Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,80
the head team—barring Valerie.
“Is it true? The south team brought real guns onto the grid?” Roderick said.
I glanced at the guilty culprits who lingered, heads bowed for the most part. Their ringleader was nowhere to be seen.
“Rhona has gone too far. Her actions will lose us the game if unchecked. Her views on violence have gained momentum and need to be addressed to the entire tribe. I will do so tonight and need your full support on that front.”
They were torn between shock and anger as I was, but every one of them nodded.
Rhona’s actions were a slap for the tribe, yes. It was a larger slap to the head team, not only me. We’d banned her from meetings, and she’d retaliated in a horrific manner.
“Valerie was involved and is no longer part of the head team,” I stated. “That is my decision and it is final. We cannot be seen to condone such behaviour on any level, particularly not in our leading positions.”
No one made a peep, though Nathan’s eyes shot to the guilty group.
“Are there any thoughts on how best to convey this to the tribe?” I asked next.
Stanley rubbed his jaw. “They’ll feel as shocked as we do. Rhona’s violence and your forfeit will certainly create a divide. People will feel they need to pick a Thana. We should take steps to lessen that impact.”
“What do you suggest?”
“We have two weeks off Grids,” he said. “Let’s use that time to hold mandatory events to encourage team spirit and boost morale.”
“Great idea.” I mulled that over. “Okay, I need four of you to escort the group over there to the manor. The rest of us will brainstorm events on the drive back. I’d like to announce the first event tonight to provide everyone with positive focus.”
“Where’s Rhona now?” Trixie asked.
“She’s done a runner. After the tribe is brought up to speed, we’ll send a search party out. The Luthers could look for blood after this.”
Part of me wouldn’t blame them.
But even now, when she’d done something so heinous, I couldn’t let anyone hurt Rhona. It just wasn’t an option.
Not ever.
21
“There’s a brewery in town,” I said to Wade. “How about that?”
“Eh,” Wade replied from where he sprawled on my bed.
Cameron thumped her head against the back of the sofa. “Why does he get a King Wade Day anyway?”
“Because I’m awesome. I want adventure and drinking.”
I threw him a dry look. “Because that never led to disaster.”
He grinned.
Cameron said, “Let’s go river tubing Laos style.”
I sat next to her. “What’s Laos style?”
“Drinking while we do it.”
“As someone who nearly drowned in the river while sober, I vote for drinking after.” I’d have to fake drinking somehow, but I faked being human every day now. Fake drinking would be a breeze.
Wade hummed. “This would be an acceptable plan to King Wade.”
Cameron rolled her eyes. “I’m so glad. I don’t know about you guys, but I just really need chill out time with friends.”
“Is everything alright?” I asked. Her scent carried an edge of worry and sorrow that felt serious.
“You’re kidding, right? The tribe is crazy at the moment. Those pictures you showed everyone made me sick to my stomach.”
Which was why I did it.
Seeing was believing. I hadn’t let empathy for the tribe’s comfort affect me whatsoever as I relayed the happenings in Clay. Valerie and Rhona’s demotions were laid out for all to hear. The three units who’d combined to carry out the ambush were disbanded and relocated as individuals into teams selected by Roderick and Pascal. They were on a one-year probation to decide their participation in Grids and would be closely monitored. I promoted a woman named Catrina to team leader based on a recommendation.
“There has been a lot of change,” I answered.
I may have asserted authority over Rhona, but the ground felt shakier than ever, especially with my new hearing.
Why didn’t she wait?
She feels sorry for them and that won’t help us win.
Rhona is a Thana.
I heard she didn’t give Valerie any chance to explain herself.
I was the subject of growing conversation. I’d forfeited the grid, and stewards didn’t care that we probably would have lost the grid for inflicting serious and sustained injuries anyway. Even if they agreed the entire tribe should be held to account for Rhona’s actions, as the matter stood, my action was a small betrayal.
They were reeling, and I could only be as open as possible about what happened and continue to repeat myself until the heat died down.