Page 6 of The Alpha's Heir

Stranger

*** Preston ***

I walk into the Chamber and immediately see my Alpha and his mate sitting at the back. He gives me an encouraging nod and I wish I had thought of asking him to keep Amber company. I worry about her being alone with her thoughts, especially while waiting to give her evidence. She must be feeling so nervous.

After being called to the stand, I swear to give the truth on the Sacred Scriptures of the Moon Goddess, and then I give my account of the event.

Halfway through delivering my evidence, I notice Former Gamma Ellis shaking his head at me with a sneer splashed across his face, so I pause and address the panel.

“From the look on Former Gamma Ellis’ face I would say he has an objection to something I have said, so I am going to pause while you question him about it.”

I sit back and listen to what Ellis has taken exception to.

“He says that the human was injured but if she hadn't struggled, she wouldn’t have bumped her head and the only reason I gagged her and chained her to the metal bars was because she was making a racket and trying to escape.”

A growl escapes the Alpha and only his mate can calm him. I raise my eyebrows at Ellis, hoping he is starting to realise how much of an idiot he has been.

I provide the rest of my statement and answer the questions the panel has for me. Their last question puzzles me, and I really don’t like its insinuation.

“Beta Preston, both you and Alpha Aiden objected to the appointment of Former Gamma Ellis in the first instance. Why is that?”

“We honestly thought the Elders were being overly sentimental in appointing him. His father had been the pack Gamma Wolf and died while still in that position. Ellis is a young wolf; I had no doubt about his ability to become a worthy and able Gamma in the future, when the pack was blessed with a Luna. However, at that moment in time, he was immature, undisciplined, and ill-prepared for the pressure and authority his position bestowed on him. For me, this was an accident waiting to happen and his actions only prove that we were right to have reservations.”

As I am dismissed from the Chambers, Amber’s pain and anxiety fill my chest, so I link her to reassure her before I leave, and her warm love flows through me as she thanks me. I love her so much and I cannot wait for her to get home tonight.

A great feeling of foreboding comes over me when I leave the Chamber to head back to the pack house. Though I take a look around, I don't see anything untoward, and in my distracted state, I almost knock over a woman who is standing nearby.

“I am so sorry, Miss. I didn’t see you there.” I apologise to her as my face turns crimson in embarrassment. I don’t recognise her. She is medium-height, blonde and plain and probably a similar age to me.

“That’s okay, Beta Preston. I was meaning to talk to you.” She holds out a hand for me to shake and my hackles stand on end.

“Who are you? What pack are you from?” Our borders are closed and trespassers from certain packs face the death penalty. This woman has no right to be here and I mean to find out what she wants.

“My name is Nikki. Tell me, how is Amber coping with having to give evidence in the trial? She must be feeling the strain with her own trial being so close?” She raises her over-plucked eyebrows and Zack wants to take control. He begins pacing and growling in my head and I find it a tad distracting.

Stop it, Zack, I command in frustration.

“Why are you here?” I ask her. I don’t know who she is, where she has come from or what she wants, but I want answers.

“I need to talk to you, Beta Preston. You see, I have the power to make Amber’s court case disappear. It all depends on what you are willing to do to secure that.”

I look at her in confusion. Who is she? How can she help Amber? Why does she want to help?

“How? And why would you do it?” I cannot help asking. I would do anything for the case to be dropped so Amber didn’t have to worry about it anymore. The thought of my mate being sent to prison or being sentenced to death fills me with a hopelessness that nothing can shift. I want to help Amber.

“I can make certain evidence disappear so there will be nothing to pin her to the crime she is guilty of.” There is something in that last sentence that creeps me out.

“Stop talking in riddles, woman, and spit out what it is you want.” She starts to laugh, biting her bottom lip in a vain attempt to stop.

“She took something from me. Now I want something of hers, so she is punished correctly. I want you to take me as your chosen mate and reject your fated one”.

Oh, great! She is fucking crazy!

“And why would I want to do that?” I ask her almost mockingly.

“Because she murdered my mate, and I will make sure she either rots in a prison cell for the rest of her days or she is sentenced to have her pretty little throat removed. So, if you want to spare her life, at least consider my request.”

There is no humour left in her expression now, only grim determination.

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