---Benji's POV---

A groan slipped through my throat as I stretched my arms above my head, trying to get all the kinks out of my back.

I hadn't felt the need to join in on the absolute slaughter of the Redhill's corrupted top. The one wolf I had wanted to kill, died when he had attempted to rape my sister.

She was safe, well within the reach of her mate's arms, as Anders had confirmed. The pack would've been suicidal if they had sent anyone on pride lands in an attempt to get to Dana.

That hadn't stopped the Alpha from trying when I had been sent to the island. Thanks to Anders, Dana and Garret had been able to meet up with us for a moment.

I smiled at the memory, as Dana had been rather squeamish of the results of the massacre. Nobody could blame her, as several of the shifters had taken their sweet time with the tormentors of their families.

Hell, I recalled all too clearly the small pack of spotted Hyenas that had circled one of the elders. Nobody had stopped them from slowly mincing up the foul man, especially not Anders.

The Elder had been quite fond of going after families with young children for a reason. And now he paid the prize, as said families returned that fondness by going straight for the man's genitals and made him wish he was never born.

My thighs flexed on instinct at the reminder of the gruesome show but it was well within their rights. I would even go as far as to say that perhaps Anders had used his powers to make sure that particular Elder didn't die too quickly.

Ah yes, Karma is always a bitch.

Fingers scratched at my scruff, making me purr and tilt into the scratching, eyes lazily finding my mate's. He grinned down at me with affection in his eyes, undoubtedly wishing we had the time to get rid of some of this tension.

Sadly enough that would have to wait; leaving the pack without any leaders would make them unstable at best. Plus, the idea of waiting until the last inmate was released from this island so we had the place for ourselves was... intriguing.

That meant that now we were pulling strings in an attempt to find out where the True Alpha had been sent of to. Honestly, I'm rather surprised that the pack hadn't killed the Alpha when they had a chance.

"Humiliation babe." Anders murmured, undoubtedly sensing my thoughts. He pulled me closer to his body, chin leading on my head as he continued, "Those old geezers thought that there was no way anyone would rise up against them. Instead of tying up loose strings, they wanted to further humiliate the former Alpha."

A snort escaped me as I eyed the remains of whatever Elders were on the floor. No wonder the pack was in such a state, if idiots like them had run the pack's finances and actions for so long as they have.

Anders smirked, "We've already sent out agents to look for the Alpha, while others went to the pack to make sure they calm down. Undoubtedly the poor pups have been yapping in fear, wondering why their elites have disappeared overnight."

"Honestly, we should make sure that those who supported the fake Alpha in his deranged ways are sorted out of the pack." I said, thinking back to all the pack wolves on the boat.

None of them had even attempted to aid me, knowing that the trial I had was as fake as their Alpha. I guess most that had eagerly bowed underneath that man, had all been power-hungry or sadistic people.

Who else would thrive underneath such a foul person, if not those who already misused their own power? Anders nodded in agreement when I spoke my mind and he sighed tiredly.

"I'll be having a few busy days ahead of myself, screening everyone in the pack to make sure there aren't any traitors left. Though, I'm quite certain that there are a few others that are able to help out with that."

Vane smirked, cracking his neck as he approached, blood still smearing his lips. I'm guessing one of the traitors had found Elijah to be easy pickings and went after the buck, thinking he was defenseless.

Judging from the dark gleam in Vane's eyes, I'd guess it's safe to say there was nothing left of whoever made that poor judgement.

The polar bear licked his lips, baring teeth that were tainted red in a rather threatening smile. I wouldn't be surprised if he had ripped the man apart while he was still alive.

"So, now what?"

Vane snorted, shaking himself like his animal would to rearrange it's coat. "Obviously we need to follow the next steps. Find out wherever that old Alpha is licking his wounds and put him back on his rightful place so we can all go home."

Anders grunted in agreement, "Anything to get some peace and quiet back on my territory." His fingers were playfully sliding back and forth over my throat in a tantalizing pattern, occasionally pausing so my pulse thrummed against his digits.

The smirk on his lips and the heated glint in his eyes when he glanced down told me he knew. He knew the second my heart skipped a beat, when my pulse quickened to his presence, the slight shifting of his muscles against my back.

How his scent was slowly driving me insane, how I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from making a sound when I could clearly feel his arousal press against my ass...

