“She might have believed there would be some kind of reprisal on her for sharing the secret even then. Who knows?” Orion looked just as confused as Giselle about the whole thing.
“She’s not a nice lady, if you ask me.”
“She’s family,” Orion cautioned. “Beyond that, she’s pack.”
Was he actually defending her? Giselle took a moment to try to process what she was hearing. “You’ll have to excuse me for not understanding. I did not grow up with wolves.”
“There is a lot that has been kept from us both, I fear. And that is something we’ll address. I need to speak with Vivian myself.”
“She’s here at the trials, with her oldest son Ace scheduled to fight.”
Shock or fear or maybe both crossed Orion’s face upon hearing those words. “When are these trials?” he asked.
“Now. My whole adoptive pack is there, overseeing them with the rest of the Alpha Council.
“Then you will take me there... now,” Orion demanded.
Chapter 37
“You can’t go!” Giselle protested. Just one look at him was reason enough. “What did you just say was lesson one? These trials are being presided over by the Council of Alphas.”
“Which is exactly why I must be there. I am by rights still the Alpha.”
“Okay, not to be disrespectful and all, but you don’t look it. And you could barely get up. How are you going to go before all those wolves like that?” Giselle hoped he’d listen to her. She had just gotten her father back. If something happened to him now, she’d never forgive herself.
“Your worry is endearing. But I owe it to my people, as well as you, to do this. Do you know how many foolish deaths come from trials such as these?” Orion asked. “And another of my family is about to be put into the fray... no! I cannot stand for this.”
“But you’ve been a vegetable for seventeen years. Surely you...” Giselle’s words trailed off as she watched her father rise without hesitation.
She herself felt the strain of muscles as if she were the one fighting to stand, though she hadn’t gotten up from her seat.
Only the slightest hint of strain showed on Orion’s face as he rose proudly to his full height.
The moment passed, and the pain in Giselle’s muscles subsided.
“I have woken from a long rest. My wolf and I have shirked our duty for too long. It’s time I put things right and ensured the safety of my pack.”
Being on the other side of that stubborn streak gave Giselle a new perspective on what it must be like for others to deal with her. When she got a bug up her ass to get something done, there was no stopping her, and understanding this about herself confirmed that her protests would have no effect on Orion.
But still she had to try. “Please don’t. Let it go. We’re a family: you, me, and Cassandra. Don’t risk that by trying to stop these trials.”
Orion bent down and caressed Giselle’s face. “We are a family. We will always be a family. But the pack needs leadership. More than just my life is at stake.”
It was like the years of him sleeping through things had not mattered. Or maybe he still hadn’t grasped the amount of time he’d been gone from the world and its politics. “Others are volunteering to fight for Alpha.” Giselle hoped reason might sink in where her pleading had not. “They’re risking their lives knowing what’s at stake.”
“The battle for Alpha is supposed to be one of dignity and courage. I have no doubt the wolves who volunteer are hoping to show that. However, trial by combat is only a last resort, when an appropriate heir is not found.”
“That’s what they said when I was brought up before the Council.”
“Both you and Ace should have been worthy candidates. Why, then, were both of you passed over?”
“Ace was a second son. And he’s fighting for his right to the title. I was allowed a champion, but I declined.”
“Neither of you should have been.” Orion growled with frustration. “By rights you are my heir, and Ace is David’s. There was no need for a third option unless... Ace is not worthy?”
“Ace is!” Giselle hadn’t known him long enough to have full faith in that statement, but what she’d seen of him was more than admirable. And she had wanted him to have the position, too. At least then it would stay in the family.
“Then there was no need for a spectacle like this.” Orion’s wolf peeked out from behind his eyes, filled with anger but not aimed at her.
Giselle remembered how Jay had tried to warn her. How friendly Brady had been. Both of them acting, at least to her, unusual. Both of them sticking close to her but not enough to make it seem out of sorts. Were they protecting her?
“You think the fights are rigged?” She hadn’t reasoned why but maybe they knew more than they were letting on. Jay had specifically told her to stay as far away as possible.
“I wouldn’t’ put it past some of the Alphas.”
“But why? We’re fighting for our territory, not theirs.” Giselle hadn’t put the puzzle pieces together, but in her mind a hazy picture was beginning to form.
“Territories were formed through alliances and wars. If, for example a weak Alpha was installed, they might be pressured to alter borders of their territories.” Orion slowly hobbled over to the dresser and selected some suitable clothing. To a bystander, he might have looked as if he were tired and had just woken up. But Giselle knew he was re-learning how to move and use his body after so long. Her body ached, too, echoing his pain. The residual effects of the magic had left her feeling as if she were the one whose muscles had atrophied and then been forced back into service.
“I would hate to think my fellow Regional Alphas have any influence on the outcome of the trials, but if so, it is my duty to be present and claim my right as Alpha.” Orion’s determination got him moving as if he were unaffected. If not for the warning bells going off, she’d be so impressed with the man she called father.
“If they are rigged, then all the more reason to stay away.” Giselle sighed, wishing she had something better to say.
Orion turned around with surprising quickness and asked, “You’d let others die?”
