In The Beginning, Chapter 100
Within thirty minutes the rest of the Alphas had arrived and taken their seats, the doors were closed, and we could start.
“As some of you know, we are preparing for war. The vampires have been trying to infiltrate our packs, destabilising them from within, and we have learned what they are planning. Like with us, the vampires have inserted themselves into human politics, their corruption has tainted and infected them. The next step will be to wipe humans out, destroy the planet, and when the dust settles, they will have their people leading ours, choosing who will get the chance to mate, and who will be fed to the vampires. You are all here because you want something from me or my mate, the price of us listening to your request, is to listen to ours. These packets contain all the evidence we have gathered so far, take them with you, read them carefully, and keep them private. Your men do not see anything inside until you have verified their family histories and acquaintances, this information cannot be leaked. But before you read anything, I have some witnesses who would like to be heard.” I finished, squeezing Charlie’s had for reassurance. I had gone over it a hundred times, I wanted to keep the information here, but Charlie had made the argument we had to show a little trust in order to get it from the other Alpha’s. She did have a plan for monitoring what got out too, suggesting that we give them all the information on how we found the traitors in our pack, while giving them all a different story on how we came to get the information. By the time she was done I was on the fence, we would never get a better chance to get so many Alphas on our side but trusting them was not easy when it came to Charlie. Which is why their packets contained nothing about her visions, or training, as far as they knew, she was my mate, no more. I pressed the speaker button on the only landline in the room. “Alpha Lang? Can you hear us?” I asked, awaiting the gruff old man’s voice.
“Yes, Alpha Summer, your Beta and I can hear you.” He replied, sounding tired, his son was just eighteen, having been the youngest of five children, and the only male, the old Alpha had been waiting to hand over the pack for some time, but had to continue to wait until his son completed his training.
“Could you tell us all what happened in your pack today?” I asked, and I heard him take a shaky breath.
“This morning, my pack was attacked, in a co-ordinated effort, designed to cripple us, leave us without a leader... My mate and daughters were with Applewood’s Beta female, and our own, having tea when they were attacked, six women, and three Luna’s guard against thirty vampires... Applewood’s beta female acted quicker than some of my men, I’m ashamed to admit, we didn’t believe in the threat, and we were punished for it. I lost seventeen warriors today, three females, and six male pack members, and I have another twenty or so injured warriors, we are still assessing. It would have been worse had Beta Ben Summer not been here with his mate, they saved many lives today.” The old Alpha sighed, and I looked around at the other Alphas, all of whom were keeping their heartrates and emotions in check as they listened. Alpha Johnson opened his mouth to ask something, but stopped himself, looking at me for permission, but unable to ask it. I nodded and indicated he could ask, curious of what he would say.
“Gunnar?” Alpha Johnson called, and I heard a gruff almost chuckle from the Alpha on the phone.
“Yeah Val.”
“You know what I’m gonna ask, right?”
“Luna’s Day 1983.” Alpha Lang replied without missing a beat, I knew the Alpha’s had been friends a long time, and it had to be an inside joke or shorthand to let the other know something, I just had no idea what.
“It’s all true?” Alpha Johnson asked incredulously.
“I swear to the goddess, they are coming for us all, the only chance any of us have is together! Is that the report? Who was the traitor?” I heard Alpha Lang snarl as he moved away from the phone.
“Ben?” I called, when it became obvious the Alpha was still juggling several issues in the aftermath of the attack.
“Yeah, I’m here Alpha. The Luna and her daughter’s had some defensive training, which helped...” Ben trailed off, too angry to keep talking.
“Are you and Maria alright?” I asked, and he took a deep breath.
“Maria is being observed by the doctors for the next couple of hours, but we are alright...” I could hear him trying to calm down, before he suddenly blurted. “There didn’t need to be so much death, it never should have happened.” He growled aggressively.
“Get yourself and Maria home as soon as possible.” I ordered; they were supposed to be travelling until the end of the month, but this attack felt personal somehow.
“Yeah, we will be home tomorrow with the doctor’s say so...” the line became muffled while we waited.
“Alpha Summer?” Alpha Lang asked.
“Yes Alpha?”
“I’m not sure how this factors into everything... but I have no pack members with a vampire family connection. My father and grandfather became paranoid, perhaps rightly so... although I didn’t agree with how they dealt with it; they banished anyone who mated with a non-Lycan, even during my time as Alpha, my pack has been hesitant to accept a mate that was not wolf.” I leaned back in my seat, if they had no-one to take over, what was the point of attacking? Or was that the point? To weaken them so another pack could take their lands while Gunnar’s son tried to lead.
