Page 22 of In Your Eyes
“I’ll pass on your wife’s regards,” I said, internally patting myself on the back for being polite. “Would you like to sit down?” That was two for two.
“Yes. That’s a good idea.”
I led Anthony to the living room, waited for him to take a seat on the sofa, and then settled into one of the armchairs.
“What did you find out?” I asked when he didn’t speak right away. I had been polite, invited him in, and made small talk. It was time to get down to business.
“You were right about the syringe,” he said. “It contained a drug called quinuclidinyl benzilate, which is used to incapacitate people. Your father had it in his system.”
Hearing the confirmation of how my father died took my breath away, but only for a moment. That was what I had expected to hear, what I had been preparing to hear, and I was ready.
“Dirk Keller killed my father, which means—”
“We don’t know that exactly,” Anthony said. “There is no way to confirm who injected your father unless a witness steps forward, which isn’t likely because the poisoning took place on the Miancarem side of the battle ring.”
Rage filled me. Jumping to my feet, I shouted, “Are you disputing Dirk’s violation of the—”
“No.” Anthony held up his hand in a placating gesture. “Regardless of who handled the syringe, there is no way Dirk Keller didn’t see what happened. Heath was very clear about where they were positioned, and it was impossible for Dirk to have missed it. Besides, he is responsible for his witnesses.”
My rage ebbed, and my heart slowed so blood was no longer pounding in my ears. “Dirk Keller violated the rules of the challenge,” I said.
“Yes.” Anthony nodded. “His claim to lead the Yafenack pack is void. Heath Farbis is delivering the news now. That leaves you as the only shifter with a claim to the pack, so you will remain Alpha.”
That explained why Anthony had come alone. I had expected the council member who had witnessed the battle to join him. Regardless, I had all the information I needed to move forward with my plan.
“On behalf of the Yafenack pack, I call for retribution.” I spoke the words as they were written in the texts.
“Retribution?” Anthony furrowed his brow. “As I said, you will remain Alpha of the Yafenack pack.”
“I am the only person with a valid claim to the position. That doesn’t constitute retribution.”
“What do you mean?” Anthony asked.
I took in a breath, mentally went over what I’d read, and then sat down, trying to remain calm. “Our Alpha was killed outside of pack rules, and the killing was sanctioned by another Alpha. As such, the Yafenack pack is entitled to retribution.”
“Retri—” Anthony gasped midword. “You’re calling for a tribute?”
“Yes. It’s our right.”
“In ancient times, yes, but it isn’t done now.”
“Neither is a challenge to the death,” I growled. “But Dirk Keller insisted on it. He called on the old rules, demanded we adhere to them, and we complied.” I squeezed my fists and forced myself to be clear and professional. I knew the rules better than anybody, and the texts were on my side. Dirk would not live to see another day. “He killed our Alpha. The rules are clear—we are entitled to a blood tribute of an equivalent kind.”
“An equival—”
“The only equivalent is an Alpha,” I continued, my voice holding steady. “They killed our Alpha. We demand the Alpha of the Miancarem pack as retribution for their crime.”
“That’s barbaric!” he spat.
And killing my father in cold blood while his wife, son, and closest friends stood by and watched was civilized?
“It’s pack rule,” I answered.
I crossed my arms over my chest to keep my hands from shaking. I wanted blood. Dirk Keller’s blood.
Chapter 8
MYCONVERSATIONwith the council member went almost as I’d anticipated. He was surprised by what I said, but he didn’t dispute that the rules were on my side and my pack was entitled to retribution. Unfortunately, he refused to deliver the tribute until he conferred with the entire council. Apparently ordering a man to his death was beyond the scope of his authority. Or so he claimed. I suspected he was hoping another council member would find a way out of it or that given more time, I’d calm down and change my mind. He was wrong on both counts.
