Chapter 134

Alpha Gabe POV

"You will release him!" I push forward my Alpha Aura and watch as everyone around me winces in pain, necks barred to me. Everyone except Michael and Alpha James. "Michael, do not kill him."

I stand there in the pouring rain, watching as Michael battles within himself, his wolf aching for the kill. I step closer and push harder and Alpha James whimpers. "Michael, you must control your wolf."

Michael shakes his head a little, jaw still clamped on Alpha James. This causes his body to thrash around momentarily before Michael finally releases him. Alpha James falls to the ground, blood matting his fur around his neck. It's not long before the rain has washed most of it away, his wounds quickly healing. "Shift," I command them both. Alpha James shifts almost instantly and curls himself into a ball. I motion to Carl, my lead warrior, and he comes forward and shackles Alpha James with silver cuffs on his ankles and wrists. He won't be able to shift now.

Michael steps back into the recesses of the cave for a moment and shifts back to his human form. Someone tosses him a pair of shorts, which he dons quickly before turning to me. "I apologize Alpha Gabe, I do not mean to disrespect you or your packland. My wolf wanted revenge." He bows his head briefly and then raises it and makes eye contact. "I accept whatever punishment you deem fitting."

I raise a brow and him and shake my head. "No punishment. Let's get him back to the dungeon and all of us out of this weather. It's nasty out here." I give a few quick instructions and Carl and takes control of the situation as I walk away. Michael is next to me, Dawson trailing quietly behind us.

"Alpha," Michael begins. "He was blubbering something about his mate as we arrived. He was in pain. He said the Luna was cheating on him. This doesn't sound like her at all, so perhaps Alpha James is delusional at this point. It's of no matter to me though, he is guilty."

"Yes he is guilty. I will find out about the Luna out there. It does seem odd. I will call Roger when we get back." I look over at Michael. "My concern right now is you and your wolf? Will you be okay?"

"Depends if he's going to pay for his crimes. The more I hear about what he has been doing, the more I want him dead. I want to deliver that death blow in retaliation for all that happened to Shawna." He pauses as if in thought. "I know that probably won't be allowed."

"Probably not, but it's likely he will be executed. The Council will decide." We walk quietly before I decide to give him some information that may make him feel a little more at ease. "I found someone that he had abducted years ago, and as we speak she's being rescued to be returned to her family."

Michael scrunches his brow. "Who would that be?"

"Mariah Kennedy. Do you remember hearing about her?"

"The she-wolf from California with the parents in politics? That Kennedy?" he asks.

"The very one. From what my men have told me, she has some story to tell and she couldn't wait to tell anyone who would listen as soon as she saw wolves had come from America. Her first opportunity she pulled one of them aside and offered them anything they wanted to get her out of that village. Of course she didn't know they were there specifically for her, but they should have removed her by now and have her at a hotel to prepare to return to the states." Of all the things that Roger had found so far, I was certain this was one of the most incriminating. We had a walking, breathing, living witness to what had happened to her and how. Her parents were made aware of the rescue and had said they would testify against Alpha James now that they knew he was in custody and under investigation. This was not going to end well for Alpha James.

"Wow," Michael breathed out next to me. He was quiet for a bit, as we made our way back through the woods. We could have done so much more quickly in wolf form but I wanted to talk to him and we couldn't communicate with mindlink since we were from different packs.

"Alpha," Michael finally said. "I need to ask you something, and if you can't do it, I understand. I need something though, and I'm not afraid to ask anymore," he stated.

"Okay, what do you need exaclty?" I asked.

"Released from my contract. It doesn't appear Alpha James requires any kind of Protector anymore, no guardians. I want to return to my home in Georgia, with my mate."

"I don't think the council will have an issue granting that at all," I tell him. "In fact, it's unlikely that Alpha James will be alive much longer which makes your contract void from that day forward. It seems to me that you will be free very soon."

Michael nods and walks on quietly. "Will you allow me back here when I want to visit? My sister Natalie, I found out she's Carl's mate. She won't leave her now and I'd like to be able to visit her from time to time. We are very close."

"As far as I am concerned Michael, a better man than you is hard to find. You are always welcome here on my packlands, and I know that when my son Connor takes over as Alpha, he will feel the same." I grip his shoulder and give it a firm squeeze just to affirm what I've said.

"Thank you Alpha," Michael replies. "I appreciate that more than you know."

By the time we make it back to my house, the council is in an uproar and Jenna is waiting for me at the door with a dry towel. "You better go shower and change really quick my love. The council is ready to convene and discuss evidence. Beta Roger is on a plane back here as we speak, with the Luna in tow."

"The Luna?" I say as I towel off as best I can before stepping further into the foyer.

"Yes, it seems that one of the councilmans guardians is her true mate and she'd like the council to nullify her mating to Alpha James and allow her to mate with her fated and leave Idaho."

"Seriously?" I ask. I just can't wrap my head around everything that has been dumped in my lap over the past year. It's making my retirement sound very inviting.

"I'm afraid so. Now hurry up," she kisses my cheek and points to the staircase that leads upstairs. "Go get showered and to the meeting room. They will be waiting."