Chapter 271

I turned my attention to Vince, who had come up next to me. “I think this is the place.” My eyes flashed, and Vince took a step back. I redirected my attention back to the crowd and the reporters. “My father, Gavin Maclean, was an outstanding man. He did a lot for this community, and I refuse to allow anyone to speak ill of him. He was as far from a traitor as one wolf could actually get.”

I met the eyes of a few people in the crowd, and I saw their doubt or confusion, so I pushed on. “He donated billions of dollars to the council annually, way above the allotted amount, so that smaller packs could stay in the alliance, and reinvest their fees into their own packs. When I asked him why he supported people we didn’t even know, his only answer was that people deserved the chance to thrive. He wanted them to grow, to become stronger, to build up our community. My father donated millions to this school annually to support the students here, giving them more opportunity by designating a certain amount to be used in low-producing courses, allowing students to follow their passions, not just courses Alpha Vince decided were important.”

I cut another look at Vince and watched him pale even more. He thought I was clueless, but I knew everything. “He supported the last King in every way he could. He would leave my mom and me alone to stay by his side. He left his family, his pack, his first priority, to support his king. I know people are accusing him of being a traitor and they are referencing the last king’s death as proof. My father was duty-bound to protect the king, and you are right, he was. But what none of you know is that the council created the elite warriors to watch over the royal family, so that the alphas could run their packs without distraction.”

“That’s enough.” A voice came from the wing, and a woman came out. She was powerful, probably the most powerful wolf I had met to date, other than my parents. She clapped as she walked out, coming to stand next to me. Thinking I was under her control, she leaned in to me and smirked. “And here I was told you were strong. I’m not even using my full power to shut you up.” She pulled away, and I saw the smugness. And I honestly couldn’t wait to wipe that smirk from her face.

I turned back to the mic. She turned away, thinking I was frozen under her pathetic command. Her power was less than the king’s, way less. And if he couldn’t hold me, who the fuck did she think she was? “Anyway, the elite warriors were appointed and directed by the council. Funnily enough, the night of the attack, the council moved them away from the royal family, resulting in the king’s death. My father was at our pack, fending off our own attacks. He was protecting my mother and me.” She whirled back with a screech.

“I commend your silence.” Her voice held such a firm belief that I would buckle under her that I had to stop myself from laughing outright.

I looked over at the woman, and again I was met with her smirk. So I lost control, and a smile lifted the corners of my lips. “So, you see, my father wasn’t the traitor. If anyone should be branded as a traitor…” I turned back to the reporters. “It should be the council. They commanded the warriors away from the royal family, or the warriors themselves, as they listened and left the king to fight for his mate and pup alone.”

The silence that followed my declaration was thick. Then I turned back to the woman, who was still trying to enforce her power over me. Sweat beaded her brow, and she was pale. “I don’t know who you are.” I leaned against the podium, my voice still ringing through the room. “I honestly don’t even care. I have spent these last years continuing my father’s ideals. I have donated more money to this school than the king himself to keep this place going. I have sacrificed my time, my energy, and my schooling to help with training. I have ensured that the students here were treated fairly and justly, regardless of rank, class, or standing. You don’t get to come in here, try to overpower me, to shut me up, and push your own agenda because,” I turned back to the reporters, “make no mistake, that is exactly what this was.”

Murmurs started around the room. I finally spotted my mother in the crowd, her face full of rage. “You, and whoever else branded my father as a traitor, thinking you could strong-arm me into silence, but the fact of the matter is…” I paused, and my rage finally broke through my mask. “You are too fucking weak to command me.”