Page 37 of Rescued by the Alpha

“Come on, Papa. What do you think is going on then? What’s his move?” Nic had a sickening feeling he knew already, but he needed to hear it from his Alpha.

“I’m certain he’s been cuddling up to the Yukon Delta’s. It has to be why he’s never around and why rumors have gotten back to us that they’ll be making a challenge soon.”

“Okay, I agree it’s something along those lines. But last night he was upset that you would lose in a challenge against a younger Alpha, and that he would be denied his title. So, maybe he didn’t realize they were going to challenge you?”

His father nodded. “That has been a recent rumor. He’s in with them somehow though, I can feel it.”

Nic crossed his arms as he considered all the different angles. “That’s my sense too. But how?”

His father scowled. “They’ve always been the ultimate deceivers, not above doing whatever

they can to grab hold of and maintain power. Problem’s been, the Alliance has always thwarted them.

Only the Yukon Delta Pack and a rebellious faction of the Guardian Pack, have sought to have one ultimate pack ruler, to dissolve the Alliance.”

The Guardian Pack, a group of betas chosen at puberty then absorbed into their new pack, had always been the Alliance protectors. But in recent decades, a small portion had been swayed by the Yukon Delta Pack’s bid for ultimate rule.

Nic snorted. “Artur can’t possibly believe they’d uphold him as Alpha over the entire Alliance.

Especially with Yuri being their current Alpha.” Yuri was a pompous, feral beast of a shifter, and not the tiniest chance in hell existed that he’d be allowing Artur any kind of power over him. But Artur isso self-deluded… Nic patted his father on the shoulder. “We’ll get to the bottom of his scheme.” Nic gave a dip of his chin to two of the council members as they approached. “In the meantime, let’s get this over with.”

After entering the council building, the remaining members arrived. They went through the formalities of calling the session to order, and after council president, Boris, banged the wooden gavel that had been handed down since they’d first arrived in Alaska almost three hundred years before, he regarded Nic.

“Your father briefed me when we spoke earlier on the phone. I’d been hoping you would bring your mate to the session, so we could see him for ourselves.”

Nic coughed into his fist. He’d get used to the concept of Elam’s pregnancy in time—he was sure of it—but the shock was still too fresh. “I’m afraid he still isn’t feeling well and since it’s still so early in his pregnancy, I didn’t want to place too much stress on him.”

Boris’ eyebrow twitched. “I imagine you can understand our… reluctance to accept the truth of your claim.”

Leo, the treasurer chimed in, “Especially after the incident with your brother.”

Nic gritted his teeth to keep from barking out in anger—especially since the guy was right. But his natural instinct was to protect his family no matter what the circumstances.

He sucked in a deep breath before answering. “Understandable. Healer Asha is the one who informed us of this remarkable news. And while I have faith in our Healer’s guidance, my sister provided us with a pregnancy test which showed he was positive. Twice.”

All heads turned to the doorway at the sound of shuffling footsteps.

“I would hope you have faith in my word, Alpha Nic.” The corners of Asha’s eyes crinkled as she regarded him. “And I do believe had I been invited to this session, your own word wouldn’t have been doubted by your council members.”

Vera, their Vice President, gestured for Asha to sit. “Please, Healer. Join us. I must say I

became intrigued from the moment Boris called me about this meeting. I remember studying the ancient texts when I was younger, I was always so fascinated by them. Do you suppose that Nic’s mate—this Elam—has ancestors who escaped the great purge?”

Nic had studied their history in anticipation of ruling one day but had not delved into the more advanced texts that an Alpha was required to read once he’d made the decision to step aside.

Asha nodded. “Why, yes. While we were driven from Eastern European soil because of the belief we were of the devil, our men who could bear children were considered the ultimate abomination. I’ve always believed that not every infant was killed during the purge, that some had survived.”

Baby killing? Nic shuddered. “We’re all aware of the purge, Healer. But I don’t remember anything about males giving birth, or their pups being specifically targeted.”

She turned to him and wagged her finger. “That’s because you quit your lessons before you got to that part.” Asha faced the group again. “I’m still pulling out old scrolls from the chests at home, however I’m certain one of the male omega pups survived, perhaps being given to a human family with no ill-will toward shifters. The shifter blood would have been diluted over the centuries, but once Nic turned him, his ability to reproduce must have been revived.” She grinned. “I wouldn’t be too surprised if more of our men will develop the ability to carry pups the way their ancestors did.”

Nic’s father rubbed his chin. “It’s an interesting theory. You mentioned the prophecy. Is this what you’re referring to? I always interpreted the scrolls as referring to a general acceptance of shifters in the human world. I’m not sure how the ability for males to have children fits in with that.”

“It’s the heralding, a catalyst. How long do you suppose we can hide the fact that our men are giving birth? It goes beyond the challenges we already face hiding our shifter status in a modern society.”

As usual, Asha had managed to tell him just what he needed to hear. The next decision they needed to make was how to handle the situation with his brother.

And the threat against the pack.