The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

“Ivan Volkov,” I said. “I only changed my name because Brenda wanted her family name to continue, and she was the mantled one. It’s time for a change, wouldn’t you say?”

He made a note. “Where were you tonight?”

“I was drinking with the Betas in the rec room until I got called for the Scratch ‘n Sniff, then I was waiting in line there until the arrest,” I said. I gave him the names of people I had partied with.

“How would you describe your relationship with Luna Brenda?”

I laughed. “Our relationship ended when Brenda went after my daughter,” I said. “She found out that I’d slept with a human, and that resulted in a pregnancy. Brenda rejected me, and I left the Pack. She offered money to Alpha Todd Miller of Welch to kill Vicki, an attack that injured her, her mother, and my brother. I went back to Marengo to kill her, but Mediator McInnis and Chairman Wolfe were waiting. They hammered out an agreement; I would stay on as her Alpha Protector, and she wouldn’t do anything to harm my daughter.”

“Did the agreement extend to anyone else?”

“No. I should have insisted on it being broader, I guess. Brenda’s dead now, so it doesn’t matter.”

He tapped the paper. “Brenda’s death leaves you as Alpha of Marengo,” he said.

“I know. I thought about refusing it, but our children deserve a chance to inherit the Pack, mantled or not. I suppose it doesn’t matter now.”

“Were you part of any discussions between Luna Brenda and Alpha Mark of Stillwater Pack?”

Lawrence caught my eye; I was to answer the question and ONLY the question. “No. Brenda didn’t trust me after I returned. I had my own house on Pack land, I had no Alpha authority, and she did not seek my counsel. I was a bodyguard and a threat to those who might challenge her, and that’s all.”

“How did she feel about your brother?”

I laughed. “Brenda hated Leo with a passion. He claimed Vicki as his heir, stopping her from killing the girl so the mantle would return to HER heirs. I know she put a claim in on Vicki with the Council; although she would not break the blood oath she made, I figured someone else would do the job for her. You know, a ‘Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest,’ Rasputin-like moment. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Vicki is my firstborn child, and I would gladly sacrifice my life to keep her safe.”

“Would she act against Leo directly?”

I laughed. “Brenda is a coward; she wouldn’t dirty her manicured nails with that. It’s easier to pay someone.”

The interrogator closed his pad. “Return the prisoner to his room,” he told the guards. “You will remain in the cells while we verify the information and complete the investigation.” With that, I was unhooked from the chair and taken back to my room.

I laid back on the mattress pad, more confused than ever. What had Brenda done before she died?

**************

Alpha Anthony McInnis’ POVNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I woke early, the sleep inadequate to prepare me for the day. It didn’t matter; the Summit schedule was full, with Alpha mandatory meetings starting after breakfast. I had a heads up on the changes coming, but I couldn’t say anything about them.

It was going to rock the conference when the word got out.

I came back from a shower and kissed Pamela, shaking her to wake her up. “We should get to breakfast early so we can get a good seat,” I told her.

“Ugh… my eyeballs hurt,” Pamela said. “Why did you let me drink so much?”

“I tried to warn you. Never drink with people who are trying to drown out their pain,” I said. It hadn’t been a very successful mating gathering; only four couples emerged. The rest partied most of the night. I handed her a glass of water and some painkillers. “Hydrate, it will help.” She drank it down, then went to take her shower. I dressed and checked my phone for messages. As expected, there were a lot of texts about Leo’s death and asking about my Mom’s health. My idea worked perfectly in establishing Brenda’s guilt, but at a high cost. If it was me in charge, I would have told everyone Leo was alive as soon as Brenda and Mark were dead; at the latest, when their Betas and mates were in custody.

I couldn’t answer much, but I did tell them Luna Adrienne was doing as well as could be expected. My next call was to Olivia’s mate, Brent Lawrence. I could hear his fatigue, and knew he’d barely slept, if at all. “Brent, it’s Anthony McInnis.”

“Hey, Alpha. How is our Luna doing?”

“She’s dealing with it. I’ll have her call when she’s able.” That wasn’t a lie. “How is the Pack handling it?”

