Page 17 of Blood Pearl

“We need to look at all areas of the camp on our map. See if we can devise some form of attack, keeping everyone’s risks to a minimum,” Lykos Greyfoot states.

“Why? Why would we put our warriors, or any pack, in danger when she didn’t come to the aid during Blackshadow’s troubles?” Eve states, and every member turns looking to see how serious she is.

“Are you being serious?” Porter Riverrun snaps. “You would leave an Alpha alone to fight her way out of something like this, and get her pack members out safely. Are you for real? I’m not sure why you have this vendetta against Alpha Aurora, but you are showing you have about served your purpose here with the council.”

Roman Walker, who was a strong and capable Alpha of his pack before handing it over to his son and heir Lyle, gives Eve a dark look. I notice she is struggling to hold his gaze, and she has to drop her eyes when he gives a small growl from the back of his throat. “I became a member of the Shifter Council, so I could be part of something special. Something that helps, encourages and safeguards packs, and the lives of every pack member. Being a pack member includes the Alpha and Luna, and if you don’t agree with that Eve, I propose that you be removed from the council, or myself and Cinder will stand down and return to the Spirit Walker Pack before the day is out.”

“I have to agree with that sentiment. I am not impressed with Eve’s attitude and don’t feel it is appropriate as a member of this council. If you are proposing Eve be removed, Roman, I will second that proposition,” Merry says, clearly and with force.

“Let us all calm a moment. We don’t want to do anything rash. But, I will say that if this proposition continues, I will at this moment in time give my vote alongside yours, Roman and Merry. I have been on this council a long time, and worked tirelessly for the good of our wolven society. Eve, at one time, you were a splendid member of this council, one we all looked up to and valued. Maybe you need to consider if you will remain with the council or take retirement? It all depends on your attitude and if you can control it.” I can’t help but wish she would retire because it would be more honorable than being removed due to lack of council member support and confidence. A vote of no-confidence would not be a good way for her to retire, as all respect would be lost. “I suggest we stop for today and reconvene in the morning.”

I watch as everyone leaves before turning to look at Gerry, who is frowning at the door. “She is a problem that may need to be removed forcibly. I’m not sure she will ever step down from her position willingly. What happened to her?”

“I do not know, Gerry.” Rubbing the back of my neck where tension has built, I sigh before continuing to speak. “We are going to need to have the other alphas contacted. They need to know there is a viable threat to themselves or pack members being taken hostage. We will find who will help, or who wants to wait and see what happens.”

“I’m trying to find who the missing alpha is. A pack somewhere is missing an alpha, but as none of our packs have contacted us, I will have to speak to the other Parklands, and find out if they are missing one. They may not want to tell me unless I spill about Alpha Aurora. We can expand from that point if we need to.” Gerry looks at me with a frown on his face.

“If we have to, then so be it, but we could just say an Alpha. Do you think you can do this before we meet again in the morning? Or do you want me to do it? You are a warrior, but I would like to bring you onto the council when you finally decide to retire.” I grin at Gerry, who’s looking more than a little shocked at my comment.

“I never gave a thought to being a council member. Finding a chosen mate, or a second chance mate, would be nice. Settle down and have some pups would be ideal, but if it is not going to be, then I could devote my life to the council,” Gerry replies, and I can’t help but think he’d be a great mate for a strong she-wolf. She’d have to be strong because I cannot see an omega satisfying Gerry’s sense of adventure.

“I’ll do my best to contact everyone, and I will speak to you before the meeting in the morning.” Gerry quickly takes his leave, and I walk back to my office with so many thoughts running through my mind that the tension in my neck is even worse than it was an hour ago.

Chapter 10

AURORA

The night has been cold, dark and I can hear my pack females’ stomachs rumbling with hunger throughout the last few hours. My anger is rising, but I have to keep it in check and use my head. I’ve been watching the guards passing the cells, and at my guess, they must be patrolling every hour.

“Are you going to get any sleep?” Wren asks as she walks over to the cell door and gives the guard a snarl as he walks past. “Wish my wolf could wake. She’ll go crazy on these rogues for locking her into the back of my mind. She’ll hate being confined and I can feel she is sleeping, but I’m worried she’ll die if she doesn’t wake soon.”

“Have you all been dosed with wolfsbane the whole time you’ve been here?” Keeping my voice low, so not to wake the others.

“Near enough. We went on hunger strike, but it earned us time in the hold. Not a nice place to be when it’s raining.”

“If Paige can pick the lock, we have to be able to get everyone out at the same time. We will have to wait until something happens, and the Alpha has gone and taken many of his rogues with him. Maybe Gerry will do something that warrants that, then we can make our move.” Leaning against the wall, I look at Wren, who has turned and is looking back at me. I can see she is doing her best to keep her spirits up, but underneath that, I see despair. That is not good enough, and if she is feeling that way, then the others have to be as well.

Wren settles and I close my eyes, resting but staying alert. I can feel Aztec moving and as I have only had the one dose of wolfsbane, she should come around soon. I just have to avoid having more injected or digested into my system.

My priority at the moment. Watch and learn. When the opportunity arises, I’m going to get everyone the chance to escape, even if I have to stay behind to do it.

Morning comes, and we are lined up and walked out of the cell. We are under threat if we cause trouble, we will be thrown into the hold. As we are walking, I check the other cells and see more female shifters looking back at me. Some look like they are ready to give up on life, others still have that spark that a good she-wolf should have. I give small nods to each that I can and hope it gives encouragement that as an Alpha, I will get them out.

Stepping nearer to the table where we are handed a mug of water and a bowl of slop. You cannot describe it as anything but that, and the she-wolves handing them to us look like they’d rather be anywhere but here. I give the one who hands me my bowl a small smile, and she looks shocked but returns it before dropping her head to grab the next bowl and hands it to Paige, who is behind me.

Whispering to Paige over my shoulder as we are walked to a spot on one side of the camp, we are told to sit on the earth, which is good with what we have intended. “Remember, don’t eat or drink.”

“Yeah, no problem. We all know,” Paige mumbles back.

Alpha Arric is sitting on his throne, watching everyone being fed and he keeps looking at Wynona, who is aware but has given him her back. I try to withhold the grin from her, but when she looks at me and winks I have to look down or I’d not be able to keep a straight face.

Gradually, little-by-little I spill the water onto the earth. I alternate a splash of the slop and then water, hoping that it’ll not be too apparent when I stand. Digging my fingers into the dirt to make a dip where I can pour it has my hands getting filthy, but there is nothing I can do about that.

I look up when I hear, ‘Alpha,’ said with respect. Rico looks at me and gives me a tip of his head, showing his respect as he had with his voice. I see Alpha Arric take notice, and sit straighter in his seat, but he does nothing when Rico continues walking past with no other comment or action.

Fergus, Randall and Voss walk past, all three doing the same as Rico had, and I keep one eye on the pretender, who is Alpha Arric, of course, to see if he has any reaction.

A male shackled in silver cuffs is dragged out of the men’s cells and I keep my head down, but take in everything I can. This is the alpha mentioned. He is huge, much larger than the ‘pretender’. They have him sedated somehow because he’s walking with his head slumped and showing no sign of wanting to fight.

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