Bastian
“There is no way your father would do something like that!” Eric insisted. He was an older dragon, around the same age as my father, and I was willing to bet money on them having been friends in their youth. They were both the same level of exhausting.
News of the scout’s visit had spread around the horde, and several dragons had congregated in the dining hall. It seemed that I couldn’t be allowed to enjoy a sandwich with Rowan for longer than a few moments. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap at him.
It had been two days since I had fed Rowan and insisted she get some rest. Since then, I had made it my personal mission to ensure she was well fed. While I wasn’t a brilliant cook, I excelled at grilled cheese and simple pasta dishes. Her focus was Ma, my focus was my mate.
My clan and I were all sitting around one table, Rowan in one of the chairs, Orsen sitting on the table itself with Nix standing next to him, Greylen and I also seated.
“Cyrus has betrayed this horde,” Orsen growled, shaking his head. “You all know what happened to Ma!”
A few dragons muttered. Most of them were deeply upset by her attack, as they should be, but too many were willing to look past it for some reason. As if that alone wasn’t a deal-breaker.
“How do we know what he did wasn’t an accident? He could have been going after someone else. Reports say Ma stood in the way. Alpha Cyrus hasn’t been allowed to give his side.”
My stomach turned. Did they really think that mattered? Going after someone else was just as fucking bad.
“He hasn’t been able to tell us his side of things because he fled like a guilty coward,” Nix pointed out. “Innocent people don’t flee with their tails between their legs.”
Eric grimaced, and I offered Nix a discreet nod.
“He was our Alpha. We need to hear him out!” someone shouted.
No, I’m done with this shit.
Griffin had been doing a damn good job keeping those who were voicing their dissent away while Rowan treated Ma, but after the scout’s visit, even he couldn’t keep them at bay.
My hands balled into fists. I wanted nothing more than to put my foot down and scream at these people, to remind them that I was the Alpha, but that would make me no better than my father.
Moreover, this wasn’t just about me. This was about Rowan and my clanmates, about what Cyrus had done to a member of our horde, and about waking people up to the realities they refused to see.
“In that case, you can hear it from the horse’s mouth!” I growled, stomping out of the dining hall.
Thankfully, where I was heading wasn’t far away. I was a firm believer in the old saying: Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. And I’d been waiting to play this ace until the right time.
The small jail cell was hidden in a cabin, where Tanner was kept under lock and key with several dragons constantly watching him. Not that he had made any move to leave or even attempted to escape. It was like he’d resigned himself to his fate.
When I stormed in, he was sitting on the small cot along the back wall, elbows resting on his knees, looking at the floor. Tanner’s head shot up, and he looked at me in confusion—and a little fear.
“You’re coming with me,” I growled.
Tanner stood easily enough, presenting his hands for the manacles that one of the guards had dropped into my hands.
I locked him up, holding on to the chain between them as I turned and dragged him out of the cell.
He didn’t fight me, again offering an acceptance to the situation that was both infuriating and understandable.
“Am I going to be executed?”
“No. You’re going to stand in front of the horde and tell them exactly what you did.”
At that, he raised his brow, nervous energy increasing. “What do you mean?”
“They think Cyrus must have ‘had his reasons,’” I spat out. “You’re going to tell them precisely what those ‘reasons’ were.”
“That’s bullshit!” Tanner cursed, and then I wasn’t dragging him. No, he was storming in front of me, right into the den.
The conversation abruptly ended when we entered, dozens of eyes flaring wide at the sight of him.
“Hello, everyone,” Tanner greeted, wasting no time. He stood on one of the benches, ensuring the crowd could see him. “I have been asked to speak to you, but I want it to be known that I gladly do so. You all need to understand just what horrors Cyrus is capable of.”
Shock played out on the features of so many dragons, and I watched, keeping a close eye on those who’d been defending Cyrus’s actions. Orsen squeezed Rowan’s hand, and my stomach clenched. I didn’t want to excommunicate an entire generation today, but for her, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
“I need you all to understand that what Bastian is saying is true. Six years ago, Bastian called home, informing his father that he had officially formed a clan. They had found their mate, Emmeline. I’m sure many of you remember that Cyrus wasn’t overly happy about that news.”
A few people nodded. For a moment, I was taken aback. Just how much did they know about my father’s unhappiness with the status of my clan, and, more importantly, how had we not seen it?
“It was understandable that he was a little sad that his son wasn’t the only Alpha anymore, sure, but everyone else was excited at the prospect of four. And especially about the prospect of an heir, a happy family to watch over the horde.”
