‘No! Amie, you know I don’t think you are weak. You are one of the strongest wolves I know. But I’m going insane here. You have already been hurt and things are only looking worse. I can’t do anything to protect you and it’s fucking scaring me to death.’ My anger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, and leaned my head on his shoulder. His arms closed around me.
‘I’m sorry. I get you are worried. I am too. If they are going after someone, it would make sense to go after you. I can’t step out of the games. We may already be one member short. And if I accept the rejection now, it won’t just take me out. It will take James out as well. Which isn’t fair. And you know it,’ I told him. I could feel his sigh by the rising and falling of his chest.
‘Why do you need to be so fucking perfect? Would it kill you to be selfish for once?’ I smiled.
‘Probably not, but why risk it? Perfect has worked well so far. And I’m not perfect. I have a strong urge to maim and kill at the moment. But this is helping to keep it at bay,’ I confessed.
‘Don’t even talk about it. I’m wondering how I’m going to look at my brother’s Beta tomorrow without ripping his throat out. I think the council would frown on it if I did.’
‘They would,’ I agreed. ‘They’re no fun. But you didn’t give in to those emotions last time we were there, or with James. So I think you will do good.” He huffed and the puff of air tickled my ear.
Chapter 51
Amie
Iwasn’t prepared for the raw anger I felt as I saw the Ocean shore’s Beta. In my mind I saw him attack Ramses and my wolf wanted his blood. I made sure to keep a distance from Finlay. I was convinced he was just as angry and the risk was I would start a loop of anger if I touched him. The last thing we needed was feeding our anger. We needed to keep a cool head. We were standing in the room we had been in when discussing the reunion of the packs. Alpha Ryder and his Beta stood at their pulpit and I forced myself to focus on something else.
“Alpha Finlay, you have asked for a formal complaint to be made due to the incident in the game yesterday. The report we have got from the field is that Ocean shore’s Beta attacked a member of the Blue mountain pack. The injuries were of a serious manner, but not lethal. Beta Karo claims it was in the heat of the moment. The Beta from Blue mountain was a witness to the incident and claims there was intent behind the attack. Is this a fair summary of why we are here?” the head of the council asked.
“Yes,” both Finlay and his brother answered.
“At least we agree on some things. Good. Then let’s start from there. Beta Karo, please tell us what happened.”
“Thank you. I was selected to be one of the seekers for my pack. The game had been ongoing for about an hour and a half and I had had great success in finding hidden wolves. I saw the member of the Blue mountain pack when he shifted hiding spots. I wanted to make sure he was a hider, not a seeker, so I followed him. When I was going to howl to mark my find, my hunting instincts took over. I’m sorry he got hurt, but my wolf is strong and his instincts are pure,” the Beta said.
“And you tried to catch him?” a council member asked.
“Yes. I grabbed his shoulder and my claws extended.”
“Thank you. Beta Armeria, we believe your opinion on the given situation is different, is it?” the head of the council asked.
“Yes, it is,” I confirmed.
“Please tell us your view on the matter.”
“I had just switched hiding spots when I heard someone coming. I realised it was Ramses, the injured wolf. Almost at the same time I saw the Beta from Ocean shore. He saw Ramses and I thought he was going to howl. Instead, he started to run towards my pack member. His intention was clear. I mindlinked Ramses and then my Alpha as I jumped down to help Ramses. During the time it took me to land, the Beta had attacked Ramses. If it hadn’t been for my warning which made Ramses turn, the Beta’s claws would have gone around the throat and Ramses would have been dead. When Beta Karo got a hold of Ramses’ shoulder, he didn’t let go. I could hear the joint pop and I heard the bones crunching and still he didn’t release my pack member. It wasn’t until my wolf landed on his chest that he let Ramses go.” I glared at the Beta and then looked away. “I would like to point out that instinct is a poor excuse for such a strong assault. My instinct was to rip the Beta’s throat out the second I landed on his chest. I could have, he didn’t see me coming.I didn’t. Because my wolf’s instincts don’t drive me. I am in control of my wolf, not the other way around. I backed off and protected my wounded pack mate.”
“Where were you hiding?” a council member asked.
“In the tree above where the incident happened.”
“How high up?” the head of the council wanted to know.
“Approximately sixteen feet above ground,” I told him.
“And you jumped down?”
“My pack mate was in danger. And the Beta cushioned the impact,” I said. I saw a couple of council members smile.
‘Really? Are you trying to piss him off?’ Finlay mindlinked me.
‘If he comes after me I can claim self defence and go at him,’ I replied.
‘You and that temper of yours is going to be the death of me.’
‘Have to live up to my reputation as a redhead.’ I could feel the strength it took for him not to roll his eyes.
“The Blue mountain pack allowed one of our healers to examine the wounded wolf. Healer Amir, could you give your report?” the head of the council asked.
