Wolfsfoot (Kingdom of Wolves #1)

“Thank you, Councilman Sable. I’ll not forget you helpingme.” Isadora says before we quickly shift into our wolves and make our wayacross the pack territory.

When we arrive at the halfway point, we part ways and I hopeshe gets past the patrol warriors. We need to distract them and make surethe female gets away. Bruno growls and as I agree with him, I head out tothe patrol, nearest to where Isadora will cross out of the territory.

Two males are talking and carelessly moving along theborder. If this is how they patrol I don’t have to worry about Isadora gettingout of here.

Pathetic warriors, a bad pack. I hear Bruno growl inthe back of my mind. ‘I agree, Bruno. The pack has deteriorated badly.’

Turning away from these two idiots, I make my way back tothe packhouse. But entering the lawned area in front of the packhouse, I cometo a grinding halt when I see Alpha Torrance beating a male pack member. Themale has his hands tied behind his back so he can’t even defend himself.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” I shout as I approach, and Idon’t miss the begging look on the male’s face as he looks up at me, with aneye nearly closed.

He’ll heal quickly once he shifts into his wolf, but theamount of damage I see on his face, neck, and arms shows this has been going onfor a while.

“Mind your own business.” Alpha Torrance snarls, but if hethinks he can make me submit to him, he’s got a lot to learn.

“Why are you beating a male member of the pack?” I stepnearer and am ready to get between the Alpha and this man, if needed.

“He’s claimed a female without permission.”

Looking at the Alpha, I see his eyes flashing and his wolfeither agrees with what’s happening here or he’s fighting for control. But thelink for me to speak to him hasn’t worked since I arrived, which means heclosed it off or he’s not linked to his pack anymore.

“What do you say?” I ask the man, squatting in front of himso he doesn’t have to strain his neck, looking up from the kneeling position heis in.

“She is my mate. By wolf law, we can claim each other. Wedid. She wears my mark, and I wear hers.” Before any more is said, a femaleruns to the male and throws herself around his back, hanging onto him andcrying loudly.

Turning to the Alpha, I give him a hard look. “What are youthinking? By shifter law, if they are mates, they can claim each other withoutanyone’s consent. The only reason you would interfere is if one claims anotherwithout that person’s permission.”

“She was promised to one of the warriors and she’ll be his.You must reject her.” Alpha Torrance takes a step towards the couple, but Igrin like a fool when I hear.

“I, Benjamin Whitestalker, reject the Blackshadow Pack as amember, and Alpha Torrance as my Alpha.” Followed quickly by, “I, CrystalBloodstone, reject the Blackshadow Pack as a member, and Alpha Torrance as myAlpha.”

Turning quickly as I can see the Alpha getting ready tostrike, I say. “Go, head to the border, and once you get over into rogueterritory, ask for Lykos and Akela and they will make sure you get somewhere tolive, or can get you to a suitable pack.”

The couple jumps to their feet and I untie the males’ handsbefore they both take off to the forest. I see them shift into their wolvesbefore I turn back to this pathetic Alpha and step up to him, invading hisspace and challenging his dominance.

“You will answer to the shifter council for thisrule-breaking. You do not have the right or will ever have the right to stop acouple that are true mates from mating. As for a warrior wanting a mate, it’stime they did something to find them instead of waiting to be dished out afemale that is not theirs.”

Alpha Torrance steps forward and bumps chests with me, andBruno comes to the front. I can feel the power starting to flow through me andI can see Torrance sweating and his wolf struggling to maintain not submittingto me.

Connell appears and shouts at his father. “Alpha, you needto stop. The pack won’t last much longer if you keep pushing them to do thingsthat are not right. You can’t take mates away from mates. The pack alreadyhates you. You’ve got to stop this madness.”

What I didn’t see coming was the Alpha launching himself athis son in wolf form. Toxic looks ragged. He’s thinner than the last time I sawhim and his coat is dull. Something is very wrong with what I’m seeing.

Connell quickly shifts into his wolf Knight, and the fightis on for real. This is not good, an Alpha fighting with his heir. If he killsConnell, the pack will be left in a difficult position.

Sending all the power I have as a shifter council member, Ishout. “CEASE NOW!”

Bruno growls loudly, gaining the attention of both wolves.Toxic, however, is not submitting, which has left me with no choice. ‘You needto subdue Toxic or we’ll have to kill him.’

I’ll subdue him, but he’s turning feral. I can feel it.Things are bad and he’ll kill the pack soon. I’m shocked at what Bruno hassaid, but don’t get time to respond as I shift and Bruno takes over.

I overcome Toxic within a few minutes and have him pinned bythe neck to the ground. Growling deeply, Bruno is giving a warning that betterhave Toxic submitting or he’s going to die, and Torrance will die with him. Onecannot live without the other.

“Alpha, stop.” I hear Connell begging, and when I flick myeyes to Connell, I can see he’s struggling not to step in and help his father.

Toxic relaxing is a good sign. He turns his head slightly tothe left, which shows his submission. I slowly ease the grip I have on hisneck, making sure it’s not a trick for him to attack again.

Toxic no longer speaks, he’s no longer a good wolf. Soonhe needs to die!