Page 82 of Out of Peril

That seemed to have backfired on me. Lindsey was ready to bolt.

“Relax, I'm harmless unless pissed off, and the only thing that pisses me off to that degree is someone coming to do harm to our Pack.”

“What is your power?”

“I'm an Alpha she-wolf with multiple elemental powers and other things.”

“Multiple powers? But how is that possible.”

“It's a long story. I'll tell you another time,” I told her. “Now can you just say whatever it is you don't want to tell us?”

Kyle sighed. “You know the Grand Council was here while you were away and dealing with everything, right?”

“Yes. No one updated me on why, but I knew they were coming.”

“They’ve been relatively quiet for a while now. Not really addressing some of the concerns I and other Alphas have petitioned them on. And now suddenly there is a push for them to regain some control.”

“The Challenges,” I said coldly. “Leonard, Alpha of the NOLA wolves, told me he was going to send some of his she-wolves to challenge Lindsey after we sealed our bond.”

“And you sealed it without consulting with us first?” Kelsey asked.

“True mates. That's still a thing, right?”

I didn't like the look they shared once more.

“I'm working on it,” Kyle finally said.

“What does that mean?” I practically yelled.

“Exactly as I said. I'm working on it. After years of no response, they suddenly come to me saying that true mates will not be accepted on exemptions. I've already been on the phone with our five closest allies and we'll be spreading that reach to others soon. I was going to advise you two to lay low until then and let this pass first,” he explained.

I groaned, ready to kick my own ass for acting so rash.

“It's okay. They can't beat me,” Lindsey assured me.

“In your fur, yes. But Leonard said he would petition the Grand Council to force a fight in your skin to level the playing field.”

“He said what?” Kyle yelled.

“You heard me. This was already in the plans. He thinks that if one of his she-wolves wins he'll somehow gain control of me and therefore have an in for control of Westin Force.”

“That's insane. You already gave your allegiance to Kyle,” Kelsey said.

“I know and that hasn't and will not change. I'm telling you he's mental.”

“Don't underestimate him,” Lindsey said. “He will manipulate the system and play the martyr to swing things towards his own agenda.”

“At no time in our history has skin-to-skin battles to the death been acceptable. That's not going to happen on my watch.”

“And he officially banished Lindsey from NOLA. I was there as a witness and so were a lot of the team members. He has zero claim to her.”

Kelsey turned towards Lindsey. “How are you holding up?”

“I'm fine.”

“I know you don't really know us, and I've heard enough of your story already to assume trust isn't exactly high on your list. Your former Alpha banished you and so the thought of joining another Pack probably isn't high on your to-do list.”

Lindsey scoffed. “It's impossible. No Alpha in his right mind would accept a banished wolf, let alone a beast like me. If you truly know my story, or even part of it, then you know that you really don't want me near your Pack.”

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