Xander | must protect Alice at all costs, and this was my only recourse.
âThis is absurd!â Greg burst forth through the crowd, rage shining in his eyes as he met my gaze.
Luke wasnât far behind, his hand wrapped around Aliceâs wrist, dragging her behind him.
| let loose a low growl.
Luke let go immediately.
âYou have no right,â Luke said.
âlam well within my right to protect a member of this pack from possible harm, and | am well within my right to open an investigation into members of the pack.â | crossed my arms over my chest and widened my legs.
âWhat are you going to do with our mate? The elders gave her to us. Sheâs ours.â Spittle flung from Gregâs mouth as he spat the words out.
âShe'll be kept safe,â Zane cut in before | could respond. âWith us.â
âNo f ucking way!â Luke yelled. âYou will not take our mate away from us. Especially since we all know your history with her.â
Alice stood on her tiptoes to peer around Lukeâs shoulder, her eyes filled with gratitude.
| wouldnât let harm come to her, and | would figure out a way to make her ours.
âAlpha Xander, this is completely unacceptable.â Aldon stepped forward and stood in front of the crowd.
âPack protection is not within the eldersâ power. It is at my discretion, and | am simply doing what | must in order to protect a valuable member of our pack. Certainly the elders will understand the need to protect one of our viable she-wolves.â
âThis is not about that, and you know it. Youâre playing with fire, Xander, Aldon threatened.
âIt doesnât matter what you think this is about. Until you can find a law that negates my ruling, it stands. Gregory and Lucas will not be mated to anyone until my investigation is complete, and thatâs final.â
He stood there for a moment, staring at me, glaring at me, clearly thinking about what his next move was..
There was none.
Not right now, at least.
I'm sure he'd find something, but he wasnât going to find it today.
Ww | held my hand out to Alice.
Greg and Luke both moved to stand in front of her to keep her from coming to me, and | let loose a low warning growl that had them practically ushering Alice into my arms.