Page 50 of Stolen Mate

The leader of the Council held up his hand. “Is this true, Henry Grayson?”

Zak leaned over to Derek and whispered. “Your talents are wasted as a deputy sheriff. You should be a lawyer.”

“Well, parts of it are, but as my son points out, no one was there so we don’t know what happened. You must make them uphold our most sacred law. It is tradition.”

“Tradition,” sighed Derek. “The laundry line on which every zealot hangs themselves. And if our tradition is that we would kill a woman who sought to save her baby or her daughter who thought to protect the only sister she’s ever known, then this council can hang itself right beside Henry. It’s time shifters everywhere looked to their traditions and councils to see if they still served them well. I would say in this case, not so much.”

“I have a suggestion,” said Colby from the back.

“The Council will hear the Alpha of Windsong.”

“For some time,” said Colby, addressing the Council, “there has been a schism among the polar bear-shifters at Otter Cove. A breach that has been encouraged and widened by Henry Grayson. It is my belief that more than half of Henry’s people only stay at their ancestral home because of Henry and his threats to them, to their families, and to others whom they care about.”

“That’s not true,” snarled Henry.

“Isn’t it?” said Colby, turning to face him. “If I might, I have affidavits of more than sixty-nine percent of those presently at Akiak who state, for the record, that they would leave if they could, but are afraid to do so. I’m sure I would have more did I not have to gather the information in secret to protect the anonymity of those who answered.”

“I want to see those names,” growled Henry.

“Over my dead body,” answered Colby smoothly. “It has always been the tradition of this Council that if two-thirds of those who make up a designated clan no longer believe in their alpha, that the Council will step in and remove him.”

Henry’s swagger began to fail him. “You can’t count those traitors at Zak’s lighthouse…”

“I didn’t. We only got affidavits from those who reside at Akiak. I would propose to the council that Henry Grayson be removed and that the Akiak Clan be reunited under Zak’s authority.”

“I can foresee two problems…” started Zak.

“I won’t go,” sneered Henry.

“That isn’t much of a problem,” said Derek matter-of-factly. “If you refuse, I will challenge you in Zak’s name.”

“I can make my own challenge,” said Zak evenly.

“Maybe so, but that bastard basically put out a hit on my mate and her sister. The right to kill him belongs to me.”

Henry paled in the face of his youngest son’s acrimony.

“As I started to say,” continued Zak. “Two problems: the first is I’m not sure the populations of Akiak and the lighthouse compound can be combined and not overwhelm the properties. The second is that some of those at the lighthouse would never return to Akiak under any circumstances.”

“Might I propose a solution to both?” asked Colby. The head of the Council nodded. “I would propose that a second clan be established at Mystic River. Derek is an alpha male and has proven himself to be an excellent leader. Like Zak, he would be the natural heir to claim the role of alpha up at Akiak were Zak not available to lead there.”

“Where would we put them?” asked Jax, who had been lurking in the background.

“I’m so glad you asked,” purred Colby. “It just so happens that I own the acreage from Derek’s homestead cabin up to the border of Wolf Run. I would be willing to sell Derek the land for his people for the sum of three hundred twenty-three dollars and fifty cents.”

Derek and Jax started to laugh—it was the fine on the ticket Derek had written him.

“I would also propose,” Colby continued, “that as she has said she is amenable to being turned, Lara Dixon be stationed and granted lands for a new clinic over in Otter Cove. The area could use its own vet. I would be willing to donate one of several buildings I own that I believe might be perfect for her.”

“That’s generous of you, Colby,” said Derek.

“Think nothing of it. The land I’m offering you is more suited to polar bears than lynxes. And last, but not least, I demand the edict demanding the arrest and execution of Lara Dixon and Tess Grayson be nullified for all time.”

The council members looked between themselves and agreed. “The Council hereby accepts the proposal as outlined by the lynx-shifter.”

“Wait!” screeched Henry, “I don’t agree to any of this.”

“Then prepare to be challenged,” said Derek coolly. He had no desire to kill his sire, but if that was the price of keeping Tess and Lara safe, so be it.

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