“Don’t mention my mother,” I gritted out. I was nothing like my father, in this case. Every move I made was in service to my pack and now, in the protection of Reese.
“You and your council have come after my mate and I won’t fucking stand for it.”
Lupine’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re going to pretend like you didn’t know that my mate is human? Isn’t that why you sent someone after her?”
He shook his head. “No, we had no idea. But you know there are proper channels to go through if your mate is a human.”
“It’s bullshit and you know it,” I replied angrily. “I know how long it’s been since an intermarriage between a human and a werewolf was approved. And I won’t ever let you get your hands on her.”
“Chael, we’ve changed,” he retorted, sounding strangely genuine. “Our view on intermarriage is softening.”
“I’m sure you’d have me believe that now that I’m withholding my pack’s taxes from you.” I didn’t trust Lupine or many of the other Alliance council members.
“This is not how we do things,” Lupine scolded. “We are a civilized population. Unlike those humans,” he spat out the word human. “If you wish to be with this human mate, you must receive the Alliance’s approval. As for your taxes, you know that is akin to pulling out of the Alliance altogether, which will leave your entire pack susceptible to any manner of danger.”
“I’ll take my chances,” I replied.
He narrowed his eyes. “This will not do, Chael. Come to headquarters so we can discuss this with the council and settle this matter.”
“Not a chance in hell,” I calmly replied. “I know you’re more worried about losing your position on the council with the loss of your biggest werewolf taxes.”
My pack contributed more financially than the next three wolf packs to the council. With the loss of our funds, Lupine would have less influence over the council. The other shifters would overrule him because of their more affluent resources. This could pose a problem for my pack, but since I already had an in with many of the other shifter types, due to our construction facilities, I wasn’t too worried.
“Chael, this is nonsense. I can assure you, neither I nor anyone on the council had any part in any attack on your mate or your pack.”
“You might not have,” I told him. “But someone with access to the Alliance’s resources is behind this. And until I find out who it is and they’re eliminated, the Alliance won’t receive a dime from the Nightwolf pack.”
I disconnected the call.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Christophe said, his face in disbelief as he stared at the computer screen.
“Problem?” I asked my youngest brother.
He shook his head. “Don’t we want them on our side?”
“Not if they’re threatening us,” I replied.
“How can you be sure it’s even someone from the Alliance? Our pack has many enemies.”
“Had,” I corrected. “We’ve been a peaceful pack for years now.” Even as I said those words, the tightness in my chest reminded me that this period of peace had likely just ended.
“We’ll need to prepare our commune,”Chance said telepathically.
I nodded.“I’ll gather everyone this evening. Our betas too.”
“There’s something else I must tell you,”he added.“About our cousins from Colorado.”
I twisted my head and wondered what he needed to tell me about them. But before I could form the question, tires screeching grabbed my attention. Alarmed, I took one look at Chance and let him know what I heard.
I backtracked out of Christophe’s home, one of the first houses on the edge of our commune. When I stepped outside, I saw a black SUV coming to a stop in front of my brother’s house.
“Where is she?” Noah demanded as he hopped out of the passenger seat of his brother’s vehicle.
Unbothered by the red mask of anger on his face, I folded my arms across my chest. “What the hell are you doing in my commune?”
