into continuing the alliance.
After seeing how dysfunctional Idlewild was, they might decide to cut ties and run.
That would leave us at Desdemona’s mercy.
For the last hour, I’d been doing my best to mentally run through how many fighting men Idlewild had.
There were a lot, but many had families they would want to protect.
There were also the elderly and young who would need to be evacuated.
We’d be overmatched in the best of situations, and that was only if Rainier and I had actually seen the entirety of the fighting force.
Red Maw might be bigger than we realized.
In that case, we were screwed no matter what without help.
The other alphas stood as Rainier led us into the small auditorium. Their mates all looked anxious, but I was happy to see they were all present. It was a good sign that none of the alphas had sent them away for safety reasons.
“Levi,” Blaise said with a nod as we entered.
“Evening, everyone,” I said, and took my place standing before them all. “I want to apologize, first and foremost, for how you all have been treated and what you’ve gone through since arriving to Idlewild. As the new alpha, you have my sincerest apologies.”
Patrick nodded appreciatively, stroking his graying beard. “That means a lot. I doubt that other asshole would have said anything like that if he was still in charge.”
The other grumbled assent. Devon’s mate muttered something about Anders being a douchebag, and I immediately liked her more for it.
“With Anders out of the way,” I went on, “I’d like to discuss the plans for the Red Maw.”
Hakeem leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “About time we get down to business.”
“Earlier today, June and I spotted what looks like an expeditionary force making camp about five miles from Idlewild. That’s close enough to launch an assault with less than an hour’s notice.”
The others perked up, including Rainier. With everything that had happened when we returned to town, I hadn’t had the chance to tell him.
“They’re that close?” Rainier asked.
“They are,” June said. “We saw at least two dozen setting up camp. I think Levi’s theory is right. They’re establishing a base of operations closer to Idlewild so they can attack at the drop of a hat.”
“Right,” I agreed. “My best guess? We’ve got two or three days until they come for us, maybe even less.
I’m here asking—no, that’s not right. I’m begging you to help us.
I know things were strained before, but I hope and pray that we can continue this alliance.
” I swept my eyes around the room, trying to gauge facial expressions and body language.
“What do you say? I’ll accept whatever answer you give. ”
The first person to speak was Devon. “The Black Creek pack isn’t large. It’s less than half the size of Idlewild, but with you in charge? I’ll allocate as many men as I can to the cause.”
“Hell yes,” Patrick said. “You can count the Bend Lake pack in that as well. We’re not massive like you all or Ravenhill and Fallbrook, but we’ll fight.”
Hakeem nodded and stood. “I have to be honest, Levi, if Anders was still in charge, I think we’d all pack up and head out. But we respect you. In the short time I’ve known you, I get the feeling you’re a man of honor, and I, and my people, would be happy to fight alongside you.”
“Same,” Blaise said. “Fallbrook is with you.”
“Wait,” June said. My heart lurched at the angry and hurt look on her face. “You all would have really left Idlewild to die if Anders had been in charge? There are innocent men, women, and children here.”
Rainier and I shared a look. Deep down, I screamed in my mind for her to hush. Now wasn’t the time for this. We’d made inroads, and we didn’t need to ostracize these men now. I tried to catch her eye, but she was too busy glaring at the other men.
“I wouldn’t order my men to die for a man like Anders,” Patrick said, staring back at June, undaunted by her angry eyes.
June shook her head in disgust. “You all would leave innocent people to be attacked because you don’t like a certain alpha? What kind of—”
“I think,” I said, interjecting quickly before she said something we would all regret, “that it is reasonable to worry about a leader.” I gestured toward the others while looking at June.
“These men and women are putting their lives, and the lives of their people, on the line. We can’t expect them to do something like that for a man they don’t trust or respect. ”
As I looked at her, I tried to mentally send a message with my eyes. Please don’t push this. We can talk later, but not here.
The look on her face told me she understood, but she wasn’t happy about it. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she crossed her arms and glared at the other men.
“Speaking of someone we don’t trust,” Blaise said. “What’s the plan for Anders and his side piece?”
The others all muttered among themselves, throwing out ideas.
“Execution?” Devon asked hesitantly. “Is it going to go that far?’
“No,” I said. I’d come to my decision, and I’d taken what June had said to heart, but I needed to do what was best for the pack. “He and Eugenia will be banished from Idlewild forever.”
June looked upset by the thought, but she held her tongue. What she’d said made sense in a way, but there was simply no way we could feel safe with Anders and Eugenia in town.
“That’s fair,” Blaise said.
“I agree,” Hakeem added.
The others muttered their assent. June stirred uneasily beside me, then stood and left without a word. If the others noticed, they didn’t show it. A nagging worry wormed its way into my stomach. Why was she so upset about this? She had to see that it was the best solution to the problem.
Patrick rose. “I’ll put a call into my people. See how many fighting men we can get up here.”
After I shook hands with everyone, they all streamed out. I cursed under my breath and looked at Rainier. “That could have gone better. Thankfully, the others didn’t seem to notice June’s reaction.”
“What was her deal?” Rainier asked, shaking his head. “If anyone should want that prick gone, it should be her.”
“I know. I’m going to go check on her.”