“If they have no one who would work with the vampires, why attack them?” Alpha Parker asked.
“Perhaps because they had no one to take over the pack, so they wanted to weaken it, kill the Luna, the pack will be devastated. The Alpha won’t last long without her, and with no one to rule until Mason has completed his training, the boy will be forced to step up before he is ready. This would leave them open to an attack.” Alpha Johnson answered for me, looking around at the other Alphas. “Alpha Summer? My pack, and I with join the fight.” He finally stated with a resolute nod.
“Thank you Alpha Johnson.” I replied with a nod of my own, before I looked around at the other Alphas. “We don’t know why they started with us, but with every pack in the state experiencing doubts in leadership, we knew it had to be external forces. My uncle plotted with a half vampire member of my pack, together they almost brought about the end of Applewood. Alpha Hensley of Sycamore Pack, and Alpha Jensen of Oakwood pack are awaiting your calls should you require their testimonials.” I explained, hoping to get them out before someone started an argument.
“What about Alpha Whitehead?” Alpha Vogel asked.
“It was discovered he was part of the kidnapping of Luna Jensen, and Leif Jensen, heir to Oakwood pack. Alpha Hensley and I stripped him of his rank before we tried to exchange him for the Luna and pup, however we had to resort to a stealth rescue after he refused to co-operate. Alpha Jensen killed him once his Luna and pup were safe. They were chained, beaten, and Lander saw it, Eric was watching a live feed of it when we met to discuss the issues in our packs. He was in league with the vampires, we have multiple witnesses.” I explained carefully.
“Even so, to strip an Alpha of his title is...” Alpha Cornell muttered.
“Traitorous, blasphemous, sickening.” Vogel hissed.
“I saw what they did. Heard that rabid dog laugh when confronted with his deeds, and he confessed. We were attacked that day because of him, people died because of him. He was out of control, and we had concrete proof, so we acted. He could not be allowed to continue leading, and if you don’t believe me, why don’t I arrange for you to talk to the wolves he abused in his own pack. I assure you, when you hear what that animal did, you will wish he suffered more. Females abducted from their mates, and forced to...” I didn’t even realised I was standing until I felt Charlie’s hand on my arm, stopping me from reaching across the table and strangling Vogel.
“Eric Whitehead abducted children, killed his own men, either by his own hand or another’s. He fed members of his pack to vampires, stealing enough of their souls they lost their compassion, empathy and sympathy. He took in rogues with... unnatural appetites, and supplied them with whatever they needed for their perversions, including the children. He was evil, and needed to be stopped.” Charlie explained with her back straight, an eyebrow raised challenging any of them to try and argue with her. There were several low growls, but no one took the bait. She ran her hand down my arm, gave my hand a soft squeeze before she took her seat, it was a small comfort and signal all in one.
“How do you know this Luna? If you don’t mind my asking.” Alpha Bures asked with a respectful smile.
“I spoke with a woman who was taken by Eric, he gave her to his men when they pleased him, or when her mate did not. After her mate was killed by Eric, she tried to protect the pups he kept in the pack house, one was a little girl who was orphaned, and due to be given as a reward to one of his wolves.” She looked disgusted even saying it, while I hated not only that it was happing in the world, but that she knew about it. I sank back into my seat, depressed and tired.
“She told you this?” Alpha Bures pressed.
“When she joined our pack, she met her second chance mate, and they asked to adopt the girl. She told us everything Eric had done that she witnessed.” Charlie nodded, and the Alpha sat back, even with his guard up I could tell his mind was racing.
“He is not the only Alpha abusing his position. I have had reports that implicate the Dessert Plains pack of Nevada, the Mesquite pack of Arizona, and the Banyan pack of Florida in illegal hunting of Nymphs, Lycans, witches and humans. Some they procure for other Alphas, as mates, or to be used for their abilities. Dessert Plains even has a whore house they keep young nymphs in, training them as juveniles, and selling off their first... interaction as soon as they are eighteen. Do any of you have any dealings with these packs?” I asked the room, only one heartbeat remained steady, the other Alphas were unable to hide their disgust and outrage, but he was not shocked by the information, so he maintained his control. I looked into his eyes and saw a glimpse of the monster lying behind the perfectly sculpted mask. “You are very quiet Alpha Lyall.” I goaded him.
“It is a lot to absorb.” He replied with a cool smile, while I fought back vomit.
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