Everyone in the room hit their knees, and I had barely released half of my power. Disappointing. I let my eyes shift to the golden hue of my wolf and stepped up to Derek, lifting his face with my claw. “How does it feel to be the bitch in the room, Derek?”
He trembled at my feet. “You…” “Yes. Me.” I tilted his face back farther, forcing my claw into his skin. Blood trailed down his throat, and it gave me a small sense of satisfaction. “Not Vince, and not Brandon. This is all me.” I slammed my hand against his throat and tightened my grip. His choking for breath was another small satisfaction. I pulled him from the ground. “Do you know why I am here, pup?”
Derek was turning purple as I dropped him. He fell to the floor in a heap, wheezing. Brandon came to my side and reached for my hand, but I flashed him a look. Nix pushed forward, sending her voice through my lips. “My human might like you, pup, but I will not allow you to interfere with this.”
Brandon swallowed and nodded. “I won’t interfere. I just want to give Amy a little support.” He held out his hand, and Nix started laughing in my mind. This pup is laying it on thick.
Megan chuckled as she laid down next to Nix. Let him think he can calm you. It will give Vince a sense of control.
I gave him a tiny nod, and Brandon slid his hand in mine. But I crouched down, and he followed me. I leaned over the coughing Derek. “I’ll ask you one last time. Do you know why I am here?”
Derek had the sense to look scared now. He gripped his throat and shook his head. “No.” His voice was rough, and I could scent his fear. “I want your head.” I smiled. “I want to rip your head from your body and carry it through the streets.” I leaned closer. “And best believe I would do it, and I could. You might be thinking that you are still a beta, and you might be stronger than I am. But I am here to tell you I would put you on the ground within a few minutes.” His face grew a little red as anger surged. “You might think that I am boasting, but I’m not. You might last longer if I decided to play with you. And I might. Give you a little hope and then, little by little, I would pick at you.”
Derek shook his head. “You couldn’t.” “Oh, but I could. I would.” I smiled. “I’d start with a hand, or an ankle. And I would whittle you down until you are a pile of broken bones and a crying heap, and then I would take your head. Do you know why?”
Derek looked at Vince, but he was just staring at Brandon’s hands in mine, watching the anger drain out little by little. “Alpha Vince.” Vince jolted and then looked at Derek. “What?” Derek choked on his words. “Are you going to allow her to do this to me?” His words were hoarse with pain.
Vince furrowed his brow. “I don’t allow Amy to do anything. She is an alpha in her own right and knows the old laws. She has the right to invoke the Cath Báis.” His eyes flashed to me. “I will apologize for my involvement and I will rectify my stance immediately once you are done here."
I nodded and then slowly turned back to Derek, who paled. “You’re an alpha.” I smiled, fangs descending again. “That I am.” Brandon huddled closer, and Derek stumbled over to him. “Brandon, I’m your beta.” He clutched at his pant legs, and Brandon looked at me. “And if I am lucky,” he pushed his hands away, “Amy will be my luna.”
Chapter 332
Derek sat back on his heels. “What?” His eyes darted to me. “No.” “I’m going to ask you one more fucking time. Do you know why I am here?” I leaned in and snapped my fangs. Stop looking at them, and look at me. They won’t save you, and I am the threat. I snapped my hand out again and squeezed. “Think, boy. This is the first time you have met me, and somehow you have insulted me enough that I want you dead. What did you do?”
He stared at me for a minute before he choked out, “I don’t know.” “Do you know who I am?” He shook his head. “My name is Amy Maclean. I am the daughter of Alpha Maclean.” I waited for understanding to enter his eyes, and then it morphed to fear. “That’s right. Lynn is my wolf.” I climbed into his lap and pressed my face against his. “SHE IS MINE AND YOU FUCKING TORTURED HER AND DEMANDED HER SILENCE!” I screamed in his face as my claws dug into his throat.