Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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“It’s sad when one of our best Alphas succumbs to weakness,” Reynaud feigned tragedy, frowning as he stared at Gideon across the floor, “and I wish I could say that I hadn’t seen this coming, but sadly, the signs have been all too clear p>
Now Reynaud spun to address the crowd who had begun to murmur and point.
“How do we know when a pack is in crisis?” Reynaud asked, “When there is chaos and dissension at the highest levels. When pack alliances are no longer honored, and when powerful enemies are antagonized p>
He pointed an accusing finger at the Alpha behind me.
“Gideon Nightwolf has given every appearance of this sort of deterioration. He and his women,” Reynaud spat the word like it was a disgusting piece of filth, “were responsible for the salacious display so many of us were subjected to witnessing at the Alpha Ball! It takes a truly strong Alpha to appease the appetites of two women,” Reynaud smirked at this, and wiggled his fingers lasciviously, “and it was obvious that Gideon Nightwolf fell short p>
I heard a few titters of laughter in the audience, but Reynaud wasn’t done.
“He has sown dissension with his neighboring packs, refusing to show deference to ancient allies, such as the Silvermoon pack who have reported an unusually aggressive series of interactions that in the past were harmonious,” the murmuring of the crowd increased as Reynaud continued to list the alleged ‘ crimes’ attributed to Gideon’s apparent decline in leadership.
“Finally, he shows shocking lack of foresight in antagonizing the powerful bandit leader dwelling in our territories that we have come to know as the Rogue King,” at the mention of the infamous outlaw’s title, the murmuring increased to a roar of chatter. Reynaud raised his own voice to a rousing, carrying volume over it, “Who among us has not lost warriors to his incursions? And who has been poking at him like a child poking at a wasp’s nest with a stick p>
I didn’t like this angle of rhetoric. It sounded to me like Reynaud was saying that Gideon was in the wrong for attacking the Rogue King. Was that really what he meant? Could Reynaud actually be secretly allied with the Rogue King?
And if that was possible, how many other packs might also be colluding with the psychopathic warlord?
The thought was chilling, and with it the sense of our precarious position in this hall of Pack leaders felt even more perilous. So far, no one had stepped forward to lend strength to Reynaud’s accusations, but it was obvious that with this airing of grievances, Reynaud was appealing to the interests of any wolves who resented Gideon’s leadership,
I was willing to bet that Reynaud wasn’t the only enemy Gideon had in these halls.
Gideon’s growls had increased proportionately to the vehemence of Reynaud’s verbal attack. Now he suddenly lurched forward a step, shoving me in front of him without loosening his hold. Some of the women in the crowd gasped, and I heard one shriek as his face took on a viscous snarl.
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He truly looked like a man on the verge of losing control.
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In contrast, Reynaud was calm and collected. His arched brows the epitome of haughty contempt as Gideon staggered towards him.
“What’s wrong?” He said scornfully, “Not able to control your wolf? You’re no better than that bloodthirsty demon you call a wolf,” he scoffed derisively then whirled towards the raised dais where the Alpha Council had been watching the whole interaction.
“Have you seen enough, Elders?” Reynaud called out, “Will you really allow one such as this to continue to take up space in our halls? I make the motion that Gideon Nightwolf be stripped of his title as a core charter member of the Alpha Council p>
A gasp went up around the room, and I took from that Reynaud’s motion was something drastic and unusual.
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