Chapter 210: Menace
"That’s it? That’s all we’re going to hear?" Leon barked from his seat, throwing up his hands. "What more do you need to know that Lucas is a menace—even before he had any unnatural power?"
His voice was loud, his tone indignant, but the room wasn’t buying what he was selling. Leon was trying too hard.
Councilman Eryx, gave a long-suffering sigh. He looked at Leon.
"That," he said slowly, deliberately, "is exactly why we’re all here today, Alpha Leon. To discuss. Not to condemn. Not to jump to conclusions. Lucas Raventhorn may be reckless—some may even say arrogant—but these are accusations, not convictions. Until proof is placed on this table, we do not have the authority to strip a man of his title. Even an Alpha."
There was a murmuring around the circular table. A few alphas nodded solemnly, others frowned thoughtfully.
Leon sat down reluctantly, every twitch of his jaw screaming injustice! even if his mouth stayed shut. Eryx had spiked his momentum, and now he had to sit and wait for another chance to steer the ship off the cliff.
Then, Alpha Jackson stood up.
The room stilled a little. Jackson rarely spoke. He was a war general turned peacemaker. When he did speak, it was measured and slow.
"I do not agree with these accusations," Jackson said, his deep voice rumbling through the chamber. "I have known Lucas Raventhorn for years. Whispering from the shadows has never been his style. He does not plot quietly. He does not poison wells. He kicks the damn door down and sets the barn on fire."
There were chuckles. Even Councilman Eryx smirked.
"Tell me," Jackson went on, folding his arms, "if Lucas blew up an entire pack, do you really think he’d slink away into the night and deny it? No. He’d watch it burn while drinking a beer, then go brag about it."