Wolfsfoot (Kingdom of Wolves #1)

Thinking for a moment, the Beta looks sad. “Four matedpairs, five single females and two old council members.”

“Did they go to a neighboring pack?”

“Of the mated pairs, three went to Spirit Walker Pack, onemated pair went rogue, and the single females, two went to the Blood Pearl Packand three went to Eclipse Pack. The two older council members went missing.I’ve tried to find them but have no trail at all.”

Giving the Beta a look that has him slinking back in hisseat slightly. “You couldn’t tell the shifter council, could you?”

“No.”

“Tell me about the Alpha’s son?”

“Connell is decent underneath all the shit the Alpha puts onhim. He wants to be a good pack member, but he’s pushed to be a bully by theAlpha every time he tries to do something good for anyone.”

Rubbing my thigh in thought, I look once more at the Beta.“It’s interesting that you can speak of Connell without having an Alpha orderin place.”

With a laugh that shows it’s not funny, the Beta replies.“Connell is a tool and a throwaway tool at that. If the Alpha can pass anyblame on Connell to save his own ass, he’ll do it without a second thought. Hedoesn’t care because no one has the nerve to threaten him anymore. The centerof town has a post, a damn whipping post, and anyone that has tried to stand upto him has been lashed until they conform.”

Standing, I walk to the window and look out to what shouldbe good pack grounds but look more like a battle has been fought on it. Whathappened to the beautiful lawn that I remember picnics, parties, and packevents were held on?

“Apart from the Alpha, is there anyone else who I’ll have towatch my back with?” Turning my back to the window to look at Beta Goldman oncemore.

“No. Everyone is sick of the pack and more are whisperingabout leaving. I protect as many as I can, but I’m worried about my son. He isa warrior, but the Alpha has been watching him closely of late, which has meworried because he only does that when he either has some scheme or agenda forthat person.”

“If you think he’s entering any danger, you contact me andI’ll pull him out for shifter council work as a reason.”

“Thank you, Gabriel is all I have left of his mother. Wewere not true mates, but I loved her nonetheless. He’s a good young man, andhe’s not brainwashed with pack politics, and that’s how I want it to stay. Ikeep him away from the Alpha and Connell as much as I can without it beingobvious.”

“Well, I’m here to find out all that’s going on. But I knowwhere Tatiana is. She’s safe, and she’s a force to be reckoned with in thefuture. She isn’t broken even after all the bullying and abuse she suffered.She’s been claimed as a daughter by a couple, you probably know, but I’m notgoing to say more, then you cannot be ordered to say what you know.” I can seethe Beta understands it’s for Tatiana’s safety that I’m not filling him in withall the information, and I’m certainly not going to tell them she’s an Alphafemale.

“I’ll do whatever I can to keep the pack, my son, and theyoung woman you mentioned safe, but I can’t promise anything if I’m ordered.”The Beta looks sorry as he admits he can’t withhold ordered information even tokeep his son safe.

“Okay, let’s go find this Alpha of yours, shall we?” I canfeel Bruno growling low in the back of my mind, but he’s keeping his control atthe moment and I’m thankful for that.

Walking beside the Beta, we enter the hall and walk to thelast door on the left, knocking and waiting. I lift an eyebrow at the Beta, asit’s usual for a Beta to knock and enter. They are second in command of thepack, and as such, have a certain amount of respect from the pack members andthe Alpha.

“What do you want?” I hear snarled and giving the Beta aside-eye, he shakes his head in disgust.

“Beta Goldman, and I have shifter council member Sable withme.” The Beta cringes when we both hear the Alpha snarl. ‘What the fuck doeshe want? Fucking shifter council can all suck my dick.’

I’m not waiting any longer for this asshole and I throw thedoor open and walk in as arrogantly as I can manage. Give the Alpha, who lookslike he needs a good bath and cleaned up a nasty look, then take a seat,relaxing back and putting the heel of one foot on the knee of my other leg.Once I’ve linked my fingers, I casually look around the room, taking in thedirty fireplace, carpet, and furniture.

“What do you want, councilman?” the Alpha asks, showing norespect at all. He doesn’t even stand from his desk and offer me a handshake.For that, I’m grateful, as his hands have filth under the fingernails and whatlooks like stains on his clothing.

“Well, first, I need a room prepared, as I’ll be staying fora week. I need to check your accounts, speak to pack members, and do the longpast due check on how the pack is growing. As you know Alpha, it is an annualvisit, but for some reason, you’ve not had a visit in five years. So here Iam.” I give this fucker a smug grin and can see his eyes flick from brown toyellow, which shows his wolf, Toxic, is trying to be known. But Bruno pushesforth, so I’m positive my eyes have changed to his deep chocolate brown.

I maintain eye contact and allow Bruno to push forwarddominantly, which has Toxic fight back for a few moments before he pulls backand shows he’s not a good wolf as he’s not turned his neck in submission. He’stoying, and both Bruno and I know it.

The door opens and a young man walks in, coming to a haltwhen he realizes the Alpha is not alone.

“Oh, I apologize, I didn’t realize you had anyone with youAlpha.” Turning his head slightly, showing his neck to his Alpha.

“Come here, Connell, I want you to meet shifter CouncilmanFlint Sable. He’s here to do a report on the pack. You will take him where heasks you to take him.” He thinks he’s being clever, but I know he’s just givenan order that I’m only shown where I ask to see and nowhere else.

“Yes, Alpha,” Connell replies, and I’ve not missed the facthe hasn’t called him son or introduced him as such. He hasn’t introduced him atall.

“Let’s get my pack from my motorcycle and have it taken tomy room. Then we’ll start in the kitchen. How about that, Connell?” I ask,giving the Alpha a look that has him look away and I can tell he tried tomaintain eye contact but it didn’t work.

Entering the kitchen once Connell had arranged for my singlebag of luggage to be taken to my room, I stand and watch a woman, who isobviously in charge of the others, ordering them around and not in too nice amanner, either.