Gail muttered to herself and turned the next page of the grimoire.
Wait a second. Nadia wasn’t sure what to think about these two. “Please tell me you didn’t kill Luca.”
“Of course not,” Margaret said. “Give me a break. We barely stabbed him.”
Nadia reared back. “You stabbed him? With silver? That was really you?”
Concern filled Bussy’s faded eyes. “Take a deep breath, honey. You look like you might pass out.”
Nadia gaped. She just might. “Luca was half dead.”
“Nah.” Margaret waved a hand. “We stabbed him with regular knives and just tossed in a couple of silver shavings. He’s just fine, also in Silver territory.”
Nadia paused. “Then they’re all still Alpha contenders?”
“Oh, no,” Bussy laughed. “There’s a provision in the grimoire, that even though everyone is all in when the contest starts, they can recuse themselves if it’s life or death. If they almost died. They all did so, and I think they might’ve been happy to recuse themselves, for some reason.”
“That’s true about the recusals,” Solomon called out helpfully.
Nadia glared at him. This was entirely unbelievable.
He blanched. “I didn’t know any of this, I assure you.”
Nadia sought out Caidrik, who stood still, looking stunned. Yeah. That’s how she felt. Maybe being the Alphas of this crazy pack wasn’t such a great idea.
Gail finished reading and shut the book.
“Well?” Taryn called out from next to Solomon.
Gail exhaled. “There’s nothing in there that helps. Nadia is disqualified as the trophy, and if she and Caidrik mated, so is he.” She clapped her hands over her eyes. “The Slate Pack rules are pretty clear.”
Disappointment flashed through Nadia. Was Solomon strong enough to protect the pack? Maybe Taryn could be. Wait a minute. That wasn’t good enough. Not even close. She gulped and stood, taking a chance. “I guess there’s only one solution.”
Solomon stood taller. “Yes?”
“I abdicate from the Slate Pack.” Nadia said the words clearly.
Bussy looked up at her and then stood. “What are you doing?” she whispered loudly.
Nadia looked toward Caidrik. “I’m thinking you should start your own pack.”
Margaret bounded up. “Totally agree. I abdicate from the Slate Pack and request to join Caidrik’s pack.”
Gail held the grimoire against her chest. “Me, too.”
All around Nadia, pack members stood tall, leaving the Slate Pack, until every single one had joined Caidrik’s. Well, except for Solomon and Taryn. Caidrik watched the pack members, looking a little bemused.
Bussy clapped her hands together.
Caidrik’s jaw went slack and then tightened.
Solomon shook his head. “The holdings all belong to the Slate Pack.”
“We’re rich,” Taryn yelled.
Nadia sorted through what she’d read in the grimoire. “No, you’re not.” She tried to remember the language. “If more than half of the pack tries to re-organize, the holdings go with them.” She had wondered how that could ever happen.
“That’s true,” Solomon winced, kicking at a piece of ice. He looked down at Taryn. “I really like you. I guess we could abdicate and join Caidrik’s pack.”
