“Holy shit,” Malcolm breathed.“Did you hear that?They’re planning something big.”
Larissa nodded, her face pale.“We need to tell Nick.Now.”
As they drove back into town, the gravity of what they’d discovered settled over them like a heavy blanket.This was more than just pack politics.This was a genuine threat to everything they held dear.
They found Nick at his house, little Javier playing at his feet while he pored over some paperwork.His expression grew grave as they played back the recordings.
“Good work, both of you,” he said when they finished.“This is serious.We’ll need to move up our timeline.I’ll call a pack meeting for tomorrow morning.It’s time we brought everything into the open.”
CHAPTER 21
THE NEXT MORNING AShe ascended Sunburst Mesa, Malcolm’s senses were on high alert, picking up the nervous energy crackling through the air, the hushed whispers and furtive glances punctuating the usual premeeting chatter.
Across the mesa, Larissa’s dark hair whipped in the wind.Heat blazed through him at the sight of her.Despite their rivalry and the complications of their attraction, he couldn’t deny the connection between them.
This isn’t about you and Larissa, he told himself sternly.It’s about the pack.
Nick’s voice cut through the murmur of conversation, silencing the crowd.“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” he began, his tone serious.“We have important matters to discuss.”
Malcolm’s adrenaline spiked as Nick continued, “Malcolm and Larissa have uncovered some troubling information that affects us all.I’ll let them explain.”
Taking a deep breath, Malcolm stepped forward.He exchanged a brief nod with Larissa, a silent acknowledgment of their temporary alliance.“As you all know, Hannah and Gregory returned to our territory recently.”He infused his words with calm authority, but beneath the surface, his anger simmered.“We had concerns about their motives, given their close association with Vincent.Unfortunately, our suspicions were well founded.”
He recounted the scene at the Desert Sunrise Diner, describing how Larissa had overheard Hannah manipulating younger pack members, how they’d recorded her continuing her machinations.His fists clenched at his sides as he spoke, remembering the honeyed poison of her words.“Just like she and Gregory did at the last meeting, she was still trying to exploit the uncertainty we’re all feeling.”
Malcolm paused, letting his words sink in.“But there’s more,” he said, gesturing to Larissa.
Larissa stepped forward, her voice steady and clear as she detailed Gregory’s clandestine meetings with unknown outsiders.“We have reason to believe he’s planning something that could put our entire pack at risk,” she concluded.
Malcolm produced the small recording device from his pocket.“We have evidence,” he said.“I know it’s not easy to hear, but I ask you all to listen carefully.”
He pressed play, and Hannah’s voice filled the air, dripping with false concern as she spoke to a group of younger pack members.Then came Gregory’s meeting with the group out by the mine.
As the recordings played, Malcolm’s heightened senses picked up on subtle shifts in the crowd.His muscles tensed as he noticed Hannah and Gregory at the edge of the gathering, their body language screaming of unease and desperation.
In a flash of movement almost too quick for human eyes to follow, Hannah and Gregory broke into a run, attempting to flee.Malcolm’s instincts screamed at him to give chase, to bring down those who threatened his pack.He coiled to spring, but Conall and Quinton were faster.
The twins moved with uncanny synchronization, cutting off Hannah’s escape route, effortlessly corralling her.At the same moment, Anders stepped into Gregory’s path, his usually calm demeanor replaced by cold efficiency.
“Going somewhere?”Anders asked, his voice deceptively mild.
Malcolm’s wolf surged within him, howling for retribution against anyone who would harm the pack.The urge to shift, to let his more primal side take control, was almost overwhelming.But he forced himself to remain calm, painfully aware that every eye was on him and Larissa.He was auditioning for the role of alpha, after all.Losing control now would be disastrous.
Nick stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding silence from the agitated pack.“Hannah, Gregory,” he said, his voice hard as steel, “you will be detained until we can fully address your actions.”
Malcolm listened intently as Nick continued, “Today, my door is open to anyone who wants to bring evidence or testimony either for or against Hannah and Gregory, even if you wish to speak to me on the condition of anonymity.Tomorrow night, we will reconvene to determine their fate.”He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled wolves.“And also, although the candidates didn’t complete the diplomacy challenge, tomorrow night we will also make our final decision regarding the new alpha.”
This was it—the culmination of years of rivalry and ambition.
“Malcolm, Larissa,” Nick addressed them directly, “you’ve both shown great initiative in uncovering this threat.Tomorrow, you’ll each have the chance to make your final case to the pack.Remember, being alpha isn’t just about strength and strategy—it’s about what’s best for all of us.”
Malcolm nodded solemnly and surveyed the pack, trying to gauge their reactions and support, his mind already racing, strategizing for tomorrow’s crucial meeting.
As the gathering began to disperse, hushed conversations breaking out among small groups, Malcolm remained rooted to the spot.
“Quite a morning, huh?”
Malcolm turned to find Anders approaching, his usual wry smile back in place now that the immediate crisis had passed.
