his head. “No longer will I stand by and allow my brothers and sisters to languish under your rule. So, enjoy your meal, for it will be your last.”
I looked around the table to see the expressions of the other wolves. Many were shocked, others were nodding as they agreed with Royce. This was good. “I second Royce’s Challenge of Authority,” I said, smiling at Julie, who seemed too stunned to respond.
“Salut,” Royce said, then he took a sip of his wine. The majority of the other wolves who sided with Royce also took a sip of their wine, as did I and my wives.
“This is ridiculous!” Graham snapped when it seemed that Julie could no longer speak for herself.
“It is pack law,” I reminded him.
“Royce! Royce!” Agnes cried out and all attention drew to Royce, who appeared to be choking.
I jumped up from my chair, as did others, and we rushed over to him. He began to vomit up blood and Agnes screamed in terror. Charlene grabbed her while I jammed my fingers down Royce’s throat in an attempt to get him to vomit up what he drank. His veins began to harden and rise on his skin, a sure sign of dragon venom poisoning. He shook in my arms as his flesh became sweaty. Tears flowed down my face and I didn’t have to fake them. I was watching one of my best friends die and I had to push away the fact that it was at my hands. Oh, God, I felt sick to my stomach, but I couldn’t let emotions rule me now. This was my opportunity.
There was so much confusion at the table amongst the pack. Many of them tossing their wine glasses to the ground. Only Royce was the one who had fallen ill and died. Agnes was in sheer turmoil, as she had just lost her husband of at least six hundred years. Their child would be born without a father and I had to own that terrible fact. Therefore, I couldn’t let Royce’s death be in vain. I closed his eyes and rose to my full height. I let my hate and rage toward Julie guide my moves.
“You did this,” I accused her.
She was sitting at the head of the table, still in shock. Her mouth dropped open and she shook her head. “I… I swear, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. You knew that he was going to challenge you. We have all heard the rumors!” I raged.
“He was… he was tired of you as our Alpha,” Barret said. Royce had recruited him a hundred years ago. Barret and Elliot got along very well and often partied together when it came to the younger wolves. Having him support my claim spoke volumes.
“Have you all gone mad?” Graham said as he looked around the table.
“Mad?” I shook my head. “No. Just ready to do what needs to be done. Now, one of you killed Royce. I’m willing to bet you had something to do with it.”
Graham sneered at me. “Watch your mouth, boy. You’re just a Capo, and a pathetic one at that. Don’t think about stepping out of line with me. I’m not as forgiving as Winston was.”
The mention of Winston’s name only enraged me more. That man scarred me more than any wolf I’d come across, and Graham was a part of that trauma. He would pay. I turned my attention to Julie. “I Challenge your Authority.”
“Don’t you dare!” Graham growled.
“You can’t interfere, Sir, a challenge has been issued!” Dane snapped. “It is pack law!”
Julie swallowed and I could tell she was still trying to put together all of the pieces. “I was right, you are a snake. To use this moment for your own gain. You dare challenge me? I am your Alpha.”
I began to walk over toward her, removing my suit jacket in the process. “And to think, nearly three- hundred years ago, you wanted to be a whore in my brothel.” The blow that followed my words caught me off guard and I stumbled backward, catching my balance on the table, disturbing some of the dishes. I could taste the blood from my split lip and I looked up to see Graham being restrained by my sons, Drake and Anton, along with Barret and Dane. “Truth hurts, I see.” I dabbed at the blood. “If Graham insists on breaking pack law, lock him away until the challenge is over. Besides, we need to conduct an investigation as to why