A/N: It's late again, but good news: I've planned out up to chapter 53, so in theory, I won't have to worry about what to write, just more of me finding the time to write it out, lol. Someone asked in the conversations, but I'm going to say this book has about/up to twenty chapters more. Given what's going on in chapter 53, I think that's a fair estimate. There are a few plot pieces that I want to include but I may cut out, so they may end up being deleted scenes that I'll end up writing after the epilogue. 

Anyways, enjoy, and let me know what you think! I'll try posting the next chapter soon since this chapter is a bit shorter.

Chapter 40

Vince's POV

Sleeping on the cot was like sleeping on a cloud compared to sleeping in the bar. Damn Chase left me there passed out like the terrible friend he was, and now I had to deal with this awful kink in my neck and lower back. I probably would've slept right through the council meeting too if Xavier hadn't come in and found me, surprisingly in a good mood. I guess Simon hadn't told him what happened last night.

"You seem happy this morning," I blinked, my eyes adjusting from the light rolling in through the window.

"I managed to make pancakes this morning," he grinned before pointing at his chest. "By myself."

"A storm is brewing."

He slapped my arm. "Stop, this is probably one of my proudest moments, you jerk."

I rolled my eyes before heading to my room to wash up before the meeting. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed the bed was made, only his bags remained in the same spot on the floor near the couch. I was almost certain he'd go back to living with Aspen and Sarah again, especially after yesterday.

As I washed my face, I couldn't help but look at the bottle of suppressants on the counter. The pills were large on their own, nearly double what Sarah used to take. And to think for years I thought this would be the answer. Just suppress everything, ignore all that has happened. And remembering my conversation with Chase, I wondered what it would be like to just get rid of them entirely. If I hadn't convinced myself to use this if I wasn't dependent on such useless pills would things have turned out differently? Would I have been able to tell him everything?

Gripping the bottle tighter, I could feel the plastic give way, as I felt anger flow through me. Angry at myself. At these damn pills, the things that had happened. Even my father.

And to think Simon had gone this long feeling everything, no pills to cover it up, to make it better. What was I even thinking?

With the bottle still in my clenched hand, I glanced at my reflection before throwing it angrily into the trash can. I stared at it for a few seconds before storming out of the bathroom before I could change my mind. I ran a hand through my hair before walking into the hallway.

A few members brushed past me when I saw Michael near the window across the room on his phone. He was facing the other way so I stuck around, walking slower, trying to catch who he was talking to.

I could barely make out him saying, "don't worry, love. Everything's going swell."

Michael was always fond of pet names, but I wasn't entirely sure who he'd be calling. I slipped into the room, and just as the door closed, I could hear him say softly, "We'll talk more soon, dear. Have patience, our time will come."

His words left a chill down my spine but I brushed it aside, looking for a seat. Simon and Xavier were already seated, near Michael's seat, Simon completely engrossed in his phone. I don't think he even knew I walked in, but Xavier gestured to the seat next to him, his cheery mood still plastered on his goofy face. I rolled my eyes and took a seat further away from them, probably for the better, anyways.

As Michael stepped in to start the meeting, my thoughts were everywhere but the meeting. I couldn't help but glance towards Simon, who seemed engrossed in whatever Michael and the others had to say. Every now and then his lips would curve upward into a half-smile, probably at whatever jab Michael made towards George and the other old-timers. I was surprised he didn't look at all fazed by yesterday, only his under eyes looked a bit puffy, but it was as if nothing had happened.

You're staring at him again, Xavier shot at me. Knock it off, you're making me uncomfortable.

I made sure he saw me roll my eyes before turning to Michael, trying to just focus on what was happening.

"...I'm suggesting the introduction of an expedited process for rogues to establish pack member status. There will be obvious protocols that will be in place, as well as extensive screening, but it would be wise to help those that cannot protect themselves."

"No," George shot down before jabbing an angry finger towards Michael. "This is ridiculous, our pack has standards, we will look weak to them if we allow all these strays into our pack."

Michael simply laughed. "Need I remind you that I was a rogue as well, George. And so are a lot of these pack member's mates. If we discriminate against rogues and take away our people's rights to their mates, then that is a far greater weakness than treating them with respect."

George shook his head as a few others shook their head. "It's a risk this pack and our late alpha would never allow, and you know it!"

Michael slammed a hand on the desk, startling most of the members, including George. "I'll have you know my father is the reason this pack lives in fear from rogue attacks. Instead of properly helping them become stable and independent enough to be pack members, he'd rather mitigate the issue and kick them out once they weren't a liability."

