13. Insurgency

Right there in the kitchen, we cry on each other's shoulders until we have no tears left. Then we console and encourage each other with words of comfort.

Mom leaves for patrol duty after finishing the dishes. She says she needs to occupy herself with work; otherwise, she'll go crazy. She is on her way there when she meets me outside.

I return to the living room, where my luggage is still waiting unattended, and sigh. The maids would have taken everything upstairs and unpacked for me if they were still around. Now I'll have to take care of them myself.

I take my holdall in one hand and hoist one large suitcase in the other, carrying them up the stairs. Thank Moon Goddess for super-wolf strength. How would I have managed otherwise?

I drop the bags in front of my door and go back for another set. I still have four more large suitcases to carry upstairs.

"Ugh!"

I groan when I remember I still have to unpack them.

"Fuck!"

Boasting that I can survive without maids was stupid.

Now I realize I can't survive without them–or should I say, I don't want to?

Not when I'm already spoiled by their services. The sooner Mom employs another set of household staff, the better for both of us.

I've barely made it halfway down the stairs when my phone begins to ring.

"Dammit!"

I stop and swear out of frustration, torn between hurrying back upstairs to get the call or continuing down to carry another set of bags.

I'd breeze through everything if Snow, my wolf, were awake. It's been four months since I put her to sleep because of school. Although humans and shifters attend the same universities to encourage socialization between our two worlds, according to the law, we shifters are expected to put our wolves to sleep whenever we're outside our packs.

Since she's overdue for her exercise and a daytime run is out of the question, I dare not wake her up. Otherwise, she'll make me cranky. White wolves like mine are extremely rare, and Snow is a stunning showstopper. I avoid daytime runs because she attracts too much attention. I found that out the hard way.

It might be Jamie calling. I promised I'd call him, but I haven't. Since I don't want to miss his call, I hurry back upstairs to get my phone.

"Oh, now you're calling me!" I mutter when I see Ben on the caller ID.

Ben, Liam, and I have been friends since elementary school. Although I attended a private high school outside the pack, we still played and did stuff together. The three of us even got rejected on the same day when we applied to join the pack's elite warriors. Of course, I didn't tell them that I passed the elite test but was rejected because Mom refused to let me join.

"Hello," I say in a frosty voice.

"Vicky... I heard you're back."

I detect the hesitation in his voice, however slight. Doesn't that mean he feels guilty?

"You heard right," I reply coolly.

I'm angry with him. How can they call themselves my friends and not inform me about my Daddy?

"I'm so sorry about your dad..."

"Thank you. Bye."

"Victoria, wait!"

He hurriedly stops me before I can end the call.

"Um... are you angry? Liam said you would be angry with us. We're coming over."

"No! Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood for visitors."

I say it even though I really want to find out what they know about what happened to Daddy and the Alpha.

He sighs.

"Liam figured you'd say that. Actually, we're already outside your house. The Luna called a meeting for noon. I'm guessing they want to discuss what happened..."

I disconnect the call while he's still speaking.

The Luna called for a meeting? I look through the many notifications on my phone that I'm yet to check. Nothing.

"Oh!"

I remember. I already muted all the W******p and Telegram groups I belong to so I wouldn't get distracted during exams.

I open the Pack Patrol group and see that the meeting was indeed announced. I scroll up and see that the incident involving Daddy and the Alpha was also mentioned yesterday evening. About four hours before Mom called to inform me. I would have found out myself if I hadn't muted the group's notifications.

The meeting is at twelve. I look at my watch and see it's past eleven. I enter my room, go straight to the closet, quickly change my clothes, and grab a sling bag. Then I open my holdall, take out my wallet, and put it inside the bag with my phone before hurrying downstairs.

Despite my attitude toward Ben, I hope they haven't left in a hurry. I step outside and see where they're parked through our metal fence. They step out of their car as I enter the gate code.

Ben is as tall and beefy as Liam is slight and lean. As small as Liam is, though, he takes the lead in their friendship. Ben is a gentle giant.

"Hey..." I say as I push the gate open.

Liam steps forward and hugs me.

"God, Vicky! I'm so sorry about your daddy! Sorry we didn't call. We didn't know how to break such news over the phone... Damn it! What is it with this year?!"

His trembling voice trails off, as though he's trying to get his emotions under control. Earlier this year, he lost his only sibling in a fatal automobile crash. I guess what happened to Daddy brought back the grief he'd fought so hard to overcome.

"Come on, don't be like that..."

I find myself consoling him instead.

"Oh, guys..."

Ben sadly says and encloses both of us in a big bear hug. "I can't imagine how difficult this is for you both."

"It is very difficult..." I choke out.

"Yes, it is," Liam agrees. "Losing someone so close is so hard..."

"There, there..." Ben soothes. "I'll always be here to support you both, any day and at any hour. Please be strong, my friends."

"Oh, God!"