“We’re devastated, of course. It’s been a rough time.”

“It will get better.” He grunted, not willing to go there yet. “Have you heard from Olivia, Mike, or Anita?”

“No… aren’t they with you? I got a bunch of photos from the aquarium yesterday.”

“They were driving back here with their security escort when they heard about Leo. With the whole mantle thing, it spooked them. They ditched their escort and disappeared.”

“Fuck,” he said. “You don’t know where they are?”

“Nope. I’ve tried texting them, but they don’t respond, and their phones go right to voice mail.”

“I’ll try again. Call me back in five.” When I did, he wasn’t happy. “I go right to voicemail as well. I got on her computer and used the ‘find your iPhone’ app. They are east of Atlanta. I’ll text you what it’s showing me.”

The pic came through; it was on Panola Road, a few blocks south of the exit. I texted Luna Carolyn, asking where they were stranded. “PANOLA ROAD MCDONALDS OFF I-20,” she texted back.

“They tossed the phones so we couldn’t track them,” I told Brent.

He let out a breath. “Liv will find a safe place before she contacts me. Mike and Anita will keep them safe.”

“I’ll do what I can from down here. Do me a favor? Let me know if they contact you? I just need to know they are all right, and I know Mom will be worried.”

“I will. Take care of your Mom, Anthony. I know she hasn’t been here long, but we all love her. If you need to take her home to help her get over this, just do it.”

“I will. Thanks, Brent.” I hung up as Pamela came out of the bathroom, ready to go. We went down to breakfast, which was a lively affair. The rumors were flying about the Stillwater and Marengo Lake Packs; no one had seen any of the Pack members since about ten last night. Some of the Betas said Security guys pulled John Petersen out of line, and he didn’t come back.

The room went silent as Chairman Sanders walked to the front. “There are a few changes to today’s schedule. In twenty minutes, all Alphas and Lunas are to be in the conference hall. Betas and other staff not on duty are to be here in the dining hall, where the proceedings will be on closed-circuit television. We have a lot to get to, so be on time. Enjoy your breakfast.”

I could see people react, Alphas and Lunas moved to get their food while others stood back, knowing they could eat during the broadcast. “I wonder what they are going to say,” Alpha Doug Winters said as they sat down at our table. We’d become friends with the Winona Pack Alphas during our visit to Miesville.

“I hope they find Leo not guilty,” Luna Jennie said. “He deserves to be sent off as an Alpha, not a criminal.”

“I have a good feeling about the trial,” I said. “Adrienne’s fate is still with the jury.”

“How is she? I can’t imagine losing a mate once, and this is her second,” Jennie continued.

“Coping,” I said. We finished our food and went to wash up before going into the room. The other Alphas had left us our seats behind the defense table, knowing the trial was coming to a close. I shook Beta Fenwick’s hand as he waited, thanking him for his spirited defense.

The room filled as the hour approached. The door to the kitchen opened, and a shackled Luna Adrienne shuffled to the table. As soon as the guards had the shackles off, the bailiff called for us to rise. The jury returned with the Council, and the Chairman gaveled the hearing to order. He wasn’t wasting time. “Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?”

“We have, Mr. Chairman.”

The bailiff took it, and the Council members read it. “In the matter of Leo and Adrienne Volkov, do you uphold the rogue status declaration or unanimously declare them to be Alphas worthy of Council recognition?”

“We find them Alphas worthy of Council recognition, Mr. Chairman.”

The room erupted in cheers, quickly silenced as the Chairman banged his gavel. I pulled Pamela close and kissed her. “The Council thanks the jury for its service. Please remain in your seats. Guards, remove the silver from the defendant.” The guards brought the device up and removed her collar.

“Congratulations, Mom,” I told her family link that I could now establish.

“I’m so proud of you two,” she told us as she sat at the table again.

“Bring in the defendant,” the Chairman said. The door to the kitchen opened again, and a shocked hush fell over the room as Alpha Leo walked in.

“You’re dead,” someone in the back yelled. Leo didn’t respond. He kept his head high as he walked over to the table. Taking his place next to his mate, Leo kissed her before turning back to the front. The room exploded with people talking and yelling.