*SELENE's PoV*

I sat there panting as I let Elaine heal me. My mark was well hidden under my fur, but it worried me that the members must have heard what Diana had said. Although the mark was not seen by them as Diana was the only one to observe it before, I had quickly turned into my wolf.

Channing looked troubled to me, and I wondered who the call was from that had him so distressed. I could not change back to my human form, but I telecommunicated with only him as we both were Alphas, "Everything alright Channing?" He turned to me for the first time after hearing that question. Channing was turning and watching everyone agitated during the call, but after that, his eyes refused to meet mine until I asked this question.

He flashed a friendly smile to me, and something looked amiss in it. There was no reply that came from him, but he rather went ahead to the eight supporters of John. The police van sirens rang and all the faces turned to watch the van that came announcing its presence today, unlike other times.

Channing did not move from his place and waited for the inspectors to come to him.

Chief Jack was the one to get down after the driver had to get down and run from the front of the van to open the door of the Chief of police. There were familiar faces of the female officers who were kept as guards when I was released from the prison the night before the case in court. Behind them all was a compact figure, and Logan stepped ahead, correcting his dress, which had tainted as he had lost his balance while getting down from the back of the van with other officers. Clumsy as ever, I thought.

All the officers waited for Chief Jack to step ahead. Jack walked haughtily ahead of the rest. "What trouble did the new kids create now, Channing?" He laughed at the end as if it was a joke, but he had directed the taunt towards me.

Channing's eyes narrowed at the question, and he glanced at me, giving me a look of 'ignore that idiot' and it made me internally giggle.

Before Jack could come closer, Sam and Suzan walked ahead to stand in front of him and their hands came as a block in Jack's path. Jack was enraged by this action. The rest of the police force who had followed Jack stopped a step behind him.

Sam was polite with his words, "Chief Jack, please wait here, this is on instruction. The rest of the officers, please go ahead to where the Alpha is."

Jack was taller than both Sam and Suzan, he did not like what they said. "Why am I being held back! My force won't go ahead if the Chief doesn't go." Jack was being arrogant as he threateningly stood taller than Sam and Suzan, as if he did a better job than them here. I huffed, thinking what was the need to have a police force if there was a pack in the village and especially if they had a Chief like this.

Sam passed a concerning look my way on what should he do now. I wanted to pass a direct instruction to tie Jack up and throw him in the back of his van rather than handle his lunatics.

Before passing any order, I turned to Channing and telecommunicated normally so my thoughts leaked in the surrounding this time, "Alpha Channing, I had asked of this but if you wish for Jack to pass give the orders." I had to give Channing respect at this very moment, so others saw him in the same light. It was important that it changed here in Winterwells.

Channing raised his eyebrows at my words. It was weird for him to hear such formal language, but he rolled with it with a faint smile appearing on his lips.

His gaze shifted to Chief Jack, and he spoke loudly so Jack could hear from the distance. "Chief Jack, if your force is so useless without the Chief, I don't think there is any need for them. Or are you trying to passive-aggressively go against the Alpha's orders to keep you away from the pack?"

Jack was flustered at Channing's words. In fact, everyone was shocked to hear that tone from Channing and those kinds of unfriendly words from his mouth.

Jack forced a smile on his face, "Oh no Alpha, I was not aware that those were your orders. If that is the case, I will send my team ahead." Jack was trying to show it was casual, while it was totally not. Inside him, I could see the rage boiling against Channing. He turned back halfway to instruct the other officers, "Go and see the culprits. Be obedient around with what the Alpha of Winterwells demands." I knew that deep inside, Jack regretted Channing had not died that day just like his brother John Walter had planned.

Jack flashed a smile to Channing, who rather turned back passively to the supporters of John Walter and Channing asked them, "Whoever pleads guilty now will be spared of the trials. Be quick with it if you regret it and promise to pledge your utter loyalty towards me."

Oliver didn't even think for a second before coming forward and kneeling on his one knee, "Alpha, I plead guilty of plotting against you. I was wrong, and I have realised my mistake. I Oliver Huntsman promise to pledge and prove my utter loyalty to you henceforth whenever and however you ask me to prove it, to atone for my sins." My eyes saw everything unfold like an old times drama in front of my eyes. There other seven members joined Oliver, pledging something similar while Julianne was left looking after Diana.

I was glad that Diana had someone to look after her in these times. Diana was hurt about losing her soulmate and no matter how bad she had been, I hoped someone could look after her now.

Channing looked at Julianne for her answer, and she returned him a troubled look. Julianne was not able to decide when Diana was unconscious and it only meant she still believed more in Diana, John's mate, than the Alpha of her pack.