Real Werewolves Don't Eat Meat 8
by
Anax Tobias Rogan, ruler of all werewolves in the United States, has never liked Christmas. But this year, his mate, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell, and their young guard Quinn Boucher are eager to celebrate, and Tobias is trying to find the holiday spirit. He’s even planned the perfect gift for Kyle, one he hopes will revitalize the relationship that has been frayed by Tobias claiming the rank of Anax.
A call from Jed Howe, the Alpha who took in Tobias after he was changed as a teen, changes everything. Jed has slipped into dementia and believes the Alpha of a nearby pack is trying to steal his rank. Although Tobias manages to calm Jed, he knows the time he has dreaded has come. Jed is no longer fit to rule a pack, and Tobias must intervene before he causes any harm.
But before Tobias is able to stop him, Jed takes drastic and dangerous action against the other Alpha. Now Tobias, battling his own demons, is faced with the most difficult task of his life: Removing the man he considers a father from his rank–permanently.
This book includes references to abuse and sexual assault in characters’ pasts, depictions of PTSD, and the off-page suicide of a character.
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 3
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 66+
Protagonist 2 Age: 36-45
Tropes: Death of Parent
Word Count: 79000
Setting: Massachusetts, USA
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
An unpleasant silence fell. Fortunately, the other two pack members, Darrell and Wade, arrived not long afterward.
Once Darrell and Wade took seats on the floor, I stood. “Alpha. Members of City Pack. There is conflict between you, and you have called this meeting to resolve it. I am here to mediate. If no resolution is reached, I will determine the outcome of the situation.” I didn’t know where those words came from, but it was the right thing to say. If they couldn’t figure things out for themselves, I would tell them how things would be. And they would listen.
I returned to my stool. “Alpha, I turn this to you.”
“Thank you, Anax.” Justin remained in his chair. “The six of you have repeatedly made it clear that you have no confidence in my leadership. You’ve threatened my wife and child.”
Sameer raised his hand, and I nodded. “You may speak.”
READ MORE“No threat was made to your mate and child, Alpha,” Sameer said slowly. “I understand where you got that idea, but we would not harm them. They are human, and our laws prohibit intentionally harming humans.”
“That may be how you feel, Sameer, but I wonder about the others.” Justin looked at the rest of the group. “I hope Sameer speaks for all of you. My wife and my son are my life, and if anyone does anything to them, that person will pay with their life.”
“Alpha, your love for and desire to protect your family is understandable,” I said quickly. Justin was getting a little carried away. “However, perhaps your anger is unwarranted at this time.”
He took a loud breath. “I hope you’re right, Anax. I will better control my temper. But I cannot believe that no threat was made when I have one in writing.” He leaned to one side and pulled the crumpled paper from his pocket. “Which of you wrote this? I can easily check handwriting, but it would be preferable to hear the truth from the one responsible.”
Temper or not, Justin had taken control, and I approved. The men had requested to speak with him, but he wasn’t giving them the chance to steer the meeting. Whatever they wanted to talk about, they would talk about when he was good and ready to hear it.
No one spoke, but I agreed with Justin. One of them had either written the note or knew who had, and it would be better for all of us if they admitted it. “You will answer your Alpha’s question. Who wrote that note?”
Slowly, Wade stood. “I did, Anax. I meant no true threat. I intended only to frighten the Alpha.”
“So you left a note at my home? Where my wife and son live?” Justin lunged out of his chair.
I moved faster than he could. “Peace, Alpha. Again, your anger is understandable, but let’s keep this as a discussion only.”
“Fuck!” Justin ran his hand along his braid as he sat again. “Wade, you are no longer a member of City Pack. You will remain in this meeting, but you have no standing here.”
“I…Alpha, I have nowhere to go,” Wade stammered.
“You should have thought of that.” Justin glared at the rest. “Who knew that Wade had done this?”
All five of them glanced at each other with guilty expressions, but none admitted to knowing that Wade had left the note.
Finally, Cyrus spoke. “With respect, Anax, Alpha, leaving such a note wasn’t discussed with the rest of us. If it had been, we would have discouraged Wade from doing so. Frightening your mate was not part of our plan.”
“I hope you’re telling the truth,” I said firmly. “If I learn that any of you have lied about this, there will be consequences.”
I deliberately didn’t say what the consequences would be. Keeping them guessing meant keeping them docile. They had already proven they couldn’t be trusted, and I was damn well going to keep them in line. I didn’t feel angry. They weren’t disrespecting me as much as they were Justin, and pack members this low in the hierarchy weren’t worth my anger anyway. But let them think I was angry. That, too, would keep them in their place.
“Very well.” Justin folded his arms. “Wade has been ejected from the pack for his choice to invade my home and attempt, as he put it, to frighten my wife. What have the rest of you to say?”
Again the five of them glanced at each other. Three nodded to Thomas, and he was the one who spoke. “Anax, Alpha, we would like to leave City Pack.”
COLLAPSE
