I smiled. “I think we just covered that I am not stupid.” I leaned my elbow on the arm of the chair and then propped my chin up on my fist. “Let’s lay all our cards out on the table.”
Silas backed away until his back hit a bookshelf in the corner. “What are you all saying?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “They turned on you and the King, Silas. It’s pretty freaking clear.”
Yarrow groaned. “He was always the stupid one on the council.”
“Then why was he selected?” I couldn’t stop the question. The old council member looked legitimately shocked, and betrayed. Either he was a fantastic actor, and he was trying to get close enough to kill me, or he was blindsided by the men he considered his closest friends.
Silas growled, but Theo snorted. “He was selected because he was the head of the guards for the old king. And he had ties to the first family.”
Marcus groaned. “Enough of the bullshit.” He turned to face me. “You wanted our cards on the table.” I nodded. “We are here to kill everyone on these pack lands.”
“Why?” I tilted my head on my fist. “What have we ever done to you?”
The four laughed. “Your father has been a thorn in our sides for years.”
“But he died years ago.” I let my voice break. “That’s why I came back here, so I could rebuild his pack.” I forced a tear out of my eye.
“Cut the shit. We know he’s alive.” Theo tossed out.
I reeled back in shock. “Where did you hear that?” I wiped my face again. “If it’s from Vince, I can assure you he was lying. That’s why he was locked up.”
“Vince was locked up? Where?” Evan leaned against the desk.
“Didn’t you hear?” They shook their heads, and I heard feet pounding up the stairs. The council members didn’t look surprised, so it must be from their guards. “Brandon’s mating ceremony went haywire. A man and a woman were killed. Brandon, Vince and Shannon were all locked up.”
“Who was killed?” All the men leaned in.
“I don’t know who the man was, but I heard he was the father of the woman.”
“Who was the fucking woman?” Marcus growled as he leaned over. “You’re playing games here, girl, and I don’t like it.”
I raised my hands in surrender again. “The woman was the fiancée of the King. Verity.”
All of them froze. No one spoke for a solid minute. Silas tilted his head. “Who killed them?”
“I heard it was the King.” I shrugged. “One of the Omegas called me in tears. They have no Alpha there with everyone in jail. She said the King was there for the mating ceremony, and somehow he was drugged. He went crazy.”
Marcus pulled out his phone. “Call Vince.” He tossed it to Yarrow, who dialed. He turned back to me. “You are lying.” The phone connected, and they all took a breath. Marcus growled at me. “I knew you were fucking lying.”
“Hello. How may I help you?” Luke’s voice was professional but tired.
“Who is this?” Yarrow nearly bellowed into the phone as he stood. I could picture Luke pulling the phone away and wincing.
“There is no need to scream. This is the acting Alpha of Oakenfang, Luke Cristoff. Who is this?”
“Where is Vince?” Yarrow’s fist clenched, and I swear I heard the phone crack.
“According to King Rowan. He is currently being held in jail at an undisclosed location for treason against the crown.”
Yarrow stumbled back against the chair he had just vacated. “Treason against the crown…” He looked at his friends. “Did he do anything else before he left you in charge?”
Luke sounded a little too happy when he answered next. “He took Vince’s computer.” Thankfully, Rowan thought to call Luke to warn him that someone might call. “He left yesterday with it, and I haven’t heard from him since. Why?”
Yarrow dropped the phone, and his pale face turned to face the others. “Rowan knows…”
The scent of panic permeated the air, but Theo scoffed. “Vince wasn’t a smart man, but he wasn’t stupid either. He had everything coded on his computer with those stupid fucking codes he made everyone do.”
