16

“Report to me the moment you’ve found something,” I said. “Don’t make a move until I give the word.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Good. Get going.”

With their orders given, they shifted and sprinted into the forest. As their quick footsteps faded, I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had nothing pressing to do now. My mind was free to return to uncomfortable territory: the council and their thirst for blood. I had to figure out what to do about them.

As old and as esteemed as they were, the council had a lot of sway within the pack. As the alpha, I had a ton of sway myself, but if we were publicly in opposition, it would cause a huge rift among the Wargs—those who were most loyal to me and those who were most loyal to the council would be in direct conflict with each other. From what I remembered of wolf history, conflicts like those ended poorly for everyone, and those who survived the turmoil either tried to rebuild or were forced to join other packs.

It was a shitstorm waiting to happen, and I cou