Page 123 of Wolf's Endgame

“Sounds like an interrogation,” Royce told him quietly. “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to lose.”

I watched as Landon stared sullenly at his shoes, but he nodded once in acceptance.

“For our inner investigations, we have been found wanting. In conclusion, there are now three empty seats on the Pack Council. Alpha Cannon and Alpha Kris are invited to come forward to take their place.”

“Holy Luna, what?” I screeched. “No. Nuh-uh. No way.”

Cannon and Kris exchanged a look.

Cass was beaming at Kris. “Pack Council? That’s a huge honor. And you’re both so young, that’s…” She beamed with pride. “A huge honor, Kris.” She glanced at Cannon. “And you, Alpha.”

I stared at her as if she was insane. “The Pack Council that was corrupt and evil.”

“They cleared the garbage out,” she said primly.

“How do you know they didn’t kill the only good ones left and leave all the baddies?” I demanded.

“Because we are Pack Council,” the shaman spoke quietly.

My jaw dropped along with everyone else’s.

“You?” I couldn’t speak. “You!”

“What do you think a shaman is?” He smiled at us all as he looked around the room, his milky white eyes seeing little. “I serve all packs. How many times do I need to say it before you believe me?”

“You’re on the Pack Council?” I demanded.

“I serve them, yes.”

“You could have stopped all of this?” Kris asked as he stood closer to me. “You could have told them at any time how much we needed them.”

“The Council was facing their own struggles. Only with the evidence you have all diligently presented in the last few weeks could changes be made.”

“I can no longer keep up,” Royce declared, looking around at everyone. “Can anyone?” His gaze settled on the shaman. “We’re good? The pack, the alpha’s? Kezia?” The shaman nodded. “Right then, I need a drink.”

“Second that!” Cannon said, handing the letter to Kris. “I might need two.”

“Or twenty,” Kris muttered, following him to the study. The others trailed after them, many looking back at the shaman with wariness and speculation. The shaman stood back, a serene smile on his face.

“You have questions, pup?”

“You lied to me.”

“When?”

“I don’t know…” I was struggling, really struggling. “Bale? He knew that you were so close to them?”

“He did. I believe that’s why he took me and held me in the cells when he truly lost his mind to greed and rage.”

“All these months.” I shook my head. “All these months you could have done something.”

“I did do something. I was here by your side as you grew into the amazing woman you are, with a pack and an alpha who love you. Who deserve you.”

I was still shaking my head. “I don’t know.” With my hands on the side of my head, I stared at him. “I don’t know what to do with this.”

“I do.” Reaching over, he took my hand. “Let’s get drunk.”

Who knew an old shifter as frail as the shaman could hold so much liquor? My head was pounding, and my bed was empty. Daylight streamed through the window, and I knew Cannon was no doubt on pack business.

---