Free First Beast by Faye Avalon Page B

room.
    â€œShe’s a damn reporter,” another Principal said through gritted teeth. “No way can she be trusted. She won’t give up her job, and it seems Joshua refuses to insist on it.”
    â€œWhich is why I can see only one solution to the problem.” Caleb cleared his throat again. “If we insist on Joshua divorcing her, there is no telling what she might do in retaliation. Even if we allow her to continue being part of this community, there is always the chance she might use the knowledge she gains about us at some time in the future. It is too late to annul their marriage, and even if it were possible, she is part of this pack now and as such she must remain in the community where she can be monitored and controlled.”
    â€œDevil and the fucking deep blue sea,” Tynan said from the seat next to him.
    â€œDamn right,” Nathan agreed. “Seems to me Joshua doesn’t know what the hell she’s up to half the time.”
    â€œHence my solution.” Shit. He was really going to say this. Really going to offer his half-brained idea to the group. “Since her husband is incapable of controlling her, someone else needs to step in.”
    A chorus of ayes echoed around the room.
    Caleb sucked in a breath and let it out on a long, slow exhale. “As leader, and since she’s married to my brother, it’s my responsibility to oversee her actions. I suggest the best solution is for me to take her as my wife.”
    For long moments the room fell so silent Caleb imagined he’d be able to hear the proverbial pin drop. That was, if his heart wasn’t hammering in his ears. Every man faced him, most with their mouths hanging open in surprise. Several looked at him as if he might have left his brain back in the jungle. He’d questioned that very possibility himself, last night, while he’d turned the idea over and over.
    â€œJoshua would never agree to it,” Nathan finally said, shaking his head. “They’re mated. It would be an impossibility. Once a man claims his mate, marks her…”
    â€œAnd what about her?” Tynan’s tone was reasonable and pacifying. “When she was called before us, before we made our decision, she stressed how committed she was to Joshua. She won’t agree to it any more than he will.”
    â€œAs leader I have the right to select my mate, and my wishes take precedence over any other man’s. It has always been this way.”
    â€œAs long as they’re not already mated.” Tynan’s tone remained conciliatory. “Shit, Cal. Have you really thought this through?”
    Until his head hurt. “There’s no other option. Not if we’re to protect the pack.”
    â€œTy’s right,” Nathan said. “There’s no way either of them will agree to it.”
    â€œThey don’t have a choice. I lead this pack, and have the ultimate responsibility to protect it in any way I see fit. His wife is a potential threat to our security and as such it falls to me to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety of our people.”
    â€œShit,” Tynan said again, running his hand through his dark hair. “This is crazy, man.”
    â€œFucking insane,” Nathan agreed.
    A long silence followed. The discomfort grew until Caleb thought his head would burst. “There’s no other way,” he pressed. “I’ve thought this thing around in circles. She’s a threat. She feels she doesn’t fit in, that she’s treated as an outsider. As far as her job goes, she’s hell bent on reporting the truth. What happens when the next rumor starts?”
    Signs of discomfort reverberated around the table.
    â€œExactly,” Caleb said. “I need to keep a tight rein on her. As leader, she’ll challenge me. As her husband, I’ll have more control. It’s the only way.” He looked around the table. “Unless