CAINE
The sweet scent of blueberry muffins has faded, replaced by a more generic odor—body sweat and wolf musk, courtesy of all my subordinates crowding my suite.
It shouldn't infuriate me as much as it does, but I want to smash their heads together for it.
I rub at my temple, the dull throb behind my eyes a stark reminder of my lack of sleep. "Stop standing there in silence."
They all look at Jack-Eye; he's clearly been chosen as their spokesperson. The beta clears his throat, stepping forward. "It's about last night, Alpha."
I expected as much. "What about it?"
"The death of an Alpha, even one as problematic as Brax, requires proper protocol. The packs will question—"
"Let them question."
"With respect," Reggie advances to stand beside Jack-Eye, his scarred face twisted in concern, "we're not questioning your authority. But slaughtering an alpha and half his pack over a mere human—"
My fist slams against the table with a sharp crack. "Mere? Are our laws just decoration?"
