Bad Love An Alpha’s Regret

It’s barely a few hours later when Karolina comes to see me.
Axel has been surprisingly good company.
Angry on my behalf, and sympathetic, but not in a way that’s grating.
He’s chatted to me on and off, stuff he’s observed about the Council and Montana in general compared to Texas, and a few
stories from growing up in the Lone Star State.
Trying to keep me distracted from my grief.
As if such a thing were even possible.
But when Karolina comes down, his expression goes icy and he moves to the back of his cell, settling in with his arms crossed
and the wolf glowing in his eyes.
I remember he said something about them working him over and wonder if Karolina had something to do with it.
Exactly what kind of information could they have been trying,
G
to get out of him anyway?
“What do you want?” I ask her flatly when she stops in front of my cell.
“I’m sorry about your mate,” she says in a way that makes her sound not sorry in the least.
“No you’re not,” I tell her, because I’m sick of playing their games, making nice and pretending to respect a bunch of people who
I think are selfish, power–hungry egomaniacs.
If I’d known they were going to railroad me into an execution for treason, maybe I would’ve made a grab for a Council seat
or two after all.
“Like I said, what do you want?”
“The Council have decided to move up your execution date,” Karolina says, and though she’s going for casual, I pick up a

tension beneath her words.
“Why?” I ask suspiciously. “What’s happened? Are the other Alphas pushing back against your sham trial? Are you really that
surprised?”
She crosses her arms, and irritation flits over her face before
she can hide it.
“As the Council has taken control of your packs, we will get your affairs in order.”
“Get my affairs in order?” I repeat. “What does that even
mean?”
But then it dawns on me.
The entire reason for this farce of a trial.
The succession of my Alpha powers.
With everything that’s been going on, I’ve barely thought
about it.
But then another thought–a terrible thought–occurs to me
and I step closer to the bars.
“I need to call James! Leah died- The Havelock Alpha powers
“Didn’t go to your son, he’s fine,” Karolina interrupts with a slight smile, and I wonder who they did go to.
Who in that room intercepted the Havelock Alpha powers and has gained themselves another pack?
“As for your own Alpha powers,” Karolina continues. “You will provide the Council with a donation of your blood, and the
Alpha powers of your three packs will be distributed to the three most worthy Councilmembers.”

I give a grating laugh. “Over my dead body.”
My mind is already racing, thinking how I might be able to contact James and make sure he’s the one to receive my Alpha
powers as my heir when I’m executed.
He’s the only one I trust to take care of Leah, Ethan and the
packs.
Karolina’s eyes narrow.
“Do not mistake me, Alpha Rathborn. You will cooperate and you will give us your blood. Or you can count on your remaining
days here to be as miserable and uncomfortable
as humanly possible. Don’t believe me? Just ask Axel here how
he’s found out accommodations.”
From across the corridor, a low threatening growl emanates
from the shadows.
“Really, Aaron, you can give us your blood...or we can take it.” Karolina smirks, before turning on her heel and striding away.
“One of these days,” Axel says in a low threatening voice once she’s gone. “I’ll be free of this cell. And the first thing I’m gonna
do is make sure that woman meets her Maker.”