Beta’s Challenge by Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell Page A

abs, and dicks…”
    “That’s enough, Tia,” Tara and Toya stated in unison.
    Gabriel and Adrian barely hid their amusement at Tia’s observation of the males of their pack. Tomas, on the other hand, looked peeved and obviously didn’t find the humor in her assessment.
    Tara continued, and ignoring any further comments from Tia, said “Mikal,” now conscious and sitting Indian style in the middle of the clearing, “you have been accused of abhorrent, inhumane crimes against your…people. How do you plead?”
    “I have only done…” Mikal started.
    “ HOW DO YOU PLEAD ?” Tara said in a no-nonsense voice. “It’s a simple, ‘guilty or not guilty’ question.”
    “Not guilty,” Mikal said, mustering up all the pride he had left.
    Another uproar began in the crowd. Suddenly, all the shifters were silent and on high alert. Movement from the bushes alerted Tara, Toya, and Tia they had more company. Shifting to human form as they appeared in the clearing, Marcus and his pack members joined the meeting.
    “What the fuck are YOU doing here?” Mikal growled, starting to get up and thought better of it at the last minute.
    Marcus lifted an eyebrow then smugly stated, “One ass whipping a night not enough for you, Mikal?”
    Snickers and muted laughter filled the clearing.
    “He’s here because Gabrielle and I both called him,” Tara stated matter-of-factly, aiming the barrel of the gun right between Mikal’s legs. “Now shut up or the next shot will guarantee you never rape anyone again,” Tara said before Mikal could speak another word.
    Marcus walked to Tara. “I do like you, Ms. Tara. You have spunk.” Marcus grinned at Tara then turned to Gabriel. “Gabriel, join your Prima.”
    Gabriel walked up to Tara.
    Tia, Toya, Adrian, and Tomas joined Gabriel and Tara, taking up positions slightly behind and to the left and right of them. Tara lowered the gun then held her hand out to Sasha. Stunned, Sasha bowed her head and headed to Tara’s side.
    “Seeley Creek pack, brothers and sisters, your alpha has demonstrated he is neither worthy nor capable of being the best leader of your pack. He has desecrated wolf law and values. Pack law demands he be killed in battle to be dethroned, but that is old pack law. We are moving forward starting today and adopting more ‘civilized’ laws to govern our people, thanks to Tara.” Marcus indicated Tara with a slight bow. “With that said, this will be put to a vote.” Marcus looked each and every man and woman in the eye, then said, “Seeley Creek brothers and sisters, do you wish to have Mikal removed as alpha of your pack?”
    He held up his hand to prevent the uproar he knew would follow his question. “By show of hands, please,” Marcus said with a slight smile.
    U-N-A-N-I-M-O-U-S

    Mikal looked around at his pack. How could they agree to this? Even Vonn had his hand raised high. Mikal’s blood began to boil. How dare they betray him? They never understood him. He was only trying to make the pack stronger. Revenge was due. He would bide his time until he could exact it on the one he held responsible.
    “Mikal, do you submit to the mandates of your pack or do you wish to stay with tradition and fight Gabriel to the death?”
    “Fuck you,” Mikal said and spat at Marcus’s feet.
    “That, my friend, you will never do,” Marcus said with a smile on his face. “Now, what will it be?”
    Mikal moved faster than anyone would have imagined possible with his injuries. Hands transformed into paws, he grabbed Sasha around the neck claws, digging into flesh drawing blood.
    Backing away and pulling Sasha along, using her as a human shield, Mikal bellowed, “You weak pussies could never understand what I was trying to accomplish. All I wanted to do was make our pack stronger. I wanted our males to have an unbiased need to protect all females and young equally. I tried to ensure unconditional love and respect to each member of our pack through a togetherness