Page 93 of Protected Promise
“Well for starters, absolute banishment from your territory is a must, with the knowledge that should she return, there will be no warning just a swift death. If her Alpha has plans for his own punishment, I would hear him out and decide if that were enough. If not, you’ll have to issue something, but depending on what that is, it could keep her in your territory longer than you’d like. And Landon, Kaitlyn’s your mate. If she was truly trying to kill Kaitlyn, no one will begrudge you killing her. It is your right and would be a deserved punishment.”
“I know that. A part of me is hoping it doesn’t come to it, but I am so angry just thinking it could be an issue. Mostly I’m just angry with myself though for even letting her near Kaitlyn. I basically allowed this to happen and I’m struggling with that more than anything.”
“You can’t beat yourself up over that. You were only trying to help.”
“She took advantage of my weakness and desperation.”
“She did, and I can pretty much guarantee that’ll be the last time that ever happens again. From what Dereck has told me you and your Pack aren’t exactly the welcoming type. He said it took him and Mina months to get into your good graces.”
“That’s true.”
“So what happened this time?”
I sighed. “Dereck gave them temporary shelter in my absence. He thought he was doing the right thing. I don’t begrudge him anything. I know this isn’t his fault. He kept them at a distance and away from the Pack. I was the one that screwed this up and allowed this to happen.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Yeah? How would you feel if someone came into your territory and tried to kill your mate?”
“I’ve actually been there. Nearly started a war over it.”
“What?”
“Long story, but yeah. In fact, my father was almost killed in the process, that’s how I became Alpha at a pretty young age.”
“But your father’s still alive?”
“Yes. He was weak enough that his powers transferred to me and he didn’t fight to get that overturned. He’s rather happy with his new role as a grandfather.”
“Wow, that’s crazy.”
“The point is, I know what you’re going through and just how helpless you feel. Not exactly something any Alpha easily admits. I know you don’t have much in the way of guidance, so I’m really glad you called. You know I’m here to help however I can. No personal agenda and no judgement.”
“I really appreciate that, Kyle. It’s not always easy being a young Alpha in an isolated territory. I didn’t know who else to talk to.”
“Well, I can’t tell you what to do. You’ll know when the time is right. Stick to your gut and you’ll do fine. If you need to run anything by me, I’m just a phone call away.”
“Dad, can you help me with my homework?” I heard a small child ask in the background.
“Just a minute, Zander. Well, my bonus duty calls, but I mean it, anytime. Good luck. I’ll support you in whatever you decide. You’ve been great to Jackson as well as Dereck and Mina. I know you’re a good man, Landon, and a strong Alpha. You can count on Westin Pack to have your back.”
“Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I hung up the phone and leaned my back against the couch. I closed my eyes and pinched my nose. I heard Terrence come out of the room and walked towards me, but I took a minute to just breathe. I didn’t know what I was going to do if he said what I thought he was about to say.
I opened my eyes to find the old man staring down at me.
“Headache? Do you have the trembles? How about heart palpitations? Any convulsions?”
“None of that, just stressed. What’s the word? Is it hemlock?” I guessed.
“Worse. It’s water hemlock, the worst kind of all and lethal to both human and animals, Landon.”
Something in the way he said it told me he knew, but there was still no way I was going to admit what I was to him.
“Are those the symptoms?”
“Amongst others, like death.”
