Page 136 of Alpha Queen
"The innocent rogues," Apollo said. "Ones forced out not due to their actions but due to the actions of power-hungry or corrupt Alphas. Those rogues have been given a second chance, and they have formed their own pack. The White Tail pack. But they are lacking one thing, an Alpha to lead them."
"You are an Alpha, are you not?" Ares asked.
Kane took a deep breath. "I was born an Alpha, but I have never been an Alpha."
"Then we give you a choice," said Apollo. "You may choose banishment with the same conditions we gave Rudy, or you can become the Alpha of the White Tail pack."
The crowd erupted in shouting and swearing. Even Titan roared at the prospect.
"Bastard! Traitor! I should have known you'd want everything I built for yourself. My pack. My mate. My Crown!" Titan struggled to reach Kane, but as he did, Theo kicked him in the back, making Titan fall forward on his face.
"Silence!" Apollo jumped to his feet. "You dare question your kings? Maybe you have gone too long without a king to remember that you have no say in final judgments. That right is reserved for my brother, myself, and our mate, the High Luna. Even the Council does not pronounce judgments. They counsel us. Any of you who think you know better, come forward, and we will end this in combat. If you can best us, then you will have earned the right to pronounce judgments. For too long, we have allowed you to rule. That is the reason we are here today. If we had done more and overseen more, Titan would not have gotten so many rogues to follow him. So you are as culpable of what happened as Kane is. And believe me, in the coming weeks, every one of you who contributed to the exile of innocent wolves will kneel before us and account for what you did, just as these wolves have. I suggest you think about that. You think these wolves aren't deserving of mercy? Then neither are you."
One by one, the Alphas and Betas sat back down.
River stood and joined Apollo. "Kane saved me from being further violated by Titan. He saved dozens of rogues whom you otherwise would have murdered to protect yourselves or out of sheer vengeance. And yet, he has asked for nothing in return. Nothing. He came to us willingly. Offering to face whatever judgment we deemed fit. Would you have done the same? Or would you be on your knees, begging for forgiveness while at the same time trying to justify what you did? These are the reasons why Kane will make the best Alpha for the rogues." River's gaze fell on Kane. "But do not be mistaken. This is not just a mercy in sparing your life and allowing you to stay within the kingdom. You will work, and work hard for those rogues. And for all rogues who come to the White Tail pack for help. You will report directly to me, and if at any time you decide you no longer want this mercy, you will be banished for the remainder of your natural life. Do you accept?"
Kane didn't speak for a long minute. "I do not deserve this mercy, my High Luna."
"No, you do not," said Ares. "But we were asked by those you saved to show you mercy, and they have made it clear that they would accept no one but you as their Alpha. As they have already been through enough, we believe this to be the best course of action. This way, you can help those you set out to help in the first place, and we can keep an eye on you at the same time."
Kane stared at the floor, and River wasn't sure he would take the offer.
"Before you decide," said River. "You need to do one last thing."
"Whatever my High Luna commands," he replied.
"You must tell King Apollo and King Ares what happened to their parents."
Titan's head whipped up. "I did it. I poisoned and then gutted them. I did it. No one else."
Ares and Apollo bared their teeth as Silas grabbed Titan from behind and put him in a headlock, choking off his air supply.
Apollo lunged forward, but River caught his arm. Titan thrashed against Silas' grip as the silver burned into his hair and flesh, the scent filling the room.
Apollo looked at River, his eyes black, claws and teeth fully extended. She shook her head imperceptibly and then looked at Ares and did the same.
The audience looked on, bloodlust in everyone's eyes.
Holding her mates' hands, she gazed at Kane again. "Kane, is that the truth?"
His expression remained as unreadable as ever. His eyes were calm but sharp, and his breathing even.
"No," he replied.
A gasp sounded around the room.
Once more, Titan reached for Kane but was unable to move. "Don't you dare. You bastard. I'll kill you. I'll rip out your lying tongue and eat your heart. If you say one word, I'll gut you and leave you for the vultures."
Kane's composure never wavered as he continued to stare at River.
"Then what happened?" Ares growled.
"Don't you dare. You f-"
River's Luna gaze fell on Titan full force. "Be Silent!"
Titan's gaze flicked to hers for only a moment, but it was enough. His mouth snapped shut, though he didn't stop struggling.
