Chapter 34

Chapter 34
Shock swept around the table at Kathrine's growled words. If it wasn't for the fact that she was pregnant, that would have sufficed as a challenge to the Alpha. Toby and Jarold didn't bat an eye, just more effectively got between Kathrine and Jackson just in case Jackson decided to attack her.

"You can either take that back or leave pack lands." Jackson said glaring at the three of them. "If it wasn't for the fact that you're pregnant with my grandpups I would execute you right now!" He roared at her.

"There is option c. Challenge you for Alpha." Jarold growled.

"She can't challenge for Alpha. She can't even shift without killing those babies." Jackson scoffed and glared at his son.

"No, but we can. This is just the excuse we need. You're not after the best interest of the pack. You haven't been after that for a long time, if ever. Definitely not since you've been Alpha. So you can step down as Alpha, because you know you won't beat Toby and I and hand over Alpha, or we can fight until you submit or die. If you force us to fight you, all of our proof that you've been after your own ends will come out to the pack." Jarold growled at him.

Lincoln watched the tense exchange between the twins and Jackson and immediately stood and moved around to the opposite side of the table next to Kathrine. "I stand with them and my daughter. Don't forget that I have some knowledge about the plans you have for this pack."

Jackson's face went from an alarming shade of red to purple to pasty white as he realized he'd been neatly backed into a corner. His twins would absolutely have no issue beating him for Alpha. He'd not stand a chance against both of them at once. The moment Jackson acknowledged that within himself he felt the power of the Alpha leave him and seen both of his sons stiffen as the Alpha power went into them and settled in.

Kathrine pushed forward to stand between her mates and her menacing glare met Jackson's shocked gaze as she took their hands. A triumphant look came onto her face as she then looked at Letha, Lacy, and all of their siblings. "Kneel before your Alphas and Luna." She commanded them in a tone that brooked no argument.

At once everyone on the patio, including the serving wolves, knelt and bowed their heads subserviently to Jarold, Toby, and Kathrine. They stood there taking in this change a little shocked that the challenge had resulted in a bloodless and non violent transfer of the power. They'd all expected that Jackson would at least put up a fight. But the coward knew he'd never win against his sons. After an appropriate amount of time Toby and Jarold gestured for them to rise.

"You will call this bullshit off about the baby shower and gender reveal. Any who wish to pay their respects to the heirs will be invited to do so after their birth as is traditional in our pack. The parents will know the genders of the babies, and no one else unless the parents decide to share that information, as is traditional in our pack." Jarold said dividing harsh glares equally between Jackson, Letha, Lacy, and Lincoln.

"If you can't get on board with that, then you can feel free to leave pack lands and not return. Our children will not be used for anyone's political gain. Have I made myself clear now?" Kathrine spat at them in a seething hiss.

"Yes." They all said in angry tones.

"Yes what?" She barked at them narrowing her eyes in anger.

"Yes, Luna." They all answered at once with a little more respect and a tinge of fear.

"This pack house will return to the use that it was originally meant for. You have to the end of the week to be packed and moved into more suitable housing befitting your station in the pack." Toby ordered Jackson.

"Which is?" Jackson asked angrily.

"Non-titled. You will have no role in governing this pack, considering the fact that you were planning on blowing it up the first opportunity you had." Jarold snarled at him then took Kathrine's arm and gestured for her to leave the table. "We are taking our mate home, where she should never have left in the first place. Toby and I will be back here first thing in the morning."

"We expect progress on your exit to have been made." Toby said and helped Kathrine down the stairs from the patio and held her hand as they walked towards the trees.

They made it back to their house without being stopped by any of the wolves that were milling around them. The wolves felt the shift in the power and would be drawn to Toby and Jarold in curiosity. But there was also an air of 'not the time' emanating off the three of them that kept the wolves from approaching them. They knew there would have to be an official gathering in the next day or so to help the pack transition.

"Do you think that was a mistake?" Kathrine asked as they entered their house.

"A mistake?" Toby asked, looking over at her with concern on his face. "No, not a mistake. Do I think that set something in motion that we might have otherwise avoided? Yes, definitely." He said with a sigh as he helped her take her seat on the couch.

Jarold knelt down in front of her and helped remove her sandals then propped her feet up on the couch with a pillow under them. She nudged him in the chest with a foot and a pointed look that they all knew meant she wanted a massage. Jarold took a seat and complied as he said, "This was always going to happen, though. The only unclear part of the situation was exactly when and how it would be triggered. Jackson has been on borrowed time as Alpha from the moment he challenged your father."

"Then what might have we avoided?" She asked Toby, confused when he didn't contradict his brother.

"We backed him into a corner semi-publicly and made him bow to us. Jackson is a prideful, vengeful wolf. If we had done that privately, we might have avoided him plotting revenge. We might still have a fight on our hands with him. We will see how he handles himself in the future." Toby answered her.

"What exactly are you wanting done with the pack house?" Kathrine asked them.

"The pack house is supposed to be used for members to stay at in the event they can't get home from a gathering or something happens with their house. Not for the Alpha family to reside in." Toby said with a tone that spoke of how much he disapproved of his parents choosing to live there. "We just want to get things back to the way they are supposed to be."