Page 51 of The Wolf's Bullied Mate
After he got the reply, he said, “I have four Lone Bite wolf shifters here, defeated and bound. Pauline’s Father and Mother, the father of her child and one other. Yes, it seems they wanted to bring Pauline back to their pack. No, I don’t know how they got to the town center. Yes, they are alive, and you can find out all the details from them and put them on trial. Thank you. We’ll come to the townhouse soon.”
Oliver turned back to us. “We will have to bring them to the townhouse.” He took Father’s rope and tugged on it. “Let’s go.”
I took Ray’s hand and, together with Oliver and the others, we walked to the red brick building that served as Fairlake’s townhouse and the seat of the alpha and luna seat. Nervousness ate at me. What would alpha Ryder do with my parents? All I wanted was for them not to be executed. In my old pack, they would have been long dead by now. Everyone fought to kill, much like Oliver had been initially doing.
I had to make sure my parents survived today so that they could live and reflect on their foolishness.
Chapter 18 - Oliver
Pauline and I gave Ryder our report about the attack on our house. We stood in Ryder’s office while delivering the information. Caden was here as well.
Pauline stayed beside me, visibly anxious, stepping from foot to foot. I wanted to ask her what was wrong but now was not the time. Aria had taken Ray away to look after him while we discussed matters with Ryder.
When we finished giving our accounts, Ryder pondered what to say momentarily.
“I doubt Lone Bite’s attack on our pack was because of Pauline—she’s not that important in the grand scheme of things,” Ryder nodded at Pauline. “Pardon, Pauline.”
She smiled softly. “It’s okay, I agree. I also don’t think Lone Bite actually wanted me back that badly.”
“They used your transfer to Moondust Hollow as an excuse to break peace and attack us,” Ryder said. “Regardless of whether they really wanted you back or not, they claimed your marriage as the official reason to start a conflict.”
“What happened on the battlefield?” I asked.
“Caden defeated their beta and delta, and I—their alpha,” Ryder smiled.
“Is… Alpha Gordon dead?” Pauline asked, her voice uncertain.
“Yes, he is,” Ryder nodded. “It’s not customary to leave the alpha of another pack alive in the case of a large-scale attack. I would even call what they were trying to do war.”
“War…” Pauline repeated, growing paler.
I squeezed her hand in mine, trying to reassure her. Pauline gave me a grateful look.
She then looked back at Ryder. “What will happen to Lone Bite then? They have no alpha.”
“I will take the pack under my jurisdiction. Moondust Hollow will consist of two towns from now on and the land in between will be used by both of our communities,” Ryder said.
Pauline gasped, putting a hand to her lips. “So Lone Bite… will be no more?”
“Does that fact upset you? I understand it’s a huge change, considering you lived there for thirteen years, but…” Ryder gave Pauline a concerned look.
She shook her head. “N-No, I’m happy the pack will be under your rule, Alpha. Abuse and bullying was rampant in Lone Bite. Strength was of the utmost value. The weak had a terrible life there. I’m glad the pack will be no more. I’m sure under your rule, that town will become as wonderful as Moondust Hollow.”
Ryder’s smile returned. “I’m glad you enjoy your life at Moondust Hollow so much.”
“I really am,” a warm smile graced Pauline’s lips.
It disappeared a moment later, though, and her brow furrowed.
“What will happen to my parents and Jeffrey and the enforcer who lived through the attack?” She asked carefully.
“What do you want to happen to them?” Ryder asked her.
Pauline blinked, and her eyes widened. “You want me to decide?”
“Yes,” Ryder nodded. “They attacked you, so you get to decide their fate.”
“I…” She mumbled. “I don’t want them dead. Please don’t kill them.”
