The Hidden Alpha (Alma Venus Shifter Brides 2)

“She is. But what if she doesn’t agree with my decisions one day?” Blake turned to Amelia, her purple eyes challenging her to come up with a single, valid argument. When Amelia didn’t say anything, the vixen smiled. “You do see my point, right?”

“Yeah… I guess.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to choose my other adviser wisely.”

When they turned back to Roman’s room, Julian greeted them with a smile. “Sneaked out for a quickie? Cheers to you!” He drank the last drops of his whiskey, then reached for the bottle.

Amelia blushed up to the tips of her ears, but Blake kept her cool.

“Is it that hard to mind your own business, uncle?”

Julian didn’t feel offended in the least. “Oh, come on! I know what young love is like.”

Blake rolled her eyes and dragged Amelia back to the armchair they shared. It wasn’t very comfortable, but the sofa was occupied by Sebastian and Julian. Luckily, the phone rang, silencing any other rude comments.

“Jane,” said Roman instead of “hello”.

“Mr. Sylfur. We just took a break, but this is going to be such a long session.”

“What’s new?”

“The story is the same. Avelyn Blackmane hasn’t been called to the stand yet, but it’s obvious she will say the same things as the other clan members. The victims who were bitten and turned into werewolves say much of what happened while they were under the rogue she-wolf’s influence is a blur. Regarding Jason Woodtail’s motivation for teaming up with the she-wolf, they said it was something personal. It seems that Jason and Sabine Miller were having an affair.”

Roman released a breath of relief. “So, there was nothing political about it… He had no intention of challenging the peace treaty.”

“No, apparently not. Of course, we still have to hear his testimony.”

“Hear his testimony?” The edge in Blake’s voice showed how much Jane’s words had shocked her. “So, you did find him.”

Jane took a deep breath before finally giving in and telling them everything she knew. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this earlier, Mr. Sylfur, but you have to understand that it would’ve been completely against Jonathan’s will. The moment they heard about the battle, the Council didn’t only summon Clan Blackmane and Viggo of Clan Drekinn for a meeting, but they also started looking for Jason Woodtail. What they didn’t know was that Jonathan had gotten to him first. He found him the same day the newly turned wolf came to Councilor Voinom and told him about the battle. It wasn’t difficult for him, so when the Blackmanes came to London the first time, Jonathan already had Jason and the remaining members of his two earths in his custody. He didn’t tell anyone, and he asked me and his other adviser to keep it a secret until he figured out a solution which worked best for our faction.”

“And… did he find one?” By now, Roman’s voice had lost a lot of its initial determination. Things were worse than he had imagined.

“I… I don’t know what to say. He kept me away from Woodtail and his foxes, but from what I gathered, Jonathan wasn’t very pleased with the rogue Inari. I think the councilor expected something else from him. Anyway, Woodtail will testify after the break. He’ll be the last one to be called to the stand. The Blackmanes don’t even know he’s here.”

“If Jonathan turned Jason Woodtail in, then it means everything is fine. The councilor hasn’t done anything wrong,” concluded Sebastian.

“When did he turn him in, Jane?” asked Roman.

“He didn’t, actually. He convinced Woodtail to turn himself in. No one knows Jonathan had him in his custody. After three weeks of negotiating, Jonathan promised him he’ll make sure his two earths will be fine and he would protect them as long as he turned himself in and told no one they had ever met. That’s why I didn’t tell you anything, Mr. Sylfur…” Her voice, barely a whisper now, trembled. “I don’t know what they talked about, I don’t know what Jonathan asked of him or what his plan was… All I know is that Jason Woodtail didn’t respond as Jonathan expected and chose to go to the Council himself and suffer the consequences as long as his fox-shifters were fine.”

“This is strange…” said Roman.

Sebastian shifted in his seat. Julian poured himself another glass, while Charles simply stared out the window. Amelia tried to adjust her position next to Blake. The armchair, too small for the both of them, was getting really uncomfortable.

“Thank you, Jane,” continued Roman. “Don’t worry, this stays between us. Jonathan will never find out.”

There was a deep sigh at the end of the line. “I should go now.”

“Call us when it’s over.”

“I will, although I already know what Woodtail is going to say.”

“What?”

“That he followed Sabine Miller and fought the Blackmanes by her side because he was in love with her.”

“And is that the truth?”