I went into Julie’s old office and had to go over banking information, leases, and businesses that she once owned. Like the clothing store chain and Maxim Theater. As I was knee deep in all that, I heard a scream. It was so gut-wrenching, it shook me to my core. I leaped up from the chair and ran out of the office to the location. Other wolves were crowding the doorway and they began to part to allow me passage.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked as I made my way into the room of a child.
On the ground lay April, Julie’s only child, the one she had with Graham. Blood oozed from her eyes, which were rolled up inside her head. Her mouth was twisted open and her veins were blackened and thick underneath her skin. Dragon’s venom, the same that had killed Royce. I entered the room and dropped to my knees by the child.
“What happened?” I asked anyone who could answer.
Another child was in the room and she was crying. “I don’t know,” the child whined.
“Out of my way, get out of my way!” I heard a frantic female voice yell and recognized it as Nicholette. She burst through the crowd and screamed before running to the crying child. She wrapped the little girl in her arms, cradling her.
“What the fuck happened?” I snapped, because I didn’t appreciate having a dead child in my arms and no answers as to why.
“I don’t know, Alpha. I just heard the child crying and I came running to see why and I saw the body. I just screamed,” said Vanessa, one of the house servants.
So, hers was the scream that had alarmed me. I looked around and saw a fancy, half-emptied vial of what I suspected to be the dragon venom and wolfsbane I’d acquired to carry out my scheme. I pulled my handkerchief from my pocket and picked it off the floor and smelled the bottle, which had Graham’s scent all over it and the scent of the two children. Oh my God, was this what Charlene had been alluding to? Was this why she said I needn’t worry about how we were going to pin this all on Graham?
We had one child dead and another traumatized, and I had plausible deniability. Above all, I had grounds to pass Judgement on Graham. I placed the cap back on the vial and handed it to Elliot, who had made his way through the crowd.
“Smell it,” I said.
Elliot took the vial and handkerchief from me and took a whiff. “Graham,” he growled, then passed the vial to another wolf. The more wolves smelled it, the more witnesses we had that Graham had poison in his possession. The vial was returned to me eventually, but enough wolves had scented it to prove that Graham was guilty.
“Sarah, what happened?” Nicholette asked the sniffling child in her arms.
“We… we… we were just playing,” Sarah said. “Having tea.”
“Where did you find this?” I asked, showing her the vial.
“In April’s mo… mother’s ro…room,” the child said through harsh pants.
“You didn’t drink any of it?” I asked her.
The child nodded. “It was… sweet. We… we thought… it was… syrup.”
“So, you put it inside your water to pretend?” Nicholette asked the child.
She nodded. “And she… she…” the child began to cry again. “I feel funny.”
“What do you feel?” Nicholette asked.
The little girl shrugged, then pointed towards her crotch.
“Oh, oh my,” Nicholette gasped. “Let me give you something to help.” She took the child out of the room and I was grateful. The child was human, and I could only imagine what effects the dragon venom was having on her. I hope she slept it off, which was what I was certain Nicholette was going to do. Make sure the child slept it off.
I looked back at the body. So, that was how April died. She drank the poison and the other child had to witness it. I couldn’t imagine how painful her death was. Graham’s only child was dead, his wife was dead, and soon, he would join them. I guess it was only fitting. I would have preferred not to have the death of the child, but it was done. And since Graham had no problem killing the female children of my old pack, there was something poetic about this tragedy. I had what I needed to finally get my revenge. I scooped the child up and the crowd parted as I carried the little body in my arms.
“Elliot, build a pyre,” I commanded.
“Yes, Alpha,” he said, then walked off to carry out my order. I laid the body on the sofa, then turned to address the other wolves who were standing around, some of them crying. “I think we have enough evidence to convict Graham of killing Royce and by default, his own child. He will face Judgement tonight. Do you all stand as witness?”
“Hell yeah, we all smelled his scent on that poison,” Barret said.
