by Tamara White
“Okay then, next question. Did you tell them to kill Cam?”
I’m pretty sure the whole pack is holding their breath for his answer.
“Yes,” he answers, paling considerably. There are gasps among the pack and most look outraged. Even the Elders look shocked.
“Why? He’s your son, why would you want him dead?” I ask, gripping Cam’s hand harder.
“Why?! He stood in my way and I figured if someone died in the trials, then it would be delayed until we find out my mate is carrying the next Alpha Queen.”
“You would kill your son so you can lead your people a little longer? Even if your wife has a girl, the second trial has been completed, that means you won’t be able to stay on the throne unless I fail. What was the point?” I ask confused by his plan, it makes no sense.
“If my enforcers hadn’t failed me, then you’d already be dead, just like your mother,” he spits out and I lose my shit.
I swing at him tackling him out of the hold Tim and James have him in. I land three punches to his jaw before Cam pulls me off him.
“It’s okay, you hurt him. Now we punish him,” he says in my ear but that’s not enough for me. I want him punished for everything he’s done.
“No! I have a few more questions then it’s up to you and the former Alpha Pair to punish him,” I tell the Elders, confident that I’m making the right choice.
I’m too biased to give him a punishment but the Elders can do it. I trust that Monique and Walter will help them deal out the right punishment. If it was up to me, he would be dead.
“Okay Luke, now that we’ve established you had something to do with trying to kill my mate and possibly my mother, confession time. Who have you killed in your life?”
“Zane, Ferin, Mela and Blair,” he says trying to pull his hands over his mouth to stop talking but James and Tim keep them at his side.
“Who were they?”
Neither of the first two names meant anything to me, but when Luke said Mela, Cam’s grip tightened painfully. Her name means something to him. And then there’s my mother. I knew he killed her but having it confirmed, makes me mourn her loss all over again.
“Zane and Ferin were my uncles,” he continued. “They tried to take the pack from me ten years ago. Blair was your mother and our deceased Alpha Queen. Mela, was my daughter,” he says dropping a bomb on us all.
“How could you kill Mela? She was still born,” Cam asks demanding answers but Luke just stares at the ground not answering him.
“Answer the question, Luke!” I demand, using more of my will than necessary. He whimpers and submits his neck before answering.
“We knew Carrie was pregnant with twins so when she gave birth to Cameron first, we decided he had to be killed. It was the only way to guarantee Mela could rule as Alpha Queen. I fed you a bottle filled with pure liquefied silver but somehow you had moved around in your crib. I fed your sister instead of you. It’s your fault she’s dead.”
I thought I would be the one to punch him but Cam beats me to it. “Don’t you dare blame me for something you did. Mela could have been Alpha Queen. You didn’t need me dead for that. It’s your fault,” he screams down at him in a rage.
My poor mate has suffered his life believing he really is the reason his sister died, now that he knows the truth, hopefully it will ring him some peace.
“I don’t know what’s more despicable. You planning to kill your own son or your mate helping you. Is there anything else you want to confess to the packs? How about what happened with my mother?”
“Your mother died because she was a slut who couldn’t keep her legs closed. She pretended to love me, only to trick me and choose your scum of a father instead. I’m glad I killed her, if I had of found you, you’d be just as dead,” he sneers and my dad clocks him.
I laugh abruptly and my mates join in. It’s a nervous laughter from the absurdity of the situation. Everyone is taking a swing at the King.
“Is there anyone else who has a grievance against Luke? You can step up and punch him too,” I offer between laughter.
A few hands raise in the crowd, including James, my mates, Monique and Walter.
“For now, I want him moved to one of the cages you talk about and held there until we can organize what to do with him. His mate can go too,” I announce seeing Carrie trying to sneak off in the corner of my eye.
Jake sneaks up behind her grabbing her by the wrist and starts leading her towards the house, while Tim and Dad drag Luke between them. It’s like he’s finally defeated.
“Thank you for dealing with this issue for us Danielle, none of us realized just how bad Luke was,” Sonja says offering her head in submission. I don’t believe it for one bit but now’s not the time for that. We still have the results of the trial.
“That’s okay, if you knew about it, then it would be so much worse. Now can we get back to the trials?”
“Of course. We will go score each of your mates and be back with the results shortly,” Lance says winking at me and walking away, the other Elders following closely.
I look around at the pack members and feel so bad for them. They look scared and confused. A pack should be a tight knit community, one that feels safe.
“Everyone, come gather around,” I call loudly, walking to Laura’s side.
“Laura, I need your help. If I screw up, can you step in?” I ask her softly.
“Of course,” she says squeezing my hand, “But you’ll be great.”
“Hello, I’m Dani. Most of you know who I am by now and I just want you to know, that everything will be okay. I may not have known much when I came here, but you are my people. I will do everything in my power to be a fit ruler for our kind and make things better for each person individually, not just for the good of the pack.
On our own we are weak but as a pack, we are strong. In the last few days, I have seen so much dissension between the ranks, fighting among each other over mates, whispers and fears spread about other pack leaders. Your own King, is a murderer. This shouldn’t be the way we live.
