The Wolf King's Luna novel Chapter 37

VANCE.

As I walk into my study, dreading the conversation I am about to have, I wonder at all the events that have happened to bring me to this point.

Taking my seat, I stare up at Cody, who is standing at attention, body tense and tightly sprung.

He has been my closest friend since childhood. Forget what I said to Tammy, it would hurt if I had to kill him too.

"Cody," I start, looking him dead in the eye.

"Alpha."

"I want you to be very honest. I am only going to have this discussion once, and should I find that you lied to me in the future, I promise you, I will kill you where you stand."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Good. Tell me the truth. Did you know about the actions of your father? And Tammy?"

He takes a deep sigh before answering.

"I knew about my father's act. I was convinced that he was doing it for the best of the pack."

"I see. And Tammy?"

"I knew she bullied people. I had no idea she killed them though."

"How did you find out about your dad? Did he tell you or you found out yourself?"

"I found out myself."

"When?"

He is silent at that question.

"Cody. When?"

Closing his eyes, he answers in defeat, "A few days after the previous alpha died."

Wait, what?

Days?!

"I remember that. People were vanishing from the pack after my father's death. I asked you to find out why it was so. You said they had defected. You said they were worried that the Blackwater would still launch an attack on us and they ran. You lied."

"No, Alpha. I did not. I swear I didn't," he says as he subconsciously walks towards me before remembering himself and stopping.

"You didn't? Then explain. What happened to them?"

"When you told me to find out, I went to my father for guidance on how to go about it. He was the one that told me they had left and that is when I told you. It was days later when I found out it was a lie, and by then I didn't know what to do."

"You did. You didn't tell me."

"You had just lost your father, Alpha. You were grieving. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Did you want to tell me? Knowing what that would mean for your father?"

"I… I don't know."

I take a deep breath before continuing my questions.

"How did you find out?"

"It was on one of those late nights we used to have. I was supposed to spend the night at the mansion but you and Tammy were being… loud. So I left to go home. I saw Dad with a group of men, carrying some loads. It was at the dead of the night and they were being very secretive. I trailed behind them and saw what they were doing. 

"I didn't understand what I was seeing. I must have made a sound because Dad turned around and saw me. He took me aside and explained it was best to get rid of the weak links in the pack. He thought there would be a response attack and that the pack was only as strong as the weakest. I knew it was wrong but he assured me that it was normal. That everyone did it and that your father promoted it."

" I see. You have been with me all my life Cody. I am going to risk my faith one more time. Do not betray me. You can remain my Beta, as for how the pack sees you, you are going to have to win their trust back."

"Thank you alpha," he says as he bows his head.

"You can leave," I dismiss him.

As I watch him leave, I send a silent prayer up there.