Logan’s POV
As Denderick walked into the room, every Alpha present started to murmur. The aura he exuded was so strong that even the most confident among us hesitated.
The way he strutted annoyed me to my core. Who did he think he was, anyway?
“Apologies for my late arrival,” he said, his voice a deep, rumbling baritone. He stepped into the room with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, the heavy boots on his feet echoing on the wooden floor.
“Well? I asked a question!” He declared.
“We… we were just discussing recent events,” Alpha Rowan was the first to break the silence.
“Recent events?” Denderick’s voice was a low growl as he stepped further into the room. “And were you referring to me?”
Alpha Harris, who had been mocking Denderick only moments ago, looked down at his hands, avoiding eye contact. “We were discussing the missing pregnant women, Denderick,” he said, his voice wavering. “There are accusations-”
“Accusations?” Denderick cut him off, his eyes narrowing. “Against me?”
The room was silent again. No one seemed willing to challenge him directly. The fear in their eyes was unmistakable, and I could feel the tension thickening the air.
“We were just discussing your… recent actions.” Alpha Harris murmured.
Denderick’s lips curved into a smirk. “I assumed as much.” He strode to his seat, each step deliberate, as if he owned the very ground he walked on. He didn’t sit immediately but instead placed his hands on the back of the chair, leaning forward slightly.
“I see my absence was noted,” he continued, his eyes flicking to each Alpha in turn. “Good. It’s time we addressed the elephant in the room, wouldn’t you agree?”
Alpha Harris leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “It’s about time you showed your face. You’ve caused quite a stir, Denderick.”
Denderick’s smirk widened. “Stir? Is that what you call it?” He finally took his seat, his movements smooth and controlled. “I call it taking necessary actions to secure what is mine.”
Alpha Callum, a rotund man, finally cleared his throat, attempting to maintain his usual confidence. “There have been rumors, Denderick. Pregnant women going missing in various packs. We need to get to the bottom of it.”
Denderick’s eyes flashed with anger. “I had nothing to do with that,” he snarled, his voice cold and hard. “If anyone thinks they can pin this on me, they’re mistaken.”
“Your actions have caused chaos,” I cut in, meeting his gaze head-on. “These pregnant women are missing because of you. You’re destabilizing our packs.”
Denderick’s expression hardened, the smirk vanishing. “I’m doing what I must to find the mother of my heir. A task that none of you can understand.”
“We understand desperation,” Alpha Kieran interjected, his tone sharp. “But your methods are unacceptable. You’ve overstepped, Denderick.”
His eyes narrowed. “And what would you have me do, Kieran? Sit idly by while my future slips away? I think not.”
Alpha Rowan leaned forward. “This isn’t just about you, Denderick. Your actions affect us all. We need a resolution, and we need it now.”
Denderick leaned back, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Alphas. “A resolution, you say? Very well. But I want you all to understand this- I will not stop until I have what’s mine. If any of you stand in my way, you’ll face the consequences.”
The room fell silent, as tension was thick in the air.
“So, do you deny the allegations levelled against you?” Alpha Marcus asked.
“I deny nothing because I’ve done nothing.” He snapped. “The disappearances are not my doing. Whoever is behind them is trying to frame me. And instead of gathering around a table and gossiping about me, you should start looking for the true perpetrator of this crime.”
The tension in the room was suffocating. I watched as the other Alphas exchanged confused glances. I could tell that they were wondering if these accusations were valid.
My plan was falling apart.
I decided to speak up, attempting to regain some control of the situation. “Alpha Denderick, we are not here to place blame-”
“Then what exactly are you here to do, Logan?” Denderick interrupted, his eyes blazing with fury. “It sounds like blame to me.”
I squared my shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. “We have evidence pointing to your involvement in the disappearance of these women. You’re searching for your breeder, and you’re willing to sacrifice anyone to get her back. It is obvious to anyone who has eyes.”
Denderick’s lip curled in a snarl. “You think you know me, Logan? You think you can accuse me without proof? I have nothing to do with those disappearances.”
“Nothing to do with it?” I shot back, my voice rising. “You’ve been desperate since she ran away. Everyone here knows it. You’re the only one with a motive. You don’t want to give up your Alpha position!”
Denderick scoffed. “I could say the same thing about you.”
“Confess it!” I roared. “You are the one killing those women!”
Denderick slammed his fist on the table, making the other Alphas jump. “Enough! I will not stand here and be accused by the likes of you.”
Alpha Marcus, seeing the escalating tension, raised his hand for silence. “That’s enough from both of you. This meeting isn’t about personal vendettas. We need to address the real issue.”
Marcus turned his attention to Denderick, his expression grave. “Alpha Denderick, you have been given six months to find your breeder. If you fail, your territory will be taken and given to Alpha Logan.”
The room fell silent as Denderick and I exchanged a heated glance. Inside, I was elated. This was the break I needed. If Denderick failed, his land would be mine.
Denderick stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. His eyes fixed on mine, filled with a mixture of rage and something I couldn’t quite place. “You may think you have the upper hand now, Logan,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But this isn’t over. I will find her, and when I do, I will come for you next. Watch your back.”
With that, he turned and stormed out of the room, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.