Chapter 170

“Now, to get back to your questions. Yes, there was an attack that injured someone here. She nearly died, but thankfully her wolf was strong enough to heal the damage, even though the doctors thought she wouldn’t make it. Next, if the wolf wants it to be made public, I will say her name, but I will wait for her permission.” He glanced my way, but Nina stood.

“You can tell my story.” Her voice was soft, but I could tell she was proud.

“Nina,” Rowan started, but then a council member stepped up and smiled.

“Nina’s attack was harrowing,” he started. “She was a little girl when a rogue attacked her and her father.” The crowd gasped, but I watched Rowan grind his teeth. “We were all worried she wouldn’t wake up, but thankfully, her juvenile wolf was strong enough to heal the damage to her head.” There were a few claps, and I had to lift my fingers to my lips.

This was Nina's big attack. Rowan turned to me, and I gave a tiny nod. I would have kept quiet, but this was getting ridiculous.

“Councilman Evan, that is a sweet story, but not the attack I was referring to.” Rowan turned to face the councilman and growled until he stepped back. “A fact I think you knew. I’ll just add that to everything else I need to speak with you about.” The threat was there. “The attack I was actually talking about, Nina, if you would sit back down, was a large-scale attack on Silvermoon. Alpha Amy was there for the summer, and her father’s pack was attacked. According to the report, it was also her very first shift.” He gestured for me to stand. “Amy, if you could, please talk about the attack.”

I felt my eyes widen, and I stood. Of course, he would spring this on me. “We were in the middle of a pack meeting to discuss…pack business.” I hesitated, unsure of what I should say.

“What she is forgetting to explain is that she uncovered a conspiracy a she-wolf had put together to take over the pack. They were in the middle of sentencing, and the accused had escaped,” Rowan called out.

“Escaped?” Nina scoffed. “How could you let her escape?”

I clenched my fists. “The accused had help, more help than was expected. She escaped at the same time a large-scale attack happened by the rogues.”

“A large-scale attack?”

“Rogues work alone,” Nina tossed out.

“Hush, pup. I will explain after her recount,” Rowan called out, and Nina paled.

“During the sentencing, while waiting for one suspect, I sentenced the first there. My wolf came out when she challenged me, and it was my first shift. Instead of running, as is expected of a first shift, a howl went out. Rogues were attacking, and we all had to move to protect our pack. As my father and I ran, a second call went out. Somehow, the rogues were attacking multiple areas at the same time, so we split up.” I heard Nina’s scoff, but I pushed on. “I helped a family fight off a rogue and get their two pups to safety, and then went on. I moved from one call to another, and a pattern became clear. The rogues were targeting the females and pups. Then there was another call, but it was more panicked, so I headed that way, and two pups were standing over what I thought were the lifeless bodies of their parents, facing three rogues. I sent them to safety as I attacked.”

“You faced off three rogues?” Nina scoffed again, but this time, Rowan growled.

“Alpha Nina, no one interrupted as your ‘attack’ was told. Shut your mouth.” There were a few chuckles as Rowan used air quotes around her attack, but I pushed on.

“I killed the first one quickly, then faced off with the remaining two. I could gut one but was gravely injured. I knew I had to be quick to protect the pups, so I rallied and gave a final push as my throat was pouring blood. I could kill the last before succumbing to my injuries.” Rowan nodded, and I sat back down.

“This pattern that Amy spoke of has become evident in not just her pack, but almost every pack attack by the rogues. They are working together. They are targeting the pups and females to break the mates and make the annihilation of the packs easier.” Nina looked lost as he continued. “Amy, as I have seen the doctors’ report, had deep claw marks and a bite mark on her neck, including a few fractures. She fought on to save that family, and yes, she saved the full family, as the parents were close to death, but thank the goddess, they were also saved. I was going to show you, but since certain people keep questioning everything, here.” Rowan made a few clicks on the podium, and a screen descended, and photos were on display. There were dead bodies, people wounded in hospital beds, and then there I was, on display, all my wounds still open.