Page 30 of French Quarter Heiress

"But no more!" he declares, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. "I say it's time for a change, time for a new Alpha to lead us into a brighter future. One where we are not slaves to Luc's whims, but masters of our destiny!"

The cheers that greet his words are like a punch to the gut, a devastating blow to everything I thought I knew about loyalty and honor. I want to step forward, defend Luc, and remind the pack of all he's done for us over the years.

But as I look around at the sea of angry, desperate faces, I feel the weight of my own doubts and fears pressing down on me. And I hesitate.

Because deep down, I know that Georgy’s right. Luc's leadership has become a liability, a cancer that threatens to destroy us all. And if we don't act soon, if we don't find a way to cut it out and start anew...

We may not survive to see another moon.

The challenge is issued, and the battle lines are drawn. And as Luc emerges from the shadows, his eyes blazing with fury and betrayal, I know that there is no going back.

The future of the Crescent City Wolves hangs in the balance, and I... I am caught in the middle, torn between my loyalty to my Alpha and my duty to my pack.

But now I feel the weight of Elise's love and the fate of our forbidden bond pressing down on me...

I know that I cannot remain neutral forever. Sooner or later, I will have to choose a side.

Beautiful George and his supporters have Luc surrounded, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing with murderous intent. Luc is fighting back with all the savage ferocity of a cornered animal, but even he can't hold out forever against the sheer number of his attackers.

For a moment, I'm frozen with indecision, torn between my loyalty to my Alpha and my duty to the pack. But as I see Georgy's jaws closing around Luc's throat, as I hear the sickening crunch of bone and the gurgle of blood...

I know I have to act.

With a roar of fury and desperation, I shift into my wolf form and leap into the fray. I tear through the attacking wolves like a whirlwind of claws and fangs, all my strength and speed focused on reaching Luc before it's too late.

As the battle between Luc and Georgy rages on, I can see the tide turning against my Alpha. Georgy's supporters outnumber Luc's loyalists, and their fury and determination give them a lethal edge.

I know I have to act fast, or Luc will be torn to shreds before my very eyes.

"Enough!" I roar, my voice booming through the warehouse like a thunderclap. "This ends now!"

I shift into my wolf form and leap into the fray, placing myself between Luc and Georgy. The other wolves fall back, startled by my sudden intervention.

"Get out of the way, Beau," Georgy snarls, his eyes blazing with bloodlust. "This is no longer your fight."

"The hell it isn't," I growl back, my hackles raised and my fangs bared. "I won't let you kill him, Georgy. I won't let you spill any more of our pack's blood."

Luc struggles to his feet behind me, his wounds severe but his pride still intact. "I don't need your protection, boy," he spits, his voice thick with pain and anger.

I ignore him, keeping my gaze locked on Georgy. "This has to stop," I say, my voice low and intense. "We're tearing ourselves apart, and for what? A chance to die at the hands of the vampires instead of each other?"

Georgy's eyes narrow, but I can see a flicker of uncertainty in their depths. "What are you proposing, Beau?"

I take a deep breath, knowing that my next words could decide the fate of our pack. "A truce. We tie Luc up and keep him under guard until he's healed. And in the meantime, I go to the vampires as an emissary to try and broker a peace."

"Absolutely not!" Luc roars, his voice cracking with fury. "I won't be sidelined like some helpless pup!"

"Shut up, old man," I snap, my patience wearing thin. "You've led us into this mess, and now it's time for someone else to clean it up."

I turn back to Georgy and the others, my gaze pleading but firm. "This is our only chance," I say softly. "If we keep fighting amongst ourselves, the vampires will pick us off one by one. But if we can find a way to make peace, to forge an alliance against the true threats we face..."

I let my words trail off, the hope and desperation in my voice echoing through the sudden silence.

For a long, tense moment, no one speaks. And then, slowly, grudgingly, Georgy lowers his claws and steps back.

"Fine," he growls, his voice tight with anger and frustration. "We'll do it your way, Beau. But if you fail, if the vampires betray us or the pack suffers because of your weakness..."

I nod, my heart pounding with a mix of relief and dread. "I understand. I won't let you down, Georgy. I won't let any of you down."

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