Not just the Beta (Oriana and Slade) novel Chapter 156

Austin

Austin’s eyes moved to the Alpha’s children, both standing out here after they’d just seen what had happened, and Clay had heard the truth of the matter, Dariah already knew and had been as horrified as the elders.

Clay was now standing out here just staring from his father to his mother, seemed he had been rendered speechless over the accusations. He was old enough to understand what was going on at 21, and doing a law degree. He’d also attended to Alpha College and understood what coercion was.

It looked like the boy had no idea of what was going on around him. Maybe he was just a pawn in his own parents’ game. To keep them in the life of pure luxury, this pack was very wealthy, and rarely ever saw an attack on it, and Austin was willing to bet why.

This pack mated off wolves into other packs to reduce enemy packs around them as well as to see income come into them that was untaxable. Clay was learning right this minute they were not the people he thought they were.

Dariah on the other hand, she knew and was unfazed by all that had gone on. She’d only reacted to some of those things in that scroll as well. She, he now knew had some knowledge of the goings-on of that day. Slade, he now realised, had pre-warned his sister, but not mentioned her at all in that scroll.

“It’s plausible deniability.” Gretta stated, and he turned to look at her to see her also watching both the Alpha’s children. “I doubt she was told anything till after that scroll was written either. To keep her out of it. Clay is completely in the dark or was until today.”

“Agreed.” Austin nodded. “But he’s clearly being groomed to take over.”

“I think Austin, we’ve stumbled onto something much bigger than even Slade himself could possibly imagine.” Gretta sighed. “I am thankful right this minute, more so than I was a few years ago, for his loyalty and devotion towards his missing Beta. It was there before she left, he never wanted her to leave, always wanted her here with him, and that is what they didn’t count on. His complete loyalty to a girl he wanted in his unit, to be his Beta. He was unwavering. If they’d not coerced him, she wouldn’t feel betrayed by him.”

He could only nod, “Have Larissa put a call into the Kingdom, we’re going to need the seers,”

“It is likely so to get to the very bottom of the deceit.” She nodded and walked away.

Austin walked himself right over to that group on the shaming post and looked down at Roman. Wolves like him were the reason the council was in place. “Roman, I believe, as do the rest of the council, there is much more going on here inside this pack, than even Slade knew. Crossing your son was probably your biggest mistake, because it sewed doubt into him, so much so that he kept on digging.

“It’s now all about to come out. Whatever it is you’ve been doing to this pack, your pack members without their knowledge. I’m betting you’ve coerced more than we think, more than you think we’ll find out about as well. It’s why you’re so calm.

“Just to let you all know, I’ve just ordered for the King to be contacted and have seers sent to this pack.

They are going to pry into all your minds, it won’t be pleasant.”

“I’ve met seers before. We all have.”

“Not like these you won’t. They’ll be trained like the king’s eyes, might even bring King Christians new group to aid them. The first ones he instated, some seers don’t actually like getting their hands dirty, so to speak.”

“I think, Austin, you’ll find all my deals are solid, clean and signed willingly by all parties. I have done nothing wrong. You’ll find that everything is in order.”

“I’m sure I will, but I can already see between the lines, you’re also funnelling money into this pack, from two-thirds of your allies. The question now is, how did you get them to agree to it? I will find out and when I do, you’ll find yourself in a world of pain.”

“I will not. Those packs willingly offered to pay my pack, all tied to a mate bond between their and my own pack. A show of good faith that no harm will come to any mated into their pack.”

“Is it, or is it protection money, they have to pay you to come to their aid, maybe pay you to leave them alone even.” He stated, allowing that man to think they were on the wrong track. He knew it was all going to come down to mating alliances but wanted this man to think he was tracking something else.

“I’m not a bully, I don’t demand money from anyone, I make plenty of money with my human business”.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Roman nodded, that was actually the problem. There was no reason for this man to sell off his pack members just for money. “Dariah.” He turned and looked at her.

“Yes, Alpha Austin.” She answered, stepping over to him.

The man said nothing, and he had time, until that hot iron brand was brought back, though it was magically imbued, everything they owned was, all certified devices from the kingdom. It would heat up at his will; he did not need to stoke it in a fire for hours.

Austin looked down the line of wolves out there when a full minute passed and Roman still stated nothing by way of answer, “I wonder who else has access? Your Luna perhaps?” He stood and took a step towards Elise, and saw and smelt fear roll off of her, her eyes shot towards her mate, She was begging him silently to answer the question.

“Fine.” Roman grated out “I’ll take you down there.”

“Oh, I’m fully aware I’ll be getting that access, you have no say in the matter, I am now curious who else has access?” he asked.

“Myself, Anders and…” Roman’s words trialed off.

“Your Luna.” Austin finished for him. Now that was interesting indeed, only three people inside this pack, normally it was accessible to all elders, the current and future heirs, as well as their archivist, librarians and… he turned and looked at Clay; the pack lawyers.

“I don’t have access.” Clay stammered and took a full step back. “You can Alpha Order me to find out, I’ll willingly submit to you. Father stated only when I took over would he take me down there.”

“Hmm, I believe Slade is the heir. How are you going to take over?”

“Father told me Slade will never come home; he will hunt for centuries, that he has to step down and hand it to someone.”

“Hmm, let me tell you then. Oriana is a part of my pack; Slade knows where she is right this minute. I’m just giving him time to talk to her, he will be coming home, and I and the council will be instating him as the Alpha. He is honest and reliable, knows right from wrong.”

He saw that boy’s eyes widen, he didn’t have that bit of knowledge, “She’s happy, healthy, and got herself a new family, one that is trustworthy and that love her unconditionally. Treat her with kindness and respect. All the things I feel she didn’t get here at all, but I will get to the bottom of that as well. Why she was treated badly by her own kin!”

His eyes moved to her mother, and he watched Bronnie’s eyes fall all the way to the ground. He knew there was a reason, he just didn’t know what it was. Likely only a select few did. She looked nothing like her father. In fact, kind of looked like Ember actually, now when he thought about it.