Page 22 of The Alpha: Part Three
Michael leans over Seth's shoulder to make direct eye contact with Aceves. “Mister Romero didn't want a seat on acorruptcouncil. He knew back then where things were headed and he didn't want anything to do with it. And look what still happened to him and his pack and family. He was a good alpha. He would have been good for the territory and everyone knew it.” Then he straightens and continues watching the room.
“If he would have been so good for the territories, Michael, he would have wanted to get rid of the supposed corruption,” Aceves sneers. “He was a coward.”
The scent of the lie rolls sourly through the air, and I just can't listen to any more of it. “Liar. You reek of it.”
Corso speaks quietly from behind Jasper. “I would like to know more about Desir'ee's father, and what happened to him, if we are to continue working closely with this council.”
Michael nods without looking back. “I'll get Mateo to tell you.”
“If you're all finished,” Minos continues, holding up a hand, “I'd like to get to the point. Alpha Pratchett will have a seat on the WCC. Beginning immediately. He will be allotted council housing or funds for housing of his own choosing. He will be taking the lead on a project or two and he will need information and cooperation from all of you.”
“This is outrageous,” Urwin barks. “There aren't any seats available, Minos. There are no unclaimed districts.”
“Actually, there are two unclaimed districts,” Minos smiles. “Maybe more. We'll find out soon, I suppose.”
The energy shifts so quickly that I grip the back of Seth's chair. There are a few seconds of electric silence before Aceves and Urwin stand up from their chairs and pull out guns. Guns that they aim at Seth. Several of the other alphas in the room reach for their own weapons, and Michael and I each put a hand on one of Seth's shoulders to pull him behind us.
It all becomes unnecessary when Jasper starts making a sound that can only be described as unnerving. Every alpha in the room stops moving and turns toward him.
“Jasper,” Devon hisses. “Get behind me.”
“It's alright, Devon,” Jasper says softly, his voice full of those clicks. “No one is going to hurt me. Or Seth. Everyone is going to sit back down in their nice, comfortable chairs and we are going to continue this meeting. Everyone except for those two assholes.” He points at Aceves and Urwin.
Then everyone who was sitting in a chair sits back down, with pale faces and wide eyes. They all glance back and forth for some kind of explanation. Fuck, I want an explanation. My skin is about to crawl off my body.
“What the fuck is this, Minos?” Estrada whispers.
Minos is curious, but not concerned. “I'm not sure, but I'm glad for it. Aceves, Urwin. You are relieved. You will be escorted back home where you will determine whether or not you will inform your packs that you and they will be collected for an inquiry.”
“You can't do that,” Urwin snarls. “I have children.”
“Obviously, the children will not be questioned, and they will be well cared for until your involvement with the rogue organizations and Flores is thoroughly established. At that point, a fair consequence for your actions will be determined and carried out.” Minos holds each of their gazes until they drop their eyes. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” they each answer without looking up.
“Good,” Minos nods. “Jasper, if you will.” The way he says it makes it seem like he knew all along that Jasper could do whatever he's doing. Jasper doesn't undermine the bluff. He stops making the clicking sound and allows himself to be dragged against Devon's side.
I can see the gears turning behind Minos's eyes. I'm only a little curious about what that was, but I'm a lot worried about it. Desie can't do that. No omega I've ever known could do that. I've heard Desie purr, but this is definitely not that. The clicking, the talking through the clicking, the way hemadeeveryone stop and then sit back down… Omegas shouldn't be able to do that.
“Now then,” Minos knocks twice on the table. “Where were we? Oh yes, Seth's districts. Benjamin, Michael, you know the areas. Show him around and introduce him to the communities, I'm sure they'll be welcoming.”
Alpha Estrada clears her throat. “I hate to mention anything that will keep us here longer, but what about his seat on the East Coast Council? What will happen there?”
“It will be a dual seat. He will split his time between the territories as needed. It has already been discussed and agreed upon.”
She nods at his explanation and glances at her watch like she didn't just experience some intensely strange shit. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes, one other thing. After Alpha Pratchett gains his bearings and a few things are cleaned up, we will begin the process of implementing something similar to the COT units utilized by the East Coast Council. Any questions?”
“I have one,” Alpha Greene speaks up. “What about the rogues? When will we do something about them? Our communities are afraid and we can only do so much. Many packs have been hurt and lost trying to fight back against the organization.”
Alpha Minos looks him in the eye. “We are going to destroy them. One rogue at a time. Their time is over.”
Today was long. And stressful. And exhausting. I don't want to know about any new twists and turns with the rogues or the WCC or anything else. I want to crawl into the nest with Desie and sleep for about six days. And then I want to fly over to the East Coast and find out exactly what the fuck Jasper actually is because omegas cannot order alphas. They just can't. And I need answers immediately. Right after I sleep for a good, long while.
But Michael sends me a text from the other side of the couch instead of saying anything out loud, and I know that sleep isn't happening anytime soon.
We should burn it down.
