Chapter 21: An Exquisite Truth

ELAINE

Connor and I made our way to the conference room where Alpha Patrick was being questioned.

I was aware he might be confused about why we had him restrained, but I needed answers. And he was the one who was going to provide them, since the other packs were staying silent.

As we approached the door, I spotted our parents arguing in the distance. I rolled my eyes and sent them a mind-link, startling them.

“Let’s head in.” I gestured, pushing the doors open.

A handful of warriors, including Sorin and my brother, were gathered around Alpha Patrick, who appeared calm.

“Hello, Alpha Patrick.” I greeted him with a smile, but he responded with a growl.

I shook my head. He wasn’t calm; he was seething with anger. I watched as his gaze immediately shifted to Connor, who was standing behind me. I frowned. What was going on?

Hearing a loud growl, I spun around to see Connor baring his teeth at Alpha Patrick.

“Bow your fucking head!” Connor commanded, moving closer to Alpha Patrick’s face.

I blinked, confused. What was happening?

“I gave you an order, Alpha!” Connor repeated.

Stepping in, I placed my hand on Connor’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looked down at me, his face twisted with anger.

~“Calm down. Tell me what’s going on,”~ I said through the mind-link.

Connor growled once more before stepping back from the alpha and turning to face me.

~“That jerk is challenging our authority,”~ Connor mind-linked.

~“What? Why do you think that?”~ I asked, puzzled.

~“He has no respect for us. He’s offended by the way we’ve treated him,”~ Connor explained, causing me to frown.

Sighing, I turned my attention back to Alpha Patrick, who looked ready to attack Connor.

“Is there a problem?” my father asked as they entered the room.

“No. Both of you, sit there.” I pointed to a pair of wooden chairs. Our parents frowned but did as we asked.

I reached for Connor’s hand and gave it a squeeze, then turned to face Alpha Patrick, who was watching us curiously.

I was aware of the rumor that Connor and I were being punished by the Goddess because of our mutual hatred.

It wasn’t a lie. We both despised each other, and all of this was an act. But pretending to get along to quell the rumors was in our best interest.

“Alpha Patrick, I apologize for the way we’ve welcomed you to our pack. But we need some information, and you’re going to give it to us.” I smiled calmly. He looked at both Connor and me.

“I don’t know what I can tell you,” Alpha Patrick replied.

“Don’t worry about that. It’s a simple question,” I reassured him with another smile. Connor watched me as I smiled back at Alpha Patrick. “Why did the hunters attack your pack?”

The room fell silent. I could feel the atmosphere change, becoming heavy with anxiety.

“Elaine,” my father started, but I shot him a warning look to keep quiet.

“A hunter attacked your sister. And they told me the hunters were targeting the pups of the packs. Oddly, we weren’t informed. Why?” I questioned him.

Alpha Patrick dropped his gaze, his shoulders slumping.

“Alpha Patrick, you understand the implications, right?” Connor chimed in. “If it’s true, you need to speak up.”

Alpha Patrick let out a heavy sigh before leaning back in his chair, his hands displaying the chains binding him. I turned to look at Connor, who was giving him a pointed look.

“Connor, let’s release him,” I suggested quietly. Connor shook his head.

“Speak up, and we’ll let you go see your sister and her pups,” Connor offered instead. That got Alpha Patrick’s attention.

“She gave birth?” Alpha Patrick asked, looking around the room.

“Yes,” I frowned. “She was badly injured as well.”

“Fine,” Alpha Patrick finally answered. “Yes, hunters have been attacking our packs.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Connor demanded.

“It’s not that we didn’t want to,” Alpha Patrick mumbled.

“Then why?” I asked, growing impatient. “You were obligated to inform us as your queen and king!”

“Yes, we know, but we couldn’t,” Alpha Patrick continued. His eyes flicked briefly toward Connor’s father.

I didn’t miss it and moved to block his view.

“Speak,” I commanded as Ashina stepped forward.

