Hunted (Pack of Dawn and Destiny, #1)(72)

Dolph, however, fought every step, snarling and snapping. His eyes were shot through with blood, and they had a sickly glassiness to them. His fur was matted, and it looked like he’d chipped one of his front fang teeth.

“Stop,” Harka barked.

For a moment, I felt Harka’s power swell. It flashed in the thicket of trees like a lightning strike, making all the wolves stiffen.

Kash didn’t react—I don’t think she was really conscious—but Dolph slammed to the mossy ground. He didn’t really seem to be aware of it, though, because he tried to chew his own paw and his drool was flecked with froth.

Woah, that’s pretty intense. Even feral he still reacts to Harka’s power.

The secretary grimaced. “Will they remain feral forever? Or will it wear off and let them become human again?”

“It is believed it will wear off.” Pre-Dominant Harka slipped her hands into the pockets of her pantsuit. “Centuries ago, when the elves used it, they administered wolfsbane on a monthly basis to keep pet shifters pliant. Given that we haven’t seen this potion used in modern times, we don’t know. All wolves who have taken it—at this point—have been put down because they were threatening or harming humans.”

“If they return to their human form, they should have the mental capacity to tell us who sold them the potion,” Rafe added. “But there are no guarantees.”

“Regardless, Alpha Dolph is officially removed from his position as Alpha of the Low Marsh Pack, whether he regains his senses or not.” Pre-Dominant Harka’s stark black hair seemed extra dark in the shadows of the trees. “Being Alpha is a position of honor and responsibility—you are to take care of those within your Pack and look after their wellbeing. Something Dolph failed at, given that he chose to imbibe wolfsbane, and likely encouraged its use.”

“Vant, step forward,” Rafe instructed.

Vant—the beta of the Low Marsh Pack—meandered out of the crowd.

He was a big guy, with lots of muscle and a look in his eye I didn’t quite like.

I shifted uneasily as he stalked up to where Harka stood.

“Vant is now Alpha over the Low Marsh Pack,” Harka announced. “Unless he is unseated in a challenge. Are there any challengers?”

The Low Marsh wolves who attended the meeting sat a little deeper in their chairs, avoiding Vant’s eyes.

“Congratulations, Alpha Vant,” Pre-Dominant Harka said. She held his gaze, her eyes hard. “Learn from the mistake of your predecessor. Keep your Pack safe.”

Mere wisps of her power were enough to make Vant lower his gaze and get down on one knee in front of her. “I will guard them,” he said.

“See that you do,” Pre-Dominant Harka warned. She then looked out at the crowd, releasing Vant.

The wolves clapped politely—and a few howled—as Vant returned to his spot near the back of the crowd.

I uneasily watched his Pack’s reaction when he returned to them, noting the way none of them seemed to smile or be happy.

Dolph was terrible, but I’m not sure Vant is going to be that much better for them. Though I suppose, as long as he doesn’t make them take wolfsbane, that’d be a huge upgrade for them.

I glanced over at Greyson—who had his usual unreadable and stone-like expression slapped on since we were in public.

But I don’t think he’s going to be any better a neighbor than Dolph was. Although I think he’s smart enough not to wander into Northern Lakes territory and pick a fight.

“Given what has been uncovered about the Low Marsh Pack,” Harka continued once the wolves settled down, “I’ve decided to completely absolve Alpha Greyson and Hunter Sabre from the death of the Low Marsh Pack wolf. The Northern Lakes Pack responded to a threat to the humans they live with. It was appropriate—and to be applauded. They are no longer under any investigation of any kind.”

“What!” Amos Fletching fought his way forward, an angry sneer branded into his face. “How can you say that?”

Pre-Dominant Harka peered down her long nose at him. “The Northern Lakes Pack had nothing to do with the wolfsbane.”

“The Northern Lakes Pack has had a near perfect survival rate of those who have attempted the change for the past decade, and more wolves make the change successfully. Moreover, the number of wolves in the Pack with the competency and capacity to be an Alpha is so high it should be statistically impossible,” Amos snarled.

“Such things are not side effects of the potion—no matter what dosage it is taken in. The elves would never stand for positive side effects when they wanted to use the potion to enslave shifters,” Pre-Dominant Harka wryly said. “And even if it was, you have been unable to find any trace of wolfsbane anywhere besides Low Marsh Pack territory.”

“But their statistics are impossible,” Amos argued. “They’re using something to achieve those kinds of numbers!”

“Be that as it may, the Fletchings were sent to investigate the death of the Low Marsh wolf, and the wolfsbane.” Pre-Dominant Harka glanced down at Amos as if he were a bug. “At this time, the Northern Lakes Pack is not under investigation.”

“You can’t do that,” Amos argued. “They aren’t natural!”

“What can I not do?” Pre-Dominant Harka’s voice was dangerously sharp. “Choose your next words carefully, Amos Fletching.”