Chapter 469: Shameless 2
Graeme was trying to keep his cool as much as possible. He could see that Violet wanted to object to the idea of returning to the dungeon and even to lash out—there was a fury inside of her that he caught with the Veiled, not that he need the Veiled to realize it. She was very visibly enraged. But she knew better than to act out in whatever way she was imagining at the moment.
If Violet were to attack Samuel, himself, or any other member of the pack—including Neoma and Lucas—it would be grounds for much worse than being placed back in the dungeon. And she had no standing in the Thundering Falls pack regardless of the suggestions she had made about becoming their Luna.
From the look on Beta Ranier’s face, he did not appear to want to place himself in the middle of this dispute for the sake of a female whom he had only just met and whom was also the forced mate of their late terrorist Alpha. If Graeme had to guess, he would say with a considerable amount of confidence that Violet had very little chance of getting the Luna position she wished for.
Ranier would have to take the information back to his council for formal consideration. But with Violet never having spent time in Thundering Falls and only recently becoming mated to the outsider who eliminated their previously beloved Alpha, Alpha Galen, it was much more likely that their pack would wish to be rid of all connections to Cassian.
Everything about Ranier’s demeanor and his explanation for how Cassian had come to be their Alpha spoke of how nightmarish this experience with Cassian had been for them, and now—thanks to Graeme and his people—that nightmare was over. Welcoming Violet would not allow their pack to heal as they needed.
"After everything between us," Violet fumed, glaring at Graeme as Lucas took a hold of her arm, "this is how you treat me? Do you have any idea what I have been through?"
"We will hold a trial, Violet. That way everyone can hear what you have been through and judge for themselves," Graeme said, "I have already tried to help you as much as I thought possible, but perhaps I am being too lenient."
"Think about what I said," Violet said with her eyes on Ranier as she was led away.
She pulled her arm out of Lucas’ grasp once they were down the hall and proceeded to walk ahead of him and Neoma. There was no way she was going to let Lucas manhandle her or act as if he had any physical power of her. He was nothing compared to her. And neither was the little bitch who was apparently Graeme’s new alyko bodyguard despite the fact that she looked like she was twelve.
"Head to the dungeon, Violet," Neoma warned her, glancing at Lucas to make sure he was okay. She could feel the fury coming off of Violet, and she was worried Violet might do something stupid. There was a reason why Graeme had wanted Neoma’s help. Violet obviously had power that she didn’t have before.
Violet scoffed at being told what to do by a mere pup and stalked ahead without a word in response. She would go to the dungeon because she was obeying Graeme’s wishes—not because these two were forcing her.
Back in the office, Graeme sighed heavily. "I am sorry about that Beta Ranier."
"You better be careful with her. I am not trying to tell you how to run your pack, but if she has even a portion of the power that Cassian did..." Ranier said, eyes wide as he raked a hand through his hair. What would become of the lycan packs if there were more like her and Cassian out there? One was enough.
"She will be dealt with appropriately," Graeme said simply.
"May I ask," Ranier said then, gesturing toward his own eyes as he stared curiously at Graeme’s. "What does this mean? Are you no longer lycan?"
"No. I am still very much lycan," Graeme replied, his eyes darkening. "My mate is alyko."
"Oh," Ranier said. "An alyko Luna? That is surely a first. Is she here? I would like to meet her. She must be very special to hold that honor."
Graeme smiled cautiously. This male was trying to get information about August, and he didn’t appreciate it. Curiosity was one thing, but he didn’t know what Ranier would take back to his pack and the rumors he would spread. The Beta already had enough of an insider’s view about what was going on here—much more than Graeme would have liked.
"She is busy," Graeme said, his protective instinct flaring to life in his chest. Even though August was nowhere near pack land at the moment, he still felt prepared to fight for her.
"I guess there have not been any alyko mates before to know how it could affect the partner. Your Luna is one of a kind in many ways," Ranier continued, "Do you have powers like your mate? Or like... Cassian?"
A muscle feathered in Graeme’s jaw. "Is there anything else we can help with you with?"
Ranier chuckled softly. "I understand. Apologies for the inappropriate questions. There is just so much now that is changing. It is hard to wrap my head around what this means for the future of our packs. It seems the dynamics are shifting so much."
Graeme stood silently without responding, the light from the repaired office windows casting an ethereal glow around him. Ranier could feel that his welcome was indeed expiring.
"Thank you for receiving me with no prior notice. Again, my apologies. I guess the only other thing would be Cassian’s body. It would be beneficial if I were able to return him to the pack so they could see the truth with their own eyes," Ranier said.
"I am afraid that will not be possible," Graeme said in return.
"Why is that?" The male looked back and forth between the glowing apparition of the Hallowell Alpha and the Beta who had returned to his desk.
Sam scooted forward in his chair and leaned his forearms against the wooden surface in front of him. "We burned him."
