“All the time,” I reply. “I barely even try anymore; it’s always been so difficult for me.”
“Well, I think you’re a witch,” Alisha says, tilting her head to look at me. “And from what I can see, you’re supercharged with power.”
“What happened out there?” Scarlett asks.
“I killed Father’s men.” The words are soft as they leave my lips, but I see a few people in the crowd look towards me, and I know it’s time.
Time to take over the pack, just as Talon would have wanted. No more shrinking into the shadows. It’s time to stand in the light.
“I killed Father’s men!” I say in a firm voice as I step forward ahead of the others. “Father kidnapped me this morning, with his friends Bruce, Axe, and Rafe. They planned to kill me, and Shawn, and take back control.”
“Your Father was better to us than any alpha!” Morrow says. “He has always been true to us, while Talon and your husband here shun the folk of the town.”
“Father was lying to you!” I shout. “He had a connection to the human world this whole time—his father wasn’t dead. He’s been keeping advancement from you, to keep you all under his control.”
The crowd begins to mutter. I take a deep breath and go on.
“Father got Talon killed by tricking him into attacking Eccles. He was going to take over the pack and rule it, but he didn’t count on the other packs coming up here to help.”
“We want to help,” Rex says. “If you come with us, you can see how our pack lives, and we can bring you into the same comfort. You won’t need to struggle anymore.”
“And what about the old magics?” a sly, grating voice asks.
The crowd pulls apart, and I see Melanie standing in the center.
“What about them?” I challenge her.
“You just want to use us,” she says. “We know the stone needs sacrifice. Up here, we’re safe. All Jackson wanted was to keep us away from that carnage, and now you think you can lead us down there to our doom?”
“Give it up, Melanie,” I say. “He’s dead—really, actually dead—and we’re in charge, now. I know you’re lying, and so does everyone else.”
“Am I?” Melanie asks with a smile.
Rex makes a gesture, and Luke hurries over to grab her.
“Apprehend everyone who was loyal to Jackson,” Shawn says. “Do it now.”
Rex, Brad, and Dan wade into the crowd, grabbing anyone who was associated with my father. A lot of the crowd scatters, but by the time the dust settles, it looks like we have them all. To my surprise, I see Leah at the edge of the crowd.
“Leah,” I call out to her. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, dear,” she says, coming over to squeeze my hand. “Jackson’s really dead?”
“Yes, he is,” I answer.
“I’m relieved, dear girl. I knew from the beginning he was bad for the pack. I prayed that Talon would kill him, but Talon really was gentle at heart.”
“I know,” I say, hugging her. “The only reason they attacked Eccles is that Father convinced him they had kidnapped me and some other women.”
“Tragic.” Leah shakes her head. “I have faith in you, child. I think we can finally conquer our fear and reshape our world.”
“I do, too,” I say. “But first, we have to deal with these criminals.”
Even though I’m tired and still recovering from my injuries, we shuffle over to the hall to try the townsfolk for their crimes. People from the poorer quarter come to watch, some ofthem shocked by the news of my Father’s betrayal, and others obviously validated.
So, he was losing support here. The pack would have turned on him soon, anyway. His reign was coming to an end, and he didn’t even know.
I decide to keep it to myself that Father knew about the snake and the stone. He’s dead now, and there’s no need to bring it up. Melanie’s words continue to echo in my ears, though, and when it is her turn to be tried, I’m very curious as to what she has to say.
