Filed To Story: In the Shadow of the Past Luna (Lily & James)
Alpha Brett continued. “As you know, the relationship between the Red River Pack and the West Mountain Pack goes back generations. And in fact, your pack has historically been one of our closest allies. When I granted permission for your visit this evening, I did so with those relationships in mind.
However, three hours ago, my uncle shared some information with me that I was not previously aware of. You must understand that Red River Pack is a pack that believes that morality transcends business interests. We believe in not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk. For example, regardless of alliances and history, the Red River Pack will never condone the abuse of females and other vulnerable people. In addition, our pack considers the mate bond to be sacred, and we condemn any and all who would use that bond as a vehicle for torture.
The information that my uncle shared with me this afternoon is sufficient for me to conclude that West Mountain Pack’s values no longer align with ours, and that they have not aligned for some time.
You should inform your father that I am terminating the peace and trade treaties between Red River Pack and West Mountain Pack effective today. I will send formal written confirmation of that tomorrow.”
My jaw hit the floor. What is he talking about? I had not anticipated any of but I have no idea what you are referring to.”
“I am sorry, Alpha Brett,
“Don’t you?”
Alpha Brett asked me suspiciously.
“No, I really do not.”
“It is a shame that I do not believe you,”
Alpha Brett responded as he stood and walked towards the door. “When you are done talking to my uncle, I will have a guard escort you back to the border. I know it is a long drive back, but under the circumstances, I hope you can understand why I am not in a position to offer you and your men rooms for the night.”
He paused, as though he was debating with himself.
“One more thing. Lily Brogan is an amazing she-wolf. You will come to regret your actions towards her, and when you do, you should know that I will be watching with popcom. (75
Good day.”
Before I could say anything else or even process the full ramifications of what he just said or what had just happened- Alpha Brett left, leaving me alone with Dr. Hyder.
(James POV)
I replayed Alpha Brett’s words over and over again in my head, trying to figure out what Alpha Brett was referring to and why he would suddenly terminate two important treaties. The only thing that seemed to fit was that Alpha Brett had heard about what happened between Lily and I at Stephanie’s memorial service…. but would that really be enough to turn his back on one of his pack’s biggest allies?
“How long are you going to sit there staring at me?”
Dr. Hyder asked gruffly. “I have other things to do.”
It had been ten minutes since Alpha Brett left us alone. After he left, I had taken a seat in a guest chair opposite Dr. Hyder, and then immediately found myself lost in my own thoughts.
“Is Lily doing okay?”
I asked at last. Dr. Hyder looked a little taken aback. Given the gravity of Alpha
Brett’s announcement, even I was surprised that this was the first thing I asked.
“Next question.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “But you have not answered my first qu
“I do not remember agreeing to answer any of your questions.”
I sighed. “Do you know where Lily is?”
“Next question.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“Next question.”
“Are you going to answer any of my questions?”
“I doubt it.”
“Why not?”
“I am having much more fun being an a&&hole and watching you squirm,”
Dr. Hyder responded smugly.
I sighed and covered my face with my hands. I tried to remind myself why I thought coming here was a good idea. So far, it was nothing but a big disaster.
???
you are done asking me questions that I already told your father I would not answer, I will answer the questions that you should be asking me but are not.”
I removed my hands from my face and looked at him curiously.
“I have known you and your parents for a long time. I have always known that they were far from perfect, but I was willing to overlook their flaws.
I am no longer willing to do so. I no longer believe that your parents’ mistakes are one-off errors in judgment. The way that they run their lives and the West Mountain Pack has enabled evil to take root.
That is their fault.
The jury is still out on how I feel about you.
a right t
You horribly mistreated Lily, and in my view you have forfeited even say her name, much less ever see her again. At the same time, I recognize that you have been manipulated for your entire life without ever knowing it. I can cut you a tiny bit of slack because of that.
The slack ends today. You are a grown-up man now. You may be taking over the leadership of an entire pack soon. There will be the lives of over 10,000 wolves depending on you. You cannot follow your parents’ lead of burying your head in the sand. There are too many problems in afford your that luxury.
your pack to
You need to pull your head out of your a&& and start seeing the forest for the trees. If you are unwilling or unable to figure out how much the people around you have been manipulating things AND put a stop to it, you will have to step out of the way and let someone else lead.
I say all this as a warning, not a suggestion. I am fully prepared to go to the werewolf council if need and I promise you that if I take that step, a couple of treaties with my nephew will be the least of worries.”
your
Dr. Hyder had a somber seriousness to his tone. I had no doubt that he was serious, but I was still baffled. My parents and I butt heads a lot, but I thought my father was a pretty decent alpha overall.
“What are the problems that you are referring to?”
“Next question.”
“Who has been manipulating me?”
“Next question.”
I stood up angrily. “Seriously? You are going to play this game again?”
Dr. Hyder stood up and glared right back at me.
“I do not play games, James.
when be, you become a leader, you have a responsibility to think of your pack’s needs over your own, just like when you have children.
I have my own packs and my own family to worry about. I do not need to add your drama to my list of responsibilities.
I
Listen to me carefully this time, because I will only say this once.
I am giving you an opportunity to prove that you can be the leader that the Moon Goddess put you in a position to be.
If you cannot figure out on your own who you can trust and who you cannot, you do not deserve to be alpha. Likewise, if you cannot figure out on your own how to protect your most vulnerable pack members from abuse and mistreatment, you are a failure. Period. End of discussion.
I rubbed my temples. I was getting a headache.
“What about Lily?”
I asked.
“What about Lily?”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?