She almost said yes, but stopped herself just in time, realizing how horrible it sounded. Yes, they’d all volunteered to fight for the title of Alpha, but assuming a fair fight. The alternative was just lambs to the slaughter.
“But what can you do? Show up, and then they’ll stop the trials?” she asked.
Orion’s shoulders slumped and he let out a long breath. “That would be ideal. But in case that doesn’t happen, I’m prepared to fight the current leader.”
That was exactly what she did not want to hear. Especially in his current state. He might be a great leader, but the man who stood in front of her needed time to heal from what had been done to him. Maybe in a month he’d have regained his strength and speed, but not tonight.
“And if you lose? What then? Goodbye, Father... again.” Giselle hadn’t meant to sound so selfish, but at the heart of her she felt it so strongly. She’d lose her father as well as possibly herself, since their connection was still new and untested, and she wasn’t completely certain how closely their souls were intertwined.
“Have more faith in me, child,” Orion said, stretching as if he were preparing to fight that very moment. He winced ever so slightly as he pulled his muscles tight. Clearly he was a man of determination, but that alone could not guarantee success.
Giselle again felt her own muscles tingling. Not aching as much as they were earlier, but still, there was some slight discomfort to the sensation. “I’m going with you, then.” Giselle resigned herself to the possibility of defeat, and if that were the case, she’d at least be there with him in his last moments.
“Of course. Especially since I have no clue where I’m going.” Orion carried himself with confidence, but below the surface Giselle could see the weakness he hid. And now that they were linked, she felt it.
Giselle sighed a
nd walked to the door. “We’ll stop for some food and painkillers first, okay?”
“Good plan.” Orion followed behind her, and each step he took echoed in Giselle’s muscles.
Chapter 38
This was the worst idea ever, Giselle mumbled to herself the entire trip into the desert. After getting some food and raiding her adoptive parents’ medicine cabinet for the strongest painkillers she could find, Giselle could stall him no longer, and Orion demanded they head out.
If she’d been a smarter wolf, she’d have driven them straight down the 15 freeway and kept on going until they reached the ocean. At least then they’d have been far away from the battles taking place. But unable to defy her father’s wishes, she turned down the unlit dirt road that led to the arena and the rest of the wolves.
Giselle pulled the car to the end of the road and stopped. “Good luck,” she offered solemnly, and exited the car followed by Orion.
She still felt a tug on her muscles as he moved, but the pain had since subsided, so either the painkillers were working or he was regaining his own strength. Either option had her wondering what the future held for them, especially with the uncertainty of this night.
She took a sobering breath and led Orion toward the arena they’d erected earlier in the week.
Screams and cheers preceded their approach, as well as the scent of freshly spilled blood.
Giselle’s wolf awoke with agitation as the scent clung in her nose. Danger. Death. Each step was leading them closer to their doom, for sure. Her wolf clawed just below the surface, begging to come out in her defense.
If Orion was bothered by it, he gave no indication. His steps quickened, nearly surpassing Giselle’s as they hit the edge of the awaiting crowd.
Eyes settled on them, and murmurs of recognition began to replace the cheers for those still fighting in the arena.
Orion overtook her and led the way into the center, yelling at the top of his lungs, “This trial is over!”
Silence fell on the crowd.
Giselle caught up to Orion and instinctively reached for his hand.
Vivian stood from her spot in the seats nearest the bar. “How is this possible? Orion?” Fear was etched across her face as her voice trembled from the shock of seeing him awake. “You’ve been....” She choked on the words, and Orion filled the silence with his.
“Vivian, wonderful. You have positively identified me as Orion Silverman.” Owning the crowd with his presence and the power of his voice, Orion’s eyes found their target at a collection of seats filled with well-dressed wolves: the Council of Alphas. “I am the Alpha of the Pacific region, returned to claim my position.”
None of them looked happy to see him.
Giselle watched he faces of others with rapt attention as they took in the sight of their once-proud Alpha.
“You were Alpha once.” Misha stood from where she’d been sitting. Neither fear nor joy filled her face as she stared back at Orion. “You’ve been away for too long.”
Orion met her stare as if it were a challenge. “And now I have returned.”
Misha chuckled and let her gaze fall on the Council members around her, but her words were still directed at him. “You left your pack. Your people. All for what? A witch.”
Murmurs both of outrage and acceptance caught in Giselle’s ear. It seemed that more than a few people felt angrier that he left the pack than they did about why. She filed that note away under remember later.
Charles Marsden of the Rufus Reds stood and gave a respectful nod to Orion before speaking. “You’ll have to excuse us if we do not readily jump to the claim of someone who abandoned their pack for another creature.”
“Is that what we’re calling the witches these days? I’ve always known them to be our allies,” Orion shot back at him, keeping his tone loud enough for all to hear without sounding as if he were shouting.
“Allies, of course. Always our allies, as are many other of the supernatural races – but we do not breed with them.” Charles’s smiled turned wicked as his eyes moved from Orion to Giselle.
Before Giselle could even open her mouth, Orion squeezed her hand as if he knew she’d be unable to hold back.
