“Yes,” Cass answers, grinning. She puts her elbows on the table and props her chin in her hands, raising her eyebrows at Loretta.
“The first families won’t stand for this,” Derrik says firmly. “They won’t be comfortable going to such an informal event, and they won’t like the break in tradition. Thank you for your suggestion, Mabel, but Kit—”
“Thinks it’s a great idea,” I finish for him. “I need to do a bit of thinking about the location, because we’ll need a lot of room. But otherwise, I think a carnival would be wonderful.”
“Yay!” Cass bounces in her chair. “Great! I already booked a cotton candy machine.”
Loretta glares as if the force of her gaze could push Cass right off her chair. Cass looks over at Loretta and smiles sweetly. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing.
“Get together a list,” I say to the others. “Just something basic at this stage, what sort of rides and games we want, and food. Then we’ll hash out exactly what we need.”
“This is going to be so fun,” Xavier says. “I was not looking forward to six hours in a tight suit.”
“It’s tradition!” Loretta hisses at him. “To dress as befits our station, gather with those of the highest class, and discuss between us what shall be done with the pack for the next year and what could be improved from previous years. We are the ruling class, and it is our right to govern and divide the profits of this town as we see fit.”
There is a shocked silence around the table as everyone stares at Loretta.
We were all thinking it, but did she really just say it out loud?
“You mean, take more than your share?” Lexa asks Loretta very softly. “Exert your power over those weaker than you and consume more resources than you need so you can let others starve? Is that what you mean by rule?”
Loretta turns her gaze on Lexa, and the two women glare at each other. Even though Lexa stays casually seated in herchair, there is a quiet resistance in her that slowly overpowers Loretta’s high-born indignance.
“I’d expect no less from you,” Loretta spits.
“Watch it,” I growl, letting my wolf shimmer in my eyes and echo in my voice. I want to make it clear to Loretta that if she threatens my mate, I won’t wait for a challenge—I’ll just tear her apart right here and now.
Loretta takes a deep breath, blinking as she turns to me. I watch her visibly compose herself, letting the rage slide away as she covers it with a perfect mask of civility.
“I—or anyone else on this council, for that matter—don’t have to listen to a single word from this… female.” She spits the last word out, as if she wishes it could have been a worse one. “Lexa has been appointed by name and contract only. She has not earned her position and, as such, has no authority here.”
“But I do,” I say, glaring at her. “And I command you to listen to Lexa and take her every word under consideration.”
“Of course I will, Alpha,” Loretta practically purrs. “I remain ever loyal. But you and I are both aware of the duty that must be fulfilled before Lexa can truly claim her position.”
Don’t say it, you fucking bitch.
Loretta smiles, licking her lips a little as if the words she’s about to speak feel delicious in her mouth.
“In order to be truly accepted as luna, Lexa must bear heirs to the alpha. Without that service, she is just… a consort. A momentary distraction.”
The words cut the air with the force of a blade. A strangled gasp gets caught in Lexa’s throat. I reach out to her, but she’s already running, shoving away from the table so hard, the chair crashes to the floor. She bolts from the room.
“Not a shred of class,” Loretta mutters.
“We are not done here!” I roar, pointing at her. “You’ve challenged my authority too many times now to be unpunished. I will be back to settle this matter with you—make no mistake!”
Loretta nods and tries to keep her face calm, but I see a flash of fear deep in her eyes.
Good. You should fear me more than anyone ever feared the old man.
Not wasting another second, I turn and go after Lexa.
Chapter 13 - Lexa
I run from the room so fast that everything around me becomes a blur. I can barely feel my feet hitting the floor as I race across the rec hall and slam through the huge swing doors.
I have to get out of here!
