Chapter 242

Julian’s POV

I could acknowledge that Tony didn’t want Amber or Alice to die, and was apologetic for that part of his plan. But after everything else he had done, I had a difficult time accepting his apology and that his dedication to fixing things was genuine.

I told Tony I would think about it, and went to the Alpha headquarters building to rally the council for a meeting. When we were all in the meeting room sitting around the long table, I revealed to them everything that Tony had told me today when visiting him, including how he wanted to speak to the press about unifying the populace.

When I’d finished, the meeting room went quiet for a moment as the council seemed to consider everything that I had said. I didn’t mind the silence, as I was still thinking about everything too.

Tony had appeared grateful, and Amber had saved his life. But that didn’t mean he was suddenly trustworthy or dependable.

“It’s certainly a risk to put him behind the microphone,” said the head of the council. “But even if he tried to turn the pack against you, he lost the challenge and the rules were clear. He will never be able to become pack Alpha while you are pack Alpha, Julian.”

That didn’t mean he couldn’t try though. And, perhaps the council was acting like they had forgotten, but I hadn’t, regarding how quickly they had turned to Tony’s side.

But, if they were adhering to the challenge, and they meant what they said, then they should have been faithful to me. So many betrayals and back-stabbings made it difficult to trust anyone.

“I think it’s a risk,” said another member, “But one that might be necessary. Tony’s run for Alpha divided the pack, and even now, even though he has lost and been saved, many people are having trouble returning to the fold. He could take the opportunity to divide everyone further, but what would be the gain? He’d still lose and be in jail.”

“It’s worth the risk,” said another. “If he does the right thing, the pack will benefit. If he doesn’t, he cannot be worse than it already is.”

“What does your family say?” one of the members asked me.

“They believe him,” I said. I’d already consulted Mom, Aunt Kathy, and the rest on the phone from the jail to the Alpha headquarters building.

Aunt Kathy’s words, in particular, struck me, when she had said, “Even in theater, he only ever wanted to play the hero. Now that he knows what Olivia did and can see the results of his behavior, I think he realizes he’s a villain. Give him the spotlight once more and he should do the right thing.”

“We should trust them,” said another council member.

“The bottom line is the pack is fractured,” the head of the council said. “If we don’t do something to try to fix it, it might very well split in two, or collapse altogether. We know some of the packs around us are eyeing our weakness. We have to act quickly or it won’t matter anyway.”

Talks of possible invasion were always looming, but had yet to be directly expressed. Hearing the council talk about them so blatantly now helped me realize just how dire things had become.

Maybe the council was right. Maybe it was worth it to chance allowing Tony to speak, when the result could save the day. Everything was already on the edge of a knife.

I hated that trusting in Tony was the only way to save the pack, when he’d done so much already to prove himself untrustworthy.

Still… for the pack, we had to try.

“Arrange the press conference,” I said. “We will allow Tony to speak to the media.”

Amber’s POV

When Alice came back down from upstairs, she was carrying one of her dolls by the hair and looking pretty gloom.

“Alice,” I said. “Come and sit with me for a minute.”

Alice considered me for a few seconds, but then came over and sat beside me on the couch. She pulled her doll into her lap and started braiding her hair.

“Your dad and I are sorry you have to miss school for a little while,” I said. “You must miss the friends you’ve been making there.”

She shrugged. “I’m used to not having friends.”

The words cracked my heart. Gods, my poor darling daughter. Between her gaining her wolf too soon, being moved around so much, and now being unable to attend school, she hadn’t had any easy time of anything.

And worse, I couldn’t even explain to her why she was being held back from it this time. To tell her about Olivia felt like a mistake. I didn’t want her to be afraid. But, at the same time, denying her the truth also felt unkind.

“Are we in some kind of danger?” Alice asked.

She was a smart girl. Of course she could figure it out on her own.

“The tv said that Olivia might still be out there…” Alice continued.

“Your dad is going to protect us,” I said. “That’s why we have to stay here, because this is the safest place for us right now.”

Alice hummed as she kept braiding her dolls hair, all the way to the ends. When she finished she removed the braid and started again.

“Then why isn’t Daddy here with us?” Alice asked.

“Your dad is the Alpha, so he has a lot of work that needs doing to run the pack,” I said. “But the guards will protect us here.”

Alice looked at me with some worry in her eyes. “But who will protect Daddy?”

The words struck me like a blow. Julian was so capable and powerful, the pack Alpha, that it would take someone truly foolish to attempt to attack him directly.

But Olivia, if she was still alive, would be at the end of her rope. This might make her desperate and uncaring about her own safety. She might stop trying to target the weakest around Julian, and go for Julian himself.

Suddenly, I was filled with a kind of fear. I’d been so confident in Julian’s abilities, and so worried about Alice, that it had not occurred to me Julian himself might be the target this time, and he could be in the worst kind of danger.

No matter what else happened, I needed him safe.

Forget the pack. Forget everything.

He was the one in danger.

I didn’t want Alice to worry, so I just smiled at her and said, “I’ll talk to your Dad about it. You go ahead and keep playing. Don’t worry about a thing. Everything will be okay again soon.”

Alice frowned but nodded and pushed off the couch. She hurried into the kitchen, likely for a snack.

I watched her go until she was out of sight, and then I pulled out my phone. Quickly, I dialed Julian.

It went straight to voicemail. Was he in a meeting?

I didn’t like that, so I tried again. Again, voicemail.

This time, I left a message. I tried not to sound frantic, but I knew my panic was likely in my voice.

“Call me back, Julian. I’m worried. Please.”