"Yes, state your reasoning for bringing this case to the council."
"I believe it was explained in my brief."
"It was. We would like to hear it from you personally."
"Yes, well, as I stated in my brief, Joseph is my only child. As such, Thomas is my only grandchild. Joseph has taken him from our skulk and refused me not only access to him, but he has refused to allow Thomas to be trained to take over my seat when I step down."
"Why is your son not taking over for you?" one of the other elders asked.
"Joseph does not have the disposition to be an alpha."
"Be that as it may, he is still next in line, is he not?"
"Technically, yes, but—"
"The laws of your skulk are without question, Alpha Langston. The firstborn son is to be the next alpha. As such, your son is next in line."
I could see Alpha Langston's nostrils flare from where I was sitting. His hands clenched. I knew he was pissed, and that made me almost giddy. Of course, Jojo didn't want to be alpha, but now wasn't exactly the time to mention that.
"Let's move on to your next point, Alpha Langston." The elder glanced down at a tablet in front of him. "You have lodged charges against your son for disobeying your orders. Please explain."
"There is a mate covenant with another skulk, one that will benefit both skulks. When I ordered my son to make himself available to meet with his betrothed, he refused. He went as far as having Alpha Sinclair order me out of his territory."
The elder raised an eyebrow before glancing at Sinclair. "Is this true, Elder Sinclair?"
My jaw dropped when Sinclair nodded.
What in the hell was he doing?
"Yes, I did order him to leave my territory."
"I see." The elder looked back at Alpha Langston. "Please continue."
"My son has disrespected me, my skulk, and that of his betrothed by his actions. He has gone against my direct orders, undermined me in front of other members of our skulk as well as Alpha Sinclair's pride, and he has disobeyed my direct orders. This behavior cannot go unpunished."
"In your brief, you state that your son made threats against you. Can you explain that?"
"As I stated, when I went to get him from Alpha Sinclair's territory, he had Alpha Sinclair threaten to challenge me if I did not leave without my son or grandson."
That wasn't quite what happened, although I was sure that was how Langston saw the events in his head. My eyes narrowed when Sinclair didn't say anything.
Why wasn't he saying anything?
"What is it exactly you are wanting from this council, Alpha Langston?"
"My grandson Thomas should be given into my custody to be raised and trained to be the next alpha of our skulk. There are things he needs to know, things he needs to learn. I am doubtful that he can learn them at the hands of a man not fit to be alpha."
When Jojo reached back with his hand, I quickly leaned forward and grabbed it, giving him a tight squeeze. I knew Jojo couldn't say anything until it was his turn, but it must be burning through him to sit there and listen to his father's lies, especially when his son's life was on the line.
"I also believe that Joseph should be made to uphold the covenant between my skulk and that of his betrothed. The contract was entered into honestly by both parties, and he has a duty to his alpha and his skulk to uphold the covenant."
"All parties agreed to this covenant?"
"Alpha Laramie and his daughter signed it. As Joseph was unavailable at the time, I, as his father and alpha, signed in his place."
"So, he never actually agreed to the covenant?"
"I am his father!" Alpha Langston snapped, then quickly seemed to realize what he had done. "My apologies, Elder. As you can imagine, this whole situation is quite upsetting to me."
