Chapter 42: A Sudden Shift

“The wolves are gathering,” Silas stated, as he burst into his father’s office. The high-ranking members of the Red Hoods were gathered around the long glass table and they all turned to face him. He bowed quickly, excusing his interruption.
“Isn’t it nearly the full moon?” a black-haired man drawled from the end of the table. Silas didn’t like him. He was the father of the man intended for Audrey. Their whole family set Silas’s teeth on edge. He didn’t know why but there was something off about them.
“Yes, but these movements are unusual. We haven’t been able to see how many since we are not allowed on their land however, we have noticed many headed this way. Miles believes that they are headed for the alpha’s which can only mean a pack meeting,” Silas retorted. He sneered at the man.
“They must have noticed our own increased numbers. Oh well, perhaps they are actually planning on putting up a fight this time. Good. I’ve grown bored with the hunt when it is only the chase and never the kill.” Ava said, giving her son an icy smile.
“Well, I say we strike tonight. No use in waiting. Is everyone here?” Ava said, looking around at the others around the table. A small mousy man nodded after consulting his phone.
“Good, you are all dismissed for now. Silas will give you your orders later after the meal.” They stood and left the room. “Oh, Silas?” Ava called as he turned to leave. He stopped and turned.
“Shut the door and come here,” she said and walked over to the window. She could see most of the town from here. She caressed the chain around her neck absentmindedly as she watched the slow chug of traffic move through town. It was early, it must be the small rush hour they had here. She wouldn’t know. She rarely graced the streets of Whiteridge with her presence.
“Yes, mother?” Silas replied, standing at attention behind her.
“It’s about Garin,” she said without turning.
“What about him?” he asked, his voice curious.
“He needs to be taken care of. Preferably before tonight. Or we can use him as bait for the she-wolf. Either way, by tomorrow he needs to be gone. He has become quite the liability. Are you able to take care of it?” she looked over her shoulder after he hadn’t answered.
“Silas?” She could see emotions warring in his face. She walked towards him and placed her hands on his shoulders, looking up at him.
“I know this will be difficult, but he is threatening our very way of life. He is in a relationship with one of those disgusting creatures. He has all but flaunted it in our faces. He would rather see us dead than end his affair. He must be taken out, for the family,” she watched as his decision hardened in his eyes.
“Yes mother,” he replied with a bow of his head.
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“Willow?” Loriann exclaimed when she saw her granddaughter walk into the house. “Where have you been? You left during the meeting! I thought something horrible had happened!” she grabbed her roughly and pulled her into her arms, hugging her tightly.
“I’m fine. I just…needed to get out of there.” Willow said, pulling away slightly so she could sit her bag down. Her grandmother watched her; concern etched on her face.
“I know it must be hard but as long as Garin doesn’t fight, he will be safe from the pack,” Loriann replied, thinking that is what was causing her granddaughter’s distant attitude.
“It’s not that, Gramme. I’m not going to fight.” Her grandmother looked taken aback.
“Willow, you have too. Rashida has called us to fight,” her tawny eyes searched Willow’s face, a deep crease between her brows.
“I didn’t submit to her,” Willow stated and pushed past Loriann, heading towards the kitchen. She left before Garin awoke this morning and was starving. She realized she hadn’t eaten in nearly 24 hours and was weak with hunger. She found a leftover ham dinner in the fridge and ate it cold, leaning against the kitchen island.
Loriann sat across the counter and just stared at her. How could she not submit? No one had the power to resist a direct order from the alpha. No one but…another alpha. She knew Willow was now the alpha of her clan but to have the power to be alpha of a pack? How? She wasn’t even a pureblood.
“What are you planning on doing then?” Loriann asked her, as Willow tore off large chunks of ham with her teeth.
Talking around the large hunk of meat in her mouth, Willow said, “I’m going to talk to her. See if I can’t reason with her. There is no need to fight. We can defend yes but to attack? People and wolves will die. There has got to be a better way.”
“Willow, she has given an order. There is no changing her mind now. You heard what she said. We have been hunted for years. Hundreds of years for doing nothing more than existing. Can’t you see what that does? You are young, your memories aren’t as long as ours. We had to watch those we love be hunted and slaughtered by these animals. Your own parents were murdered, Willow. Murdered!” Loriann was surprised to feel tears on her face. She brushed them away hastily.
“I know. I know!” Willow yelled, slamming the plate down on the counter. It shattered into a myriad of sharp shards. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her shaking hands against the counter. Loriann moved back a few steps, her hackles shifting and raising under her skin. The wave of power that washed off of Willow took her breath away.
When Willow raised her eyes, they were glowing, her pupils now small slashes through the yellow orbs. Her breath was ragged and her back heaved as she growled.
“I won't let what happened to my parents, happen to me and Garin. This fight isn’t about us, as much as everyone is trying to make it be. This has been a long time coming and everyone has been looking for an excuse. I will not be a scapegoat and I will not be fighting in someone else’s war.” Loriann could swear that Willow’s canines had elongated, their sharp white tips peeking between her lips. No one could only shift partially.
For the first time in her life, Loriann was afraid of her granddaughter.