Rising Shadows by Bridget Blackwood Read Free Book Online Page A

you are to be judged. By your own confession, you are guilty of killing a werewolf from our pack. You entered a shifter establishment with the intent to destroy us. Yet you didn’t. You betrayed your own, and supplied us information about this Richland Institute that may prove vital to future plans. The answer is not clear. A vote will be taken. We start with Lyssa.”
    “Ssshe isss a human with too much power. I sssay kill her now to sssave the time later.”
    Told you she’s a cold hearted bitch.
    “Jay, your vote?”
    The grizzly leans back in his chair. It groans under his cumbersome weight.  “She seems too weak to be able to tear a beast right out of a man. I wouldn’t buy it if my Uncle Earl hadn’t seen her at the bar. He told me how she tried to protect that little girl. Let her live. She’s as much a victim as anyone else.” Jay pushes away from the table and leaves. He did his part, so he’s done. He has as much use for council business as me.
    “Adele, my love? How charitable are you feeling?”
    She snorts delicately.  “She’s of no use to me. She returned a half breed grandchild, and by the smell of her she wants to snare my son and breed more mongrels. I won’t allow it.”
    I’ve often wondered how Claude keeps Adele from eating her young. I look over to Madalaina standing next to her brother. She’s glaring daggers at her mother. Bastien seems calm, but his eyes reveal a different story. Unlike Madalaina, who is an open book, Bastien shows the world only what he wants them to see. How odd for him to be so easy to read.
    “Cleary, yes or no?”
    I push my sunglasses on top of my head before speaking.  “This whole affair is a bullshit display of power. You and I know it, Claude. She defended herself. I can’t blame her for that.”
    Madalaina is gawking at me. I wink at her. She frowns. Claude scowls at me. Big papa doesn't worry me. If I desire the little temptress, her father can't dissuade me. The fact that he commands the entire Therian army gives me pause. Flirting with Madalaina is innocent. Dating her could be perilous.
    Claude focuses on the Dragos. Thumbs up from Fu Man Chu.
    “ Ursa, Lion, and Dragos support the human. Snake does not. I vote in favor of the human. She lives. Rachel Ryan will be delivered into protective custody.”  Claude rises but is frozen by vicious shouting.
    “The bitch has to die. She murdered my son!” The mother of the werewolf Rachel killed in self-defense.  “I will avenge my child!”
    Behind her is Alonzo’s brother. He puts his arm around his mother to comfort her.  “Don't cry Mama. I will get justice for Alonzo.” He turns towards the council and yells,  “I demand Weregild from Rachel Ryan!”
    Out of nowhere, Bastien is beside Rachel. His hand on her arm, and whispers in her ear.
    “Uh, I want Bastien as my champion!” Rachel blurts out as Bastien starts to unbutton his shirt.
    Miguel just bit off a lot more than he can chew. Bastien is a fun loving kind of guy. He’s easy to laugh, and always joking, but he’s also the son of the Alpha Prime. He was taught to fight brutally from the cradle.
    “ Bastien, son, you are familiar with the law. She’s not our kin, nor mate to our kin. We have no ties to this woman. You cannot champion a stranger.” Claude reminds him.
    Claude is a slick one. Every word he says is carefully measured. There was something in there meant for Bastien to grasp. Father and son stare at one another. Bastien snakes a hand around Rachel’s waist and leans her backwards until she’s flush against him. His right palm is flat on her abdomen. He tilts her head to the side with his left.
    “Then I claim her.” His teeth sink into the flesh of Rachel’s neck.
    Adele rages. I want to cheer. The claiming bite done, Bastien whirls Rachel around to face him, his lips crash down on hers. Must be some kiss because Bastien has to hold her up. When the kiss ends, he barks at Madalaina for help. Werewolves are strong