Chapter 9

**Pierce Sinclaire's P.O.V.**

I stare at Alpha Shadow.

"Hold it," I say "You mean to tell me that literally the only person who can control a bloodhound, hellhound and hound is walking this Earth and he was supposed to go to you, an order given directly from her? How do I know you all didn't plan this?"

"We didn't plan this," Luna Claradine says "I assure you of that. The presence of the Gaia is recent to all of us. We felt her for the first time a few months ago. Today is the first time any of us have heard a word from her or felt her since."

"Great," I say "So, at some point I should expect a random visit from some super strong female with the power to control every bloodhound, hellhound and hound."

"Pretty much," Alpha Shadow says "However, we can't just leave him here."

"Well," I say "I'm not releasing him."

Alpha Shadow growls lowly, his growl echoing the room and making my wolf tremble. I don't back down.

"I was ordered not to release him," I say, crossing my arms "Unless told otherwise by the Council."

"As his Alpha," Alpha Shadow says "I can handle him just fine. He's a hellhound, it was his first shift. He didn't set out to attack your warriors, he's a pup who lost control of his wolf and hasn't had the chance to be properly trained to control his wolf!"

"And as the Alpha of the warriors he slaughtered," I say "He's going to be punished for his actions."

Lindsey growls lowly, understanding the statement I had just said. Alpha Shadow looks over at her, holding out his hand, palm face down. I frown at the action, confused.

"He's telling her to settle down," Luna Claradine says "Lupus, bloodhounds, hounds, and hellhounds are the more protective species of werewolves. You standing in front of us threatening one of our kind isn't exactly settling to us."

I look between the group and notice that Alpha Shadow's eyes keep switching between red and green.

"You're partially bloodhound," I say, staring at him "Aren't you?"

"What," Alpha Shadow says "No, I'm a lupus."

"The rumors are true," I say "You got rejected by your mate and was forced to watch her take another and lost control of your wolf after. You went on a rampage but the number of how many you killed was never told."

"Because there wasn't a number," Darian says, entering the cell with Paul, Charles and Marcus "Alpha, you're going to want to see this."

Darian holds out the paperwork and Alpha Shadow takes it, flipping through.

"You're convicting him for murder," Alpha Shadow says, flicking through "Murder of whom? Because every warrior on these papers is alive and well, injured but alive."

"The other members that have died," I say "You know, the ones from the attacks that have been happening."

"You're not charging him for a crime he didn't commit," Alpha Shadow says, growling lowly "There's no way an unshifted child could have committed those acts and there's no way he did. Everyone knows when a hellhound loses control and kills, the scene they leave behind is grizzly and messy. These scenes are much too organized to be a hellhound, bloodhound or a hound. So, release the boy to me and I will handle any issues regarding him. However, he did not commit any murders and I will pay for any medical expenses your pack has had to do in an effort to cover the medical expenses of your injured warriors."

Alpha Shadow and I stare each other down.

"I'll call the Council and speak with them," I say "Until then, he stays in this room."

Alpha Shadow growls but Darian steps forward, placing a hand on his shoulder and murmuring something to him.

"Fine," Alpha Shadow says, growling lowly "But Darian, Vincenzo and Lindsey are staying with him until word is heard."

I nod, agreeing to the terms.

"We'll talk about the photos back at the pack," Alpha Shadow says lowly "I don't want anyone else to hear any conversations that we'll be having regarding these incidents."

The group nods and I exit the cell with Alpha Shadow, Luna Claradine, Paul, Charles and Marcus in tow. They follow me to my office and I call the Council. After four rings, the phone picks up.

"Hello," A female voice says "This is Elder Helena as the hellhound representative. What can I do for you?"

"Elder Helena," I say "This is Alpha Pierce Sinclaire speaking. May I speak with Elder Henry or one of the male Elder's?"

"Of course," Elder Helena says "One moment. Oh, hello, Jinx. Just take a seat and I'll be with you in a moment."

I put the Elder on speaker as I wait. Moments later, Elder Helena speaks again.

"Alpha Pierce," Elder Helena says "All the male Elder's are held up in a meeting. They've stated that you may speak with myself or one of the female Elder's disregarding the situation of the hellhound child. Oh, one moment, please. Jinx, calm down, I know you don't like it but you cannot just growl everytime I broach the subject of the child. No harm will come to him, myself nor Henry will allow it. Now settle down while I deal with this."

There's a brief pause as we wait.

"Alpha Pierce," Elder Helena says "It seems your rejected mate would like to have a word with you regarding the safety of the hellhound child. Is that alright?"

"Yes," I say "That's fine."

There's a brief shuffle.

"Pierce," The familiar feminine voice of Jinx says but much stronger than it was a month and a half ago "Is the child okay?"

"He's fine," I say "Why does it matter to you? You're a latent werewolf, Jinx."

"That doesn't matter," Jinx snaps "He's a hellhound, not a regular werewolf. Not only that but from what Elder Henry has taught me in the last month and a half regarding hellhounds, he's newly shifted and has no control. From the evidence you sent of the attack, all your warriors are alive so there's no reason for you to not send him to Black Moon to Alpha Derric to be taught how to control it!"

Alpha Shadow leans forward, the other two hounds leaning forward as well.

"Jinx," I say "This is my pack. As an Alpha and your mate, you need to respect me and my decision."

"Rejected mate," Jinx says "Get that through your head, Pierce. You are not my Alpha, nor are you my mate. You made that clear when you stated that I was a weak omega that could not possibly be strong enough to be your Luna. I do not need to follow any orders given by you. The only orders I need to follow are the orders given to me by the Moon Goddess and the Council, that is it."

A throat clears on the other line.

"Jinx," Elder Henry says "Calm down, my child."

"He wants to continue the punishment of the child," Jinx says "When the child didn't even kill anyone."

"I'm aware," Elder Henry says "We just got out of a meeting regarding that case, Jinx. Let us handle it. Thank you, my love. Alpha Pierce?"

"Elder Henry," I say "Alpha Derric Shadow is here, trying to get me to release the hellhound child to him."

"Release the child to him," Elder Henry says "The Gaia will be in contact with Alpha Derric later this week to recommend a proper punishment for the child. However, as the child is a hellhound and not a regular werewolf, it is not your duty to punish him. After releasing the child, you are not to attempt to charge him with any crimes. The previous attacks on your pack and other packs are being investigated by the Council, the Gaia, and more than likely, by Alpha Derric Shadow and his pack. Let us handle those cases."

"Alright," I say "I will release the hellhound to Alpha Shadow's custody."

"Good," Elder Henry says "We will speak with you soon. Goodbye, Alpha Pierce."

The line goes dead and I get up, leading the group back down to the pack prison. I unlock the door and walk over, unlocking the cuff around the hellhound's ankle.

"You are free," I say "Thank your Alpha for being stubborn and the Council for their decision."

I exit the cell and the group follows behind. They get into their Escalade and leave shortly after I release the hellhound into Alpha Shadow's custody.