Noting how everyone skipped the most important detail from the attack, Imogene questioned, “Has anything been found about why Letty and Tyler weren’t able to transform during the attack? Or heard of any similar incidents around the same time?”
Only Micah’s squeeze to her hand and the rush of whispering going through the crowd of wolves seated in front of the stage made her realize that information hadn’t been made public knowledge. She risked a glance toward the other alphas, noting Scott’s clenched jaw and Melanie’s narrowed eyes that were focused on her. There was no way to take the words back so she sought out Landon’s eyes instead of her fellow judgmental alphas.
Unlike those whispering amongst themselves, including Alexis who’d leaned over to speak to Riley, his eyes were fixed on her, and he lifted a single eyebrow in silent question, though she responded with a small shake of her head.
“Silence!” Scott’s shout silenced the majority of the wolves with the others following suit as he continued, “For now, we are considering it a stress reaction and looking into other possible explanations. We don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”
Imogene’s mouth started to open except Tyler beat her to it as he stood and demanded, “Stress? I’ve had my wolf active for half my life, and I’ve gone through some insanely stressful situations which have never stopped me from turning before. Hell, Letty’s got at least six years of experience so that’s a terrible cop-out.”
Scott’s eyes flashed an intense yellow, though a silent conversation and gesture from Melanie had Tyler settling back down. He didn’t look pleased at the lack of attention to his question, but Micah’s voice interrupted to say, “I’m not sure I’d agree with it being nothing to worry about. It’s rare that anything has the same effect on purebreds as turneds so I think whatever caused that mishap should be considered dangerous rather than dismissed outright.”
The conversation went in circles from there with no consensus reached before Charlie went over the new security measures at Bordertown to a more rapt audience. All staff were being escorted to and from vehicles by security which had doubled, two in human form and two in wolf form, plus the cameras added throughout to ensure nothing was missed. His eyes did a less than subtle flick toward where Paul sat at the mention of cameras covering the entire bar then turned things back over to Scott.
As Scott began to rehash his version of what happened at Bordertown several nights earlier, Imogene let her mind drift and her eyes, too. Only a glance showed the majority of their people were restless and Letty’s sunglasses plus her propped position against the wolf on her left said she’d likely drifted off. More than one pair of Langford eyes were cast downward, likely on phones, though she noticed Paul focused straight ahead, arms folded and jaw clenched.
In contrast, the Millers seemed almost relaxed, perhaps even a little bored, and none seemed interested in the long-winded speech being delivered.
Only a tug from Micah on one of her curls brought attention back to him, inclining her head, slightly toward him. “Didn’t you say you were at Bordertown that night?”
“I did,” she replied, softly, not wanting her voice to carry beyond them. “I was sitting with Riley to keep an eye on Letty, and I stayed for a couple hours, long enough to say none of the blood Millers left prior to Paul’s arrival.”
“What about the . . . other one?” Micah’s eyes were glued to Scott as he talked then added, “The one who isn’t a wolf.”
The roundabout way he described Matthew tempted her to laugh except the concern in his tone had her tuning back into Scott’s grandstanding. “Surely, you can understand the passion of youth when hard work is ruined for nothing more than sport,” he continued, though his eyes narrowed at what sounded suspiciously like a snort from the Miller side at his mention of hard work. “It is understandable that Paul would be angry, but I agree that he acted in haste and put the balance between the packs at risk. However, he says that he has proof of his claims that the destruction of the work site was caused by someone with ties to Miller.”
Remembering his comment about the shirts, Imogene leaned over to whisper, “I don’t think Matthew’s been to Bordertown during open hours in years, not since what happened with Tyler, but Paul’s ingenious proof is the so-called arsonists had on shirts advertising the bar.”
Micah’s eyes shifted to focus on her. “That’s it? I wouldn’t set foot in that disgusting place, but I own one of the shirts in support,” he replied, shifting his gaze back to where Paul had stood and moved to join them on stage. “Not nearly enough wolves have their own businesses so I say kudos to Charlie Miller for his sustainability alone.”
