“I swear to you, the gods, and the moon that I will never act against you and those you love with ill intent ever again, Jara.” Kyle even sounds sincere about this, but I don’t know that I buy the act.
“Who did you use to blackmail Carter?” Jara asks softly. It’s something that I have been wondering about myself.
“His mother and his little sister.” Kyle shakes his head as he wipes his hands on a towel that Bonnie hands him.
“You are a bastard.” I shake my head. I would beat his ass into the ground if I didn't have a blood oath. “You threaten women and children to get what you want?”
I knew before that this alpha was a disgusting waste of space, but that is a new level of low. I clench my fists at my sides. “Bring them out.” I bark at him.
Kyle sighs. “Bonnie, go get them, please.”
The woman in question stomps away, not even sparing her mate a glance. “What about Carter’s father?”
“He died a few years ago.” Kyle scrubs a hand over his face and flops on the step to his pack house.
“If they wish to come to our pack, you will let them leave. I will not leave them here with an alpha who used their family member for diabolical deeds.”
“Archer,” Jara whispers. “Get rid of his body. His mother and little sister don’t need to see that.”
“Shit. Alex grab the tarp from the truck.” I command, and the man is moving before I finish my sentence.
“You can take him around behind the house. We will have a celebration of life after we are done here.” Kyle points around the side of the house. He is resigned more than anything, it seems.
Alex and Patrick work quickly to remove the body as Jara watches me from the corner of her eye like she is unsure of something.
As soon as the men walk out of sight, Bonnie walks up with an older woman and a young girl a little older than Libby. “This is Alana and Emily. They are Carter’s mother and sister.” Bonnie introduces.
“Alana, my name is Archer, the alpha of the Everette pack.” I hold my hand out to her to shake, and she accepts it warily.
“Why is the alpha of the pack my son belongs to speaking to me right now?” she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. Her glare turns on Kyle, who hangs his head.
“I’m sorry, Alana, but your son tried to kill my mate. I called you here to ask if your alpha has been threatening you.” The woman’s eyes well with tears.
“I told him not to be stupid and that we would be fine if Alpha Kyle exiled us, but he wouldn’t listen. He was always trying to be a fucking hero.” She spits the words out angrily.
“Mom?” Emily asks with shock and fear in her tone. “We aren’t being exiled, are we?”
“No, Emily. We asked you both to chat with us to offer your mom a choice.” Jara crouches in front of her. “I’m the alpha female of the Everette pack, and I have a friend I think you would be great friends with.”
“What are you saying, alpha?” Alana asks with a frown.
“We are offering you the option to switch to our pack, where you will be protected and never used as a bargaining chip.” I shoot a glare at Kyle.
“After what my son tried to do to you, why would you offer to let us join your pack?” Alana asks warily.
“I don’t like it when people use their pack members to do their bidding under duress. Especially by threatening exile. If you want to stay, I won’t ask again. If you want to come with us, you will be welcome, and Alpha Kyle will not stop you.” I cross my arms.
“I don’t want to stay in a pack where my alpha takes advantage of his position to commit such terrible acts. We want to come with you.” Alana says so softly I almost don’t hear her.
“Alpha Kyle will not stop you, as I have said. Welcome to the Everette Pack.” I nod and turn to Kyle. “Have someone pack their things and then call me, and I will send an enforcer to come to get them.” I turn to the truck opening the door for Jara.
As I close the door, Kyle grips my arm. “Archer, keep a close eye on the other packs and those within your pack. There are traitors everywhere. I wasn’t the only one plotting.”
“Who else?” I step into his space, towering over him.
“I can’t say because there is a blood oath in place.” He groans like even that admission is painful to make.
“I can guess,” I growl, thinking about Jara’s almost-mate. “I’ll be in touch.” I yank my arm from his grip and open the truck's back door, thankful that the others brought a car instead of riding with us.
Alana and Emily get in the truck, and I hop in the driver’s seat. “What was that about?” Jara asks with a frown as she buckles her seat belt.
“It’s exactly what I thought, mate. This isn’t over. It’s only just begun.”
The End… for now.