He tried to look past me nervously, but I was blocking his view. Realizing there was a reason for this, I growled and grabbed Connor’s father by the neck.

“You knew!” I snarled in his face. He gasped as I tightened my grip.

“Elaine!” my father grabbed my arm, trying to stop me.

“Back the fuck off. That’s an order!” I commanded, making everyone flinch. I was boiling with rage. How could he keep this from us?

“Alpha!” Connor spoke up. His voice was as cold as a winter breeze.

“Now tell us why you didn’t say anything.”

Alpha Martell grumbled under his breath.

“Let me go then,” he demanded, which I complied with. He fell onto his backside, glaring at me. I returned the glare with pleasure.

“You should start talking before I decide jail is the best place for you,” I hissed. Connor’s eyes widened, but I stopped him. “You better start talking.”

“Fine. All right!” Alpha Martell stood up. Straightening his clothes, he looked around the group. “The hunters have been attacking because they believe we attacked them first.”

“What do you mean?” Connor asked, stepping beside me. “Explain yourself.”

“Six months ago, two hunters were found dead on the outskirts of the pack,” my father interjected. “The hunters found bite marks and started blaming us.

“We tried to hash things out, to find some shred of evidence that could prove our innocence. But they were so convinced by what they saw, they started coming after us for payback.”

“But?” I raised an eyebrow.

“They’re blaming the Black Rose Pack,” Alpha Martell admitted.

“Why us? We haven’t been hit, have we?” Connor asked, glancing around at everyone, including Sorin.

“No, we haven’t. But they’re pointing fingers at our pack because they found our warriors’ clothes near the bodies of the dead hunters,” Alpha Martell explained, rubbing his face.

“Where did the attack happen?” I asked. None of this was adding up.

“The Lumia Pack,” Alpha Patrick chimed in.

“The Lumia Pack is, what, six hours away?” I gestured toward the open window. “And they only found two dead hunters?”

“Yes,” my father confirmed.

“What other evidence do we have?” Connor asked, moving closer to me.

“There are some videos and photos from the scene of the attack,” Alpha Martell sighed.

“Really?” I couldn’t help but smile. “Then gather it all up and give it to my beta. Sorin will also look into it with the rest of the team I’ll assemble,” I instructed. “Let Alpha Patrick go see his sister.”

I waited for everyone to clear out before turning back to our parents. Crossing my arms, I took a deep breath before letting them have it.

“You know you should have told us, right?” I snapped. They both stayed quiet, heads bowed.

“Elaine’s right. You should have let us know, not waited until something like this happened.” Connor stepped in front of me, as if to protect me.

Without another word from our parents, Connor turned and pulled me out of the room.

“You both need to step down from your positions,” Connor announced, causing my eyes to go wide.

“No!” Alpha Martell roared, shaking the room.

Connor stopped and let go of my hand. I quickly tried to stop him, placing my hands on his chest.

I knew what was about to happen, and we didn’t need it. Not when it felt like our own family was pushing us to give up the throne.

“Connor.” I tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge.

Using all my strength, I pushed harder, finally stopping him.

He abruptly halted and looked down at me.

“Move, my queen!” Connor’s rough voice sent a chill down my spine, making me swallow hard.

“You can’t do this,” Alpha Martell shot back. I muttered a curse under my breath. Couldn’t this jerk just keep his mouth shut?

“I can, and I will.”

“You little shit!” Alpha Martell bellowed.

I tensed, every muscle in my body going rigid. Without a second thought, I punched him hard, sending him flying across the room.

The sound of bones breaking against my fist was oddly satisfying.

“Watch your mouth when you’re talking to your king!” I warned, cracking my knuckles. “We gave you an order. If you don’t want to be kicked out of the pack, do as you’re told!”

He stared at me, shocked, while holding his bleeding face.

Suddenly, I felt arms around my waist. Blinking in surprise, I saw Connor smirking as he peppered kisses on my shoulder.

“Let’s go,” Connor murmured, leading me out of the room.