Page 180 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“I don’t care,” Liam yells, his aura pulsating again and throwing Troi back into his chair. The man bares his neck to him. “You’re only alive because I abide by our laws and will let the Council investigate properly.” His eyes turn darker, and his smile more menacing, like he was waiting to finally destroy Troi. “However, once they are done, I will demand your head, and I will want to be the one who tears it from your body.”

He takes a few deep breaths to calm down before he turns to Everett again. “As for you, you will also get investigated by the Council to check the role you played in this. You will further step down as alpha.”

“I don’t have an heir, though,” Everett yells.

“You have a daughter,” Liam states calmly. “Some people in this room think women are capable of more than being breeding machines. She will be an interim leader and organize the pack, with the help of a wolf strong enough to protect the pack.”

Everett looks like he is about to blow up, but by the way his eyes look around nervously, I can easily tell he doesn’t dare to provoke Liam further. He takes a deep breath. “I guess Raphael can return and help her,” he points out, begrudgingly so. “She has no mate yet, and at least he is from a strong beta lineage.”

The look on my face must have been amusing because Aryanna snorts quietly. Alpha Liam turns to look at me. “Your call.”

I will forever respect him for allowing me to answer this unbelievable demand myself. I don’t know where to start, so I begin with the obvious. “I’m not returning to the pack,” I say evenly. “I’m very happy where I am now.”

“Without a rank?” Everett bellows.

“Yes, without a rank.”

“What would your father say?”

“Frankly, I don’t care for the opinion of an abuser,” I retort. “Rank doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m happy to be a normal warrior and protect the weaker pack members. And since we’re already on it, I already found my mate, who I’m definitely not going to leave. Furthermore, Esme is my only remaining family, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt her anymore. Not even you. I’m stronger than that now.”

I can see the defeat in Everett’s eyes as he turns his attention back to Liam. “Alpha Liam… you can’t do that! I promise I had nothing to do with Troi’s attack on your luna.”

Liam ignores his plea. “Your daughter, Callista, will be contacted by us tomorrow. All further communication and decisions will run through her first. The same will be done with Ezra.” He pauses. “We’re finished here.”

He takes a step aside and lets some of my fellow warriors shuffle past him. Before Dante can walk past him and approach the alphas to get their names and packs, Liam grabs him by his arm. “Make sure you don’t leave without the men who attacked Annalise. And further, imprison the beta and Troi.”

Dante nods. “Of course, you can count on me, Alpha.”

“I’ll send some warriors with you and Aryanna to Troi’s and Everett’s pack.”

Soon the place is buzzing. My job is done here too. I was expecting a fight, but seeing the defeat in Troi’s eyes as he realizes all his schemes are coming back to him to bite him in his insufferable ass, knowing that he is knee-deep in his own metaphorical shit… is more rewarding than just punching him.

He is such a sly weasel usually, but this time, there is no escaping. Liam already pushed for him to be imprisoned, so there is that. As for Everett, I really don’t care anymore. I doubt he was in cahoots with Troi when they attacked Esme… by now I rather think he was completely under Troi’s rule.

Well, it’s his fault for being a shitty alpha.

“Raphael.” Liam approaches me. “Two of the warriors and I are returning to Red Claw. It’s up to you if you want to join Aryanna and visit your old pack.”

I tilt my head, contemplating his offer. “There is nothing left for me there. I just want to retrieve mine and Esme’s possessions.”

Liam nods. “We can organize that. I will have a truck sent there.”

“If it’s alright, I’ll join Beta Aryanna then to make sure to pack everything.”

“Do you think Esme would like to join you?” Liam wants to know.

“I’m scared it will trigger something in her. But Hayden has some possessions there too. He left everything behind,” I point out.

“I will make sure to have two additional warriors and Hayden arrive with a truck. The both of you can pack everything there.”

I let out a deep breath of relief. “Alpha Liam,” I say before he can turn and leave. “I will forever be indebted to you.”

The corner of Liam’s lips tug into a small smile. “Make sure to repay it by being a loyal pack member.”

I smile. “I will. I’m proud of being a part of Red Claw now.” Tossing a gaze at Troi, I turn to Liam once more. “Is this really the end?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” he answers, frowning slightly. “I truly don’t. I still need to question him.”