George opened his mouth to refute, but Michael beat him to it, standing up to hover over the old man. "And for the record, my father was the biggest hypocrite of them all. He was the biggest risk to this pack with his lies and deception. He took our mother as his mate when his very mate was actually a rogue, George."

"You dare sully the late Alpha with lies, you scoundrel?" George spat, as everyone else in the room, including me, watched this tennis match of arguments.

"And the kicker?" Michael ignored him. "His mate was male, just like mine and Vince's were. My father was the real scoundrel here."

There were a few gasps from the council members, while others found it stifling to even breathe with how tense things had turned between them. Just leave his dirty laundry out in the air why don't you Michael?

George made a face before muttering under his breath, "we don't even know who killed him."

"And what?" Michael demanded. "What would it do? It won't change the things he's done. He's dead, been dead. It won't bring him back."

George leered, before pointing a menacing finger at Simon. "How do we know he didn't do it?"

The members all turned to Simon who seemed to be in shock, mouthing me? I wasn't sure what George's problem was but I was already starting to get annoyed by him. He was always extreme when it came to his opinions, but this was getting out of hand.

"What are you implying?" Xavier was standing now, his body blocking Simon who seemed to shrink down in his seat.

George crossed his arms before spatting, "the only evidence we had was his father, but what of him? Don't any of you think it's suspicious that after all these years, he gets to come back here and prance around like he owns the place?"

What in the world was he-

"And, honestly, how do we know that he wasn't in on it too? If his father murdered the late alpha, who's to say that he's not the mastermind behind it all?" George demanded. This man was giving me a migraine. Goddess, why didn't I kick him off the council before?

He was just about to go on, when I spoke up, having enough of his shit already, "That's not-"

Michael slammed the table again before I could finish, silencing everybody. His eyes flashed gold as he used his alpha tone, "Get out."

"You don't seriously think-"

"Get. Out." Michael seemed to loom over him from where he was standing. George grumbled before leaving the room. Michael sighed before clearing his throat. "Now, if none of you have any objections, we'll continue to discuss the details further next meeting..."

Everyone else shook their heads as Michael continued on, while I glanced to see Simon frowning while fiddling with his phone in his hand. From my angle, I could see Michael extend his arm, placing a hand on Simon's. He didn't look at him, continued to ramble on about the meeting notes, all while a strange feeling pooled watching how easily Simon gave in to Michael's acts of affection. It was the complete polar opposite reaction when I was near him.

And then I wondered if maybe that phone call was with Simon. There was no doubt Michael had given Simon some kind of pet name, but what did he mean about our time will come? Unless he really did plan on pursuing him romantically, but that had to be ridiculous, right?

I was so lost in thought, I hadn't even noticed the meeting ending until the people next to me stood up. Simon and Xavier had already walked out, Michael sorting documents as everyone else was heading out the door. I followed suit, grabbing my things hastily before opening the door. But before I could close the door, Michael mind-linked me. Tick tock.

I scowled, just hearing the smirk in his tone. I nearly whirled back to confront him when I heard shouting from the hallway.

There was a crowd gathering, most were council members, a couple of betas and thetas had joined in.

As I got closer, I could hear George's shouting, along with Xavier raising his voice, "what is your problem?"

"Can't you see that he's guilty?" I pushed past a few people to see George yelling, pointing at Simon like in the meeting. Clearly, George didn't know when to quit.

"Let's go." Xavier grabbed Simon's hand, trying to drag him away, but George pulled him back, shoving at his chest.

A few members gasped as George got in his face. "Just admit it! You did it, you knew about the whole murder!"

George pushed him again, this time Simon nearly losing his balance. I pushed past some more people to stop him as he raised a closed fist hovering dangerously above Simon's head. I had nearly reached him in time when Michael appeared out of nowhere, pulling his hand unnaturally back that had George crying out in pain.

I didn't have to see Michael's face to sense the angry aura he had as he looked down at George whose knees buckled under the sheer pain he was in.

"If you so much as look at him again, I'll not only break your arm, I'll kick you out of this pack, and you'll be one of those rogues you hate so much," Michael sneered before releasing George, pushing past the bystanders with Xavier and Simon in tow.

As they reached the stair landing, Michael turned to glance at me. It was maybe only a few milliseconds before he continued to walk the rest of the stairs down with his arm around Simon, but time seemed to slow as the corners of his lip turned, and his voice mocked in my head, that's how you're supposed to treat your mate. You can't even defend him from that snob.