Under Investigation
Chapter 8

I stare over the assembled pack, the hold filled with members, young and old. Warriors placed towards the front, anything higher in front of the partition. As it should be in his mind. “The council arrives today.” I turn to stare at Father and keep a bored expression. You’re still surprised? I wait for him to continue my own nerves, a ball in my gut. Today will be the end of this nightmare.

“What’s their plan? You’ve spent the most time with them.” He sneers and turns his attention to me, eyes ablaze with anger.

“I’m not privy to that intel, I’m on trial just the same as you.” Not exactly, but not far from the truth. Today is the day I’m interviewed, for the whole pack to witness my shortcomings. It’s the only way to leave this behind and face my judgment. Nera growls at the look in his eyes, his wolf is scared, on edge. They know. While I don’t know intimate details I have a rough idea of what to expect, from a normal investigation.

And this is anything but normal. “You should be higher on this list than I.” He growls and I smirk at him, releasing a cold, unfeeling laugh.

“No, you’re the Alpha. It’s time you face the light and accept your failings. You landed this pack here with your greed. Accept the punishment.” I growl lowly, unhappy with where this has gone. He growls as his eyes flash that of his wolf.

“You are to blame.” He tries to assert once more and I can’t contain the laugh that bubbles from my core, passion flames from my core. The pain that spreads over my back fuels the fire.

“No.” I push from the wall, watching as Anthony glares at us, caught up in his own worries of the trial. “You’re incompetency landed us here. You slaughtered member after member of this pack. Forced others to kill themselves and their family. Their blood is on your hands.” I feel the tension in the call rise considerably, the air thickens, damp with the disgust from below. My blood still hangs in the air.

“What did you say?” He snarls, the sound echoes off the barren walls.

“Are you deaf? Or just daft? It’s time you’re judged as you have judged the members of this pack. Look in the mirror, you’re the reason the council is here.” The room is charged with energy, I growl as I stare him down, my silence is over, no longer held to protect anyone. I will right the wrongs I have done. I want a chance to stand beside my mate.

“Watch your mouth little girl.” Father snarls, his for shakes, the veins in his forehead protrude as he struggles to breath. The shoe’s tight on the other foot, isn’t it?

“Or what old man? You don’t scare me, your pathetic threats are done. You’re a weak excuse of a wolf who plays off of the fear he instills into those beneath him.” I chuckle and cross my arms over my chest to stare him down. “You’ll learn the only ones loyal to you are the ones that believe they can get something from you.” The silence in the hall is interrupted by his angry snarls.

“You need to watch your mouth bitch.” Anthony growls as he moves closer, his skin bristles similar to Roberto. I cock my head and smirk, Nera’s fangs descend, more amused than threatened by him.

“The only bitch I see is you Anthony.” I sneer his name out, no longer using his title. I’m done with your games. “You don’t scare me, you’ve only ever pissed me off.” I release a chortle to mock him and his lack of power. “I can’t wait to see them hang you for your crimes. This pack will cheer when your blood is spilled.”

“Enough!” Father snarls and I grin, my fire heated glare switches from both of them.

“It’ll be retribution for the pain and suffering you’ve all caused. I can’t wait to piss on your graves when this pack is finally thriving with a good Alpha.” Their blistering features give me glee as I poke the snarling wolves barely held back. It’s a shame they even bother to show restraint, they never have when they deemed they deserved it.

I can tell their restraint on their wolves is quickly thinning. Just in time for the judges to arrive. “I’m your Beta, I demand your respect.” Anthony snarls, unwilling to relinquish his hold of the title.

“Respect is not a demanded commodity, it’s a precious thing you earn and fight to keep. Your complacency and fear-ruling is pathetic.” I release a snarl that shakes the room, Nera livid and exhausted by their constant fear mongering towards innocent people. I grow amused by the unsure quiver in his eyes.

“My respect will forever lay with the people in the chairs behind me, the innocent lives you have stolen to instill terror. You lot are pathetic and I can’t wait to watch you die.” Only now do I hear the growls of some warriors. “The lives you’ve stolen will forever be held above you in rank.” Nera enjoys this game far too much to let it end now. No, they deserve to see you not be a wimp and bow down to this monster.

“Adira, don’t make me remind you of your place.” He snarls, eyes glow fiercely. Good, you’re pissed off. I pause in front of him and my brow flicks up amused. I’ve spent too much time with Magnar.

“You don’t have to remind me of anything.” I smile and watch as his eyes narrow, flickering with shadows as the human and wolf in him fight. Like they always have. “Let me remind you of something.” I chuckle and turn my back on him, in a leisurely stroll I walk away. You don’t scare me enough to look at you. The pale faces of the members of the pack, their wide eyes some shed tears, others filled with fear even if they try to hide it. That’ll end.

