Chapter 155
Alexander’s POV
A long pause. Then, finally-
“His ancestral territory,“Alpha Foster muttered. “The old Blackspire fortress. In the Carpathian
Mountains.”
I stepped back from the glass, my expression twisted into a cold smirk. “Then enjoy your stay in this cell,
Alpha Foster. Looks like you’re not going anywhere.”
He frowned, confusion darkening his face. “What does that mean?”
I studied him with icy contempt. “You think the Council will show you leniency because of your family
name?”
Something uncertain flickered in Alpha Foster’s eyes.
“I’ve spent the last year building a case against you, Alpha Foster. Tax evasion, money laundering, illegal organ harvesting, conspiracy to commit murder, child endangerment… shall I continue?”
The color drained from his face. “You’re bluffing.”
I slid a thumb drive through the small opening in the glass barrier. “Every transaction, every illegal deal, every law you’ve broken for the past decade is on that drive. The Council has already received copies.”
Alpha Foster’s hands shook as he picked up the drive. “You can’t do this. My family has been leading Silver Creek for generations!”
“And you’ve destroyed it in one,” I replied coldly. “The Council has granted me temporary authority over Silver Creek territory. Your pack members will be given the choice to remain under new leadership or
relocate.”
“They’ll never accept you!” Alpha Foster snarled, his composure cracking.
“They already have.” I turned to leave, then paused. “One more thing. Summer’s foundation–the one you tried to destroy? It’s being fully funded with the assets you’ve forfeited to the Council. Every penny you’ve ever stolen will go toward helping the victims of Alphas like you.”
His howl of rage followed me down the corridor, but I didn’t look back.
***
The evidence against Alpha Foster Thorn was damning. With Ethan’s help, I compiled a comprehensive file detailing his crimes: tax evasion on an epic scale, illegal organ trafficking, conspiracy to kidnap pack members, attempted murder, and the rarest charge of all–the purposeful severing of a mate bond, a
crime considered sacrilege under wolf law.
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I presented the evidence personally to the North American Council of Alphas three days after Summer’s disappearance. The Council chambers fell silent as I laid out the case, my voice steady despite the hollow ache in my chest where our bond had been.
“These are serious accusations, Alpha Blackwood,” Elder Thornfield stated, his ancient eyes studying me carefully. “You understand the penalty if proven true?”
“I do,” I answered. Death was the only punishment for crimes of this magnitude against pack law.
The Council deliberated for less than an hour before returning their verdict. Alpha Foster Thor was sentenced to execution by silver bullet–the traditional punishment for an Alpha who had betrayed his
sacred duties.
I was offered the right to carry out the sentence myself, but declined. My focus was elsewhere–on finding Summer, on rescuing Lyra and Thea.
“I want his assets seized and his territory annexed to mine,” I told the Council instead. “Silver Creek Pack deserves better leadership.”
“The territory and assets are yours by right of conquest,” Elder Thornfield agreed. “Though I’m surprised you would want the reminder of such treachery.”
“The assets aren’t for me,” I clarified. “They’re to be held in trust for Summer Winster.”
A murmur ran through the Council. Elder Thornfield leaned forward. “Alpha Blackwood, while we respect your dedication to your mate, all evidence suggests she perished in the accident.”
“No body has been recovered,” I stated firmly. “Until I see proof that she’s gone, I will proceed as if she’s
alive.”
“Alexander,” another Elder said gently, using my given name instead of my title–a sign of personal rather than official communication. “The bond breaking… you know what that means.”
I met her gaze steadily. “It means she was gravely injured. It means the wolf’s bane in her system was powerful enough to sever our connection. It does not necessarily mean she’s dead.”
The Elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of pity and concern.
“Very well,” Elder Thornfield finally said. “The assets of Silver Creek Pack will be held in trust for Luna Summer Winster for a period of one year. If she does not return within that time…”
“She will,” I interrupted, my tone leaving no room for argument. “And when she does, she’ll find that justice was served in her absence.”
***
Alpha Foster was executed at dawn the following morning. I didn’t attend. Instead, I stood at the cliff
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edge where the SUV had gone over, staring down at the river far below. The search teams had expanded to ten miles downstream, but had found no further trace of Summer or the remaining guard.
Ethan approached quietly, respecting my solitude until I acknowledged his presence with a slight nod.
“The European extraction team is assembled,” he reported. “They’re ready to move on Blackspire to
recover Lyra and Thea.”
“Good.” I continued staring at the rushing water below. “We leave tonight.”
“Alexander,” Ethan’s voice softened. “The water search teams want to know if they should continue.”
I closed my eyes briefly, feeling the emptiness where our bond had been. If Summer were truly gone, wouldn’t I know it in my soul? Wouldn’t there be some finality, some closure?
“Triple the teams,” I ordered. “Expand the search area. She’s out there somewhere, Ethan. I can feel it.”
“It’s been five days,” he said gently.
“And I’ll search for fifty years if that’s what it takes.” I turned to face him, letting him see the determination in my eyes. “I’m not giving up on her.”
Ethan nodded, his loyalty unwavering. “Then neither will we.”
As we walked back toward the waiting vehicles, I felt Orion stirring restlessly within me. My wolf had been uncharacteristically quiet since the bond broke, grieving in his own way.
*We will find her,* I promised him silently. *And Aurora too.*
Orion’s response was a low, mournful howl that echoed my own pain. But beneath the grief, there was something else–a stubborn certainty that refused to be extinguished.
Summer was out there. And I would tear the world apart to bring her home.
