Chapter 8

As I slept Harry took the opportunity to speak to Rob. Harry drove to the bachelor's townhomes near HQ, his knuckles growing white as he furiously held onto the wheel. When Rob came to the door he did not seem surprised to see Harry on his stoop. 

"I'm not backing off Cavendish. Cousin or no." He responded immediately. 

"Our wolves have chosen each other," Harry explained as calmly as he could. "You will back off or I will call Rites."

"Then I will win Tally," Rob shrugged. "But I would rather her go for me because she is attracted to me and not because of pack law bullshit."

Harry growled. "She's mine. You will not have her. I warn you, if you try me, I will cut you off from every pack. You will be a lone wolf. You know what happens to them."

Rob rolled his eyes. "Why is it you're so afraid of a little competition?"

"Because this is not a game," Harry snapped. "Back. Off. Now." 

"No." Rob said calmly. "I don't have too. Good night, alpha." He shut the door in Harry's face. 

The alpha knew he had to do something but Caleb's words rang in his ears. He would have to win me over gently. 

I awoke the next morning with buzzing and a hangover. At least I was in my room. I took it slow getting ready. I did not remember the previous night but I did know I was not my best self. 

As I showered I remembered Rob. He probably thought I was an idiot but he seemed like the type to forgive such things. 

After I dressed and put on makeup, I walked down the stairs to see Humphrey waiting for me in the living room. 

"How do you feel?" He asked. 

I rolled my eyes. "It was fun at least."

"Right," he nodded. "But fall is here now and things must change." 

"Please don't," I held my hand up to him. "I can't take chastising this morning."

"Afternoon," he corrected. "And you will listen to what I have to say."

"Fine," I slinked into the sofa across from him. 

"Harris is a good man," he began. 

"Why are we talking about the English alpha?" 

"Because he has been given The North American packs," Humphrey said plainly. "He's now in control of vast territory and many nations." 

"You're still…"

"

"I don't want to be alpha, darling," he said genuinely. "I want to spend the rest of my life with my mate and take care of my people."

"You will be chief then?" I whispered. 

He nodded. "The republic has come into the fold with Emory as their leader. The tribe falls under my jurisdiction now fully and totally."

"So much occurred in just one night?" I asked sardonically. 

"It's been gearing up for awhile now. We have appointed a supreme leader," he continued. 

"Emory told me," I said. 

Humphrey stared at me waiting for me to catch onto something he was not saying. 

"I'm not going to marry him," I said flat out. "If the English want their pound of tribal flesh they need to look elsewhere."

He smirked. "Artemis has chosen a scot as supreme leader."

"The moon chose? For real?"

He nodded. "It's the first time in three generations."

"A scot?" I thought it ironic. "Uncle Sean must be elated."

He won't be when he finds out I've chosen Lilly as his mate," Humphrey murmured. He became aware that I heard him. "That does not leave this room young lady."

I smirked. "You are playing with fire," I remarked. But I guess that was something that ran in the family. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

He looked at me sweetly. "Are you alright?"

I nodded. "I know soon you won't be able to keep me on a shelf. I would like to get some of my wildness out while I can." 

He laughed. "Yes, my wild little girl."

"Don't make fun," I murmured thinking of my failed attempts of rebellion. 

"Ever since you were able to walk I found you curled up with a book. You were never going to be the muscle like Caleb or the fire like Lilly, nor whatever Bane is good for. You had the ability to be so much more," he flowed with pride. "I only hope when the time comes you have the courage to speak up." 

"Do you think that time is coming soon?"

He nodded sadly. "I think soon, we will not be able to rely on muscle and fury. It will take brains to save our kind. But those brains cannot be edged against the wall trying to blend into Linda's tacky wallpaper."

I laughed aloud. "At least you saw me back there."

"I always see you," the old native smiled. "Now, Harris is on his way to speak to you. I want you to hear him out."

"Why?"

"He's leaving tomorrow after the final dinner tonight, which you will be at young lady, and Harris doesn't know when he will be back." 

My heart sunk. Lilly was going to the supreme alpha, there was no reason for Harry to stick around. 

"I'd rather not," I sighed. "Whatever he has to say cannot matter."

Humphrey seemed sad. "Why do you say that?" 

I shrugged. "He is a good friend and I appreciate the time we had together but I don't see the need to hash it out." 

"Tally," Humphrey began as I went to walk out. 

I turned and cut him off. "He's a lovely guy and I respect him a lot. To be honest he's amazing, and I'll be sad to see him go…"

"Who is this amazing lovely fellow?" I heard Harry behind me. 

I turned awkwardly on my heel. "Alpha," I said sweetly. "It's no one you know," I lied. And I lied poorly at that. 

A knock came at the door behind Harry. He looked curiously at Humphrey and I. I shrugged but opened the door. To my surprise, two officers were standing before me. 

"Can I help?" I asked noticing their serious faces. 

"Tallia Blackbear?" The man with a very full mustache asked as he held out his badge. 

"Yes, sir."

"I'm officer Brendan and this is my partner," he referred to the woman beside him. "Hannigan. May we ask you a few questions?"

"What's this about?" My heart was thudding as I wracked my brain about what I had done the previous night. 

"John Blackbear's murder," the female cop said brazenly. 

Humphrey walked up behind me and opened the door fully. "Please come in officers," he said kindly. But his charm did little to unruffle the two Mounties.