“You can blame me for whatever you want.It’s not going to change the fact that I couldn’t have done anything even if I’d tried.Now, did you have something to tell me?”
“I know you still have wolf shifters in your cells.”
“We do.If you want them, be my guest.I have enough to deal with right now that I’ll be happy to get rid of them.”
“I’ll send people to pick them up.”
“Good.”
“Those people will stay with you and your clan for a while.”
That gave Jacob pause.To be fair, it gave everyone in the room pause.Kieran hadn’t mentioned that earlier.
“What do you mean?”Jacob asked.
“Your clan has been defeated.You don’t have a leader or a second-in-command.That doesn’t mean you’re not dangerous.It doesn’t mean you won’t become dangerous again in the future.To ensure that my people are safe, I want to be involved in the choosing of your next leader.”
“Because you want someone you know won’t attack you.”
“Because I want someone who will be a good leader.You can’t tell me that you agreed with Martin’s decisions over the years.Never mind my pack—he forced you and your clan to kill countless people and to create and deal drugs.Is that what you want to continue being?His death gives you the opportunity to get the clan out of the situation he created.My people and I are willing to help if it means that the pack isn’t in danger anymore.You can refuse, but remember that right now, we’re stronger than you.”
Kieran was being forceful, which wasn’t like him, but it was the right thing to do.Still, Rex noticed several people glancing at each other as they listened to the alpha.They’d probably have questions once the call was over.Rex knew he did.
“We don’t have a choice, do we?”Jacob asked.He sounded bitter.
“You don’t,” Kieran confirmed.“If it makes you feel any better, I’m not looking to take over your clan or to have any kind of influence on the everyday decisions your leader will make.As long as you stay away from my pack and don’t hurt people, your clan can do whatever you want.”
Jacob was silent again, but Rex already knew what he’d say.Like Jacob had mentioned earlier, he didn’t have a choice.
“Fine,” Jacob eventually said.“Send your people.”
“They’ll see you soon.”
Kieran reached for the phone and hung up before Jacob could say anything else.For a moment, the only sound in the room was the sound of everyone breathing.That didn’t last long.
“So, who are you sending?”Alpin asked.“Because I have to say, I’ve always wanted to see the clan.”
“You’re not going,” Merrick told him.
“Oh?Who’s going to stop me?”
Rex was pretty sure this was foreplay for them.He didn’t care much, but he did wish he didn’t have to see it.He didn’t want to think of someone he considered his brother in that kind of situation, and he’d done it way too often since Alpin had entered his life because Alpin couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
“I can go,” Rex volunteered.
Everyone turned to look at him, including Harmon.Rex continued watching Kieran.He hadn’t thought a lot before volunteering, but he wouldn’t change his mind.This was a way for him to step away from the pack for a bit.Maybe that way, he could make a decision as to what he’d do next.He still wasn’t sure he wanted to leave the pack, but he did know that he didn’t fit here.Hopefully, being away for a bit would help.If it didn’t, well, Rex would still have done something good.
“Are you sure?”Kieran asked.
“I’m the only one here who doesn’t have a partner.I don’t mind going as long as I’m not going alone.”
“You won’t be.I’ll need more volunteers, though.I don’t want to force anyone to do something they don’t want.”
“Merrick and I can go,” Alpin said.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?”Merrick said with a growl.“You’re not going anywhere.”
Alpin crossed his arms over his chest.“You can’t tell me what to do.”