"Yeah, if you guys could, ahum, keep the pheromone bombs to a minimum, that would be great." Vane snorted to clear out his nose, mockingly wafting the air in front of his face to make his point.

My cheeks heated up at the realization that every inmate, everyone in our direct vicinity who had a functioning nose, would clearly know how worked up I was.

There are kids here, for crying out loud!

And several families were already shooting me amused glances as some kids sniffed the air in confusion. Anders stopped his teasing, slightly squeezing my nape as to calm down my hormones and relax.

I closed my eyes and relaxed as much as I could, taking deep breaths while overthinking the situation. Sure, we could find the old Alpha but we'd have to sift through the entire pack, read every mind and sense every form of malice left behind.

There was no point in putting a rightful heir on the throne if said throne was boobytrapped. Even if we dealt with the main culprits of the coup, there would always be supporters hiding in the shadows of the main public.

And those supporters needed to be exterminated before the pack could once more relax and be at peace. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if there were multiple of the deranged Alpha's helpers hiding in other packs as well.

Not only as a safeguard in case something would happen to his rule, but to maintain control and, given the chance, take over other packs in the vicinity.

All of the Elders and the Alpha's direct subordinates had shown signs of clear wealth and luxury. All of them had been well off, grown fat by overindulgence and greed.

Greed would always want, would always need more. More to take, more to claim as their own. Wealth, power, territory, mates. For them, everything was up for taking.

Surely some of these men had already snaked their way in other packs, prides even, whispering poisonous thoughts in the ears of those with power.

And when they were in the Elders controlling grasp, they'd leech every last drop out of them, turning the once proud leaders into puppets dancing on their short strings.

"You're quite right, my love. It seems I'll need to call in some favors and unfortunately, abandon the island for a while until this issue is solved."

Anders sighed regretfully, cracking his neck before glancing around at the reuniting families and smiled. "Though, being able to live in peace and to give these people the future they've earned is quite satisfying as well."

Vane grunted in annoyance as the polar bear narrowed his eyes towards my mate. "What kind of favors are we talking about here?" The man crossed his arms in front of his wide chest, nostrils flaring as if he were in his bear shape.

A smirk slowly slid over my mate's lips. "Contrary to what you believe, bear, I do have friends." He glanced down at me with a softer grin, squeezing me a tad closer against his frame.

"Friends...as in?"

Anders rolled his eyes at Vane's question. "Friends, relatives, people who can come to our aid and take charge of the situation. Before Benji, I never would've bothered to aid the pack in the first place. Our kind doesn't take lightly with meddling in other species' business."

Vane smirk grew as he shot me a sly glance and then slowly flicked his eyes towards the bodies of the dead wolves. "But, since they went after your mate... pack politics became free game."

"Exactly." Anders expression was one of seriousness, eyes darkening in anger as his fangs barely peeked past his lips, slightly slurring his speech. "The second they laid a hand on my mate, their lives were forfeited. Plus, my friends and relatives will no longer have any reservations in stepping on anyone's toes."

Elijah blinked, looking between the two men before his eyes brightened in realization. "There is a clause in all the species laws that allow other species to retaliate in case of a clear deliberate violation to mates."

"And the pack sent your mate to this so called prison, anticipating that the inmates would take care of the little margay." Vane finished, huffing behind his mate before he pulled Elijah closer, uncaring that he was standing there in his bare ass.

An ass that was drawing quite some attention, seeing as Elijah flushed and slapped Vane's arms, much to the man's protest. "Babe, put some clothes on! Everyone can see!"

Vane smirked and shrugged his shoulders, "Fine, but you'll have to accompany me babe. My animal is still restless and there's no telling what I'll do to whatever fool who tries to even look at you funnily."

Elijah flushed and stuttered, awkwardly shuffling along as Vane dragged him backwards towards the house. The poor buck truly looked like a deer caught in headlights, especially when I tilted my head with a slow, teasing smirk slipping on my lips.

One pinch on my ass from Anders made me bite on my tongue to swallow whatever retort I had. His own eyes were filled with humor and lust but both of us knew we couldn't get carried away.

I huffed in annoyance and threw my arms in the air. "Let's get this show over and done with then. The sooner your family and friends come to our aid, the sooner we can get these cockblockers out of our lives!"