“That’s enough, both of you,” Nick’s voice cut through their argument as he stepped between them.“Whatever is going on between you two, it can wait.Right now, we have bigger problems to deal with.”
Larissa walked away, and a flush of shame climbed up Malcolm’s neck.Nick was right.He was letting his personal feelings cloud his judgment—exactly what an alpha couldn’t afford to do.
Gregory’s voice rang out, silencing the last of the murmurs.“Before you make any rash decisions,” he said, his tone maddeningly calm, “you might want to consider the information we possess.Information that could…shall we say, destabilize the pack’s current power structure?”
Malcolm’s blood ran cold.What could Gregory and Hannah know that would give them such confidence?His mind raced through possibilities, each more alarming than the last.
He glanced around the crowd until he found Larissa again.Despite their argument, the same concern was reflected in her gaze.Whatever their personal issues, they both understood the gravity of the situation.
Nick, his face a mask of controlled anger, moved a few steps closer to Gregory.“Say what you’ve come to say.But if you’re here to cause trouble, you’ll find no welcome here.”
Gregory’s smile was cold and predatory.“Oh, I think you’ll want to hear what we have to say, Nick.After all, it concerns not just you but everyone here.”His gaze swept the crowd, lingering on Malcolm for an instant before moving on.“The question is, Are you brave enough to hear the truth about your so-called leaders?”
The pack shifted uneasily, the scent of fear and anticipation heavy in the air.Malcolm squared his shoulders, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
“Whatever lies you’re here to spread,” he said, “we’re not interested.The pack has moved on, Gregory.We’re stronger now, united.”
Hannah’s laugh, sharp and mocking, rang out across the mesa.“United?Is that what you call this?”She gestured at the tense faces surrounding them.“Face it, Malcolm.This pack is as divided as it ever was.You’re just too blind to see it.”
Her words struck too close to home, echoing doubts that had been plaguing Malcolm since Vincent’s defeat.He opened his mouth to respond, but Nick beat him to it.
“This isn’t the time or place for whatever game you’re playing,” Nick said, his voice firm.“If you have something to say, say it.Otherwise, leave.Now.”
For a moment, the only sound was the wind whistling.Then Gregory spoke, his voice dangerous.
“Very well,” he said.“Let’s start with the truth about how Vincent really died.It wasn’t the noble battle you’ve all been led to believe.No, the truth is far more…interesting.”
As Gregory’s words washed over the pack, Malcolm’s mind was already racing, planning, strategizing.He might not become alpha today, but he would be damned if he let Gregory and Hannah destroy everything they’d worked so hard to build.
He risked a glance at Nick, trying to gauge his reaction.The interim alpha’s face was a mask of stone, but the almost imperceptible clench of his jaw gave away his dismay.
“You see,” Gregory continued, his voice dripping with false sympathy, “Vincent’s death was planned and executed by those who claim to want only the best for you.For the pack.But really, all they wanted was power.”
Malcolm’s mind raced.He needed to do something, to say something, before Gregory’s poison spread any further.But what?If he defended Nick too vigorously, it might look like he was complicit.If he stayed silent, it would be as good as admitting guilt.
Before he could decide, Hannah’s voice cut through the murmurs.“And that’s not all,” she said, her voice practically glittering with malice.“Should we tell them about the deals you made with other packs, Nick?About the promises you made to secure their support?”
Nick’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing.“What are you talking about?”
Hannah’s smile was sharp as a blade.“Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about.The territories you promised to the Moonstone Pack in exchange for their help.The hunting rights you offered to the River Valley Pack for their neutrality.Shall I go on?”
“Lies,” Malcolm said.“Everything you’re saying is nothing but lies designed to divide us.”
Gregory turned to him, his expression one of mock surprise.“Is it, Malcolm?Are you sure about that?Because we have proof.Documents signed by Nick himself, detailing every sordid deal.”
The reaction from the pack was immediate and visceral.Growls and snarls erupted from all sides, the scent of anger and betrayal thick in the air.Malcolm’s own anger rose, not at Nick, but at Gregory and Hannah for the chaos they were sowing.
Larissa stood apart from the fray, her gaze calculating as she moved back toward Malcolm.“We need to shut this down,” she said as soon as they were close enough to speak without being overheard.“Every second they keep talking, we lose more of the pack.”
Malcolm nodded, his mind already racing through possibilities.“But how?If we try to silence them, it’ll look like we’re hiding something.If we let them continue…”
“We lose everything,” Larissa finished for him.
Malcolm’s voice rang out, cutting through the din.“Stop!”The power in his tone brought a momentary hush to the crowd.
“Listen to yourselves,” Malcolm continued.“Listen to how quickly you turn on each other, on the very people who fought and bled to free us from Vincent’s control.”
Larissa picked up where he left off.“Gregory and Hannah come here with pretty words and vague accusations, and you’re ready to throw away everything?”
