Carl's Bestie

The Mayor’s house was an odd sight that

The council members were silent as they sat around the small dining table while Sam ranted away angrily.

Standing next to the stove was Devon Lavor; stoic, quiet, and fuming, while staring out the window stood the newly bonded Carl.

But it was the sight outside that was peculiar. Lavor’s usual guards had been joined by many others from the Desik City pack, surrounded the house, and stood waiting for Lavor’s command.

By giving his loyalty to Mayor Allo, Lavor had created a dilemma for his pack. One which was worse than the dilemma that Carl had put the council of Malcomville in.

“I can’t believe how stupid you’ve been,” Carl shouted as he gestured towards Devon. “You should have consulted your pack before giving my father your loyalty. If they stay answerable to you, we will be considered a kingdom and the goddess only help us if the palace finds out.”

Lavor growled as he glared at Sam. “Don’t you think that you are berating the wrong person here? He’s the one that needs reprimanding. He bonded with MY mate!”

Carl seemed to flinch at Lavor’s words but he didn’t move from the window or look away from where his gaze was fixed. His mind seemed far away, lost in some thought that had nothing to do with the conversation that was going on in the room. And he seemed, at peace.

“It’s a serious infarction. We have to report it,” began the deputy.

“Yes. If we don’t and someone else does, we’ll stand accused of harbouring..” added another elder when Mayor Allo butted in.

“They’ll execute Carl within the hour if he is reported.”

And every argument died down instantly.

Lavor gritted his teeth so hard that the grating noises coming from his jaws echoed around the tiny room. It was obvious that, despite what had happened, he too, was torn about what to do with Carl. Looked like he didn’t want to be the one to get Ryla’s bonded mate killed. She’d never forgive him. But that was exactly what everyone else was worried about as well. Losing Carl would destroy Ryla.

“Carl’s discretion is easily fixable. I’ll explain to Ryla why she has to reject Lavor. She’ll listen to me.” Sam ranted as he paced the kitchen, completely missing Devon Lavor’s murderous eyes. “But this mess with the Desik City wolves has to be sorted. Either they give loyalty to Dad or Lavor has to break loyalty and take the Prime’s oath again, set things right. It’s dangerous for Dad…”

“Ughhummm.”

The forced cough from the doorway made all of them freeze. Tiff stood there with knitted brows, looking completely unapologetic about walking into a room full of council members. Females were not allowed to even overhear council discussions. But the delicate state Ryla had been in upon returning from the waterfall had warranted attendance from the nurse.

“She’s up,” Tiff said stiffly and turned to Carl who had finally looked away from the dark forest and was now staring at Tiff with the same eerie intensity.

“She’s fine. Just a bit tired and….a bit…sore. She wants to see her mate.”

With those words she gave Prime Allo a bow of her head; just enough to meet protocol, and walked out of the house, slamming the front door behind her.

That female had a horrible temperament for a Lycan female so everyone was glad that she was never going to find one of their kind to procreate with. No Lycan make would ever tolerate a woman as insubordinate as her. Her best bet was to find a human and leave the pack but for now, she was all they had for taking care of Ryla.

Carl sighed heavily and made his way towards Ryla’s room.

Ryla wanted to see her mate after all.

But just before he disappeared around the hallway, he spoke for the first time since returning from the waterfall, as he looked straight into Devon Lavor’s eyes.

“You coming or what?”