HarrisMurdochcame swaggering out, both thumbs hooked in his thick leather belt.Hestill wore some bruises from his fight withKorthe day before.
“Oh, you’ve got to be joking!”Korexclaimed, frowning at theCouncil.“Youcalled a whole meeting just because this male complained thatIwhipped his ass?”
“You didn’t whip anything, pup!”Harrisgrowled, glaring at him.“Andbesides,Ihave a legitimate complaint against you!”
“Yeah, right.”Korrolled his eyes.“Look,Murdoch—it’s not my fault you can’t win a fight on your own, so you have to get theCouncilofEldersto back you up.”
HarrisMurdoch’sface flushed bright red.
“Fuck you,Jamison!Thisdoesn’t have anything to do with the way you attacked me yesterday.”
“The wayIattackedyou?”Korshook his head.“Youknow, a realAlphafights his own battles instead of begging for help.”
“I told you, this ain’t about the fight!”Harrissnarled.
“Well, what is it then?”Korasked, lifting one eyebrow.“DidIhurt your feelings whenIcame to town to claim my birthright?Maybeyou don’t think you can win theAlphaChallengeifI’mone of theAlphasfighting?”
“Hey—Ican fight you any day of the week and mop the street with you!”Harris’sface was purple by now.Hishands were balled into fists of rage, and the crowd was murmuring.
“Right.Justlike you did yesterday.”Kornodded coolly.
“Why, you—”Harrisbegan butElderLearyinterrupted.
“All right, enough of this!Thecomplaint that was made has nothing to do with the altercation that occurred onMainStreetyesterday.”
“Then what is it about?”Iasked, daring to speak up at last.
ElderLearyleveled his gaze at me.
“A complaint has been made—not just byHarrisbut by several people—that you are acting in a lewd and licentious manner and not upholding your husband’s sacred memory,LadyJamison,” he thundered, raising his voice almost to a shout.“Andthat you have been profaning the sacred title of ‘MoonWidow’ which was bestowed upon you at the passing of our belovedPackLeader,CarterJamison!”
At this the entire audience broke into chatter and every single one of them was looking at me.
In that moment,Iwished that the ground would open up and swallow me whole.Icould feel my heart pounding in every part of my body at once and it felt like my face was on fire,Iwas so hot with blushing.
I might as well have had a scarletApinned on my chest.
Did they know?Hadsomeone seen us?Hadthey found out thatKorhad touched me and made me come?ThatIhad slept naked in his arms last night?
All these thoughts raced frantically through my brain, andIdidn’t know what to say.Luckily,Korwas calm.
“And what evidence do you have thatViviennehas been acting in a manner unbecoming of her station?”Heasked, lifting his chin.“Becauseshe’s been nothing but completely proper ever sinceImet her.”
“Evidence?Wedon’t need no evidence!”HarrisMurdochgrowled.“Justlook at her—look how she’s dressed and how she’s acting.Sheain’t no grieving widow!”
I had to fight the urge to pull the sides of my cardigan closed to try and cover the cleavage the sundressIwas wearing showed.HowIwished thatIhad worn one of the stuffy black outfits in my closet at home!WhyhadIthoughtIcould go out dressed in a pretty little sundress whenIwas supposed to be in mourning?
“So you called aCouncilmeeting and allowed the entire town to attend if they wanted to without any evidence of wrong doing?”Korlifted both eyebrows at theCouncil.“JustbecauseVivienneis dressed differently?”
“She ought to be in mourning—not gallivanting around with you, pup!”Harrisexclaimed.“Weall know you’re fucking her!Weknow what you’re up to—the two of you all alone up at that big old mansion.You’refilling her pussy with your cream and your cock every chance you get.”
“AndIrepeat,where is your evidence?”Korthundered.“Howdare you accuse me of defiling aMoonWidow—one who was married to my uncle!Howdare you smear my reputation andVivienne’sgood name just because you’re afraidI’llbeat you at theAlphaChallenge?”
“You’re not fucking beating me!”Harrispractically howled.“Youwidow fucker!”
“Enough!Enough—silence.Silence!”ElderLearybugled.
Finally,Harrisshut up and the townsfolk who had gathered in the audience quieted.