Liam suddenly pulls away from the group hug to wipe his eyes. "What is wrong with me? I'm tearing up when I'm supposed to be consoling you! What a friend, right?"

I shake my head and dab at my own tears.

"Come here!"

He pulls me back into his arms. "You're going to get through this. Even though it doesn't feel like it right now, believe me, you will. Time heals all wounds."

I nod against his shoulder.

"Your daddy was a good man. He didn't deserve this..."

Ben is saying when I gently pull away from Liam.

"Yeah... Why do bad things happen to good people, though?"

I open my bag and take out a Kleenex.

"My mom said it was Thor Quinn's doing," I say after wiping my tears. "She said their car was found on his land?"

"So we heard," Liam replies. "The news broke late yesterday. I'm afraid we know as much as you do right now."

I nod.

"I guess we should start going, then."

"Yeah, we should," Ben says as his phone begins to ring. He pulls it from his pocket and smiles when he sees the caller ID.

"Hey, sweetie..." He answers.

"You're back! Great! How are you? And the baby?..."

My eyes widen.

Ben and his mate are expecting!?

I look at Liam questioningly, and he nods with a smile.

I smile too.

This is great news!

Ben puts his phone away and looks at me with a huge grin.

"She was visiting her mom. When she started feeling sick, her mom advised her to take the test yesterday morning." His grin widens. "It turned out positive. We're pregnant!"

"Oh, Ben! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!" I throw my arms around him.

Where some are grieving, others are rejoicing. My family has lost a life, while his family is welcoming a new addition. I am happy for my friend regardless of what life throws at me.

–––

We enter the meeting hall, and I'm surprised to see the place is already filled with the pack's key citizens–gammas, executives, elders, members of the patrol, and some police officers in plain clothes.

As we walk toward an unoccupied row of chairs at the back, my eyes scan the room, searching for my Mom. I feel bitter and disappointed when I see where she's sitting. She's surrounded by some of her best warriors, among them her cousins, nephews, and nieces.

She already knew about the meeting but didn't inform me. She didn't even bother to ask if I would be attending. That really hurts, despite knowing she already said she would never support me.

The moment I sit, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see Justin Quinn smiling at me.

"Alpha Quinn," I say with a forced smile, fighting the urge to shrug his clammy hand off me.

Liam and Ben also turn when they hear me say his name and immediately shoot to their feet.

"Alpha Quinn!"

"I'm so sorry for your loss."

"My deepest sympathy to you and the Luna."

"If there's anything my family and I can do, or any way we can help in these trying times, please don't hesitate to call."

The way they vie for his attention makes me cringe. Didn't we all talk and agree that Justin Quinn was a useless piece of trash who only knew how to ride on Daddy's coattails?

Justin is arrogant and would normally not give their kind the time of day.

But now he's shaking their hands and murmuring insincere words.

"Thank you, my friend. I really appreciate it."

"Thank you. I'll hold you to that."

"Yes, it's really so sad."

Losing a loved one is indeed sad. Except Justin doesn't look sad to me. The way he's immaculately dressed in a dark suit, his greasy smile, and the way he's acting overly friendly remind me of politicians campaigning for votes.

I look toward the podium, where the Luna is sitting with the Gamma Chief and some executives. She's also dressed in black. They're doing their best to look as though they're mourning, but something tells me it's all strategy.

Justin's expression becomes somber when he turns back to me.

"I am so sorry for your loss, Victoria."

I nod.

"Even though words cannot bring back the dead, I would still like to apologize for what my evil brother did to your family. Although he is my blood, I assure you he will pay for what he did to both our fathers."

"Thank you," I say with a nod. "Please accept my condolences too."

He nods.

"Where is your mom?" he asks, looking around the large hall. "I think you both should sit with us on the podium since this also involves your family. We're in this together—you know, fighting a common enemy..."

One of his deadbeat friends, who follows him around, cuts him short by whispering something in his ear.

I watch as he listens and nods. Boy, am I glad for the interruption. He returns his attention to me when his friend steps back.

"The meeting is about to start. Join us on the stage," he says before walking away.

"No, thanks!" I say it to his back.

Apart from the fact that Mom holds a very important position in the pack, Daddy, who was the pack's Beta, was murdered alongside the Alpha. The Luna could have called ahead to inform us about joining them on the podium if she wanted us there.

Seeing Mom still sitting and not joining them, I guess she wasn't informed either. I'm also guessing Justin's little invitation isn't genuine. It's just a show to gain approval. But who cares? I'm only here to find out the truth about what happened to Daddy.

When Justin arrives on the stage, the Gamma Chief stands and steps up to the microphone. Unlike Justin's bad acting, the Gamma Chief really looks bereaved. But I'm not buying the act. He's always hated my Daddy and never forgave the Alpha for appointing Daddy Beta instead of him. I bet deep down, he's happy they're dead.

