Page 186 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Warmth flowed through our bond as Griffin stood and looked at me. “She is, and effective immediately, she’s the alpha mate of Shadow City.”

“You do realize you’re about to lose that position?” Dick gloated.

“I wouldn’t be so certain.” Yelahiah motioned for me to come forward as she continued, “Technically, this is supposed to be an open environment where anyone can speak their piece. Is there a reason you don’t want her to state her case?”

“Why would you ask such a question?” Dick placed a hand on his chest. “We were just in the middle of a vote. She can speak at a later time.” The evil inside him swirled so thick that there was a faint mist around him.

I’d never been able to see it before. Usually, I could feel ill intent only within my soul like a coldness and ickiness that radiated off a person.

“I, for one, want to hear what she has to say before casting my vote.” Yelahiah walked over to me and stopped at my side.

We faced the council down together, and the third wolf shifter representative’s sea-green eyes sparkled with interest, contrasting against his olive skin. He was only a couple of years older than Griffin, with sable brown hair that fell naturally against his face. It wasn’t gelled back like Dick’s or Griffin’s. He seemed more like a wolf shifter who lived outside of the snobbish city. But like several of the other council members,there wasn’t anything notable about his essence—as if he were neither good nor bad. “I would like to hear what she has to say, too.”

“Ezra,” Dick hissed. “I said we don’t need to hear her.” His eyes glowed faintly like he was trying to force the younger shifter into submission.

So that was how Dick had managed to take the wolf vote by the balls. He bullied this representative into doing whatever he wanted, and Griffin had been so wrapped up in his grief from losing his father that he’d handed the control right to him. “Are you seriously trying to force him to take back what he said?” I would call Dick out on it if no one else would. “Everybody is here and can see you doing it!”

Dick’s face turned pink as his nostrils flared. He was losing his composure yet again. He straightened his shoulders. “I’m merely looking out for his best interests. If you’re able to sway these intelligent people with whatever insane story you’re trying to weave, he would be the one kicked off the council, seeing as he is the weakest of the three current members.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I filled my lungs, making sure my voice remained steady. I wanted to give him pause and drive him crazy. “After all, you admitted that this council is intelligent, so why would you even try to prevent them from stating that they’d like to hear my veryinterestingstory.”

A smirk spread across Yelahiah’s face as she rocked back on her heels like she was enjoying the show. “She has a point. Wouldn’t you agree, Azbogah?”

Azbogah scowled at us, but he nodded. “Sure. Whatever she has to say, I’m sure it’ll be a waste of time, but we can see if anyone else would like to hear her story.” He gestured at Ezra. “So one person has agreed to hear her story. Would anyone else like to express interest?”

“I would.” A thin man leaned forward in his chair, and his peonyscent told me he was an angel. His white feathered wings spread behind him, almost blending in with the white suit he wore. The only color on him was his butterscotch-blonde hair and piercing sky-blue eyes. One of the purest essences I’d ever encountered warmed me inside.

“Of course you would, Pahaliah.” Azbogah shuddered and pressed a hand to his stomach. “You wouldn’t want your precious wife to be mad at you.”

So this was Rosemary’s father. He looked nothing like I’d expected him to. With her darker complexion, Rosemary definitely took after her mom.

“What about you, Gwen?” Dick puffed his chest as his arrogance fell quickly back in place while his attention landed on a gorgeous woman who sat between Ezra and Pahaliah.

Gwen tapped her four-inch burgundy nails on the table as hate flashed through her chestnut-brown eyes. “I don’t want to even hear from the wolves who are already part of this council, so that’s an easy decision for me.” She licked her cranberry lips, stopping to emphasize her sharp teeth, which screamed vampire, and ran a hand through her messy, shoulder-length ivory hair. “In other words, that’s a no.”

We had two yeses and one no. If they did a majority rule type of thing, we’d at least be at a draw, and then I’d share my story, even if they didn’t want me to. I’d respect this little game they wanted to play since it was buying time from them all betraying Griffin.

The witch who sat between Pahaliah and Alex flipped her waist-length, deep forest-brown hair over her shoulder and leaned back in her chair. She ran a finger along her black-stained lip as her coffee-shaded eyes lit with mischievousness. “You know what? I’m in. I could use a good laugh.”

“Breena,” Erin scolded the younger witch. “We have a lot of stuff that needs to get done back at the coven. Why are you wasting our time?”

“What if she does have a story worth hearing?” The dark-headed witch shrugged. “I don’t want to be too hasty.”

“Don’t worry, Priestess.” A maroon-haired witch chimed from the end directly opposite Griffin. “I understand the importance of getting our work done, so I don’t want to waste precious time on some desperate girl who’s willing to throw herself under the bus for her mate.” Her ebony eyes matched her soul. “It’s kind of pathetic.”

“See, you should be more like your sister.” Erin chastised Breena once again and smiled sweetly at the redhead. “Diana, you always make me proud.”

“Anyone else?” Azbogah asked, avoiding looking at Yelahiah. “I’m assuming Griffin is a yes, so all it would take is two more to hang the council.”

“Then I’m all ears.” Alex leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “I’m hoping Matthew will agree with me.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Fine,” Matthew huffed. “I will humor you this one time, but it’ll cost you.”

“Do I even need to ask how you’re going to vote?” Azbogah’s head flinched back, and his gaze clouded as he glanced at the female angel.

Yelahiah batted her eyes, smiling victoriously. “You’ve never wanted to break protocol before, so why start now?” She touched my shoulder. “Yes, I’d like to hear the girl’s story, especially since you and Dick seem almost desperate that we don’t.”

“Not desperate.” Azbogah waved his hand at me, gesturing for me to take the floor. “Just trying to be efficient, but please, proceed. Delight us with your carefully crafted tale.”

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