“It is you, then, who denied my daughter’s claim?” Orion asked Charles.
“She was given opportunity to be included in these trials,” he responded.
“There was no need for a trial by combat.” Orion’s eyes darted over to Vivian, who had remained standing where she was. Biting her lip as if she were scared to death of what was to come, she looked as if she might be sentenced to death. “If not my daughter, then why not her son Aeson? Is he not a Silverman too?”
Misha appeared to be enjoying the spectacle of seeing Orion center stage and the fear his presence had on certain members of his former pack. “Aeson might have been acceptable, had his father not been sentenced to death for breaking wolf law. Even Alphas must be held accountable for their actions – don’t you agree, Orion?”
Giselle hadn’t seen it before, but Misha was one devious wolf. With only words, she was setting the pieces in play to cause others to battle while she watched. Giselle turned to the crowd and hunted for familiar faces, looking to see how those she knew were receiving this information.
“Alphas, yes, but children have never been made to pay for their father’s sins,” Orion responded.
“Fathers teach their sons,” Misha answered back with sugary sweetness. “We cannot have the flouting of our laws passed down the lines, even if the reason is noble.”
“You feel my brother’s death was a noble one?” Orion asked.
Giselle saw the trap Misha was laying. How had Orion not? She squeezed his hand, hoping to stop him from being led into this conversation.
“Your bother was avenging his own. We knew of the spell you were under, and we were all saddened when it happened.” Misha maintained her sweet tone as she played to the audience with her words of false condolence. “But!” She paused for effect, and the whole crowd looked at her. “The witch was not found to be guilty by trial, and he attempted to carry out sentencing anyway – in front of his son, who would hope to succeed him.”
“And learned what happens to wolves who break the law. Yes, I know how he died. Where is my enforcer? Richard, come forward,” Orion commanded.
The assembled crowd mumbled among themselves as they waited for him to come out. Giselle finally spotted Jay, who was not sitting with his mother, surprisingly. Vivian’s second son had taken a place with a group of wolves about his same age. None of them looked familiar, nor did they look friendly. As she locked eyes with Jay, his face darkened. He shook his head no and mouthed the words, “Go. Leave now. Not safe.”
It was beginning to make sense to her, though the details were hazy. She hadn’t been denied the title because she was unfit; she’d been sabotaged. Someone really did not want her to have the title. Her bet was still on Vivian, but Misha was a close second. Hiding behind the law and her own position of power, she could do a lot without actually having to get her paws dirty.
And as her eyes flitted over to Vivian, trembling in the lower stands, the former Alpha’s mate seemed less likely to be the mastermind of such espionage.
Richard pushed his way through the crowd. “Orion. Good to see you, sir.”
Her father smiled genuinely at the old wolf. “You still kicking around, then?” he asked.
“My place has always been as the guard for the Silverman pack,” Richard replied.
Orion released Giselle’s hand and extended his to shake Richard’s. “I heard you took special care of my daughter recently.”
“To the extent that I could, yes. But she’s got the Silverman stubbornness in her.” Richard gave Giselle a cursory glance, but Orion clearly had his attention. The old wolf smiled as genuinely as anyone could seeing Orion standing alive and well in front of him. His allegiance had never been called into question, nor would it after seeing the true admiration he had for his leader. “Would h
ave served her well.”
“And that’s why I’m here.” Orion turned his attention to the crowd. “Richard, did you pass sentence on David Silverman?”
Richard’s smile faded. “Yes. And carried it out myself, sir.”
“And did his sons attempt to stop you?” Orion asked, making sure his voice was loud enough to be heard by all.
“No. Neither of the Silverman boys acted or spoke against it.” Richard replied.
Orion patted him on the back. “You see here? His sons gave no reason to question their understanding of wolf law. Their claim should have been honored, along with my own daughter’s claim.”
The crowd again began to mumble amongst themselves. Giselle let out a breath, feeling as if her worry had been unfounded. Orion had so far managed to avoid a fight, and his arguments were valid enough that any rational wolves should accept them. She might not be Alpha, but if they honored Ace’s claim, it would be good enough for her.
“You of course present a very compelling argument, Orion Silverman. And it is a credit to your time as Alpha that you are so well versed in our laws; however, we do not all agree that either child should rightfully hold this claim.”
“Who denies my daughter her right? Speak your grievances to me. A child does not pay for the crimes of their father, yet you’d punish my own flesh and blood and risk the lives of others in trial by combat.”
Charles cleared his throat. “It is not only the broader actions that have given us cause to question these wolves. There are things that are better discussed in a private Council than aired like dirty laundry to the assembled wolves here.”
“Seeing as how the trials are being held now, there is precious little time for Council meetings. State your grievances here and now, so we can address them.”
“As you wish, sir.” Charles turned his eyes toward Vivian. “Mrs. Silverman, the former Alpha’s mate, has aggressively painted a negative campaign against your beloved daughter. She has, rightfully so, pointed out the circumstances surrounding the birth of your daughter. We must carefully consider all claims, of course, before making a decision that will affect the whole of your region. Being only half true wolf and raised human, she did not seem equal to the task. It was put to a vote.”
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