Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Without saying a word, Alpha Barnes gets on his bike and takes off. I feel a wave of rage flood through me, and I reach out for my brother instinctively.
-Everything okay?-
-That wasn't me. It's him.- he answers quietly. -That's what happens when you make the first connection without a claim. The bond tries to right itself.-
I pull out of the parking space and turn the bike in the direction I want to go. The anger I felt brushed up against me and left an alarming prickling sensation on my skin. One, I've gotten in the middle of a fight. Just how strong is Alpha Barnes? He's got to be impressive to have earned the right of two mates like Vince and me.
I push the thoughts away and give my attention to the dead weight on my back. My actions tonight will provoke a very dark reaction. Blood Ridge has invoked a tradition we haven't used in centuries. Wolfes just don't Wolfe like they used to. There hasn't been any need for it since the bridge was built—however, the situation at hand warrants further action.
Baby follows behind me as I take her to Gary's packhouse. They could easily attack me, but the rules have always been clear to all of us. The claiming of a pack is either cleared financially or with blood, and Gary's blood now belongs to me.
As soon as I cross into their territory, I rip the velcro off from around my waist and let Gary's big ass fall back. The bike wiggles a bit as the dead weight hits the ground. Baby turns on her headlights so that the pack can see who it is I'm dragging behind me.
A few centuries ago, this would be done with a horse, but going to the Wolfe farm, saddling up a horse, and bringing it all the way over here sounds like overkill, and I don't do well around other animals. My wolf hates them—all except for my kitty.
A siren wails across the entire compound as I drive up to the packhouse. I stop and remove my helmet as we're surrounded by wolves. Baby and Roman both climb out of their car, and the rest of the team form a perfect circle around us.
"No," a woman wails and runs over to the body behind me. Before she can get to him, I reach for the Glock on my hip and aim it at her.
"No," I warn her. "Don't touch him."
"He's my mate," she shouts.
"I will shoot you if you touch him," I growl. Two other women come over to her immediately and pull her away as she stares back at me, not knowing what to do.
"State your terms," a man comes out of the packhouse.
"Are you the formal Beta of this pack?" I ask him.
"Yes, I am," he nods.
"This pack is now under the Blood Ridge census. You all belong to Vincent Wolfe and Blood Ridge. You are to take the required inquiries to the main Blood Ridge Packhouse first thing in the morning. Your new alpha will be waiting.
"As of tonight, this new sector of Blood Ridge will be on lockdown until further notice. Failure to properly regulate lockdown instructions will result in an immediate pack expulsion. That means you will be removed from the assigned territory without warning and will be escorted out of the city along with anyone who attempts to aid you.
"The assigned alpha who will teach you what lockdown regulations are will be here momentarily. If you have any immediate questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. The alpha that is going to show doesn't know anything about the resolution that took place in tonight's meeting and is only here by order of your new alpha. Be nice to her, she has a temper, and she's a friend. So it'll be your word against hers should she feel disrespected and or threatened in her time here. Do you understand, Beta..?"
"Elemental," he answers with a heavy sigh. "Elemental Allen,"
"That's a pretty cool name," Baby says from behind me.
"Do you understand what is happening, Beta Allen?" I ask him.
"Yes, ma'am," he answers and looks down at the body where Gary's mate is crying. "May I ask what happened?"
"As you are all aware, the alphas of the city were at war. The ten alpha alliance was called in, and Alpha Garrison didn't seem to care about the rules we've established here. As active Luna of Blood Ridge, it is my job to ensure that the alpha's laws are met, even if it means completely removing the problem."
"It's not a mate's-" his mate begins to shout.
"I'm not Vince's mate. I'm his sister. I'm not a diplomat like my brother. Don't ask me to understand your position. I can't and refuse to ever be in yours," I growl at her. "Your mate was an idiot. He put himself and his people at risk by acting like a fucking child. Everyone was warned. All he had to do was listen. These are the consequences of his actions."
"Please, give him back so I can bury him properly," she crawls over to me. "Please, please,"
"No," I step back, and she screams.
"Please," she cries out as the two women try to pull her away. "He's mine. He's mine."
"Luna Wolfe, you've made your point." Beta Allen stands in front of her protectively. "We'll do whatever Alpha Wolfe wishes."
"This lesson isn't for you," I inform him. "I don't mean to be cruel. In fact, I've made a living out of helping people in your position. With that said, Alpha Garrison disrespected my brother. He hired mercenaries to take out members of my pack.
"How is it fair for me to give his body back when dozens of my wolves were burned at the borders of my city because of him? What about my people? Do they not deserve the closure your former Luna is begging for? What about the lives of the wolves your alpha sacrificed in his failed attempt to take something he could never reach?
"This is for everyone who tries to attempt what he did. For anyone who thinks they can come after my city. Alpha Garrison will be put on display for all packs to see. His Luna will mourn him for every other Luna out there who thinks their mate can come here and attempt what he did. They will all know that this is their fate. And they will be made an example of."