Page 21 of Her Grumpy Alpha

“What do you mean? What’s his argument?”

James sighed and pulled back to look me in the eye as he continued. “In the world of the clans, the position of clan leader is considered weaker without a mate and offspring. Brian knows about my interest in you, and he’s deliberately trying to sabotage our budding relationship to tarnish my image and make me appear unfit for my role.”

I shifted uncomfortably, glancing over to Gregory. He really couldn’t find out about his parentage now. “That’s… that’s terrible. But why is he doing this?

“Power, Sadie. It’s all about power and ambition.” James looked grim as he spoke. “But that’s not the worst of it. Brian possesses some kind of magical item that helps him manipulate women, which explains the eerie influence he has over them.

“Magic? That’s… incredible. Is that why he’s so surprised when I don’t do what he says?”

James’ eyes widened with surprise. “Has he been trying to work his magic on you?”

“I think so, but why doesn’t it work on me?

“That’s the mystery, Sadie. It’s as perplexing to me as it is to you. As we uncover more about this situation, we’re stepping into a realm of intrigue and danger that I never expected us to encounter. We’re trying to work out what he’s doing and how to stop him, but it’s taking time. Annoyingly, he’s one step ahead of us.”

The weight of that revelation settled in heavily on me, and I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of dread for the challenges that lay ahead. The tangled web of politics, power, and magic was more intricate than I had ever imagined, and I knew that our journey was far from over.

TWELVE

JAMES

The Council of Elders was a revered assembly among the clan and standing before them in their woodland headquarters was both an honor and a daunting task. The meeting ground was surrounded by towering ancient trees, their branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Moss-covered rocks and a carpet of fallen leaves underfoot added to the mystical atmosphere.

The elders themselves were a group of wise, weathered individuals, each marked by the passage of time and experience. Their eyes held the weight of years of decisions and judgments, and their presence commanded respect. As I stood before them, I couldn’t help but feel the gravity of the moment.

This meeting was not just a formality; it was the next logical step in our pursuit of getting Brian exiled. The evidence against him was mounting, and his threats to the clan’s stability and our lives were too great to be ignored. The Council of Elders held the power to make the final decision, and I needed to make a compelling case.

“Brian’s actions go beyond the realm of normal clan politics,” I explained. “He is deliberately trying to undermine my leadership, tarnishing the image of our clan in the process. His ambition for power knows no bounds, and he’s using sinister tactics to achieve his goals.”

Elder Clara, a woman with kind eyes and a keen sense of judgment, spoke up, “Tell us more, James. What specifically has he done?”

“He has attempted to sabotage my romantic relationship, manipulating circumstances to create discord between us. But what’s even more troubling is his eerie influence over women. He may possess a mysterious magical item, the source of his power, and it’s a grave threat to our clan’s unity. If he continues to get women to do things for him, such as setting fires at my sawmill, then there’s no telling what he will do and how far he will take this.

Elder Samuel, a man with a calm and measured presence, interjected, “You’re saying he possesses a magical item that manipulates women? How does it work?”

“We aren’t too sure yet. That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

“Well then, why don’t we ask him ourselves.” Elder Clara looked over my head. “It’s time to bring in Brian Gorski.”

My heart sank. I knew I would have to face him eventually, but I didn’t plan for that to be an immediate thing. I turned to see him striding into the room. He loomed larger and more intimidating than ever, a menacing figure that cast a shadow over our hopes for resolution.

Brian was a colossal presence, standing head and shoulders above most, his massive frame a testament to his physical prowess. His muscular build, dark hair, and beard accentuated his imposing stature, and his piercing, dark brown eyes bore into me with a malevolence that sent shivers down my spine.

“So, James,” he said with a painful smirk, “I hear you’ve been saying things about me. Do you want to talk?”

Great, so I guess we were doing this then. “Brian,” I began, my voice steady but firm, “there is something sinister at play here, and I believe you are behind it. I suspect that you possess a magical item that enables you to control the minds of our fellow wolves and their mates. The fire at the sawmill was not a mere accident. The women behind it told me that you were there, behind the crime, causing them to do it.”

Brian’s reaction was immediate. He vehemently denied any involvement in the fire or possessing such a magical item. He scoffed at my accusation, shaking his head with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. “You have no evidence, James. This is nothing but a baseless accusation. I wasn’t in the area at all. The Elders know about my alibi. I was with a family member.”

The council room buzzed with tension as the elders and alphas exchanged glances and murmurings. It was clear that my accusation had not garnered unanimous support, and the idea of conducting a search or issuing exile was met with resistance. But as far as I was concerned, a ‘family member’ wasn’t a solid alibi.

I pressed on, urging them to consider the potential consequences of underestimating the situation. I turned back to the Elders and continued. “I understand the gravity of my accusation, but we cannot ignore the possibility that our safety is at stake. Brian’s actions threaten not only our clan but others as well. Brian might have his alibi, but I have plenty of eyewitnesses who can back me up. They all say that Brian is behind all of this. I can bring people in now.”

“Fine,” Elder Samuel declared. “Let’s hear it.”

Emily and Lily stood up, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and determination, ready to give their testimony. But as I watched them, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone in the room was truly hearing the words they had to say.

Emma, a young woman with eyes that had lost their sparkle, spoke first. Her voice quivered as she recounted the moments when Brian’s influence had held her captive, making her do things against her will. She described the torment and powerlessness she had felt, and her testimony was a chilling reminder of the sinister nature of Brian’s actions. She was admitting guilt to the fire but stated that it was under Brian’s control. I couldn’t see her getting through to anyone though.

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