Page 337 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

“Last I heard,” Jasmine’s voice cut through like ice, “the children couldn’t stop fighting each other.”

Iren didn’t back down. “There have been a few quarrels between them, sure, but overall, things have only been positive. We’ve taught them to talk through their issues rather than resort to violence, and their parents have also been receptive to working things out instead of holding onto their prejudices. It’s been a bumpy road, but we’re making progress.”

“We also enjoy getting to know more women.” That came from Tanya, one of the women who had once made Bryn’s life hell. I had written those women off, resolving to never forgive them for what they’d done to my mate. But here she was, standing up for the merger.

“The Wargs’ women have taught us how to be strong and reminded us of our compassion,” Tanya continued. “Tara would be here with me, but she’s training to become a tracker. Isn’t that amazing? A Kings woman becoming a tracker wouldneverhave happened before. But from what she’s told me, none of the men she’s training with have made her feel out of place for doing it.” Tears glinted in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

“Truth be told,” said Frankie, “the only thing that has been slowing progress down is the council.” She eyed each Warg council member, but her gaze stayed on her grandfather’s. “A council should be the voice of the pack, but it’s starting to feel like you five haven’t been living up to that. Maybe we need new members.”

The threat was not one to be taken lightly. An alpha had to be challenged to lose their position, but a member of the council could be voted out.

I watched the Wargs Council look around the room and then at each other, panic and surprise widening their eyes. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I got some satisfaction from their reactions. After all, they’d blindsided me with their opinions.

Following another tense silence, Graham cleared his throat. “Perhaps we were too quick to speak out. Night, please, if you would continue.”

I didn’t bother hiding my grin. “Certainly. Now that I’ve got a better idea of how everyone is feeling, I’ll tell you that these changes for the community will only make the bonds you all are forming stronger. Lance has already hinted at this, but electricity and phone lines will connect the territories. We’re modernizing as much as we can.”

On the map, I indicated where more homes would be built, along with an extended community eating hall and more greenhouses to produce food. Because the Kings and Wargs were the only packs within the immediate area, we had plenty of room to expand and grow. Seeing the plan, the Kings council softened further, and the Wargs Council nodded along. It was a relief.

“I do have one more thing to discuss,” I said. “As some of you know, Bryn and I have been investigating the disappearance of the pups that occurred a decade ago. Yesterday, Bryn and elders from both packs completed a ritual that allowed her to see what happened to them through the eyes of the one survivor, Samuel Granby. We learned that those pups are part of Troy’s army of ferals.”

Gasps and cries of disbelief and disgust filled the room. I gave them some time to express their emotions, then raised my hands to silence them.

“Our theory was that Troy was using money to control the ferals, but that no longer appears to be the case. Those boys are forced to do Troy’s bidding, and the only way to stop them is to kill Troy.”

“But we’ve been looking for him nonstop,” Frankie said. “We haven’t found a trace of him.”

“I know, but we think we’ve got a lead on where he’s hiding. It’s just a matter of time now.”

Murmurs spread across the crowd, filling me with hope. This information was tragic, but it ought to unite the packs under one goal: finding Troy and killing him.

120

BRYN

Tavi and I weren’t able to find all the parents of the missing boys. Some of them had moved on to other packs, others had died, but most of the parents and grandparents were still part of the Kings, and it was obvious that they weren’t sure why I’d gathered them together. Many were familiar faces, including Gladys, who’d been with me when we prepped the fields for winter.

Tavi, myself, and the few dozen folks we’d found met in the garden where Mom and I used to spend most of our time. I thought it best to hold the meeting here because it was private and would give them the space they needed to process what I had to tell them. Fortunately, there wouldn’t be any Warg council members around to make things difficult.

“You ready?” Tavi asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied. I took a deep breath and said, “Thank you all so much for taking the time to come out to hear what I have to say. I’m sure you’re all wondering what this is about.”

A few of them nodded, but others just stared at me.

“Your alpha and I have found some information regarding the missing children. Yesterday, we learned that many of them are alive and have become part of Troy Redwolfs feral army.”

There was a brief pause followed by outrage. Many wolves started speaking over each other, pushing toward me and asking more questions. Tavi stood in their way.

“Hold on—I said, hold on!” She raised her voice. “Give your den mother space. Let her explain.”

The parents quieted after a few moments. I nodded my thanks to Tavi. “Yesterday, with the help of the elders, I completed a ritual with Samuel Granby that allowed me to see what he saw the night he and Trevor were kidnapped.”

“My Trevor?” The wolf who spoke was named Garret. His hair was the same pale yellow as Trevor’s.

“Yes.” I nodded. “What I saw shocked me to my core. I can only imagine what it will be like for you all to hear, but you have a right to know what happened to your children. According to Samuel’s memories, he and Trevor were lured deep into the forest by Troy. Troy took them into a cavern miles away from our territory, and he and Gregor performed a ritual that forced them to shift earlier than they should have. This caused them to become feral, and I believe they are under Troy’s control.”

“So, the wolves who attacked us in the summer?” Garret asked. “Those were our pups?”