Tanner shook his head, dropping it for a moment. When he spoke next, his voice was thick with emotion.
“He may have appeared simply disappointed, putting on a show for everyone, but behind the scenes, he was fucking livid. Not long after, Cyrus gave me an order—an Alpha’s order—that I could not say no to: he commanded me to go to River Rock Cove and make sure that Emmeline did not come home.
He wanted her gone—entirely. The father of the man standing before you, an Alpha we all trusted, betrayed all of us, especially Bastian.
He ordered me to murder his son’s fated mate! ”
Tanner’s voice rang out through the room, the frantic energy palpable, and he had to pause several times, his hands visibly shaking.
I glanced to my side. Rowan looked pale. I hated that I had to bring Tanner in to give his statement; facing the man who tried to kill her was undoubtedly terrifying for my mate.
“How could he do that?” someone asked in a small voice, realization finally sinking in.
“He’s a bastard. That’s why. I told him back then that I wouldn’t do it, but he commanded me, threatened me.
Then, years later, Rowan returned to us.
She has done nothing but improve this horde.
Our health is getting better by the day, my mate is pregnant because of her care!
And what did our old Alpha do? He ordered me to kill her again. ”
“When?” a voice called out, the crowd getting steadily rowdier.
“He talked about it from the moment she returned. When she pissed off Jenkins, his rage intensified. Two weeks ago, he came to me with the order. He is no longer my Alpha, however, so I was able to say no. If it had been up to me, I never would have hurt her that night. I will live with the regret for what I did for the rest of my life. But this time, not only did he order the death of his son’s mate, but he also demanded I take care of any of his clanmates who stood in the way.
He forced a member of his horde to kill against his will and morals.
He threatened to murder my pregnant mate and then attempted to do just that when I refused him.
Celia is alive because Ma stopped him from slaughtering her in cold blood. ”
That hit the crowd hard. Alphas were meant to be considerate, caring. They were meant to guide and support. Forcing someone to do something they didn’t want to do, one with ramifications like that… It was a type of vindictive cruelty that only my father was capable of.
I stepped forward. “You guys are loyal, and that’s not a bad thing.
We all know my father is not a kind man, but I don’t think any of us realized just how vicious he can be.
I refuse to run my horde like him. If any of you refuse to see that and remain trapped in the web of deceit we’ve lived in for the last ten years, you are welcome to leave. ”
Everyone started chattering among themselves. The idea that I would make them leave was startling.
“You can’t kick out the older generation for simply disagreeing with you and wanting to hear our old Alpha out!” Eric shot out, glaring at all of us.
“Yes, I can, and I will. Just like my father tried to murder a member of the younger generation, I will happily exile anyone who wants to live in the past. This horde is moving into the future, a healthy, caring future. If you don’t want to be a part of it, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out. ”
Eric growled, sinking into a small group of older dragons who all looked stunned.
I knew this was certainly bold. No one had ever done or said anything like this, but I didn’t give a fuck.
I was done playing safe, done placating them to avoid making waves.
Progress required discomfort, and I was more than ready to lead this horde through that.
Allison stood. “I’m new to this horde, but the Alphas here opened their arms and welcomed me.
Without Rowan, my son wouldn’t have survived.
I probably wouldn’t have, either. If you want to know anything about the type of man Cyrus is, know that he’s hiding with my father.
No one knows Byron better than me. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt—he is a cold, ruthless bastard, who doesn’t care about anyone but himself. ”
I turned to the crowd, adding, “Byron is the kind of Alpha who would force his daughter to marry someone against her will and murder her fated mate and her son. Is that the kind of Alpha you want to support? No? Then you need to come to grips with the fact that Cyrus is no better.”
The dragons gathered stayed silent, consideration on their faces, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
While some older dragons remained upset, they didn’t speak, and I truly hoped they would take my suggestion and leave.
If they caused problems for this horde, attacked people here, I wouldn’t hesitate to execute them.
I didn’t expect an answer from everyone immediately, of course.
I nodded at the guards to take Tanner back to his cell, though.
I still didn’t want him wandering around, even if he had been useful just now—and honest. As he passed Rowan, I tensed, a quiet growl rumbling, but she stood up and faced him.
“Thank you for speaking so candidly to everyone. I hope you understand that, while I don’t blame you, I’m just not ready to… be around you, so any reports about Celia will come from someone else.”
“I understand. Completely.”
With that, he was taken away, and I was left to stand there with my mate and my clan. The horde began to filter out of the room. I kept my eye on Eric and his buddy, glaring as he shot me a look.
Try something, asshole. Even think about it, and I’ll tear you apart.