Chapter Thirty-Four
Silence swept across the crowd of Guardians and Pack Masters from all the Southern states as Barrett fell off the mountain.
“What does this mean? I don’t understand, what does this mean?” one of the Mississippi Guardians yelled out, breaking the silence.
“It means that Barrett died for me,” Jaxon said from his position on his knees.
“Has that ever happened? Has a Pack Master ever sacrificed himself for one of his Guardians?” a Kentucky Guardian asked.
“I don’t give a shit about that.” Boudier spoke up. “I still demand the life of Jaxon Taylor.”
“Not so fast, Boudier. You can’t demand Jaxon’s life. Barrett just paid the debt. It’s paid in full.” Jack Welbourn held the briefcase in his arms. He still couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Couldn’t get over the fact that Barrett had sacrificed himself.
All eyes went to the Council. One of them cleared his throat.
“Jack is right. If someone sacrifices himself for a death debt, then it is considered paid in full.”
“Fuck!” Boudier screamed and fisted his hands like a toddler.
Everyone looked at him.
“But the law also states that if a Pack Master vacates a position, then a current Pack Master may claim it as his own. I claim the state of Arkansas as my own.” Boudier glared at the other Pack Masters, daring them to challenge him.
Anger burned in Jack’s gut.
“I’m afraid that’s not going to be legal. Not in this case.” Jack rested the briefcase on a rock and opened it. He hadn’t told Barrett that once he’d given him the suitcase, he’d sneaked a peek inside. He already knew what legal documents he would find. The blood vow he’d made to Barrett wouldn’t let him reveal this information until now.
“You see, I have the legal paperwork of Barrett Middleton putting Damon Trahan as next in line as Pack Master should anything happen to him.” Jack waved the document in the air and then handed it to the Council.
“But Damon killed him,” Boudier said.
“As I recall, you killed the Pack Master of Louisiana to gain the power.” Jack narrowed his gaze on Boudier. “It’s how a lot of these assholes get into power.”
Murmurs swept the crowd.
“Brutus and Killian, kill Jaxon. I demand it.” Boudier screamed until he was red in the face.
“Yeah, see, that’s a no-go on that.” Killian stepped in front of Jaxon, blocking Boudier’s view. “When you tried to kill Lorcan, that’s where I drew the line in the sand.”
“You worthless piece of shit.” Boudier spat out. “Brutus, kill Jaxon, now!”
“Fuck off.” Brutus stood beside Killian and rested his hand on the silver knife he carried in a holster next to his gun.
“You killed one of your Assassins?” Jack looked over at Lucien. He knew Lorcan and Lucien were brothers. Lucien’s face was dark with rage and retribution.
“Tried. He tried to kill me.” Lorcan stepped out from the shadows. “You should also know that the Witch of Yazoo City never killed any of her victims. She bled them enough to keep her power but left them alive. Boudier had someone following her and ordered anyone she took blood from killed. He wanted everyone to think she was a killer.”
“But she testified for him,” Jack said.
“She admitted to me that she lied. She lied in order to secure her freedom. Boudier promised her freedom from the cemetery if she lied for him.”
Murmurs rose up around the crowd, and Boudier began to shift his weight from foot to foot. It was the first time the Pack Master looked uncomfortable.
“Release Jaxon,” Lorcan ordered. Killian nodded and quickly unlocked the chains.
“You are under no power to order…” Boudier stated.
“You forget. As Assassins, we are judge and jury. We might be deadly killers, but we are well versed in the Pack Law. I dare anyone here, including the Council, to come up against us.”
Everyone looked at the Council.
“Lorcan is right. Jaxon is free to go,” one of the members said.
“I also have something else that might be of some value.” Lorcan smirked and pulled an envelope out of the back of his leather jacket. “Before Ella, er… the Witch of Yazoo City left, she gave me something. Something of Boudier’s.” He waved it in the air and walked over to Jack.
“You need to read that,” Lorcan said.
“What is it?” Jack asked as he turned the envelope over in his hands.
“It’s a hit list from Boudier. You see, he has a hit list of all the Guardians and Pack Masters he wants taken out.” Lorcan looked at the Arkansas Guardians.
Boudier’s eyes grew wide and he took a step back.
“And your name is on there too, Jack. In fact a lot of the Pack Masters’ names are on there. Seems like Edward Boudier was wanting to take out a lot of werewolves to increase his territory.”
Jack gritted his teeth. “Take him into custody.” His Mississippi Guardians stepped forward and grabbed Boudier.
“Take your fucking hands off me. Now,” Boudier screeched.
“I would love to declare a Tribunal on account of everything presented today.” Jack looked at the Council.
“Granted,” the council said unanimously.