Deacon - Nicholas Bella Page 0,77

was meant to be.”

“Ahhh, but I am not strong enough to challenge and defeat Royce,” I said. “And even if I did, the pack respects him too much for me to gain their obedience. I cannot have that dark cloud over my head if I am to rule.”

“Then… we make it so Royce doesn’t defeat Julie,” Elliot said.

Both Charlene and I turned to him. “What do you mean?” I asked him.

“Julie can’t defeat him, right? She’s not stronger than Connor was. She won’t be able to defeat you,” Elliot said.

I nodded. “She has Connor’s essence, which connects us all. That’s why the pack is still at the strength level we were when he was alive. But no, I’m older and more powerful than Julie. I still don’t see where you’re going with this, Elliot.”

Elliot took another swig and Charlene scoffed. “Because he’s drunk and talking out of his ass.”

“I assure you, my lady, I can handle my drink. Just listen,” Elliot said, then leaned forward, bottle still in hand. “We have to turn the pack against Julie, so when you do kill her, you will have the respect of the pack, even those as powerful as you.”

“How?” I asked.

“By making it seem that Julie killed Royce because she was afraid that he would defeat her and take over the pack,” Elliot said.

“Ahh, I see. Yes, that would work. And I would step in, challenging Julie to defend Royce’s honor,” I said.

Elliot nodded. “All we need is for Royce to issue a challenge.”

“Why not go with the rumors that he was interested like what is circulating now?” I asked.

Elliot shook his head. “Rumors are just that. We need for him to threaten Julie with the possibility. For the challenge to be made.”

“He will kill her,” Charlene said.

I nodded. “Challenges usually take place right then and there once it is issued.”

“Well, that’s where some finesse will have to be made. We three must coax them in that direction. Charlene, you should whisper in Julie’s ear that you heard the rumors. And Deacon, you should plant a seed in Royce’s mind that he will make a better Alpha,” Elliot said.

“Well, the mechanisms of this plan are just… truly Machiavellian. Honestly, I have forgotten that you were capable of such schemes,” I said with a wicked smile, because I liked what Elliot had come up with, to a point. It still involved me betraying Royce, something I wasn’t sure I could do.

He sat back and shrugged. “You want to become Alpha, you have to take out two pieces on the board to do so. A king and queen, my dark knight, they must go.”

The thought of Royce dying didn’t set well with me. As much as I wanted to be the Alpha, could I kill a friend? I’d known Royce damn near my entire life; he’d brought me through some tough times. I didn’t know if I was ready to act on my urges, especially since it seemed as though Royce would not challenge Julie anyway.

I sighed. “Let us revisit this plan at a later time. I’m not yet ready to make such drastic decisions. Julie, I could not care less if she dies, but Royce… that is another matter altogether.”

“When and if he does look to want to challenge her, I would have you make the hard decision, Deacon,” Charlene said.

I frowned, because such words coming from her was somewhat out of character. “Royce and his wife are your friends as well. Are you so eager to see Agnes without her man?”

“I would see my children be elevated above all others as the offspring of the Alpha,” Charlene said, then she placed her hand over her stomach.

My eyes widened as I followed her movements and the meaning dawned on me. “Are you with child?” I asked, looking up at her, my mouth agape.

She smiled widely and nodded. “Quite so, my love.”

“A seed was planted already, I see,” Elliot said, then raised his drink to us. “Congratulations.”

I barked out laughter and leaped from the sofa, carrying Charlene in my arms as I twirled around with her. We kissed in celebration until the spinning got to be too much for her.

“Please, stop and put me down,” she said, chuckling.

I did just that, placing her ever so gently on her feet. “Such a sensitive constitution,”

She tossed me a look, but rolled her eyes. “You are fortunate enough to not have to bear a pregnancy.”

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I had tried. I