There should be harmony between each pack making us a united front. I’m making it my promise, here and now, that when I am Queen, we will be a pack in the true sense of the word. No more fighting, no more secrets, all our history out in the open.
Until the trials are over, I’m appointing Laura and her mate Tim, as my stand ins. They will both be able to help you with any problems you have and my mates here,” I gesture at Jason, Pete, Nate, Jonnie, Mitchell and Cam who are all spread out around me. “They will also help you. They’re Alphas of their packs and can help you, if Laura and Tim can’t.”
Cheers and applause rises up amongst the people surrounding me, making my wolf preen. She knows we will be a good leader, I just have to decide if that’s what I want.
Tim and Laura are more qualified for the position though. I still need to find out if they would be interested in the role. I’m not just going to push it on them.
“You did good,” Jason whispers at my side. I grin, glad that I didn’t make a complete fool out of myself.
After what feels like a lifetime, the Elders all come back out and the pack dissipates from around us, leaving my mates, Stephen, Trey, Rick, Laura and Monique, gathered close.
“We have voted. Stephen and Trey, you are no longer eligible for the Alpha King position as you were outscored,” Sonja says dismissing them.
I don’t even watch as they leave. They were playing us for something, so it’s better they’re gone.
“There is however, a little problem with the remaining scores. Four mates won’t be going through to the next trial. Cameron was highest with a score of forty-five out of fifty so he’s automatically allowed into the next trial. The remaining five, all tied with a score of thirty-six. You will have a choice to make. Leave the remaining five and enter the next trial with just Cameron or take all of them with you? We will leave you for a moment to think it through before making a decision,” Sammy sa
ys, before turning on his heel and taking the other Elders with him, even if Jax is reluctant to leave. He probably just wants to be here while I have the agonizing choice of deciding what to do.
Monique, Walter and Laura scatter, leaving me and my mates. What do I do? This isn’t an easy choice to make.
“Dani, before you say anything, let us each say our piece then we will leave you to decide. I just want you to know I care about you but I think you should choose Cam. He’s so much better for you. We can still be friends but he’s what’s best for you,” Mitchell announces shocking me.
I thought he would want to be with me as well as the others. Is he saying that he doesn’t want that?
“Mitch is right. I care about you too I just don’t think I’m right for you. You’re a beautiful, strong woman that I would be proud to be with but you deserve to be spoiled by one man. Cam is one of us so I know he’ll take care of you,” Jonnie says continuing along the same lines as his brother.
They both walk away leaving me with Pete, Jason, Nate and Cam.
“Sorry, Firecracker, but I agree with them. You would be better off with Cam than all of us, even if it will break me apart to say goodbye,” Pete says pulling me in for a bone crushing hug. I breath in his scent and try to keep the tears at bay. They’re all backing down rather than making me choose.
“See you soon boys,” Pete says clapping Jason and Nate on the back before joining Mitchell and Jonnie.
“Ah sweet Dani. It was the best week of my life getting to know you. I hope you won’t hold this against any of us. You and Cam will make the best Alpha King and Queen the packs have seen in centuries,” Jason says giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I saw a tear on his cheek.
“Nate, if you say no to being my mate, I will cry,” I warn him, losing my struggle to keep the tears at bay. How can they all just give me up? I thought they wanted us together?
“Oh, darling come here,” he says, holding out his arms for me. I hug him letting myself cry and my wolf mourn. She wants all of them just as much as I do.
“I really don’t want to let you go, but we are only doing it for you. Remember that,” he kisses me on my forehead briskly walking away leaving me feeling cold and alone until Cam wraps his arms around me.
“You love us all, don’t you?”
I respond, nodding my head as tears roll down my face, feeling my heart shatter.
“Monique, can we speak to you?” Cam calls over at her, making her perk up and head my way.
“What’s wrong?” she asks when she sees the tears on my face.
“They all chose Cam. They didn’t want me,” I say ending on a sob. Cam turns me into his chest so I can let out the grief I feel, while he talks to Monique.
“They chose to walk away and leave her with me instead of making her choose at the end. I called you over to ask if she can overrule their decision?”
At that my head perks up. I spin around watching her, waiting for the answer. Maybe they can all stay with me.
“Yes, she can. They’re her mates but if they truly don’t want to, then they don’t have to,” she says causing my hopes to rise and fall simultaneously.
“Thank you,” he says dismissing her.
Once she’s back with the others, Cam tilts my head up to meet his eyes. “You have to tell the Elders you choose all of them.”
“But they said they thought I was better with you. What if they just repeat that to the Elders?” I ask him, feeling defeated.
“Then you make them see you want us all.”
I glance over at them and know I can’t be without them. How do I convince them?
Sighing, I run through my options, when I notice the Elders and everyone else heading back my way.
“It’s time for you to decide Dani. What do you wish to do?” Sonja asks snidely. I guess bitch face didn’t want to wait any longer for my answer.
“I’ve decided, I want all my mates or none of them. I won’t compete in the trials without them,” I say boldly staring at my boys all gathered over at the side.
