Page 100 of Claimed

“I’m an alpha and I’ve identified my mate. Alpha code of conduct states no other shifter fucks with that,” Wyatt puts in, matter-of-factly.

As if he’s always believed this! And I know he hasn’t.

“Oh, you adhere to shifter codes of conduct, do ya?” Riley states. “Really fuckin’ funny.”

He’s right. My brother doesn’t care a lick about code of conduct, morals, about anything other than himself. I’m surprised he even knows about conduct required when an alpha identifies his mate.

“Walk me to my rendezvous point, give me my female, and I’ll give you back the redhead,” he offers.

“No, please no,” Sherry cries. “Jason! Dad!”

“Lads?” The man from the SCC meeting this morning moves in and speaks with his thick Scottish brogue. “Technically, you should release him with his identified mate.”

“What the fuck?” Jase clips, outraged.

“Wyatt Meadows of the Silver Hills wolf shifter pack? I’m Dr. Mitchell Blakely of the Supernatural Council Collective.”

“That’s me,” Wyatt says with a wide smile. “Nice to meet you Dr. Blakely. I wanted to rescue my sister here. I filed a complaint about them kidnapping her.”

“Here’s the thing,” Mitchell Blakely says carefully, his gaze bouncing between Wyatt, Grey, and Riley. “Wyatt Meadows filed a grievance against your pack with the SCC, stating you kidnapped his sister. I got the report a few days ago. Didn’t act on it because I found out Greyson identified her as his mate. You need to extend the same courtesy. Let him leave withhismate.”

“No. Fuck that.” Jase denies, folding his arms over his chest.

“It’s the law,” Mitch reminds him.

“He kidnapped my sister!” Erica shouts. “He had me kidnapped and he tried to kill Riley, Mason, and Lincoln!”

Dr. Blakely gives Erica a look of understanding. “He filed a complaint against Riley for murdering his cousin. We let that go because James Meadows abducted you and interfered with an alpha and his fated mate.You.”

“What the fuck?” Riley is clearly furious. “These assholes have been poisoning our pack. They shoot Ty and have the nerve to file complaints about us with the SCC? He just admitted to abducting my sister-in-law.”

“Technically, it was Greyson’s mate Stacy Meadows who poisoned several pack members before shooting Tyson. Correct?” Dr. Blakely asks.

My heart sinks. Yep, technicallyI’mone of ‘these assholes’.

“Blackwood,” Grey bites off. “Stacy’s name is now Blackwood. And what happened is a pack matter. We haven’t asked for involvement from the SCC.”

I can’t get over the fact that my brother filed complaints with The Collective. He’s always described them like they’re theultimate enemy. Just like him to use them to his advantage when it suits him. He’s delusional if he thinks The Collective won’t take issue with all his crimes against this pack.

“There are clearly several beefs ongoing between these two packs,” Dr. Blakely replies. “As a member of the SCC, my recommendation is that you allow Wyatt Meadows to take his identified mate. He should return the hostage. Any further beefs between the two packs can go before a tribunal to be worked out according to the law. This pack needs to file their complaints officially like any other pack.”

“This is bullshit,” Riley argues. “He just abducted my mate’s sister thinking she was my mate and you’re suggesting we let him leave? So he can continue to plot against us and look for more ways to fuck with us? He wants to have a witch in his possession to help him take us out and then take our territory over.”

That’s exactly what my brother wants. Aphra ran and little Halla can’t help him; she’s too young. A witch under his command is just what he wants. I want to speak up, tell them all how much my pack needs Wyatt to not lead. How much we need the help of the Arcana Falls pack. But I can’t find my voice and I can’t stop crying.

“Mitch, for fuck’s sake,” Riley’s father grinds out.

“You folks aren’t above the law,” Dr. Blakely reminds them. “And you’ve got a lot of eyes on you lately what with recent happenings. The SCC isn’t thrilled with some of the antics of this pack lately and with these newfound supernatural gifts, they’re not going to be okay with those antics continuing despite the strength of Greyson and Erica. You all need to follow the same rules as everyone else. Nobody gets between an alpha and his mate. The grievances between these two packs canbe addressed in arbitration after reports are filed. For tonight, Wyatt Meadows should be allowed to leave with his fated mate after he returns the hostage. We’ll launch an investigation and then we’ll-”

“I’m not his mate. He’s lying,” Sherry tries.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to prove I’m not lying,” Wyatt replies smugly. “But I’m very much looking forward to proving I’m not lying.”

There’s murmurs from several in the back of the room, older men mostly.

Erica loudly calls out, “Let me fry his insides, guys, please? My sister is quite capable of dealing with whatever predicament his men have her in.”

And I’m a little in awe of her bravery. There’s no reasoning or bargaining with my brother. Any bargain he strikes right now will be laced with deception, but he’ll probably agree to things because he’s outnumbered here and because Grey took away his leverage by ripping that knife away.

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