Page 316 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
“Yes,” Oakley replied. “You replaced him.”
“Actually, my mate replaced him as alpha before I did,” I said.
Oakley glanced at Birchen but said nothing. That reaction irked me. It wasn’t inherently disrespectful, but it was skeptical. I got the impression they were pitying us.
“I know that look, Night,”Dom said. “For the sake of this man’s pack, don’t call him out.”
I didn’t want to take his advice, but I knew it wasn’t in my best interest to pick a fight with this man. That was why Bryn and the others had left initially. She, I was positive, understood that forcing the Camas to see things our way wasn’t the way to give them aid.
“Like I was saying,” I said, “we caught Troy’s scent in the nursery. He’s behind this attack.”
“But why would he do this to us?” Birchen asked. “We have never interceded in what he and his father did.”
“I wish I could give you a clear answer, but we’re not sure, either. His issues are with my pack.”
“And yet, he and his army of ferals have made a habit of attacking us and much smaller packs in the panhandle,” Oakley said.
I frowned. “This is the first I’m hearing of this.”
Oakley nodded. “We’ve seen evidence of the carnage when we go out to hunt. It wasn’t clear what had happened until it happened to us.”
I’d known Troy had gone for smaller packs in the past, but things had been quiet near my territory. I made a mental note to have my men speak to Oakley’s hunters and investigate the locations of these other packs.
“How does he have so many ferals under his control?” Birchen asked.
“We’re still investigating that. Whatever his methods are, they aren’t normal.”
“I see.” Oakley chewed on the inside of his cheek. “As you know, we’re a peaceful pack, but we are, of course, willing to help you find him with whatever resources or trackers we can spare.”
“That offer is appreciated. I believe the Wargs and Camas once had a trade deal for wooden goods.” Decades ago, before relations soured between the Camas and pretty much every other pack that became less “traditional,” there had been a trading deal. The Camas were known for their strong wood and dense forests, and their craftsmanship was some of the best in the state. “If you would consider reopening negotiations, I’d be eternally grateful.”
He hesitated. “As long as your assistance doesn’t hinge on my saying yes right away…”
I shook my head. “That’s not how we operate. We will help you recover regardless of your decision.” After all, Troy should have remained our problem, not his.
“Then I will confer with my beta and my council on what we can do for you.”
“Thank you.” I glanced back at the nursery again, my heart clenching at the women who had lost their lives defending it. “Who organized the defense of this nursery? Was it one of your men?”
When Oakley didn’t answer, I looked at him. He was staring at the nursery, the muscles in his cheek twitching. What the hell was with that reaction?
Birchen answered instead. “All of us were at the front lines from the point the siren was pulled. We had to get involved because they’d killed so many of our men.”
I’d heard that the reason that the Camas were able to be peaceful was because Oakley was such a force to be reckoned with in his youth. It didn’t surprise me that he and his beta were able to put an end to the carnage. But that didn’t explain the nursery.
“Then who?” I asked.
“Er, that’s…” Birchen hesitated and lowered his head, obviously deferring to his alpha, who showed no sign of answering my question. In Oakley’s posture, in his eyes, I read hesitation but also a sense of deep, deep anger, pain…and shame?
“Samara did this,” he replied finally. “My daughter.”
My eyes widened. Shit, no wonder he was so reluctant to speak. “I don’t want to ask you, Oakley, but I have to know. Was she killed in the fray?”
“No. She survived.”
“That’s a relief to hear. But if she made it, then where is she?—?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Shepherd.”