Constance’s glare ended their conversation, and Imogene directed her attention to focus on Paul who held something lumpy covered in a dark cloth. He whipped the cloth off with a dramatic motion that would have made a magician proud except the twisted and blackened shape within led only to confused silence on all sides. Only Micah’s standing prompted her to go with him, moving closer along with the others on stage to investigate the shape.
“This is the remains of the bomb that was found to be the cause of the explosion at our site over on Mulberry Street,” Paul explained as she studied it. Her eyes were allowed to shift into that of her wolf to better study the minute details of the twisted, blackened shape in his hands. “If you recall, a similar bomb was built and used several years back to demolish and rebuild the cabins closest to the Miller house. I believe it’s creator was Matthew King who hasn’t made any secret of his dislike for any and all things wolves in recent years.”
“Is that a formal accusation?” Melanie’s words were practically a growl as she glanced over to meet his gaze.
“You’re damn right it is,” he replied, thrusting the blackened lump of metal and plastic toward her face. “And I demand that Matthew King be summoned to face the tribunal tonight.”
Chapter Nineteen
In the aftermath of Paul’s accusation and the temporary recess called while Matthew was contacted, Landon let himself be pulled aside with his brothers. Only a glance at Charlie’s face confirmed the accusation held more weight than any of them wanted, though he kept his voice quiet as he questioned, “What are the odds Matthew can prove he wasn’t anywhere near whichever building got destroyed and Paul will just drop it?”
“About the same odds he starts talking to me again,” Tyler mumbled, eyes straying toward where Alexis stood chewing on her nails with Riley at her side. “Even if he proves he wasn’t there, the argument would be that he built it and gave it to someone else.”
Charlie’s frown deepened at those words. “He had the twins that weekend so if he went somewhere public with them, we can use that as proof, but Tyler’s right about the secondary argument,” he admitted then fell silent at their mother’s approach. “Did he answer?”
She nodded, though he could tell by her frown that the conversation hadn’t gone well. It was apparently a rare day that Matthew set foot on pack land without it being for family dinner or related to Charlie, the twins, or one of the sisters so the idea of a summons would likely rub him the wrong way.
“If they search his house, how incriminating would it be?” Her words were directed to Charlie who rubbed the back of his neck and looked pained.
Narrowing his eyes at those words, wondering what exactly Matthew got up to warranted that reaction, Landon started to ask except Charlie beat him to it. “I haven’t seen his workshop in months so I wouldn’t know, but he’s not dumb,” he admitted, glancing toward the other groups of wolves. “Did you tell him why he’s being summoned?”
His mother hesitated then shook her head. “I just said I needed him for something family related which isn’t a lie.”
Landon barely kept his eyes from rolling at those manipulative words, but instead of giving into the urge, he turned away from their small group. He made his way over to Alexis then touched a hand to her back and questioned, “You okay, Alexis?”
“No, I’m
not,” she said, lifting her head to let him see her eyes had gone fully wolf. Her jaws were slightly distended with the push from her more canine teeth. “That asshole is accusing my brother of crimes he wouldn’t commit because he’s a petty, power-hungry, mangy excuse for a wolf.”
Riley cringed and squeezed her hand. “Deep breath, Lex.”
Much as he wanted to agree with her, he couldn’t help remembering Matthew’s words from their conversation at the house. He wasn’t about to share his doubts with them, especially given Alexis’ struggle to control her wolf in the current circumstances. Instead of offering empty words or a lie, he kept up rubbing his hand along her back while Riley continued to guide her through deep breathing exercises and his brothers remained on the outskirts with their mother.
It felt like an eternity before the rare scent of a human alerted them to Matthew’s presence, though he made a beeline for their mother without even a glance to the others present. His arrival had the twins abandoning conversations with members of other packs to return to their side yet Landon noticed no one else approached the small huddle of his brothers and mother. Even Alexis seemed to brace herself against rushing to her brother’s side, but he felt no such urge and moved over to join them.