I might let Barret stay. I’d pull him off to the side to let him know the good news. “Barret, please gather the pack here. I want as many as can attend for the sentencing.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Barret said, then he walked off.
“The rest of you, please… do what you need to do,” I said. I really was at a loss for words, because I hadn’t seen this coming. A child was dead and her last remaining parent didn’t even know. I decided to go down into the basement of the mansion to his cell where he was sitting in the dimly lit room, brooding. He looked up at me and growled.
The bars were silver, so I knew he couldn’t bend them. Also, if he got out of control, with one flick of a switch, I could rain silver on him, which would hurt like a son of a bitch and then some. So, he could growl all he wanted.
“Stay away from my child,” he snarled, having caught her scent on my clothes.
I ignored the warning, because really… it came far too late. “I came down here because I wanted to be the first to tell you the unfortunate news,” I said.
“That you’re the new Alpha. Yeah, I figured, and it’s most unfortunate,” he shot back.
I smirked. “I must say, I did enjoy eating your wife’s heart.”
He leaped up from the bench and rushed the bars, but when his flesh touched the silver, it sizzled and he snatched his hands away. “Ahhh,” he groused.
I laughed. “Idiot.”
He looked up at me, growling. “You will get yours one day, Deacon.”
“That day came and went already. I survive it.”
He snorted. “Oh yeah, what day was that?”
“The day you took my innocence away from me. The day you killed my parents, but not before raping my mother.”
Graham gave me a smile that was filthy and wicked. “Oooh, I remember that day. Oh, your mother’s pussy was so tight, soooo sweet. Her breasts were plump too, and I especially loved seeing them covered in my cum.”
This time, it was me who had to keep my temper in check and not let him know how much his words hurt me. I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yeah, well… like I said, I survived that day. But you, you won’t survive tonight. We have the evidence we need to pass Judgement on you.”
“What evidence? I didn’t kill Royce, you motherfucker.”
“Yes, you did, you or Julie, because the poison was found in your bedroom. By your daughter.”
Graham growled again, but this time when he rushed the bars, he didn’t grab them. “You leave my daughter alone!”
“She’s dead, but don’t worry, you’ll be joining her soon,” I said, then walked away. The look of pure shock on his face was enough to satisfy my darkest desire to see him suffer. Before I left the basement, I could hear him screaming in a mixture of agony and rage. Good.
~*~
The entire pack was there for this one, and the backyard was packed. Graham was in chains, but he was a broken man at the moment, seeing the body of his wife and child placed on top of a funeral pyre. I gave the command and Elliot lit the logs, setting the pyre aflame. That was the only mercy I was giving to Graham, that he was allowed to say goodbye before I sent him to join them.
“I have gathered you all here tonight, because we must pass Judgement on Graham Willington, Beta Capo of the pack, for his treachery. He is responsible for the death of Royce MacGregor, Beta Capo, and by
association, his own daughter, April Willington. He poisoned Royce to protect his wife Julie from a certain death, because he knew Royce was going to challenge her authority. He knew she wouldn’t stand a chance and by killing Royce, he hoped to kill any threats to his Julie and her rank,” I said.
Graham stared at me, but he knew nothing he could say would matter.
“We found the evidence and his scent was on it. Witnesses, do you concur?”
All of the wolves who had scented the vial confirmed it, which was sixteen wolves, and it was enough to satisfy the rest of the pack. They were looking at Graham now, ready to tear him limb from limb.
“Graham, do you have anything you want to say?” I asked.
“Go fuck yourself,” he said.
I looked at my wives, who were still comforting Agnes. “Agnes, do you have anything you want to say to him?”
“I hope you burn in hell!” she yelled.
“Judgement is death.” With that, the pack tore into Graham, slashing at him, ripping his body parts off in a gory mess. I took my pleasure in watching him scream as he was being dismembered and disemboweled. As promised, Agnes gave the final death blow, ripping his heart from his chest when all that was left of him was a mangled torso. We threw his body on the fire on top of his family and I took more pleasure in watching him burn.