"Good afternoon, all," he begins. "The whole pack is in mourning. We have suffered two great losses–our Alpha and Beta. On Tuesday, I received a distress call from the Beta." He pauses. Then his voice changes, trembling with emotion.

"Help!" he cries. "We're being attacked! They're shooting at us! Thor Quinn and his men are shooting at us! Oh, my God! They already got the Alpha!" His voice breaks as though he's about to cry, and he looks away to control his emotions.

Damn.

I never knew the Gamma Chief was this good at acting. I probably would have believed his story if I didn't know my daddy so well.

In such a dangerous situation, I find it difficult to believe Daddy would leave his mate who commands hundreds of elite warriors to call the Gamma Chief, a man who hated him, for help.

This lying bastard.

He clears his throat and resumes his speech. "Without wasting time, I gathered my men and rushed to their rescue..."

Bullshit.

Men? What men is he talking about?

The sixteen Gammas stationed at the pack's three gates? Or the fourteen volunteer patrol members placed under his command? I can't bear to let this lie slide, so I raise my hand for permission to speak.

Ben and Liam look at me questioningly, but I ignore them.

"Gamma Chief, sir!"

All eyes turn toward me the moment I call out, but I remain focused on the liar ahead of me.

"Excuse me, Gamma Chief."

"Yes?"

He answers grudgingly, looking at me with a displeased expression.

He's my direct superior, and I know he doesn't like being interrupted when he's talking. I'm sure he expected me to know better.

I stand.

"I just want to know how you knew where to find them."

His head cocks to one side, looking at me as though I've just asked the stupidest question imaginable.

I shrug.

"I mean, you rushed to them the moment he called for help. Did he tell you where to find them? Did you perhaps track them?" I ask the last question knowing full well the old fart wouldn't know his way around a computer even if someone handed him a manual.

‘Vicky! What do you think you're doing?!’

Liam's voice comes through the mind link.

I ignore him.

"He told me they're on Thor's land."

"I see." I nod slowly. "Amidst the flying bullets, he found the time to give you the exact direction to his location on Thor's vast estate."

Immediately, different voices begin ringing through my mind. My mom's is among them.

‘Will you stop this nonsense!’

‘Are you out of your fucking mind?!’

‘Why are you trying to embarrass him?’

‘My God! Have you forgotten he's your superior!?’

‘What do you think you're doing!? Sit your ass down right now!’

‘Are you looking to get suspended!?’

I don't even flinch as their hostile words bombard my mind. My eyes never leave the Gamma Chief.

The Luna stands then, taking over from the liar, who now looks lost for words despite the deadly glare he's giving me.

"Come on, Cyrus. Cut her some slack. The poor girl just lost her father. She's angry and has every right to be." She smiles at me with a gentleness I never knew she possessed.

"Believe me, Victoria, I understand how you're feeling, and I'm very sorry for your loss. Even though your anger is justified, I hope you remember that we're in this together. Thor dealt us all a great blow. This is not the time to be against each other. It is the time to stand against Thor, our common enemy."

She turns her gaze away from me and addresses the rest of the hall.

"Thor is a cruel man. His reputation as a cold-blooded murderer precedes him. The wars he fought in Denmark. The mass murders of innocent humans and shifters... Who among you hasn't heard of the Devil Viking who drinks beer from the skulls of those he killed?" She pauses, allowing her eyes to travel around the hall.

People murmur and nod their heads.

"Yes. In case you don't know, that infamous Devil Viking is Thor Quinn. Your Alpha's illegitimate son."

Some people gasp, shock written across their faces. The Luna nods and smiles with satisfaction. I don't think she realizes that the grieving-widow façade she wants the people to see has cracked, revealing her true face.

Now I know the purpose of this meeting. It's a campaign against Thor.

Destroy his rulership before it even begins.

"His father sent him away to live with his mother's people because of his violent nature. Fighting, causing trouble, and getting expelled from school was his hobby.

The Alpha never intended to retire early. Yes, I know. We all know that when it comes to fighting, Justin is no match for this barbarian. Do you think it was the Alpha's intention to set up the duel and have such a cruel man win and become your Alpha?" She pauses.

"No! He was blackmailed! Thor blackmailed him into retiring and told him to set up the duel. He promised he would destroy Silver Moon Pack if the Alpha didn't do his will."

The people gasp in shock again.

"Yes!" she continues. "He murdered them the exact day he returned to America so they would never be able to stop him. He murdered them and destroyed their bodies because without a body, a murder charge is difficult to prove.

The Alpha's crime that made Thor this vengeful was that he met me, his mate, and didn't marry Viveka, his mother. Did the Alpha deserve to die by his own son's hands because of that? Did the Beta, who was innocent in all this, deserve to die?"

"No! No! No! No! No!"

The people, now fired up, rise to their feet and shout in unison.

The Luna continues smiling in victory.

Mission accomplished.