Page 27 of Bound to the Dragon
“Shh! Let the Alpha speak!” My Beta holds up his hands again for silence.
My eyes tear through the group, silently taking note of the dissidents, and I glance at Vigo to ensure he’s making the same mental notes I am. They need to be dealt with swiftly.
“Madison is the Luna, and my fated mate,” I concede. “Which is why you will show her respect.”
“If she deserves respect, why isn’t she here?” A fox shifter steps forward, her eyes slits of suspicion. “Shouldn’t she be at this meeting, too?”
I cast Vigo a scathing look, but to his credit, he accepts the blame. “That was my decision. Since we still don’t know who’s behind the attack?—”
“So, you do think Silver Glade has something to do with it!” The fox shifter almost sounds gleeful, as if she’s happy that a rogue Luna could cause dissent in our ranks.
The pack is in an uproar now, and I shift out of my human form, my blue-gray colored tail whipping out to strike the crowd as I spray a ring of fire into the air. A hush befalls them again, and all eyes return to Vigo.
“The point is, we just don’t know.” The Beta folds his arms over his chest. “And griping and infighting aren’t going to help us solve the issue any faster. So, listen up. We need to work together. That’s why we’re all here right now.”
I remain in my dragon form as the meeting continues, Vigo pacing the room. “I find it difficult to believe that no one is claiming responsibility for this yet, but there will be someone who speaks up eventually, and when they do, I want to be the first one who hears about it.”
He waits for a response. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, Beta.”
“I want you to spread yourselves out along the territory. Silver Glade, too. Hang out in public spaces, malls, bars, and restaurants. Someone involved with plots like this always talks too much, usually after too many drinks.”
His request makes the group uncomfortable, and Vigo immediately picks up on it. “Obviously not to your detriment. Your safety always comes first.”
His words don’t add much relief.
“The night guard has been doubled for the territory. If anyone who is not an enforcer wants to volunteer to join the night guard temporarily until this is resolved, see me afterward, and we’ll have you tested for fitness.”
A buzz of excitement sweeps through the pack. This is an opportunity that doesn’t arise very often. Becoming an enforcer for the Alpha’s guard is a step up, and while there aren’t often openings, this could be a way to prove oneself for future opportunities. Vigo was smart to bring it up. It improved morale for the end of the meeting.
“Does anyone else have business?” Vigo’s eyes scan the pack, and then he starts to turn away when someone calls out.
“What if it turns out that Silver Glade is responsible for the attack?”
I tense, and Vigo frowns. “Then obviously we will deal with it.”
The crocodile shifter ambles further through the crowd to look at me. “I mean, what are we going to do with the Luna?”
I fall back on my haunches, my chest heaving as he nears. He’s not aggressive, but the mere mention of my mate raises my hackles.
“What kind of question is that, Ari?” Vigo demands, putting himself between me and the crocodile shifter. “She’s still the Luna, no matter what some members of her pack might have done.”
I morph back into my human form to deal with this question head-on. “Madison had nothing to do with this attack. She’s been tending to all of you since it happened. Right now, she’s at the estate taking care of the staff and planning another ceremony to make up for the one we lost. Does that sound like someone who is plotting against us?”
“Blaze…” Vigo’s hand falls on my shoulder, and I realize I’m trembling with anger.
Ari reads the rage in my eyes and backs away. “I meant no disrespect, Alpha. It just doesn’t seem safe to have a traitor in our midst, if that’s what’s happening.”
“It’s not what’s happening! She’s not a traitor!” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Every set of eyes fixates on me, and I know I’ve gone too far now.
Dammit. I lost control. In front of the entire pack.
The bond is messing with my ability to lead, and I have to do something about this.
Without another word, I shift back into my dragon body and spiral upward, my massive blue-gray form disappearing into the blue Texan sky overhead and through the clouds.
