Chapter 69

“Simone,” The Elder said incredulously.

“No, you didn’t,” Alpha Jameson retorted at the same time; his brows tugged together, but he studied me standing over Raymond.

“That bitch did,” Raymond rasped.

Ezra moved to stand behind Raymond. His eyes held fear, and his brothers inched closer to us.

My mouth formed a thin line. This wasn’t part of the plan. But I didn’t really plan past Addison's very public death and what it might mean.

That was on me… But boy, was it satisfying.

This time, I knew it wasn’t just me; the silence that washed over everyone was tangible.

I waited for someone else to speak.

“Why?” Alpha Issac, Sam’s friend's father, asked me.

Sam was by his side, looking at me wide-eyed. It almost hurt to have him see what I truly was, I never planned for that to happen, but it was freeing and not like his disgust would be unexpected.

“What you might have heard is true. This man.” I scowled and pointed at Raymond. “Attacked my pack on a night we could not shift. It was not a challenge. The innocent, the children, everyone died.” My words rang clear, and they were filled with anger instead of sadness now.

Chatter erupted, but I looked only toward Elder John.

“We did not know that,” he spoke softly.

I nodded my head towards him. “I understand you cannot keep up with everything,” I responded. It was true; I did not hold them accountable.

“It was this territory's responsibility. I am willing to forgive their ignorance, or even if they turned a blind eye for the sake of the territory as a whole.” I spoke to the Alphas and Lunas in the crowd. “Stories are often told from the victor, and when there is no one left to counter, there is only one story that must be true.”

“But Raymond made a mistake, as many do.” I frowned at him in mock pity. “He kept me as a trophy to have my bloodline mix with his.” Gasps shook the crowd.

I had them where I wanted them, and I had no idea I was even going to speak, but it felt good. Good to get the truth out, not just about my pack but about what I had been doing in response.

“When I was able to push away the fog of grief enough and realized no one was coming to help, I was left with only a gnawing hunger. A hunger that would only be satiated by their blood.” I looked back at Alpha Raymond with fire in my eyes.

Once the truth started to creep out it felt good, it might have been my own eulogy but it was everything I needed to say, everything I wanted them to hear.

The wind picked up around me. Soft tendrils of my hair escaped their confines and whipped around my face.

“In the name of my pack as the last living blood heir to our first founding Alpha, Alpha Arthur, I did what I had been trained to do my entire life.” I paused for a moment. “To protect.”

A few of The Omegas started to trickle out. They chatted in low murmurs, confusion plastered on their faces, which only deepened when they saw me.

“To protect myself, my family’s name, to even protect others when no one else would step in.” I paused, looking at The Omegas.

“But I cannot say that was all it was. I wanted my revenge, to repay the blood debt owed to my pack, and piece by piece, I have been getting it it. This world, and sometimes even our Goddess, turns a blind eye, but I will stand up for my legacy.”

I wanted to stand up for others, too. To create a pack, to create a life where people would not be afraid. Where goodness and rightness ruled instead of fear and power, a place I almost forgot could exist, a place as Blood Moon has been.

Even today, seeing these Alphas vote no because of fear of inner-pack turmoil even though Sam said they believed my tale.

It is hard to stand up for what is right, even more so when it might condemn you. I wanted to create a place where it would be praised.

My eyes snagged on Ezra, who was staring at me intently. His eyes were as soft as they were after we first became one.

I knew just the person who could help me create it.

I swallowed, forced my eyes away, and settled back on Elder John. “Yes. I killed her. I will admit that and admit that I do not feel bad for it as much as I wished I did.” I paused, letting that truth sink in for myself and everyone else.

“I will live with it and whatever punishment might arise.” As I spoke those words, it was the first time I realized there might be a punishment and that I might live long enough to face it.

But I pushed past that. “All I ask is that if I am to be punished for a few deaths, Raymond is punished for many.” I looked at the crowd, pausing on each of their faces. Some looked away, but many held my stare with resolve, some inclining their heads.

“I would like to be the one to enact the punishment. I want the challenge to go ahead.”

I looked at Raymond, and his eyes were pitch black. “I will kill you,” he promised as he stood, blocking out the dull light.

I raised a shoulder. “You should have four years ago.” I blinked up at him through my lashes. “But I have to warn you, giving an order to others to kill innocent men and women is a bit easier than actually doing it yourself.” I took a step toward him. “And I am so much better than you at that.”

“Who will follow you?” He raised his voice. “Who will follow a child that has already promised to give away the pack's land she wants to take?” He boomed a laugh and it skittered over the ground.

“Not all of it,” Nova stepped in to say. “They may keep most of the lands they now call Black River. We only want the lands originally belonging to us. Elect a new Alpha, disband. They can choose,” she explained, but she was only looking at The Elder, who was rubbing his chin.

“You’re not taking my land, bitch,” Raymond seethed, turning on her.

“Interesting choice of words from a dog,” she shot back, and I snorted a laugh.

Raymond was towering over me, glowering down, looking like he might shift at any moment.

“We will follow her,” Tia said. “Wherever she goes.”

I looked around him to see Tia walking forward, but I was surprised to see Alice right behind her. “She will provide a better place for all wolves than this pack does,” Tia said so resolutely it squeezed my heart.

Raymond laughed. “I will deal with all of you later,” he snarled. “You owe me two heirs,” he bellowed, pointing at me. My insides churned at what he was implying.

Aksala shivered - Gross.

“The challenge stands!” he boomed to the crowd, a wicked smile that couldn’t contain his unleashed rage settled on me.

“I accept,” I responded with a sweet smile of my own.

The crowd backed away from us, and he lunged.