Page 46 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

Darius had the Black Moons invade our pack and massacre them with the goal of killing Tyler and seizing control of the pack. However, Tyler had led the pack and defeated the Black Moons. Subsequently, Darius had tried to use his daughter, through marriage, to gain influence and control.

Tyler said, “Darius is a fool if he thinks the Black Moon leader will ever share power.”

I nodded. “No doubt the Black Moon witch would find a way to bypass the Blood Oath,” I said.

Tyler’s blue gaze, once darkened with fury, was now cleared with decisiveness.

“Mute it, Tara,” he ordered.

In a moment, Tyler’s phone was pressed to his ear. “Linda,” he greeted, making us all hold our breath. “I need you to come to the infirmary. A few packmates’ conditions have worsened. Thanks. See you soon. Oh, if you could stop by your father’s, I’m convening the Council again, too.” He ended the call.

Tara let out a huff, “Talk about a brilliant poker face, damn, Alpha Tyler.”

Tyler gave her a smile that was more of a grimace. “Go gather the pack, Logan,” he ordered. “Tell them to head for the sparring ring.”

We were suddenly all heading in that direction, ready to ambush the traitors before they reached the infirmary. We’d reached the sparring ring, and seeing the wooden staked torches in the snow-dusted earth, I murmured, “Kaumanik.”

The torches flared to life, throwing the already-gathering pack into sudden illumination. Almost the whole pack had gathered here—about forty members strong, standing around the circle, their faces taut with anticipation. Logan jogged back from the edges of the circle to join us in the center of the sparring ring.

“Tonight,” Tyler began, his voice steady, a deep timbre that commanded attention, “We’re here to address the horrors that have afflicted our pack. We have gathered evidence that reveals the truth behind the darkness that has poisoned our land and loved ones.”

Whispers rippled through the crowd like wildfire, the tension thickening as Tara stepped forward, clutching the recordingdevice. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of the moment crashing down on me as I stood alongside Tyler and Tara.

Tyler’s blue gaze held me, and he nodded, placing a reassuring hand on my back.

“Darius and Linda have conspired against us,” I declared, my voice rising as I felt the enormity of the moment settle on me. “They have been working in league with the Black Moon Pack, trading our lives for power and resources!”

Gasps echoed around the space outside the infirmary.

“Tara, show them,” Tyler said. “Show them.”

As Tara activated the recording on her phone, the pack fell silent, anticipation hanging in the air like a tightly drawn bowstring.

Shock waves rippled through the crowd, disbelief quickly morphing into fury. The tension intensified as the members surged with anger, their voices rising in disgust and horror.

Tyler remained resolute beside me, and I caught sight of Elder Tom’s face, anger etched deeply within it.

Tyler pressed on, harnessing the swell of outrage rippling around us. “They have poisoned our pack, abused our trust, and sought to take our resources for their own greed.”

His declaration was brilliantly timed as, at that very moment, Darius and Linda, their expressions twisted with surprise, strayed toward the outskirts of the sparring ring and our gathered assembly.

“Your alliance with the Black Moon Pack has been exposed,” Tyler shouted. “The pack sees you for what you truly are—shifters without loyalty who deserve to be executed for the lives you’ve taken!”

Shock rippled over Linda as she stood at the edge of the ring. But Darius was quick to express his contempt, “You’re fools to think you’re capable of standing against the Black Moon Pack. We will crush you all.”

My heart raced as I stood shoulder to shoulder with Tyler, Logan, and Tara, our resolve hardening as a collective force against the encroaching darkness. The anger of the pack around us erupted in shouts, some packmates even shifting and surging forward with outraged howls.

Elder Darius and Linda shifted, too, turned tail, and ran into the night. Their howls were answered by distant ones that curdled my blood. There were Black Moons in the distance. Linda and Darius had gone to gather their allies, who weren’t far away.

“Let them go,” Tyler called to Justin and Hudson, who were chasing after them.

“We’ll meet them in battle soon,” Tyler declared, his voice a fierce rallying cry that reverberated through the tense circle of the pack. “Warriors, prepare yourselves! We will not stand by while they take what is ours!”

Chapter Twenty-One

Seraphina

In a whirlwind of action, Tyler and I prepared the pack for battle. Tyler barked urgent orders to the Silver Moon warriors, who scrambled to arrange the less skilled packmates into formation, designating different warriors to lead them. The elders and young rushed toward the infirmary, an island of safety amid the storm brewing outside.

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