Page 102 of The Alpha Dire Wolf
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lincoln
Icould hear shouting as we approached the meeting grounds. The amphitheater would be filled to the brim by now. Word of Sylvie’s presence had spread far and wide, as I knew it would. Which is precisely why I had helped speed it along.
I just hope my preparations haven’t been in vain.
“I’m not so sure I should go in there,” Sylvie said from at my side.
We walked next to one another but apart. I thought it best not to draw extra attention to our closeness at a time like this. She agreed, though whether it was purely that or the desire to create some extra distance, I wasn’t completely certain.
Raised voices echoed out into the street, the words indecipherable but the emotions plain. They were arguing intensely. I doubted anyone would be willing to make a bet over what. The answer could only be Sylvie.
“Lincoln.”
I looked at her, giving her my undivided attention.
“How badly did you downplay the reaction that bringing me here would create?” She lifted a finger. “And no trying to downplay things now.”
Making a face, I looked away.
“That’s what I thought.” She shook her head. “I should just leave. It would be easier that way.”
“Not for me it wouldn’t,” I said, enjoying the look of excited panic that never left her eyes, never creased the rest of her face. But it was there. I could see it. “Besides, there are two voices because there are two sides.”
That was true, but what’s more, and what I did not mention, was that Sylvie leaving now would turn everyone against her. They would see it as a surefire sign that she was evil, and did not respect or fear the wolves. It’s not at all how she would intend it, but it’s how they would see it.
At least if she went out there, people could see her. Meet her. Talk to her. Then, perhaps, the smarter among them would see that shewasn’tevil. That shedidn’tmean us harm. Perhaps they could see what I saw within her. That she was beyond terrified, and had been completely unaware of our world until recently.
A world I brought her into. Which could raise another set of issues if I let things get too out of hand.
“This is a bad idea,” Sylvie said, but she let herself be guided through the doors and into the meeting grounds.
Almost immediately the noise tripled in volume. There was shouting on all sides, crossing aisles and jumping rows. People shouted at one another, at the top of their lungs. Fists shook and fingers were pointed. Faces were already red, and only grew redder as we appeared at the top of the stairs behind the rearmost row.
There were a lot of detractors out there along with a few friends. Most, however, would be waiting in silence to see what happened, and which way they should jump. Those were the most dangerous because they alwaysthoughtabout it. I had to hope they could be made to see reason.
We walked down the stairs, and I eyed the Elder Council, clumped together off to one side, as usual. Also as usual, they all wore looks of disapproval, etched into their features like a mask. Perhaps it was. Did I have that to look forward to as I aged? Becoming a miserable old bastard?
The closer we got to the front, the more the shouting intensified. My few outright supporters were drowned out by the torrent of hate directed Sylvie’s way.
All of it was led by Noel. He hadn’t been sitting when we came in, and he stood and raised hell, shouting for all sorts of things to happen. I let it go on. They were just words. They could speak their part. Then I would speak mine.
Instead, I focused on Sylvie, making sure she followed me up onto the center stage. I had her stand behind me, where I could step in front of her just a bit, shield her, keep her safe, as my wolf demanded.
There I waited. Solemn. Stoic. Unbending. Letting the hate be thrown. The fear swirl. The uncertainty grow. I waited for it to turn to silence while they waited for me to speak.
But that never happened. Noel was intent on stirring the pot until it overflowed. He kept up his hyperbole while calling for me to be expelled and Sylvie to be imprisoned, among other things.
Finally, I’d had enough.
My wolf burst forth and I fell onto all fours. The growl that filled the amphitheater was horrible and furious. It drowned outevery other conversation and shout, overwhelming them all with the promise of blood and violence to any who disagreed.
“That,” I rumbled into the shocked silence as I shifted back, “is enough.”
My hand came up immediately, stopping Noel dead in his tracks. “I promise you, and everyone here, that wewillget to her presence among us. You have my word. First, however, we must discuss something more urgent and time-sensitive.”
Confusion reigned supreme. I hated it. So many of them, caught up in the hatred fanned by the elders and Noel’s group alike that they had forgotten what was right in front of them.
