Chapter 105
AARON
This is a shitshow.
Liam’s about to shift and attack an Elder.
Karolina’s eyes are sparkling like she hopes he’s du mb enough to do such a thing.
And Tobin’s waiting to see who will attack first so he can jump
into the melee.
Leah still hasn’t replied about whether or not she wants to transition and I realize that I put her on the spot.
I sh oot to my feet. “This is a celebration, and we would be wise to remember that Leah Roberts Rathborn comes from a distinguished family. My Luna has the full support of Pack Rathborn and Pack Roberts. Isn’t that right, Liam?”
He nods angrily. “Absolutely!”
“The Roberts Pack was once a force to be reckoned with, but many things have changed in recent years.” Samsen looks at Leah and then stares pointedly at her brother.
Liam backs down instantly.
Huh. Interesting.
I make a me ntal note to flush out whatever secrets Liam is
hiding. Though I doubt it’s anything more than money or crime. Like father, like son. That apple didn’t fall far from the
tree.
But whatever, we have more pressing concerns.
I get that the Elders don’t want me necessarily ruling three packs in this region, that will collectively make me more powerful than any one of them.
But they technically can’t stop me.
And they know that.
Getting Leah to embrace her wolf and keep the balance as a “Roberts” is their solution. Okay. Seems flimsy to me. But they last heard that Leah wanted a divorce and that she refused to stay with me. So maybe their hope is to divide us.
But that’s not happening.
As far as the rest of this bu llshit goes, I can handle the politics. These Eiders are strong, but I have other allies on the Council,
and I’m not opposed to calling in the favors owed to me.
I hold my hand out to Leah.
We need to present a unified front and I hope she
understands that.
She clasps my hand and I feel f**king triumphant.
“You want me to decide by the Fall Equinox, yes?” Leah says.
The Elders nod.
“Fine,” she agrees. “Now, if it is all the same to you, I’d like to return to my guests. I am the Alpha here, and you are welcome to partake of the party.”
Leah stands.
The others do too. It’ll be interesting to see who stays and who
leaves.
“I’m hungry,” Tobin proclaims. He stalks off toward the outside
buffet.
Karolina lingers. As Samsen exits the dining room, he turns Heft. Nosy ba stard. If he’s sticking around, it is to assess this
pack and its resources. Aleksei and Petyr turn right.
I’m not surprised that they’re heading out.
Snobbish ba stards, they don’t spend much time in the thick of things. They talk a good game about ‘pack’ and being connected to our people, but they’re elitists.
Just like they proved with that straight-up prejudice they
dished at Leah.
Like it’s her fault her wolf hasn’t manifested.
Liam storms off and I’m sure he’s furious. The Elders basically alluded that if Leah doesn’t turn, then they’ll bring in someone
else to lead.
I’m not sure that’s legal, but when it comes to the Council, they’re a law unto themselves, and neither Liam nor his father has formed strong alliances among the Elders.
They’d been preoccupied with other things.
“You never did answer the question,” Karolina says as she pauses at the door. She ignores Leah and stares pointedly at me. “Will you-now or at some point in the foreseeable future-use your influence to claim control of this pack too?”
Leah gasps beside me.