“There will be no celebration tonight, for this is a time for mourning,” I said to my pack. Ahhh, yes, my pack. “Go home and rest, tomorrow is a new day.”
My new home suited me just fine. I would have to do some redecorating, but most of that would be left up to my wives, as that was their thing. Barret stayed, but everyone else was gone, making room for my sons, their family, and Elliot and my own family. It was a huge mansion, but we’d be filling it up soon. I did love the fact that my bedroom was soundproof, it allowed me to have a private conversation with Charlene, Nicholette, and Elliot finally.
“So, that was the plan?”
“I knew you wouldn’t like it, and we didn’t have time to debate,” Charlene said.
“I’m not fond of a child dying, however, that child did belong to Julie and Graham. She might have caused problems when she got older,” I said.
“Oh, she would have. That child was a spoiled brat, a little bitch like her mother,” Nicholette said, her French accent sexy as hell to me.
I cocked both eyebrows. “Is that so?”
Nicholette nodded. “Rotten to the core as her parents denied her nothing.”
“How did you know they’d take the bait?” I asked.
“Because April and Sarah were always playing in her mother’s things. I knew it was only a matter of time before they found it and wanted to play with it. I figured, they’d think it was perfume, which was the whole reason I put the poison in that fancy bottle. Once they put it on and it burned April, she’d alert us and we’d come running. I didn’t think they’d drink it. But I guess Sarah drank it first and it tasted sweet. I supposed to humans, dragon venom is sweet, but deadly to wolves,” Nicholette said. “I didn’t like that wretched little child, but I didn’t want her to die. Not that I care that she is gone. I mean, she was a horrid little girl. I felt sorry for Sarah for having to play with her by her rules.”
“She was the only other child on the premises?” Charlene asked.
“Yes, that is it.”
“Who is Sarah, and why is she here?” I asked.
“She was a homeless child they brought here to be April’s companion. Like you said, there weren’t any other children here,” Nicholette said.
Ahh, I got it. “Are you attached to her? I saw how you comforted her.”
Nicholette shrugged. “I like her, she is sweet, but no, I’m not attached.”
“I will send her away, then,” I said.
“Not into the human world, I hope,” Charlene said.
I shook my head. “No, of course not. That child has seen too much. She’s pretty much pack at this point. I blame Julie and Graham for bringing a human child into this pack. But she’s here. I will send her to be raised with a female wolf and when she is of age, I will bite her.”
It was true, I didn’t know April all that well, but I wasn’t fond of the child who was more than a little precocious. I believed everyone had their place and children especially are meant to be seen and not heard. I looked at Elliot, who’d been very quiet during our discussion.
“Why so silent, Elliot?” I asked.
He smirked and slouched in the chair. “I’m just horny, waiting for you to release us so I can get my dick in some boy’s tight ass, Sir.”
I laughed, because that was a response I’d come to expect from him. “Fine. Go. Fuck, have fun.”
“Thank you,” he said, jumping up from his chair. “By the way, I’m happy to have helped you become Alpha, Sir. You earned it.”
“Thank you, Elliot. And I am honored to have you as my right hand,” I said.
He smiled, winked, and then left to take care of his… needs. I looked at Nicholette and Charlene, for I had one more thing to settle. “You and I… are you still interested in becoming my third wife?” I asked Nicholette.
She blushed and nodded. “To be the third wife of the Alpha is still a step up, but more importantly, I’ve been wanting you from the first time I saw you three years ago. I will be loyal to you, Deacon. Always and forever.”
It was settled then. “I’ll allow you ladies to handle the arrangements. We shall be wed in a month’s time.”
