Page 26 of Malcolm

“Yes, and no,” Robert casually answered as he walked with them towards the entrance. “Few couples come to the mess hall for their meals; mostly, the unmated wolves eat here. Those who are mated typically stay in their homes to eat, but today is a special occasion.”

“Special?” Malcolm asked, obviously deciding to ignore the looks sent his way. “What’s the occasion?”

Robert didn’t answer; he just offered him a sly smile. “Well, you’ll have to wait for the dinner to find out.” With that, he slipped away and joined a woman who wore her raven-colored hair short. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

Malcolm glared after him. “You’d think nothing had changed since the last time we’d met.”

“I don’t know, at least he’s not looking at you like them.” Eliza couldn’t help saying, as she spotted another man who looked at Malcolm like he wanted to take his head. “I feel like a few males here don’t like you much.”

He shrugged as they drew closer to the table. “I did something that isn’t the most forgivable; to them, I’m an old enemy,” he said as he pulled a chair out for her. “It’s my luck that the council sent me here. Otherwise, they’d be more inclined to show their distaste.”

Eliza sat down, and he took a seat next to her. “I don’t care what you’ve done; they make one move, and I’m turning them into toads.”

His eyes softened, and he leaned closely in, throwing her off. Her heart rate picked up immediately, and she found herself licking her lips in anticipation of what she wasn’t sure. “My, what a fierce witch you are.”

She nervously looked away and pointed at a random basket packed with bread. “Oh, look.” She mentally winced as she reached for said bread and took a bite.

“Yummy.” She lifted it, hoping that he didn’t notice what she’d done and how awkward it had been, but from the heat in those jungle-colored eyes, he knew he bothered her.

She swallowed the bread, but it felt like she’d eaten dust.

Once everyone had taken a seat, and the noise started to swell, something slammed into the table, jolting her.

“Quiet!” Robert stood at the head of the table; his eyes narrowed on them all. For a second, Eliza felt a slight jolt to her awareness. Robert was a werewolf just like Malcolm. His aura swelled and grew, causing all those who were speaking to quiet immediately. The man had been so friendly early on, but now he appeared stern and unapproachable.

Everything about him screamed leader; she herself felt impressed and a tiny bit attracted, though it was more out of respect than anything else.

“It’s been Five years since the Alpha of our people was killed in cold blood.”

Eliza turned her gaze to Malcolm, who’d immediately tensed up.

What was his uncle doing? And she’d thought he was cool.

Robert exhaled and gave them all a hard look. “When the Alpha was killed then, there were many who sought to punish the one who’d committed the crime. They wished to drag him back from the city of those rotting councilmen and make an example of him.”

Those at the table released shouts and other words of condemnation. Robert lifted his hand, cutting them off. “Yes, the death of our Alpha was shocking, and it was only right that we, his people, got our revenge.”

The sound of something cracking had Eliza looking down to see Malcolm's nails biting into the table as the veins in his hands popped out. She looked from his hand to his face and flinched. His eyes were no longer green but yellow and feral; his lips were drawn back in a cruel snarl.

It was clear Malcolm was displeased by his uncle's words. Gathering her courage, she reached out and covered his hand with hers. “It’s okay, I’m here.”

He whipped his face towards hers; she forced herself not to flinch away at the rage that stained his expression. “It’s okay.”

The yellow color of his eyes slowly faded as he relaxed, his mouth no longer in the shape of a snarl. He lowered his eyes. “I don’t know why he’s doing this,” he whispered.

“We can leave if you want,” she said because Eliza didn’t want to hear anyone bad mouth the man who’d saved her.

“But, the Alpha we worshiped didn’t deserve our respect.” Robert’s voice cut through the cloud of anger, and both Eliza and Malcolm turned their attention to the front. “He didn’t care about the future of our cubs; he sought only his own satisfaction and claimed our daughters with little care and marked them without consent.” Robert's eyes were now deep somber amber. “That criminal was nothing but a tyrant, and we, no, our laws, allowed him this perverse claim to rule us.”

Those at the table grabbed their mugs and banged them on the table. They all respected Malcolm’s uncle. And Eliza felt her suspicions from earlier come back to her as Robert’s gaze moved to Malcolm, who grew even more tense.

“As a stand-in Alpha, I feel great respect and love for you all for allowing me to lead you and guide you to a better future. My time, though, is short; I am old and wish to rest and to do that, another must take my seat,” he said, and Eliza heard Malcolm softly whisper, “No.”

His uncle grinned, baring his sharp canines. “In a few weeks, the packs from other lands will come to the McLaren border, and we will celebrate. Once more, there will bea-sgeithe. Before that, we will have all males of age and strength compete, and one of them.” He looked around the entire room. “Will become our next Alpha.”

A resounding cheer rose, and Malcolm stood before Eliza could stop him. Upon releasing her hand, he turned to leave.

“Malco—”

---