Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,101
in the grid, but she did not reach out for help or aid. She did not tell my father who came upon them during this meet. When Sascha Greyson immediately attacked, my father managed to draw his gun. Managed to fire shots into the beast. But it was too late. He’d arrived unprepared to fight because Andie never thought to tell any of us about the danger.”
Some in the crowd were crying.
Was Cameron down there?
Roderick?
Pascal and Stanley?
Eleanor and Heather?
I’d never felt smaller in my life. I just wanted to stay up here in the cherry picker and crawl away when darkness fell.
“Even then, I tried to convince myself it was all a mistake.” Her voice broke. “But excuses for her ran dry as I thought back through it all. I finally realised the person she was. The Luther might have snapped my father’s neck, but Andie killed him well and truly. Her own father. You’ve seen her attempts to shut me up since. You’ve seen the way she’s belittled and shoved me aside. But there’s one thing I will never give up fighting for—and that’s the wellbeing of this tribe. Andie Booker is no Thana. She is no sister of mine. Tonight, knowing all, I implore the Ni Tiaki to follow a new leader—their rightful leader. I ask you to follow me, and not this…”
The cherry picker began to descend, and I squeezed my eyes tight.
You can leave with your dignity, Andie Thana, my wolf hushed. Show them what a real queen looks like.
Billy and Valerie climbed into the tray and dragged me upright.
Whoa.
I stumbled into Billy, head thumping against his chest. He righted me, and Valerie jerked me back. The world spun, and I thumped against the railing and crumpled to the ground again.
“What have you done to her?” someone yelled.
I was dragged up again and, this time, held upright.
Ugh, gross.
Cameron shoved through to the front. “What did you give her? And why the hell is she tied up like that? Jesus, Rhona, you can disagree with someone without treating them like this.”
“Cameron.” I licked my lips.
She cut off, looking up at me.
“It’s okay. Thank you, but I’m okay.”
She scanned my face in a way that made me realise I must look pretty fucking rough. I inhaled, finding my feet.
“Cam,” I told her, though others were bound to hear. “This one is on me. Stand down.”
Tears coating her cheeks, Cameron nodded.
I tilted my chin and regarded the tribe. The sour decay thing really wasn’t helping my wooziness. “I think you all deserve the truth.”
“They’ve heard the truth,” Rhona said into the mic.
I ignored her. Only because turning my head made the world wonky. Pitching my voice higher, I called. “I’m engaged in a series of meets with Sascha Greyson at the end of which I will be able to choose him or not choose him as a mate. He also holds the power of this choice.”
No one made a peep. Probably because most couldn’t hear me.
“That night in Sandstone, I had knowledge that could have saved the life of Hercules Thana. I made a mistake and live with that immense regret. In hindsight, concealing the truth of what happened from those who knew him best was cowardly. My only excuses are fear of your reaction and shame. I knew if the truth was known that I would lose a sister. I wanted to delay that moment.”
“Just one more thing.” I shoved away every shred of my pride.
Taking a steadying breath, I said, “I hereby abdicate the position of head steward and nominate Rhona Thana in my stead. In her, you will find a leader you can be proud of. But you must unite behind her. Enough of this mess. When you leave Sandstone today, forget your problems with those around you. Division has and will weaken this tribe. Support Rhona completely. Do it for her or do it for this land but ensure you do it.”
I nodded to Valerie and Billy. “You can take me away now.”
That earned me an angry shove from Valerie. I grinned as Billy released the ropes around my ankles.
“Return her to that shitty car,” Rhona said into the mic. “Andie Booker, you have two hours to pack what you need. After that, leave this valley and never return.”
Wow. She was exiling me?
One tiny problem with that.
I cast a look at Sascha.
“See how she watches him?” she hissed.
I met her emerald eyes, so like my own. “I love you,