Chapter Forty-Four

I sat in my father’s chair as Ronnie picked up the phone. “Amy, are you sure? You don’t have to do this.”

“I am, and I do. This can’t be allowed to go on. I’ll take the responsibility.”

“Amy!”

“Uncle Ronnie.” I cut my eyes to him and leaned back in the chair. “She has poisoned the Alpha of this pack. She has tried to brainwash him into making her kuna and betraying his true mate. She has gone against the Moon Goddess and everything we believe in by using magic to take over a pack as an unranked wolf. She has colluded with others to bully, demean, and abuse lower wolves.” I rubbed the pinch that formed between my eyebrows. “If it was just one, or maybe two, of the things I listed, then it would be easier to let her go. But it isn’t, and this is my father. She almost had him killing his pup. Even if that wasn’t me, which it is, it would be punishable by death. This is going to happen whether or not you are behind me. I am saving this pack, and if the council doesn’t agree, I will still do it.”

“Pup, you can’t mean that.” Ronnie looked a little lost with the receiver just hanging there in his hand.

“I mean every word.” I felt it all crystallize in my mind. “I will do whatever it takes to save my father and this pack, even if it means going against the council’s ruling.”

“But…”

“No buts.” I took the receiver from his hand and replaced it. “You would do the same, Ronnie.”

“I know, but I’m older.” He tried to persuade me, but my mind was made up.

“That means nothing, and you know it.” I picked up the receiver and nodded toward the phone. “Dial the council. I’ll explain what’s been happening.”

“You will need to speak to the council first.” He made an audible swallow. “They will bring your request to the king, who will make the ruling.”

“I don’t care. Dial.” I looked at him. “Don’t make me Alpha command you. You are my uncle, and I love you, but I will save my father, no matter what.”

Ronnie deflated but nodded. I cradled the receiver between my shoulder and ear as he dialed a number. The phone rang twice before there was a deep hello on the other end. “Hi. I’m Amy Maclean. I am calling on behalf of my father, Gavin Maclean.”

“Why are you calling this number?” The dark voice rumbled down the line.

“I need to explain what has happened at my father’s pack and make a request from the council.”

“The council?”