Page 99 of Brutal Alpha Beast
Now that everyone is inside, the meeting can officially begin.
“So,” Ellis says, his gaze flickering from me to the others in the room.
I offer him an encouraging nod.
“I know that news travels fast, and we all have some concerns.”
The pack members, including Jasper and Sawyer, shuffle uncomfortably, and a few murmurs are spoken.
Lacey sighs. She looks at me and shakes her head disapprovingly.
Clearly, there’s tension between the packs.
“But let’s get our stories straight. Monroe, Danielle’s twin, was possessed. She tried to kill us both, we believe, to stop us from accessing the vines that lead to the source we need to destroy.”
“Where is the witch?” A shifter sitting beside Jasper asks.
I don’t like the way he asks it.
“Her name is Monroe,” Aaron asserts.
I’m shocked.
Aaron, who was once so anti-witch, is looking at the shifter with murderous intent.
“She’s safe,” Ellis responds. “Tied up at the coven.”
“And do we have any idea about what or where these vines are?” Jasper asks.
There’s an intensity in the air, an undercurrent of tension that feels like it might lead to a fight at any point.
Just one wrong comment, one word misspoken, and these four walls could be filled with a flurry of fangs, blood, and fur.
But I know everyone’s trying their best. That’s the last thing we need.
“No,” Ellis says. “At first, we thought it was related to Danielle’s heart, but we realized that the strange feelings she was experiencing were only a reflection of Monroe’s. We have to keep looking.”
Jasper near slams his fist in frustration. “And then what? How do we know the vines aren’t leading to Monroe’s heart, that we need to destroy?”
“Jasper,” Sawyer counters.
“We’re not killing Monroe,” Ellis barks. “Willow could have possessed anyone. What if it were Danielle, or what if it were one of your own? Would you order them to be killed, too?”
Jasper lowers his gaze. “I understand this is difficult. That’s not what I’m saying, but there has to be something we can do to test... we have to try all options, don’t we?”
Lacey shakes her head. “I can’t believe this,” she whispers.
My heart’s tightening, this time out of fear.
We can debate all we want in this meeting room, but what if someone from Jasper’s or Sawyer’s packs actually tries something?
I’m terrified for Monroe.
Penelope stands. “If you want to try the option of harming Monroe, you’ll have to get through a coven of witches first. Remember, wolf, we’re allied with Sawyer and Ellis’ packs—not yours.”
Jasper scoffs, and Ellis rises, too. “You’ll have to go through our pack too.”
I’m touched as I notice all of Ellis’ councilmen nodding in agreement. Those of them sitting rise, too.
