36. Pardoned and Achieved

“Stop this fucking nonsense!”
Sona winced in surprise at Edom’s bark. Everyone except Taos flinched. Chastened and bitter about it under the room’s scrutiny, Rand returned to his seat, his Luna resting her hand on his to ease his temper.
Now Sona knew that all Leto werewolves shared the same resentment toward the Redbone pack and family. Conri claimed no revenge or justice—but she feared Rand Shaw might.
She glanced at her former mate and Vallea; they were trying to get their old packmate’s attention. Neither of them had visited Leto since the raid almost twenty years ago. How close were they, if at all? Both of them hadn’t been high rank. Conri had worked his way up to be Gamma, given privilege by his friendship with Arden. Had they been close to the Shaw family before?
Edom was easily the largest wolf out of the rest. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that he would best them all if the room should all attack him at once. His voice alone was enough to put all Alphas, Gammas, and Epsilon in their place.
“None of us want to be here,” he said, glaring at each wolf, and each one looking away quickly. “So let’s get this over with without waving our cocks around.”
“Our egos, he means,” Taos chuckled, studying the table. “You take precedence, Grayhide. Care to go first? Any objections?” No one protested. Taos lifted his head and smiled at Conri. “Make it quick.”
Conri curled his lip. “If only to get you out of my sight.” Looking around the room—others willing to keep *his* gaze—he began briskly and emotionlessly, “Regardless of how Luna Amaris and Alpha Artem departed Moonvalley pack, the law states that in the event of the death of an Alpha, his Beta should assume the proverbial throne and title. In this case, the Beta is Arden Roshan. Who has been missing for over a week.
“Alphas,” he continued, “we do not keep in touch as often as we should. I will make my summary quick and in line with ancient werewolf law: unless Arden Roshan makes himself known within the next week to either claim or refuse his birthright, the title defaults to the current Gamma. In this case, Conri Grayhide. Me. Simple as that. Is there any opposition?”
The room was silent, which felt odd considering the boisterous personalities. Taos sat; Sona felt his hand on her thigh. It gave her the courage to whisper only for him to hear, “This is wrong.”
Arden was the rightful heir. The Alpha title was his and should be no one else’s. Damn the law. It felt like handing gold to a liar and a murderer and asking them to treat it with care and not spend it selfishly.
But no one else knew that Arden already revoked his claim. He didn’t want to serve his own packmates anymore or protect Valleytown. He’d given up his home, and his friends, and cast away his old life because his parents were dead. He wasn’t close to any other blood relatives. Sona didn’t blame him; she’d cut ties with Moonvalley, too. It didn’t mean it was an easy or quick decision, but events had changed them inside, and this was the outcome.
Taos’ fingers pressed into the space between her legs dangerously high. “Does this feel wrong?”
She crossed one leg over the other to dislodge him. He chuckled under his breath and withdrew, raising his voice to say, “The real question is, how does a Leto wolf on a Moonvalley throne sit with you bastards? Does it fuck up the system or do we not really give a shit?”
“Truth is,” Conri said, leaning back in his chair with nothing but flippancy, “it’s not up to any of you. I just thought I’d extend the courtesy. I wasn’t sure how strongly you felt about Beta Arden.”
Sona squirmed. *Wrong wrong wrong*. There isn’t anything *right* happening.
The Leto and Goldwater Alphas exchanged unreadable expressions. Conri was right in the sense that an Alpha’s position could be challenged or taken in multiple ways, including this specific situation. Often it went against the loyalty system attached to the ruling dynasty of the pack.
Eldor huffed a sigh. “Personally I’d like to know if Sona’s claims are true or not. For the safety of my own pack, how can I know to trust one with our imports and exports who earned their title by regicide?”
He was looking at Vallea.
“I wouldn’t make a murderer my queen,” Conri growled, blocking Eldor’s view of her. “And I will not tolerate accusations. Our ascension would have no negative effect on trade with either Goldwater or Leto. But I do plan on shoring our defenses against potential enemies.”
Everyone looked at Taos. And, subsequently, Sona.
She felt the need to straighten her spine and neutralize her expression. Taos’ words came back to her: *“A word of advice, trinket: learn to control your expressions.*” If she was to be a leader, it would be imperative to not let the other Alphas see how she reacted strongly to something; otherwise, it could be used against her.
Taos was unbothered. “Expend your Epsilon if you so wish,” he said with a wave of his hand. “You won’t see a single red fur within miles of any border. I will be too busy pleasing my soon-to-be Luna. I’ll have my hands full.”
Making sure Conri was watching—he was, with a gaze sharper than a hawk—Taos looked at Sona’s almost exposed breasts. And when Conri snarled wordlessly, Sona felt gravitated toward—moon goddess damn her for acknowledging it—her future husband, twisting her torso toward him to give him a better view of her. Because that ugly pettiness was purring at her to keep up the jealousy act.
*You rejected me. This is your punishment*.
Eldor sighed loudly again. “As much as we all enjoy the awkwardness of watching you four taunt each other, let’s be professional. If you, Grayhide, swear upon your life that nothing will change economically or politically between Moonvalley and Goldwater, then no, I do not give a shit what else happens. But I do hope a murderess is prepared to make a sufficient Luna. You’ve no training, have you, Mistress Koray?”
“I was Luna Amaris’ attendant for over a decade, Alpha,” Vallea placated, making herself sound soft and polite.
Sona rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to call her out.
“We are Leto by blood,” she continued, “but we were as good as family to the Roshan dynasty. We will protect and cherish it. The Moonvalley pack has trusted us for a decade, and we will continue to uphold that trust. Alphas, you have nothing to fear.”
“I agree with Eldor,” Rand said. “If nothing changes for the better, then fine. Each pack’s business is its own. Beta Roshan can do whatever he pleases—if he shows up, wherever he is.”
Conri’s gaze flicked to Sona, but no one caught the hint. She wrinkled her nose at him and he looked away. “Great,” he said, not sounding victorious at all. “We will see you all two days after the next Moon Run. Eldor, Rand, any subjects you’d like to add?”
“Goldwater is flourishing,” said Eldor, his mood lifting a little. “And I now have two grandpups.”
Finally a bright light. Sona beamed. “Congratulations, Alpha.”
Maybe he was still the male she used to know, because he beamed back, blue eyes alight. “Thank you, dear. And…” Then he sobered, glancing at his Luna, “we are taking good care of Auryn and Raff as personal guests in our home. They will be glad to know that once you are married, your accusation of poisoning the Moonvalley Luna *will* be void. As long as I am Alpha, I will not believe that a Goldwater healer would commit something so against their oath.”
Relief so immense that tears threatened washed through Sona; she almost didn’t notice Taos’ hand rubbing her thigh. “Thank you, Alpha,” she rasped. “Thank you.”
Her son and grandfather were *safe*. They were *home*. And most importantly: they were miles away from Conri. Even if Raff was upset—very likely was—that his father was suddenly no longer in the picture, it was for the better.
Eldor pardoned her. Her goal was to save her family and just like that, it was achieved. The knot in her stomach finally loosened.
*Once you are married*. Her goals were achieved…and yet she was still betrothed to Taos Redbone. She would still have to go through with it. She would be completely bound to the Redbone pack until the day she died.