Chapter 115

Michael POV

There weren't words to describe the way I was feeling. I was extremely happy that Shawna was my mate, even if it all did come about in a tragic way. Our meeting initially anyway, not after that. Everything after that was perfect in my eyes, just as she was. She was perfectly imperfect and she was mine. I couldn't feel more blessed. What I was unhappy about was being bound to protect Alpha James. I had long had my suspicions that he was dealing in some shady business, some of which I could confirm, but most of which was so secret that he didn't discuss it in front of me at all. I had voiced these concerns to my father, but only as much as I was legally allowed. I took my oath very seriously, and while I was not enthusiastic about my assignment, I chose this career. I was nearly complete with my contract, and I'd be none to happy to return to my small pack in Georgia and be put in charge of a small squad of warriors. I had all the excitement and travel I could want. Now that I had my mate, I wanted to settle down and give her a stable home. Following this shady councilman all over the country was not stable, and I no longer enjoyed it. I was starting to see him for who he really was before I even met Shawna. The good that was in her had me calling out the evil that surrounded us, even more frequently.

I stood in Alpha Gabe's office while he and Alpha James spoke quietly at a table off at the side of the room. There was a knock on the door and before I could reply, Alpha Gabe called for his Beta to enter. He obviously had been expecting him. Cody entered and closed the door behind him, then walked over to the table. "The first of the council will be here in an hour. Anything you would like done before they arrive?" he asked.

"No, I have Jenna readying everything for them. I do need you to look over those log books though," he said pointedly.

"What log books?" Alpha James asked.

"Just some books we found in the dungeons that I need verification of, nothing big," Alpha Gabe told him. I could tell he was leaving something out, because he never made eye contact with Alpha James, which was quite unlike him. Alpha James didn't seem to notice though. He seemed rather lost in thought now, not even paying attention to the other men in the room. I found this behavior odd and uncharacteristic of him. After having been around him for years, I knew him to always pay attention to everything happening in the room. He was too comfortable and distracted, which to me meant he was concerned and over thinking. Or maybe he had reason to be concerned and overthink things.

Another knock sounded on the door and then Luna Jenna opened the door. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but can I borrow Alpha James for just a few moments?" she asked. An odd request, but who was I to say anything?

"Sure," Alpha Gabe replied. "If you don't mind Alpha?" he said. Alpha James shrugged, mumbled something and walked to the door. He turned to me and told me to stay put, that he would be back in a few minutes. I wasn't one to argue, so I agreed and watched him and Luna Jenna walk away and down the hall.

A minute went by and Alpha Gabe and Beta Cody both turned towards me. "Now that we have you alone, we have questions," Alpha Gabe said. "We have about ten minutes before Alpha James comes back, so let's be quick about this." I must have looked confused because he said as much. "I'm sure you're confused, but we need to know how much you know about James's dealings? He seems to have gotten himself into a bind, and I'm hoping you're not involved."

"Involved?" I questioned. "I don't even know what you're talking about."

Alpha Gabe and Beta Cody exchanged glances. "Well, that's good for you, if it's the truth," Alpha Gabe said. "I know your father pretty well, and so I know what kind of man he raised you to be. I know you're bound to secrecy because of your contractual obligations, but some things are written so that, under extenuating circumstances, that oath can be broken. Were you aware of that?" he asked.

"To a point, yes. It typically is if the council finds that the Alpha has been participating in unethical and harmful dealings. This applies in particular situations that have or could bring harm to our kind. Is that correct?" I asked.

"It is," Alpha Gabe stated. "We believe he is. Now," He sat in his chair and looked up at me. "Do you know anything about him dealing in the sale or trade of werewolves?"

"I'm sorry? I don't think I got that. Sale or trade of werewolves?"

"Yes, as in someone is kidnapping werewolves and then selling them to someone. In this case, for the purpose of performing experiments on them. In some cases, out right killing them to remove organs for study," Beta Cody added.

"Ashlynn reviewed some logs for me that were full of scientific documentation, and it appears that someone was performing tests on werewolves, that ultimately ended up killing them. There are initials of different contributors throughout these logs, and some of those are believed to be in reference to Alpha James," Alpha Gabe told me. "Do you know anything about this?"

"I don't know for certain," I told him honestly. "I've heard some things, but it was in some sort of code and often I was asked to leave when he had certain dealings. Of course, I am not with him all the time. He does a lot of business over the phone and probably when I'm off duty. I will help if I can, especially if this concerns anything that happened to Shawna," I said as realization dawned on me. "Does it?" I asked. "Have anything to do with her?"

"I believe it does," Alpha Gabe stated. I saw red, and I knew then and there, as I fought my now angry wolf, that I'd do anything I had to do to make those responsible for her torment pay.