“I used to pray when I was a little girl, that you’d change. Mom prayed you’d change- do you even remember her?” I pause to look over my shoulder, watching the pain that briefly flits across his wolf’s eyes. His face red, veins protrude from his skin in a sickly combination. He hates to remember what he did to his mate, to his family. “Look where it got her.” I mock him as I pause and stare at the door to the hold. “She always said I should listen to you, obey your orders. For a while I did. Then you started asking things of me, things that no Father should ask of his daughter. But you never gave a damn.”

The pain of her life returns, the last moments I had with her living shell of a body. “Nothing changed; you asked me to steal from these people, breath the trust they should have in their Alpha, in the warriors protecting them. Then you wanted me to murder someone because they couldn’t afford the price of your abuse. Do you remember that day?” I taunt him as I stare him down. “You made me watch Owen Roe, Emily Roe and Jack Roe be murdered.” He growls, the sound pathetic to my ears now.

“I should’ve had a backbone, fought you years ago. Fought to overthrow you, followed in Mom’s footsteps, something more than I did.” I shake my head, disgust for myself overwhelms me. I could’ve done so much more.

“Little girl, you forget your ass is on the chopping block, just the same.” Anthony snarls, Roberto locked in his mind, tormented by his memories I hope.

“I know I’ve sinned, I’ve followed orders from a corrupt Alpha. The pack will watch me bear my sins before them. They are the only ones I can plead my case and my life to. I owe them the truth, not you lot.” The snarls ease barely as I stare Roberto down. Nera smirks as her eyes dance amused, ready to drop a bombshell. “If I am judged to die, I know this pack will flourish under a good Alpha who will lead them to greatness.”

The snarls cease as Roberto stares at me, his features change immediately, the rage at being played showcased immediately.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I chuckle slowly, my eyes glitter amused.

“I didn’t think you guys were that dense. It means once you have been sentenced the pack falls to me. I have a contingency plan, in my death and out of my death. I will ensure this pack is led by a true leader. By a leader that is kind, fair and intelligent. He’ll be the Alpha this pack needs.” I know Magnar will be able to mend the shattered bonds of this pack and create a healthy thriving pack, with or without me by his side. I pray we can share a future together.

Roberto releases a deep snarl, unable to handle this news and launches at me. His hands wrap around my throat and pin me to the wall, claws out as they sink into my flesh without resistance. “This pack is worthless without me! These peasants will be dead without me! I’ve been generous not charging them as much as my time is worth.” His speech has my eyes dancing with black dots as he tightens his hold, spittle flies over my features as I growl in return.

“Th-that’s w-what… y..” His hold tightens, cutting off my words, for a moment I suck air greedily into my lungs as he slams my head against the wall, my back a mess of fire with the rough pressure. Nera calls to her mate, struggling to reach him before she passes out. The door opens, a soft conversation halted abruptly at the sight. I smirk even as my eyes weight heavy.

“This pack is filled with morons! How dare you threaten me with another Alpha- I am the only Alpha.” Roberto growls lowly and gives me another shake, the pain that dances through the back of my head blinds me as a deep threatening snarl silences the hall.

‘You’ve… fucked… up.’ I mouth unable to get anything out. I can’t wait to watch you burn. His claws dig in more protesting the sound, his head snaps towards the sound, blood trickles from the open wounds. A moment he’s there and a moment he’s not, held by a seething Magnar in one hand, his other pressed into my arm to hold onto.

“What’s going on here?” Ekon is soon holding Roberto, hands behind his back as he pulls out cuffs. Magnar turns his attention to me, his eyes flashed to his wolf as he tilts my head up, exposing the stark bruises and puncture wounds. “Adira.” Magnar growls with a frown wanting an answer.

“A show…” I struggle to speak with the remaining feeling of restriction. Goddess being choked is the worst. He gives me an unamused look before he glances towards the members of the council.

“May I have a minute to clean her wounds?” He asks politely even as he pulls me to stand, arm around my waist to keep me steady. Or just to lay a claim. Either way I agree with it. One of them nods and waves her arm.

“Take your time Mr. Price, I want to do her interrogation first to determine if she is a threat. When she’s returned, please cuff her.” The woman speaks as she stops by the table that had been set up, notes and computers hidden from the view of the people. This better end with me able to mate my mate. Magnar barely contains his growl as he turns stiffly towards the wash room.

“I’ll cuff her.” Ekon says amicably, earning a glance from Magnar as he leads me to the bathroom to sit on the sink. Magnar shuts the door and stares at me with a heavy frown.

“You’re playing a dangerous game.” I stare at him after I take a sip of water and shake my head.

“This is dangerous, I’m just showing the pack the man you are.” I mutter and he growls lowly with a stern look.

“Don’t go there, not today.” Trust me, I’d rather this be much different.

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