“---ullshit, and you know it, Mel.” Matthew’s words were low and angry as he continued, “I don’t give two shits about what happens in werewolf territory unless it directly threatens Alexis or any of you. I told you that years ago.”
“I know, honey,” his mother said with uncharacteristic patience, resting a hand on his arm. “But they’re being thorough on account of the attack at Bordertown. Can you just answer the questions honestly then we can all go home?”
The familiar look said Matthew wanted to argue, though the sound of Scott’s voice had him grinding his teeth before grumbling, “Fine, but I hate this, and you owe me two peach cobblers.”
“Deal.”
In any other situation, Landon would have found the bribery with his favorite dessert funny, but the grim expression Charlie wore as he headed back for the stage with their mother and Matthew made him nervous. He sat down beside Alexis who gripped Riley’s hand while Tyler placed himself on the other side of the twins and the rest of the gathered wolves began to return to their seats as well.
Only once everyone got seated again and Matthew stood at center stage did the tribunal resume with Scott leading, interrupted occasionally by his mother. Rather than focusing on the vocal members, his gaze drifted to where Imogene sat at Micah’s side, head tilted toward the older wolf as if listening for something; however, she caught his look and offered a small smile then gave her attention back to the show just as Scott finished presenting the accusations and Paul the proof.
“Can you refute these allegations, Matthew?” his mother questioned, eyes locked on his stiff, defiant posture. “I have confirmed the make is similar to the ones used for the cabins.”
“Not similar, identical,” Paul interrupted then fell silent at a look from Scott.
“If you check with Flashback’s staff, I was there with Elliot and Eliana from about five until they closed at ten,” he said, arms folded across his chest and glare leveled on the row of alphas. “After that, we went back to my house, and I didn’t leave again until heading to Mel’s on Sunday for family dinner. My cameras will confirm there’s barely fifteen minutes between leaving Flashback and getting home which isn’t enough time to build and deliver a bomb. Are we done here?”
Landon bit his lip to avoid laughing at the scathing tone that few others would dare use against the alphas. While his mother wore her disapproving frown, a corner of Charlie’s lips lifted in a smirk, likely at how little his old friend changed in the face of angry wolves. Scott and Constance’s expressions were much less entertained by the attitude.
In contrast, Micah wore a thoughtful frown as his head bent toward Imogene’s.
“You could have built and delivered it before they arrived to cover yours tracks.” Scott’s words were an accusation before he added, “It seems a little convenient that you have so many time-stamped sources available.”
Matthew cut a glare to him. “You do know it’s relatively simple to Google the exact bomb I built if you don’t mind ending up watchlists, right? I’m not some rare expert, and as to time-stamping, I’ve had security cameras for over three years plus the twins and I go to Flashback on the second Saturday of every month. Ask anyone.”
Surprisingly one of the younger Langford wolves interjected with, “I can confirm his repeat visits to Flashback since I work there on Saturdays.”
Unsurprisingly, the words earned a glare from Scott and Paul, but the girl didn’t seem the least bit bothered despite adding a, “Sir.”
An uneasy silence hung before Scott said, “I want to believe you, Matthew, but I think the tribunal would feel better if we could do a search of your property as well as retrieving the security footage.” Matthew’s clenched jaw said exactly how he felt about that. “You would, of course, be sequestered at the Miller home until we have completed it.”
Landon held his breath as he waited for the argument, though a subtle movement in peripheral vision brought his attention to Charlie. His brother’s eyes were locked with Matthew’s and an entire conversation seemed to be passing between them without words, though finally Matthew said, “Fine, but I request a member from each pack participate in the search to ensure its authenticity.” He sent a pointed look to Paul as he said the last two words. “I’ll also expect a formal apology when you find nothing.”
