The Pack Rules 3: Ruled by the Alpha (Werewolf Romance Serial) by Michele Bardsley

Ruled by the Alpha
    Part 3 in The Pack Rules Serial
     
    “WOW, NEELA. THAT’S low. Even for you.” Colt sauntered into the den, followed by Aunt Lila. Colt’s expression was filled with disgust—the same emotion reflected in Aunt Lila’s face.
    I hadn’t yet moved from the bed, partly because there was no way I would bare my nude body to Neela and partly because I felt frozen to the spot. I was unnerved by her accusation and confused by Grey’s apparent acceptance of her imputation . This wasn’t an episode of Law & Order: Werewolf Victim Unit . I didn’t know my rights within the Shadow Pack. Although, I would’ve thought being the mate of the alpha gave me some purview.
    “I have evidence to support my claim,” she said. “I have jurisdiction over unsanctioned kills—which supersedes the alpha’s. As you all know.”
    Well, except for me. I only knew that Neela hated me and wanted me gone. What better way than to thread together the barest of evidence for killing one of the Shadow Pack? If I was found guilty, I was dead.
    “Belle didn’t have a speck of blood on her,” stated Aunt Lila. “Not her dress, her shoes, her purse. Please explain how she was supposed to kill Murdock in the passageway and still look fresh as a daisy when I saw her a few minutes later.”
    Considering I’d been a crying mess, “fresh as a daisy” seemed a stretch as a description. But I was appreciative of Aunt Lila’s efforts all the same.
    “Maybe she had a partner,” surmised Neela. “ It’s possible she’s been setting up Grey all along. It wouldn’t be the first time a human colluded with a rival pack to infiltrate and destroy another. She probably didn’t kill the Blood Pack scruffer.”
    Neela was scrabbling, changing theories so she could take me to prison a nd put me on trial. In the meanwhile, whoever had murdered this poor Murdock fellow was still free. I knew I hadn’t hurt him—though I had probably tripped over his arm or leg in the passageway, which is how I ended up with a lost compact, a scraped hand, and a murder accusation. Mercy! Who would have the nerve to kill an enforcer at a Shadow Pack temple? And why?
    “ Belle killed the scruffer.” Grey’s confident voice cut through Neela’s snide allegations. “Agreed, Colt?”
    “Agreed.”
    “Two witnesses confirm her kill,” said Grey. “In defense for her life.”
    Neela snarled, but rallied quick enough. “The death of a Blood Pack scruffer means nothing to my current investigation. By the way, I have a witness, too.”
    The sudden silence was as thick as pudding. It was impossible for Neela to have a witness to me killing this Murdock—because I hadn’t. I got the strong feeling I was being set up. I bet it chafed Neela’s werewolf behind to no end that she hadn’t discovered the body before I was mated to Grey.
    “ Did this person see Belle carry out the unsanctioned kill?” asked Grey in a stony voice.
    That man was still naked as jaybird, but no one else seemed to notice. I don’t know why, in the middle of this terrible situation, I was focused on him being unclothed. Still, I couldn’t help but want him to put on a pair of pants.
    “The witness saw Belle enter the temple crying and bleeding.” Neela turned her furious stare on Aunt Lila. “And watched you clean her up.”
    Aunt Lila crossed her arms and returned Neela’s accusatory glare. “I have nothing else to add to my original statement.”
    “Elder or not, you are subject to our laws as well. I can lock you up for lying to me.”
    “Try it,” invited Aunt Lila. She bared her teeth in a smile that was distinctly werewolf, even though the woman was as human as I.
    For a moment, Neela looked as though she was considering ripping out Aunt Lila’s throat. Then she turned back to Grey. “Enough evidence points to your mate that I cannot overlook her as the prime suspect. Unless someone else confesses to the murder, Arabelle Winton remains imputed.”
    “My name is