his namesake in him. He was also an inch taller than me, which I was sure he got from my father.
“Go, we don’t want to be late.”
Drake nodded, then left to join his wives.
Elliot was the last to come down the stairs, and I was heading to the front door to join my own wives when I turned to see him. He didn’t bother to wear anything fancy. He had on a pair of black jeans, boots, and a button-down, gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I supposed it was the best one could ask for from him, because he preferred to wear leather pants. For Elliot, the fashion of the late nineteenth century was his favorite when chaps and spurs were essential.
“Let’s end this bitch, Sir,” he said as he passed me by.
I laughed and left the house, locking it up before climbing into our waiting limo. Anton and Matthew were already on their way to the feast, mainly because I thought they just wanted to eat. That and fucking, which was something I was sure plenty of wolves were looking forward to. We made it to Julie’s mansion within the hour and entered. The feast was being held in the backyard, which was decorated with lights streaming overhead making it look like stars. The tables were connected to form a large square and it was enough space to fit all two-hundred and eighty-three wolves. God, such a small number. Our pack was simply vulnerable, especially when the packs of the other Alphas numbered nearly a thousand, and some twice that size.
Wolves were gathered around and some were in groups, chatting, and even giving each other handjobs. Some were fucking while others were just sitting and waiting for the feast to commence. I did see Nicholette as she placed a few baskets of bread on the tables. Our eyes connected, but didn’t linger. Two weeks ago, I approached her in secret. Gave her the vial that cost me a pretty penny. It wasn’t easy to get dragon’s venom or the wolfsbane that I needed in order to mask the scent. With the promise of marriage, I sealed the deal with Nicholette. I also fucked her brains out against the tree, my way of letting her know what kind of pleasure her future husband could give her.
The plan had been in motion for the past two months, and I was ready to take my rightful place. We all began to take our seats at the table. Royce arrived fashionably late with Agnes, but he was there. The servants continued to bring dish after dish out, setting platters of meats, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, and cheeses on the table along with our bowls of soup. The chatter was joyful as wolves did love a party.
Julie rose and lifted up her glass of wine. We all did the same as we prepared to toast this feast. “Wolves, I’m so happy so many of you could make it. I wanted to welcome our newest members into the pack.” She paused for everyone to acknowledge and welcome the last recruits who had been brought in. Once that was done, she continued. “I also wanted to have you all here for fellowship. So, eat, drink, have fun. We all deserve it.”
“Before we toast to that, Julie, I have something to say,” Royce said, surprising everyone, including me.
“What is on your mind, Royce?” Julie asked.
Royce rose and held his wine goblet up. “I want you to enjoy this meal, knowing it will be your last.”
The shocked gasps that raced through all present was deafening. Hell, I even gasped, because I didn’t see this coming. He’d never been so bold before.
Julie lowered her glass. “Are you threatening me?” she snarled.
“I am challenging you… there is a difference.”
“How dare you!” Julie snapped. “I am your Alpha!”
“In name only,” Royce shot back. “Really, I should have challenged you a long time ago. Had my father not listened to your suggestions, we wouldn’t have fallen to those fucking dragons. We’d still have our London territory and probably theirs. He let his love for you blind him to reason, even ignoring my counsel, and we suffered because of it.”
“I fought alongside your father.”
“And I lost my mother that night too. All because of you. Julie, you are unworthy to be our Alpha. Even at the meeting of Alphas, you capitulated, allowing them to dictate how we grow our pack. Leaving us vulnerable to attack if they should fancy it.” Royce shook