Howling Fury (Book 1) (Being Edited)

Chapter 35

It takes Brandy over two hours to pull herself together. By this time I had convened with Skylar, Harley, Yale, Devin; Brandy’s father and Dominic, my second in command. We are huddled in my office, waiting patiently for Brandy to pull herself together. She seemed to enjoy clinging to me as I carried her up to my office after Ester took off into the trees. I wanted to go after her, in fact I still want to go and find her but I have to deal with this matter first.

Devin stirs restlessly. I haven’t told him why I have brought him here but he no doubt knows it has something to do with his daughter. This would be alright except for the fact that whenever Brandy is involved, the situation is usually pretty bad. Although I haven’t actually told any of them why they’re here.

Yale looks dreadful. His face is drawn and haggard looking and it’s almost as though I can see his cheekbones through the flesh on his face. His eyes are dull and are supported by massive dark rings. He is leaning between Skylar and Harley and the pair seem to be supporting him. I have the sneaking suspicion that should either one lose their grip on him, he would simply slide to the floor and be unable to move.

Dominic stands beside me, deep in thought. He hadn’t questioned me when I called him to my office. He didn’t have to. I am his alpha and he trusts me.

Brandy stirs from her position on the couch, where I dumped her after carrying her up the stairs. She refused to let me go at first and I head to gently but forcefully loosen her arms around me. She pushes herself up and looks around blearily, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the people in the room. “What’s going on?” she asks.

I hear Devin echoing his daughters question and I sigh. “We’re here to address certain accusations that have been made against Brandy. You all have specific reasons for being here. Yale, Harley and Skylar are here because this situation involves them directly. Devin, you’re here because you are related to the accused and Dominic is here to serve as a witness.”

Everyone stares at me with confused eyes. Everyone except Yale who doesn’t even react when I speak, trapped in his own little world. “Ester has accused Brandy of allying herself with the rogues and inadvertently launching an attack on the pack, which resulted in the death of Lucas. As you know Brandy, the price of treachery is very high.”

Brandy’s face goes deathly white and her eyes widen. Her mouth gapes open and she struggles to formulate any word. What comes out is a strange, strangling sound. Devin speaks up. “Alpha, with all due respect, Ester has been through a lot in her life and it’s no secret that she struggles to deal with grief. Accusing my daughter of treachery could be a way of simply deflecting her emotions to save herself from dealing with them. She’s made her dislike of my daughter quite clear in the years she’s been here.”

I glower at him and he quickly shuts his mouth. “As alpha it is my duty to fully investigate any accusations made to ensure the safety and well-being of my pack. If you have a problem with that, then perhaps you should try your luck being an alpha.”

I glare at him until he lowers his gaze and mutters an apology. I turn my gaze to Brandy and try to soften it. I can’t tell if it works or not but to be honest I don’t really care. Horrible, I know but I can’t stop thinking about Ester. Worrying about her. She had seemed pretty adamant that Brandy was responsible for Lucas’ death and it just doesn’t make sense that she would simply run away. Not unless there was something more important at work. I tried reaching out to her several time but I can’t reach her. Every time I try I come up against what feels like a wall. She’s blocking me out.

I sigh but pull my mind back to the present. Brandy stares at me with wide fearful eyes. I raise an eyebrow and wait for her to speak, doing my best to ignore the knot of worry and guilt writhing in my stomach. “I don’t know what would possess her to make sure a severe but false accusation against me. I believe that she is trying to get me kicked out of the pack. She hates me, always has and it doesn’t surprise me that she would resort to such petty lies to get to me.”