The breath Landon had been holding rushed out as Alexis’ fingers latched onto his and squeezed, turning her knuckles white from pressure. Matthew’s belligerence to the alphas likely caused it and his mother’s glare, but she simply stated, “Agreed.”
Micah’s echo of the agreement followed a minute later, though Scott still hesitated then said, “Agreed, and Paul will be the Langford representative for the search.”
“And I am exactly zero percent surprised,” Tyler grumbled from further down the bench with a scowl. “If he can’t plant something, he’ll make it up.”
“Imogene will be the Durand representative,” Micah said, gesturing for her to stand. “And who will be the Miller representative, Melanie?”
His mother didn’t hesitate before stating, “Landon will be our representative. I will also permit two wolves from each pack to accompany us to the main house to ensure Matthew goes nowhere, but they will remain outside.”
While the last words were heard, he remained fixated on the fact that his mother had just asked him to investigate Matthew alongside Paul and Imogene. What the hell was she thinking?
Chapter Twenty
Almost an hour after the tribunal had concluded, Landon stepped into the house where he’d visited Matthew several weeks earlier and held the door for Imogene and Paul to follow. Only a brief conversation had been had with his family before they went to follow through on sequestering a still annoyed Matthew, but he now knew his mother’s reasoning behind sending him. He had the least amount of bias after his lengthy absence while still ensuring the representative was a family member because, despite all her claims of faith in Matthew, she wanted to ensure nothing incriminating was found.
“We go one room at a time and no one enters any room alone,” Imogene said, directing the words and a pointed glare at Paul. “We also don’t destroy anything.”
“So you think he’d just keep weapons out in the open where they can be easily spotted?” Paul’s question was abruptly answered with a point toward the large crossbow mounted on the wall between kitchen and living room. “Well, that’s . . . um . . .”
“Matthew isn’t really the hiding type,” Landon informed him as he began the meticulous process of searching the room. Every drawer and door was pulled open to check within and underneath the couch plus the computer desk with multiple monitors, though nothing incriminating appeared. “Next room?”
Following Imogene into the kitchen, he beg
an with the highest row of cabinets while she searched out the lower ones, leaving Paul to examine the small pantry whose door stood ajar. Only plastic plates and cups met his exploration, but he kept it up until reaching the small cabinet above the fridge that ended up containing random cleaning supplies. In stepping back, he knocked several things off, though he bent quickly to retrieve the pictures then found himself caught up in staring at Elliot and Eliana in stages that he’d missed, braces and color in Elliot’s wardrobe, zits and a ballerina phase for Eliana.
“He really hated those braces,” Imogene said, quietly as she lingered at his shoulder. “Have you ever seen what happens to braces in wolf form? Charlie had to replace them after every full moon, and the dentist wasn’t in the know so he stayed confused on why they were completely mangled.”
The thought of the dentist’s confusion and his brother’s inability to explain without revealing their secrets made him laugh, quietly, even as he wished he hadn’t missed it. A thumb brushed over the picture before he admitted, “Part of me is glad Matthew was there and the other part is angry he’s in on all that I missed. Does that make me a terrible person, Immy?”
“No, it just means you’re going to have to try harder to create new memories.”
The pictures were plucked from his hand and returned to the fridge, shifting magnets to hold them in place before she went to double-check the pantry with Paul. Unsurprisingly, it was empty of anything beyond canned and boxed food shoved haphazardly onto the shelves filling the space.
Paul’s annoyance only grew as they searched through the bathroom then the twins’ rooms without finding anything incriminating. As he searched the rooms, Landon tried to gather new information about his niece and nephew to help better connect, though the discovery of a stuffed wolf with a bow that he’d given Eliana as a child tucked under her bed gave him hope it wasn’t too late. He tucked it back into its hiding place then pushed himself up and left, leaving the room in the chaotic mess it had been when they’d entered.
Rule of Claw: Wolves of Worsham #1 Page 11