Page 84 of One True Mate

Of course, that's how things were supposed to work. You often found Grand Council members to be extremely old and wise, but they were still fallible beings as well with self-motives and were not above corruption. In order to overthrow a Grand Council ninety percent of the established packs must join together to make it happen. Since packs were very territorial and rarely agreed on anything, this had only happened once in all of known wolf history.

The current Grand Council is comprised of Cedric, Omar, Titus, Victor, and Callum. Callum came to them on curious terms having been initiated far younger than his counterparts and without having taken a mate previously. The other four surpassed their mates in life making them more ideal for the positions. Then again, this council had issued more than its fair share of questionable laws and verdicts. I didn't trust them with the safety of my mate and though we hadn't discussed it, I knew Kelsey was aware of the bags packed and stored under our bed in case we found cause to flee for her safety.

“Titus, you know me, there is nothing underhanded going on here. I have told the Grand Council, we do not understand why their bond grew so quickly or why it began to forge prior to their actual consummation. They fought it for over two years. Clearly their wolves did not believe that time to be rejection.” Jason's voice boomed from the front hallway outside his office.

“I hear what you are saying, Jason, but it doesn't make sense. We understand and witnessed with our own eyes the extent of their bond at the challenge. The Grand Council will support you in terminating any further mating challenges for either of them. However,” I held my breath waiting to hear the bad news I felt in my bones was coming, “the Bulgarians are demanding a full inquiry into the female. Stories have floated around that she was a lone wolf permitted to live in Westin Territory and even protected by your own Council despite blatant disregard for you and your pack. It is unclear exactly what the special circumstances were around that situation, but we do intend to get to the bottom of it. There will be a full inquiry. I am sorry. There is nothing I can do to stop it.”

My heart lurched into my throat. The Bulgarians were going to pursue this because I killed Andon. Going after my mate was nothing more than revenge, but there was no way for them to know the skeletons they were about to find in her closet by such an inquiry. What if they were able to verify her heritage? What if someone remembered her and her family? What would happen when they discovered she was an alpha female who escaped from her childhood death sentence and was raised without a pack, fearing all wolves?

I couldn't take that chance. I looked around the great room, watching my siblings interact with my beautiful mate. They fully accepted her even knowing what she was. They would fight to the death to protect her, but could I allow them to do that? No. I knew I couldn't. Our best chance of survival would be to go off-grid until this all blew over.

But, Kyle, that'll just make us look all the more suspicious.Kelsey's sweet voice answered in my head.

I should have known she was listening in on all my thoughts. She looked so peaceful and deep in conversation with my brother Liam that I honestly thought she had been spared overhearing Dad's conversation.

Kels, I can't sit around and wait for them to come for you, for us, because once they know what you are, they will have no choice but to come for us. I don't see how we can win this.

Our pack in strong. We are strong. And our family is worth fighting for. If I die, you will too. I will never allow that to happen. You felt our combined power. The strength of it. We are powerful together, and I say we stand and fight. I did nothing wrong. I'm not a threat to anyone except those threatening our pack. And can you honestly tell me that even if you and I ran, that they wouldn't take it out on them? We have to stay and protect them. It's what we were born to do, together.

I walked over to where she sat on the couch and dropped to my knees before her. I laid my head in her lap and nodded. She stroked my hair lovingly. I just wanted to throw up.

“Ok, if that's what you want. We'll stay and fight.”

“Huh?” The moment was broken by Liam. “Uh, what's going on here? I feel like I missed something. Is everything ok?”

“No,” Kelsey said, “but it will be. It has to be.”

When Titus left, Dad called me into his office.

“Liam, she doesn't leave your sight, understood?”

“Uh, yeah, got it big bro. I'll guard her with my life.”

“Okay, spill it, what is going on? That felt really intense, and I know you two were doing that bonding mind trick thingy again,” I heard Liam demand as I walked away, and her twinkle of laughter in response, softened the rock that was pressing down on my chest making it difficult to breath.

Dad closed the door behind me when I entered so we could talk in private.

“Kamen, the Bulgarian Pack Alpha, is insisting on an inquiry to the challenge. He was so certain that Andon would defeat you, that he is in disbelief of the turn of events. Many rumors are floating around as to what happened.”

I gritted my teeth, “Like what?”

“Well, for starters, that Kelsey was faking pain to draw his attention away and give you the break needed to end him.”

“That's absurd, her hand was bleeding.”

“I know, son, I was there for the front row seat to it all, remember? And it is also being said that I collapsed under your alpha power during the challenge. This is causing quite an uproar with allegations that you and Kelsey have assumed leadership in the pack.” He cleared his throat, “And there a rumor going around that she is a, well, a witch.”

“What?!?!?”

“I know it's absurd, but if that rumor doesn't end soon it will lead to a full investigation into her past. Before the killings of female alphas began, they were often called witches. Women of magical powers over other wolves. We need to take this rumor serious and stop it at all costs. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“You have your bags packed should they come for her?”

“Yes, but she isn't going to run, Dad. She's become very protective of this family and this pack and she is adamant that we can not leave everyone to face the wake of this alone.”

“Kyle, I'm not going to lose you over this. If it comes down to a fight, I need you to take your mate and leave. They come after her, they come after you.”

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