The idea makes me shudder. As I start the truck and pull out into the street, my discomfort slowly turns to horror.
Grandfather wanted war. He was always pushing the other clans. Would he have torn up the Pass with his lust for power and violence?
My thoughts turn to how my grandparents were killed and how the murderers were never found. It was almost as if the second they left the safety of the Range, the assassins were waiting for them.
If Grandfather intended to sink the entire Range into war, I’m not sure I blame them.
I pull up at the old church and take the back entrance into the meeting room. Grandfather always insisted on having meetings at the estate, the church, or the rec hall attached to it. But since I became alpha, I’ve begun holding council in a small study behind the church.
The room is bright and comfortably furnished. A wide window at the back lets in clear, golden sunlight and crisp, fresh air. The walls are lined with shelves of books, and a thick red carpet covers the floor. There are soft armchairs and couches, and small crates of toys in the corner.
The younger members of the council—Mabel, Xavier, Cass, and my beta Cade, are gathered around a low table piled with cookies, cakes, and tea.
“Hey, big man!” Cade greets me, toasting me with a slice of cake. “Big married man, I should say.”
“Yeah,” I chuckle, trying to cover my inner turmoil. “It’s been a rough night.”
“I bet,” Mabel says, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cass snaps. “As if anything is happening yet. I’m sure Kit means getting used to each other is tiring. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Mabel blinks innocently. “I meant the long drive, then the rushed wedding. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe you should getyourmind out of the gutter.”
Cass rolls her eyes and goes to sit on a nearby couch. Mabel sticks her tongue out at her, and Cass giggles, almost spilling her tea. The two of them have been teasing each other since the first year of school, and it’s never serious.
Well, okay, maybe that one time. But after we disarmed Cass, it all worked out.
I turn slowly away from the refreshment table to face the end of the room. Sitting together on a long couch are Loretta, Derrik, and Jones, the pack elders.
All of them look annoyed, but that doesn’t surprise me. I doubt any of them has ever smiled in their lives.
“Kit,” Loretta says, a hard edge in her voice. “Sit down, please.”
I turn my back on them and get a slice of butter cake and a cup of sweet tea. I enjoy making them wait, and I know they hate the informality of these meetings, so I want to rub it in their faces as hard as I can.
I’m in charge now, not the old man. You can’t intimidate me.
While I’m getting my food, Mabel casually tosses herself down onto the couch next to Cass, cursing when she gets a shower of cookie crumbs across her chest. Cade goes to sit on thefloor next to them, and I can practically hear the blood vessels popping in the elders’ brains.
I take my time going back towards them and sit down in a comfy armchair, casually resting my foot on my knee as I start eating my cake.
“Okay, guys, let’s begin,” I say. “What’s the matter of discussion today?”
Loretta takes a deep breath, ready to unleash a scathing tirade of some sort, but Cass speaks up, not even noticing she’s cutting Loretta off.
“Your wedding!” she says brightly. “That’s the only thing that matters. I’m so happy for you. We should really have a party.”
“Yeah!” Mabel agrees. “A big one. With a bonfire, and some games, and—”
“That’s enough!” Loretta snaps. “This is an official meeting, and all of you should conduct yourselves as such!”
I keep my eyes on the elders, my gaze steady and a casual smile on my face. I hear Mabel snicker quietly.
“This is important business,” Derrik adds. “As you know, Kit, we have urged you to find a mate for some time—”
“And I finally did,” I answer. “Shouldn’t we be celebrating?”
“You did not consult us about your choice!” Loretta argues. “We should have had a vote. This affects the whole pack, not just you.”