Pete bolts away from them and picks me up, spinning me around before placing me on unsteady feet. He kisses me in front of everyone and I relax. He’s not mad, he really was just trying to do what’s best for me.
The others don’t even hesitate following after Pete, making me cry happy tears. I expected a worse result but they’re all over the moon.
“Very well then, you have your mates. I’m not sure what has been explained to you but the next trial is a diplomacy ball. There you will meet with each of the packs Alphas. They will invite you to their pack where they will have an issue of some sort, whether real or fabricated, and it will be you offering a suitable solution. We will be accompanying you and your mates to each pack, to judge your performance.
We then review you on how well you completed a task, sorted out a disagreement or set in a permanent solution. You are judged on whether it was the right thing to do and a variety of other factors. We can’t help you in any way so be warned, whatever choices you make will impact on our final review,” Jax says having softened a little. He actually smiled while my mates ran to me.
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what the next trial entailed. I really appreciate the heads up. Will you be staying here until the next trial?” I ask.
“Yes, we will be staying but we will have to send an envoy to Luke’s pack letting them know why he won’t be coming back. Everyone will want to hear his fate,” Lance responds.
“Well if it’s okay with you, I would like permission to spend time with my mates until the trial.”
“Sure, that’s no problem. Go, enjoy your free time while you can. Once you’re Queen, you will barely have time to wipe your own ass,” Sammy says making me laugh. He may look tough and intimidating but on the inside, he’s a softie.
“Thank you,” I squeal trying not rush and hug Sammy. I grab Cam’s and Mitchells hand steering them away from the Elders, all my boys hurriedly following me, laughter in the air.
It’s over. We can finally relax.
“Where are we going, Firecracker?” Pete calls from behind me.
“We’re going to watch a movie and eat. I’m exhausted from watching each of you risk your lives. Cam almost died so we are just going to lay down, watch a movie and sleep. Well I am. You guys can eat. I’m sure you’re exhausted too.”
I’m most likely going to crash as soon as I hit the mattress. There’s no better place to sleep then surrounded by my mates.
Epilogue
Cam’s POV
“You don’t have to do this, Cam. Let’s just go back to bed, Dani probably hasn’t even realized we’re gone yet,” Nate begs me to stop, but this is something I need to do.
“Sorry man. I have to know why he did it. He killed my sister. He killed Dani’s mom. Then all the stuff that happened with me and he still doesn’t feel any sympathy or empathy? I need to know why?
“Fine then, just hurry up before she notices us missing. That girl will rip your throat out herself if she knows you came to see your dad without her to protect you,” he tells me followed by laughter.
“Oh man, I never thought I’d be saying a girl would threaten us but she is a warrior goddess. Just like Pete says. Do you think he’s right about her?”
“What about choosing all of us or deserving one of us to spoil her?” I ask wanting clarification.
Pete’s been in two minds about it all and made a point of telling us the night we met the Elders that Dani deserved to be with all of us. Suffice to say, we were still hesitant, not wanting to push all of us onto a girl who barely knew of our world but she’s been more accepting than any of us could have imagined. The fact that she didn’t run after seeing my scars was the moment I knew I couldn’t let her leave me.
“Dude, we’re here, now hurry up,” Nate says, catching my attention.
The cages are in what is essentially the basement to Nate’s house. Jake agreed to let the enforcers on
duty have a break while I talked to my father. He knew what it meant to me to get answers.
Seeing him and my mother huddled in the middle of the cage brings a lot of satisfaction to me. It couldn’t have happened to nicer people.
“Ah the prodigal son. What are you here for? To mock at the condition your father and pregnant mother are being forced to endure?” Dad may pretend it doesn’t bother him being locked in the cage but I know it does. Silver burns so strongly that even the tiniest amount feels like your dying. I should know. If Dani hadn’t of healed me, I would still be suffering through the burning.
“Don’t pretend that this is my fault. You made this happen and I want to know why? Why you had to be so ruthless? Did leading our people really mean so much to you, that you had to kill people? That you had to punish me for doing nothing?!” I scream at them, while Nate just hovers by the door to the basement.
I’ve only got ten minutes before the enforcers come back. He’s there to stop them sooner if it lasts longer than I expect.
“Did I have to? No. Did I want to? Yes. You should have seen the look on Blair’s face as I killed her. She was still plump from having birthed Danielle. I bet she was only four, maybe five days old? Unfortunately, that bitch hid her before I could wring the life from her too.”
I can’t believe this! Was it too much to hope there would be some kind of reasonable explanation for all this instead of just cold blooded murder? I should have known better.
“Well it looks like you failed ‘Dad.’ My mate is stronger than you could have ever expected and will finish the trials within the next few months. You’ll never get your hands on the throne,” I tell him, confident Dani will become our Alpha Queen.
Mom and Dad both start laughing, sending chills down my spine. Nate steps close to me just as disturbed.
“You really think that mate of yours will last long enough to be Queen? I may just be one man but I have people everywhere. Tell me Cameron, how long does it take for a person to die from consuming liquefied silver? I know your sister died in three minutes. How long have you been down here? Five minutes? Ten minutes? Dani’s probably already dead.”
