Chapter 124-2 'Yeah, I just... Twenty-five,' he answered. Sometimes I forgot the Ocean Shore pack wasn't just Finlay's brother's pack. It was the pack Finlay had grown up in and had thought he would spend his life in. It was the pack his family had protected and ruled over for generations. I couldn't imagine how hurt he must feel knowing the state of it now. I took his hand and put both of my hands around it, keeping it secure. I leaned in and put my head on his shoulder. 'Are you tired?' he asked. Always worrying about me.
'No, I'm just giving you ssocial cuddling that is appropriate for the occasion,' I told him.
"Alpha Ryan, you say you would prefer your brother to challenge your" a woman on the council asked.
"Yes," he confirmed.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Is that your way of telling us you wish to step down from your Alpha position?" she followed up.
"What? No! Why would you assthat?" Alpha Ryan asked.
"Because a year ago you met your brother in a one to one combat and you lost. That was when you had marked and mated your true mate and was in your prwhile your brother had no Luna. Now he has his Luna and is expecting a pup while you have declined in strength. Do you see such a challenge ending in any other way than his victory?" "You don't know... That is not... You are twisting the truth!" Alpha Ryan said, sounding taken off guard.
"Now, now. We are all adults. Let's keep this civilised," the head of the council reminded everyone. It wasn't hard to see things weren't going Alpha Ryan's way, and it confused him. "I think we will break here. Let's have lunch and then we will hear Alpha Ryan's defence for Alpha Jonas' accusation, have the Alpha vote and the council's verdict," the head of the council said.
"No need. I have the sdefence for those accusations," Alpha Ryan said.
"Are you sure? It would be wise to take the lunch break to think it through." "I'm sure," Ryan insisted, and I sighed. He was an idiot.
"Well, does anyone have a question for Alpha Ryan?" the head of the council asked. No one spoke. "Okay, do you want to take the lunch break to think about how to vote?" "I think we are ready," an Alpha said and there was an agreeing murmur.
"Nothing ever goes to plan when you are dealing with Alphas," the head of the council murmured. "Okay. Alphas, those of you who agree with Alpha Jonas that Alpha Ryan should be stripped of his title please raise your hand now," he then said. I could see Finlay, Lars and James all raise their hands, I looked back and saw a sea of hands. There was no questioning the outcome. I kissed Finlay's cheek. "Thank you. And could those of you who don't agree with Alpha jonas raise your hand now." I looked back again and saw a few hands sticking up. It took a moment but then the head of the council stood up. "The voting has concluded. 132 agree with Alpha Jonas, 12 are against him and 3 stand mute," he told everyone. He stepped around the table and walked up to Finlay's brother. "Ryan Cadwick, you no longer hold the title Alpha. You no longer may lead a pack. You no longer have the right to attend this meeting. A short extension will be given so you can join us after lunch to hear the council's verdict," he told Finlay's brother.
"Now. Let's break for lunch." For lunch James, Elder, Jonas and Beatrice joined us again. The mood was a kind of shocked silence. We had all hoped for this outcome, but it was still overwhelming to see an Alpha being stripped from his rank.
"I didn't think it would be that easy, Alpha Jonas finally said.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"After listening to those horrific testimonies yesterday, the worst possible defence had to be; I can do what I want and you should mind your own business," Elder said. Then he looked at Finlay. "Sorry," he added.
1/2 Chapter 124-2 "No need. It was a terrible defence for a terrible crime," Finlay said kissed his cheek. Sof his colour had returned and 1 took it as a good sign.
"I didn't realise stripping him of his rank would get him banned from the meeting as well. Silly of me, but i didn't connect the dots," I told them.
"I think it's a good thing. It will give him tto run away and lick his wounds," James said. We all agreed and finished our lunch. No one wanted to be late for the council's verdict. I wished could sit on Finlays lap and keep sof my dignity, but that wasn't an option so I sat in my own seat. Finlay put his arm aroundand I took his other hand between mine. The council walked in and got settled. Finlay's brother stood where he had stood before they went for lunch. He looked smaller and more fragile than he had before. The head of the council stood up.
"I would like to say this was a hard decision, that we struggled with it and its consequences. Revoking a pack's right to be a pack is not something which should be taken lightly. But this decision was easy. We, the council, find enough proof andom and credence in the evidence presented by Alpha Xars, and in Alpha Ryan's answers, to disband the Ocean Shore pack. From today, no pack shall use that name. The pack land will be sold by the council and the profits will be split equally amongst the wolves of legal age who were members when it ceased to exist. The members will not be turned rogue, this is of no fault of theirs. They will be considered lone wolves and are free to seek homes in other packs or to roam free. This is the council's decision. It is final, and it is in effect immediately," he declared. There was silence. Ryder seemed to sink in on himself. "As this was the final matter for the day, we will end it here. We all could need stto decompress and grasp what has happened," the head of the council told us. We all nodded and stood up. Chapter Comments Visitor This book is so good and I for one can't wait to see where the story goes from here mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1