we’re after.”
Yeah, you are looking for anyone who’ll help you force your control over every shifter in the country, I thought irritably. “I like it here in Cornwall.” I scratched awkwardly at my neck, then realised what I was doing and pulled my hand down to my side.
“I can understand that.” She pulled slightly at her black shirt, smoothing it down. “I think there are a few of your comrades who want to leave though. Come on, this is going to be fun.” Her eyes gleamed with a spark of gleeful anticipation.
I sighed and stood up too. Better get it out of the way, I supposed.
*
The whole pack was assembled in the gymnasium by the time I arrived with Lucy. It was utterly ridiculous that everyone was being made to participate in the evaluations, like we were some kind of performing seals here just for the Brethren’s benefit. It was equally galling to see how excited some of them were with some typical shifter tics manifesting themselves. Was that Tom actually pawing the ground? I tried to catch his eye but he didn’t look up. He must still be pissed off with me. I looked up at the gallery and noted Staines, the blonde and the Lord Alpha but didn’t see any others. They were huddled together in some kind of confab. Whatever. Lucy noted my survey and murmured that the remainder of the visiting Brethren were out investigating the area where John had been killed. As if they’d find anything, I thought. There were no tracks and no traces of anything. That didn’t mean that I wouldn’t still find out myself what it was that had ripped him apart like that. I wasn’t stupid enough to not acknowledge that the Brethren would have skills aplenty but I knew that I was simply more invested in finding his murderer than they were.
I took my place at the side with the rest of pack whilst Lucy headed up to the gallery.
Staines began to speak, his voice filling the space. “Tomorrow evening we will confirm the new alpha of the Cornish pack. In the meantime, in accordance with the Way, we shall evaluate all members’ skills to help determine who that shall be.”
I rolled my eyes at the obvious procrastination. It was still going to be Julia. The evaluations were just the Brethren’s way of reminding us that they were in control.
Staines consulted a sheet. “Nina and Betsy, take your places.”
The two girls stepped forward, looking visibly nervous. “Begin,” said Staines.
They circled each other warily. Neither had weapons, in accordance with the rules of the evaluations, but they could shift if they wished. I pegged Betsy as the winner. She had more of a tenacity about her than Nina. It was Nina who made the first move though, pouncing towards Betsy with a feline swipe. She caught her on the side of the head and Betsy took a staggered step back. Score one to Nina.
I looked up at the gallery again. The blonde was making notes whilst Staines frowned down at the fight. Lucy at least looked down more encouragingly. The Lord Alpha was next to them, arms folded. This was the first chance I’d had to study him properly. His hair was pure black, as Julia had mentioned, and he retained a golden all over tan that didn’t look like it came out of a bottle. And, as advertised, his physique was…impressive, I had to admit grudgingly. He towered over the other two, filling the space. I could see what Julie had meant about having those arms wrapped around you and doubted that he ever had any trouble getting a girlfriend. I was equally sure that if he was your enemy then he’d squash you without breaking a sweat or giving it a second thought. I wondered what his were actually was and shivered involuntarily.
On the gym floor, Nina squealed and I returned my attention to the fight. Betsy had her by the hair and on her knees. I smiled, before remembering that I shouldn’t know anything about fighting or appreciate a strong display of it in any way. Meek. Weak. Meek. Weak. Betsy looked up at the gallery for approval and the Lord Alpha nodded. With that the fight was over. The blonde took a few more notes then the next pairing began.
The evaluations went by with unhappy swiftness. I could see that virtually everyone’s techniques lacked flair or skill but couldn’t decide if I was pleased or disappointed that