Nicholette leaped into my arms, kissing my lips, cheeks, and jaw. I looked at Charlene from the side and she rolled her eyes, but didn’t seem to be as upset as she had been when I had first married Sanese. Well, things were certainly looking up for your old boy, Deacon. Richer than ever before, Alpha of a pack of wolves, husband to soon to be three wives, and father of four sons. All I needed was my true mate to make my life complete.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Farewells and Salutations
I was clipping on my diamond cufflinks bearing my initials when my wife came up to me and adjusted my tie. “I’m worried about Agnes. She hasn’t really been eating or taking care of herself or the baby.”
Once she was finished fixing my tie, she stepped back and I could get a good look at her black dress, designer of course. Only the best for my wives. Nicholette was going to find that out soon enough. As for Agnes, I was worried about her also. She had lost her husband whom she’d been with for centuries. It couldn’t have been easy. Hell, it wasn’t easy for me, because Royce had been my friend for centuries as well. His death still didn’t sit well with me, but if I were honest, I knew I’d do it all the same way again. Being the Alpha of the pack felt right to me. As sad a truth as it was, Royce’s death had given that to me.
“We’ll keep an eye on her, all right?” I said, hoping to appease my wife.
She kissed me, then nodded. “We should get going now.”
I adjusted my black suit jacket and vest. This suit… in fact, all of my suits were tailor-made and fit me to perfection. It had been a week since I had taken over the pack and all of the finances, businesses, and properties had been put into my name. I was now the richest wolf in the pack, probably as rich as Josef and Salena. It was hard to judge the wealth of Akio, with him being so damned old, or Benjamin. Speaking of which, I had a meeting arranged with them for tomorrow, as I had to introduce myself as the new Alpha of the pack, take the oath, and sign the treaty. It was a meeting I actually found myself looking forward to. I hadn’t seen the Alphas in over a century. To see the look on some of their faces, yes… I was looking forward to it, especially after I made some demands of my own.
As for the matter of Royce’s funeral, I followed my wives to the waiting limousine. We had three waiting for my entire family. Elliot rode in the limo with me and my wives and Nicholette, who for all intents and purposes, was my fiancé.
“What if they refuse you at tomorrow’s meeting?” Charlene asked.
“I won’t let them. I can’
t. I pretty much gained the pack’s support when I challenged Julie because she didn’t take a stronger stance against other Alphas. I can’t make that same mistake,” I said.
“What if they attack?” Sanese asked.
“Then they attack and I may die, but at least I’ll die fighting for my pack and not capitulating like a bitch,” I said.
“That’s the Alpha I will die for. If they attack, they’ll have to fight me too, Sir,” Elliot said.
I nodded and winked. “I’m hoping it won’t get to that point.”
“Well, if there is one thing that you have in your court, it is a silver tongue,” Charlene said.
I smirked, because it was true. That, and an uncanny ability to adapt to any situation that arises. Most likely, a trait I had developed the moment I lost my parents and wasn’t given a choice about what happened next. I was always evolving.
We arrived at the funeral parlor and entered the building. The place where Royce’s service would be held was quite extravagant. This was the most expensive funeral home in my city. Only the best for my dear friend. We took our seats in the front row and when Agnes finally arrived, Charlene and I were at her side. She really was worse for wear; her face was gaunt and eyes puffy as if she’d been crying non-stop for days. Most likely, she had. I hugged her and tried to comfort her as best as I could. The moment she looked at Royce’s body in the casket, her legs gave out from under her. I caught her before she fell to the floor and the sound of mourning that ripped from her throat rocked me to my core.
I didn’t cry often. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t even remember the last time I had—oh wait—yes, the day my first son was born. I cried then. Over a century ago, and I did cry the day Royce died. But today, I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks, because Agnes’ pain was so palpable. I felt guilty, because I knew I was the cause of it, but it was a feeling I couldn’t let rule me. I couldn’t let it eat me up. I did what had to be done. We helped Agnes to the bench and she sat down, but the spirit in the woman had been broken.
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