Eventually, when the dinner was over we were brought more whiskey and tea. Somehow Nolan and Ricky managed to get into a debate about the city of Phoenix. Aileen and Toby also started a conversation about the history of the Silver hearts Pack. Once Rowley engaged Clay in a discussion about some football team I was absolutely sure they were distracting the ex-loners on purpose. My suspicion was proven right when Elliot appeared by my side.

“How about getting some fresh air?” he suggested, all innocent. I nodded and followed him out on the front porch. It was quickly getting dark but the cold nor the dark bothered either one of us.

“The submissive wolves are quite enchanted with you,” Elliot commented with a smile.

I felt my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. “I have no idea why,” I said honestly.

“Oh, the explanation is quite simple actually.” He grinned. “All submissive wolves like alphas and you yourself have quite a lot of alpha potential. Though if you do not want to be an alpha no one can force you to be one,” he said. Ah but I already was… To Yuri and Scott and I had absolutely no idea what to do about that. Sure we needed to catch Bran’s killer but after that? We couldn’t just stay in Silver Springs forever. We would need a territory of our own, a pack house, some way to make money… And it was all my responsibility. It was scary, terrifying actually, but I couldn’t bring myself to let go of the two other hearts that seemed to beat right next to mine. Oblivious to my worrying thoughts Elliot kept talking: “You make less dominant wolves around feel safe and cared for, which are the perfect traits of a Shield. I wonder if Alistair knows how much the Ghealach pack has lost when he took the opportunity to become a Shield from you.”

What the hell was he playing at here? Did he seriously think something like this would work? Suddenly I was quite sick of him. “You bring me here to see how my loner friends are happy in a pack, you bring up my family and then flatter me with this alpha and shield thing… How stupid do you think I am?” I asked. I couldn’t help it. I might’ve been a hypocrite for it but I hated being manipulated like this. When he looked at me all innocent and confused it just fueled my rage. “Actually scratch that. How stupid are you?” That made his expression break. He scowled and somehow got taller and more imposing as he let go of the ‘very nice understanding alpha’ act. “I’m not gonna even pretend I know what kind of problems there are between you and Alistair, but I do know that I’m not going to be used as a pawn against him. Which is all the reason why you have any interest in me,” I said, simply sick of this game between us, I turned on my heel and went back inside.

He followed. “So you’re going to defend him? The man that threw you out just because you dared to stand up for yourself? The man that can’t even avenge Bran?” he said, earning himself weird looks from the others as the living room went quiet.

I took a deep breath to smother the rage and turned on him. “I won’t help you attack him and not only because we share blood but because your plan is stupid,” I said. “You are an experienced and very dominant alpha, which is why I’m baffled you would even think of this. Making an army of loners? Seriously?” I asked in disbelief. “There is a reason why packs usually only have thirty to forty members. If you keep up this recruiting thing you will only get yourself and many others killed. You cannot possibly keep dozens upon dozens of loners under control. Some wolf is going to get over ambitious eventually. And even if you somehow managed to make them all obey they would still stand no chance against the Ghealach pack.” I shook my head and it wasn’t boasting. It was a simple truth. “They are used to fighting in a pack, they have been fighting side by side for decades, and they know how to cooperate. Your loners know absolutely nothing about fighting as a pack nor about fighting a pack. And might I remind you that numbers mean nothing against the Cwn Annwn? Which was why you wanted me yes, but do you think I would seriously join you and kill my own Father? I might not have much love for him but I am not that cold-hearted.”

Elliot just stood there, his jaw clenched tight and mouth pulled in a tight line. So I did guess right. That was a plan of an angry inexperienced child not a respectable alpha like him. “You said they,” he suddenly said. “Until now you always spoke like you were still a part of the Ghealach pack. So you’re truly a loner now.”

“Is that seriously all you took from that?” And it was still wrong. “What the hell happened between you and Alistair to turn you into an angry brat?”

“Shut up! You know nothing!” he roared at me in rage. Before he could jump at me though a chuckle sounded behind us making him growl.

“What?” Aileen asked when she stopped chuckling. “That was very brat-like. I have been telling the two of you this is a bad idea. Even the banished demon wolf prince can see that.” She winked at me. Ricky, Toby, and Clay just seemed extremely confused.

Elliot gave one last growl before his rage fell away. “And what else would you make me do? Alistair is not suited to be a King again!”

“Right, the North packs. Could someone actually explain to me why the hell they want a King?” I asked. For a second Elliot looked like he would protest but then just sighed.

“Leave us,” he said to the others. The three ex-loners looked quite stunned but didn’t dare to protest. Once we were alone, Elliot fell on the couch and rubbed his temples. “A while ago the North packs heard an unsettling rumor,” he started as I sat down next to him. “A rumor about a certain dangerous vampire called Riah.”

“The one that murdered the French Night Court,” I said.

He nodded. “It seems she’s back and the North Packs sense trouble for wolves. The packs of the USA think us mad. They think that Riah has no interest in werewolves. But even if she’s just going to attack vampires it’s still going to spell trouble for us since she cares not if humans get hurt in the process. And of course, because Riah was seen on this continent the packs of Europe and Asia are not worried,” he growled, obviously not a fan of the other packs because of it. “The North Packs want to prepare for war. Starting with choosing a King to lead this war. They suggested Alistair because he is the unbeatable King.” Which he wouldn’t be anymore if Elliot actually took his territory. Well wasn't this a mess?