Tristan looked at me, asking if I was ok with revealing Andrew’s actions. I nodded, it was time. He turned to the crowd, using his Alpha voice to get everyone’s attention, “Listen everyone! We have all heard the rumors of the Red Moon pack and how they handle some of their pack members. There is truth in them, but it’s not some of the members, it's just one. And she happens to be my mate, Alyce Lilly.”

“Alpha Andrew has allowed other pack members to bully her, beat her, and string her up for days, even weeks at a time. They have used whips and knives dipped in wolfsbane on her, as well as silver chains to both repress her wolf and to scar her.” He took my hand, leading me to step up onto a table so the crowd could see me. He stood in front of me, staring into my face to distract me. I undid the buttons on my shirt, pulling my braid to the front and slipping the shirt off my shoulders so the crowd could see my scars, at least those visible. Some were hidden by my bra, but I would not be removing that. They could see enough to know the truth.

I heard gasping in the crowd and Tristan nodded to me. I pulled my shirt back on and redid the buttons. He lifted me off the table, setting me gently on my feet.

“We cannot let Andrew remain in charge of this pack. He cannot be allowed to continue this abuse.” I spoke, my voice firm and confident in the words I chose to relay the horrendous actions of Andrew.

“His Beta and Gamma were the ones to do the dirty work, but the orders were his. Ethan, his Beta was also complicit in my being sexually assulted by the Gamma’s son. Though I do believe no one other than Ethan and Vincent had knowledge of this.”

I heard Theo growl as he scanned the crowd finding Vincent, who looked amused until I spoke of his actions. He paled and tried to slip into the crowd, “STOP!” Theo roared at him, using his own Alpha tone to force Vincent to comply. “Jake, Mat, take him to a holding cell!”

Mat and Jake didn’t hesitate to comply with Theo’s request. Andrew could say nothing without implying he condoned Vincent’s actions.

I raised a hand to quiet the crowd again, “Theo, the Alpha’s eldest, has never condoned his father’s actions, and he would do what he could to help me when he could. He is by far ready to take his father’s place. The entire pack need not suffer because of their current Alpha’s choices.”

Daemon cleared his throat, speaking next, “We have not had a council in over 100 years, since the time of the last Alpha King. We have not needed one in that time either. This is the first time since our kind disbanded the council that something like this has come to light. Andrew, you can either relinquish your position to your son and renounce your title, or you can face death and your son will inherit your pack by default. There is enough proof to condemn you. The choice is yours.” Granted he was speaking of my inability to lie, which only those who knew my lineage were aware of.

Nora pushed through the crowd, coming to her husband’s side to support him. Andrew looked at her and then across the crowd, his face paling as the crowd was murmuring and nodding with the words spoken against him, “I will willingly relinquish my position and renounce my title, on the condition that Nora and I are not banished.”

Theo thought for a moment, and then nodded, “I will not banish you and mother.”

“I, Alpha Andrew Marshall, step down as Alpha, passing my authority and power to my son, Alpha Theo Marshall.”

Andrew and Theo both sliced their palms, bringing them together to complete the Alpha transfer.

“I, Alpha Theo Edward Marshall, hereby declare that Andrew Marshall, Nora Marshall, Ethan Charles, Bethany Charles, Jewel Charles, Levi Sanders, Christine Sanders and Vincent Sanders, are demoted to the rank of Omega. None of you will ever be eligible for a rank other than Omega for the rest of your natural lives. Any children you have from here on will be Omegas, unless they do something to prove themselves worthy otherwise.”

“Alpha Shane, I would suggest you learn from this event, given the way you were treating Alyce, and the conversation I overheard between you and Andrew.” Tristan narrowed his eyes at the Alpha as he gave him the only warning he would get.

Shane visibly gulped and nodded, “Of course.”

Theo turned to me, “Alyce, I am sorry that I could not do more to protect you, but I assure you that Vincent will pay for his crime against you.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“I know Theo, you couldn’t go against your father, but now you have a chance to reform the pack. I have faith that you will be a great Alpha. Dean will make an amazing Beta. I am sorry to inform you that I am taking Mat and his parents with me when I leave with Tristan, if they desire to come with me that is.”

Theo grinned, “I would expect nothing less Alyce. I don’t expect anything could tear the four of you apart. I will not deny, nor begrudge them if they choose to leave with you.”

“Pfft, like my choice, is even an option.” Mat said, trying to lighten the mood as he walked back in with his father.

“Faith would never let you leave without her Alyce, not when going with you is actually an option, and where she goes, I go.”

“Well then, let’s not let this spoil the evening. Mat, Faith, Jake, will you do me one last favor as Deltas? Will you round up those named earlier and confine them to the Pack Manor? I will have a few trusted warriors guard the Manor. Once that is done, you are free from your duties until you leave.”

“My pleasure.” Mat grinned as he and his parents gathered Theo’s parents and the Beta and Gamma families, Jewel showing her ass and whining and protesting the entire time.

When they returned, the party resumed, though with much more gossiping than before. Tristan smiled at me and kissed my forehead, “We will get your things from your room and you will be moving upstairs with me, or with Kami if you are more comfortable with that. I won’t have you down in the basement anymore.”

“I’m sure Theo can give me my own room… I-I suffer from nightmares and I would not want to disturb anyone else’s sleep.”

“You won’t disturb me, I promise.” He murmured in my ear. His closeness made my heart beat faster and my face flush.

“Are… Are you sure? I can just sleep on your couch.”

“I’m sure, and absolutely not. I will not pressure you into anything. I know you will need time, as much as I want to mark and mate you, we will take things at your pace, but I would like to at least have you in my arms while I sleep.”

*I say we let him. How can you resist him? Just take him upstairs and jump him now.* Aramyth added her two cents worth.

*Aramyth! Shut up you filthy wolf!* I replied.

*Are you really going to deny that you want him naked and on top of you, making you writhe in pleasure? *

I growled at her, feeling a tug in my core at the thought, moisture pooling between my thighs, *Great, now he’ll smell my arousal. You’re an ass, Aramyth.*

*You’re welcome.* She replied in a sing song voice

I was as red as a tomato as I argued with her. Tristan had buried his nose in my neck, taking in a deep breath, “I’m gonna need you to reign in your thoughts, Love. Or I’m going to need a very cold shower.”

“It’s not my fault,” I whispered, “Aramyth is kind of a freak, and decided I needed to know her thoughts on the matter.”

Mat walked over to us, catching a brief whiff of my arousal, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I scowled at him and grabbed a napkin ring off the table next to me, throwing it at him. He laughed and ducked, “No judgment here Aly.”

“Nothing to judge, Mattie.” I huffed at him.