Deacon - Nicholas Bella Page 0,92
because if we were ever in war, every wolf counted. I encouraged my son to train his wives. Now, under my rule, all women would be trained to fight. Julie was an easy kill and it was her own fault. She might haven given me a run for my money had she had the skills to match her power.
I transformed back into my human form and both my wives ran to me, hugging me. I kissed them both and it didn’t matter that my mouth was bloody, they each returned my affection. Before I could celebrate any further, I had to walk back over to Agnes and Royce. I knelt and took Agnes into my arms. She had been crying over Royce’s body.
“I will get to the bottom of this, Agnes. Whoever is responsible will suffer to no end,” I promised.
“Oh, please, I want them to have an end.” She pulled back and looked up at me with reddened, teary eyes. “Kill Graham. It was him, I’m sure of it. His affection for Julie, he knew Royce would challenge her one day. He knew it! He did this to protect that bitch. She’s dead… he’s next.”
“Agnes, I can’t just kill Graham without proof.”
“He did it!” she yelled at me.
As much as I enjoyed the fact that her ire was directed at Graham, which was where I wanted it to go, I still had to play it impartial. I took her hand between my hands and forced her to look at me. “Agnes, I will find out who did this to Royce. I will not rest until I do and when I do, I will let you deal the final blow. I swear it.”
More tears flowed down her cheeks and she nodded. “You are a great friend, Deacon.”
I kissed her forehead. “I will not let his death go unpunished.”
“Thank you for not letting it be in vain,” Agnes said. “I bow to you as Alpha.”
I released her and rose to look around at the pack, the majority of which were present. “If there is anyone here who wishes to challenge me, do so now.”
As I looked around, none of the wolves bothered to step forward. To be Alpha meant more than being able to fight. It was a huge responsibility that not everyone wanted or was prepared for. I wasn’t anticipating any challengers, save Graham, and he was out of the way.
I nodded. “Very well. Let it stand that I go unchallenged. It is time to commence the ceremonial oath.” I pulled on my pants and what remained of my shirt, though being naked didn’t bother me. As a wolf, it was a natural state. But the fighting was over and it was time to move on.
Elliot was the first to take the oath. I split my wrist and bled into one of the wine glasses, and after he gave me the oath pledging his loyalty to me, my sons were next, then my wives. After them, it was Agnes, then the rest of the pack joined. Julie didn’t have to perform this ceremony when she took over, because she was already Alpha having undergone a special ceremony that linked her to Connor. Through his blood, we all shared the link. Now, I had to link the pack through my blood and it took several hours. Other wolves relieved the ones who couldn’t make it to the feast, so that they could take the oath.
I had Royce’s body removed and taken to one of our funeral homes so he could be prepared. I would send him off properly, it was the least I could do for his sacrifice. Once the ceremony was over, I entered the mansion, which was now mine. Everything Julie owned now belonged to me, making me even richer than I already was. In the basement were the cells used to house unruly wolves or those who needed to be in captivity for crimes committed, like Graham. I was sure he knew his woman was dead by the cheers of the pack. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who wanted her gone, but I was the only one who really needed no coaxing to make the move.
The plan, which was still in motion, was working even better than I had expected. The wolves who lived in the mansion returned to their rooms and the others went to their own homes. I stayed along with my wives and Elliot to go over all of the paperwork. Discussions were kept