Page 148 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

So many lives lost.

Andrea, Marco, Lennox, Mr. Helwig, Annie, the wolves, and Elara.

The list goes on.

I have let so many people down. I was supposed to protect this town, but all I’ve done is lose.

After the service, my mother informs me that we have a council meeting to attend.

I balk at the idea, considering Alyssa’s recent loss. “Can’t it be postponed?”

“It’s an emergency,” my mother replies. “We need you there, Liam.”

I walk over to Colt, catching him before he heads off with Layla. “Hey, Colt,” I say quietly. “Mom says I have to attend the council meeting, so you’ll have to take the boys home, too.”

He nods in understanding, “Okay, but I gotta do that now because I had plans to meet with, you know who?” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Willow?” I ask, surprised. “That’s still going on?”

Colt confirms it with a nod. “Yeah. She called me today and said she wanted to help. I think I can get her to work a tracking spell for Selene.”

I’m intrigued. Mom and Layla had tried something similar before, but it failed.

Still, if there’s a chance Willow’s spell could work…

“Thanks, Colt,” I say sincerely. “I really appreciate it.”

He shrugs it off with a grin. “No problem, bro. We’ll get through this.”

The council meeting is solemn, the weight of recent losses hanging heavy in the air.

We gather around the table, the elders, including my mother and my father, taking their seats at the head.

I exchange nods with Raskogr, Ariana, and Aunt Alyssa, all of us bearing the burden of grief.

Ariana speaks first, her voice soft and filled with sorrow. “Our hearts go out to Alyssa and her family,” she says. “Lennox was a valued member of our community, and her loss will be deeply felt.”

Raskogr nods grimly in agreement. “Elara’s death was a blow to us all. We cannot allow these senseless killings to continue.”

My mother clears her throat and addresses the council. “We must take action,” she says as her gaze sweeps over the assembled members. “The vampires have shown themselves to be a threat to both humans and the supernatural. We cannot afford to let them continue unchecked.”

“What do you suggest?” Ariana asks.

“We need to start a hunt for them, every single one of them. They have to pay for what they did!” Raskogr says.

“What do you mean?” I choke out.

“Punishment by death,” Alyssa says. “They killed our people, and they disregarded the treaties. We cannot be lenient when they choose to murder us one after the other.”

I feel a knot form in my stomach. “But we can’t rush into this,” I interject, my voice pleading. “We need to consider all our options before making a decision that could have dire consequences.”

My mother fixes me with a steady gaze. “I understand your concerns, Liam,” she says, her tone gentle yet firm. “But we cannot afford to wait. We’ve already lost too much.”

Alyssa reaches out, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “I know this is hard for you, Liam,” she says sympathetically. “But we have to protect our people. For Lennox and everyone we’ve lost over the last couple of months.”

“For Lennox and Elara,” Ariana says.

Raskogr nods in agreement, his expression steely. “We also have to look into the claims about the wound inflicted on Liam’s pack mate. We need to find out if the vampires are working with a witch,” he says, brooking no argument. “If they are, we need to deal with them swiftly and decisively.”

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