Page 97 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 2

"How is she?"he asked.

"She's fine now.Just tired.She's resting at Johnson's hospital.She couldn't come."

He nodded slowly."It's okay.Everyone understands."

The council stood too and each gave me a small nod of acknowledgment.Then I was being directed to stand beside Dorian.

He looked at me like he'd seen a ghost.

"Didn't expect to see me, huh?"I said low enough for only him to hear as I straightened my jacket.

He gave me a tight smile but said nothing.

A few seconds later, one of the councilmen stepped forward and called for silence."Before the voting begins, the candidates will each be allowed a short speech.Please listen carefully and respectfully.Alpha Dorian, you may go first."

Dorian stepped forward, plastered on that fake smile, and began."My dear wolves, I stand here today not just as a candidate, but as someone who has given everything to the growth of our region.My leadership has brought discipline, tradition, and order.I have kept my pack strong, kept the laws firm, and stood for everything our ancestors believed in.If elected, I will ensure that we do not fall pray to chaos and weakness disguised as equality.Strength is what matters.Loyalty to the system is what matters.And I promise to preserve the structure we have thrived in for centuries."He finished.

The sugarcoating couldn't hide the fact that his entire speech was built on fear, control, and the same damn system that had kept so many beneath others.

One of the councilmen, Mr.Williams turned to me."Alpha Killian."

I stepped forward slowly, clearing my throat.I looked at the hall, not just at the council or the elders, but at the people.The warriors.The young Alphas.The omegas.The mothers.The betas who worked day and night.The eyes staring back at me weren't just voting, they were hoping.

"I'm not going to pretend like I'm perfect or that I haven't made mistakes," I started."But I've seen what this system has done to us.I've lived it.I've watched good wolves suffer because of old rules written by dead men.I've watched power be handed to those who only know how to use it for themselves.I've watched fear control the people who deserve freedom and dignity.and I won't be part of that anymore."

I paused.

"If you vote for me today, you're not voting for a man who wants the throne to feed his pride.You're voting for someone who wants to build a new order.One where every pack in the territory, North, East, West has equal say.Where omegas aren't treated like second-class citizens.Where strength isn't measured by bloodline, but by heart.Where we build an economy that works for every wolf, not just the powerful ones.Where the council isn't just a name, it's a voice for the people."

I exhaled."We've been waiting five years.Let's not waste this chance.Let's build something better."

When I stepped back, the room was quiet for a second.

Then the clapping started.

Soft at first, then louder, then louder until the whole hall was filled with applause.I felt Logan slap my shoulder, and someone else even whistled.

The councilwoman, Mrs Dowaga, stepped forward."Thank you, Alpha Killian.Now, we will begin the voting."

The ballot boxes were opened.One by one, the werewolves began casting their votes.

–

There was a short break after the voting, and while the noise in the hall died down a little and people went out to get refreshments, I stepped aside with Logan, Steve, and Richard.We moved to a more private corner, and Logan, as usual, didn't waste time.

"That wasn't just an accident, Killian," he said, looking at me with that same serious expression he always had whenever shit was off."The timing, the force of the impact, the way that car came out of nowhere...it felt planned.It felt like someone wanted to get rid of you before the election even started."

Richard nodded."We've all been thinking it.I mean, Alpha Cassian's out, and now someone's trying to get rid of you too?It's too much of a coincidence."

Steve added, "You have someone in mind?"

Before I could even open my mouth, the damn suspect himself walked in, like he'd been listening all along and just waited for the perfect time to show up.Alpha Dorian.

He walked in with that same smug face, his beta trailing him like a loyal dog, and I didn't miss the smirk Dorian was wearing.It was the kind of smirk that made your fist itch.

"Alpha Killian," he said with a fake smile stretched across his face, his voice annoyingly calm.Logan moved like he was about to charge him, but I held him back with one hand.I wasn't about to cause a scene.Not here.and definitely not yet.

"Logan, don't," I said quietly, still keeping my eyes on Dorian.I knew what I was doing.I wasn't just going to accuse him without solid proof.I needed to be sure.I needed to be smart.Dorian might be arrogant, but he wasn't stupid.