He was still seething over the events that occurred the week prior. The dark, bear-like wolf had been one of Lachesis’ closest friends—next to the Edge Lords in the south. He had compare their relationship to his and Maksim’s, and had every intention of keeping the male as his right paw. Until he detected the tell-tale stench of breeding and traced it back to the former Driftwood guardian. Couldn’t remember it, he had claimed; couldn’t even remember her face. It didn’t matter to the ghost. The deed had been done. Rules had been broken. He couldn’t allow Aytigin to stay, no matter how close they were. Aytigin had to be the example. The leading pair couldn’t make rules only for long-standing members to break them. He didn’t want another Inna situation.

Even though he had been dismissed from the pack Aytigin still lingered, hovering around the borders and leaving gifts for the river wolves. Lachesis always just missed him and usually disposed of the meat, no matter how good it was. It wasn’t going to change his mind.

I told you to leave, he growled as he stepped over the border and approached the dark male. His nose wrinkled immediately from the wound on Aytigin’s shoulder. Either the former Surge guardian did not know how to tend to his shoulder or he just didn’t care. Lachesis didn’t intend on helping him; the dark casanova wasn’t his problem anymore. 

Innocent wolf? He spat, an amused smirk sprawling across his pale maw despite his hardened expression. You are not welcome anywhere near Driftwood. That includes hovering around the borders. My borders. If I want you gone I’ll have you gone, he added, a deep growl accompanying his words as he took a step forward, his tail arched high above his back. He didn’t care if he hurt the dark male—not anymore. While the Delaney was certainly bigger than the Driftwood leader he was not stronger, especially in his current state. Lachesis had no issue with defending his home.

He didn’t want to listen to what Aytigin had to say but he had no choice—he knew the bear-like wolf wasn’t going to leave until he was heard. No matter what was said Lachesis wasn’t going to change his mind. He wasn’t going to be that guy—not again. If he did not make an example out of Aytigin then the wolves in his pack would do as they pleased, as there was no fear of punishment. Inna was pardoned because her mother led the pack alongside me. That was Kisla’s choice—not mine. If it had been up to me her actions wouldn’t have been excused. That should have been obvious. As much as he had been Kisla’s co-lead the tawny Baranski had led the show. Lachesis had been more of an advisor to her than anything. Do you think if I had known about Lorcán’s relationship to her that I would have allowed him in? And what happened when I found out? They were punished; removed. If you had not beat me to Inna I would have done it myself. But you didn’t give me that option. Instead you took it upon yourself to tell her to fuck off. Any other wolf would have seen that as a threat to their rank. But not Lachesis because he was too goddamn trusting. And what happened after I gave Lorcán and Lekalta their second chances? After they had good reasons for disappearing? They left again. Fucked me over. Again. I’m tired of letting that happen to me; I won’t stand for it. Clearly the wolf before him was dumber than he had thought. It should have been obvious what happened to Lachesis when he gave out second chances. You’re the example because you fucked up. You broke the only rule we had for this spring. Sure, you proved yourself to the pack. Earned your position. But you still broke pack law. I would have done the same if it had been any other wolf. The good you have done doesn’t excuse you from being punished. Thinking like that makes you no better than Inna, he spat, his upper lip curled. 

Lachesis couldn’t help but roll his eyes in response to the former Guardian. I don’t care what you have to say anymore. About me, about yourself. He shrugged, his expression growing indifferent as he watched the dark male in disgust. Say what you want but you’re no better than her. While he had not earned his position as pack leader Lachesis had done everything in his power to ensure that the rank remained his. Over time he had grown into the role and adapted to his new responsibilities. Grown with the packs and seen more than the majority of his subordinates in his six years. He didn’t think he was special or that he deserved the position. But he had always worked with what he had. Done what was needed. Survived.

Clearly you weren’t listening at the meeting, the pale male countered lazily despite his dominant stance, his lips still curled away from his ivory teeth. Those who broke the only fucking rule of the spring would be removed from the pack. No questions asked. Yes, you’re being thrown away because you deserve it. Don’t think you’re some special snowflake and should be excused for your actions. Any wolf in this pack would have been treated the same if they had done the same. The more the dark male spoke the more he sounded like Inna—still believing that he had done nothing wrong and did not deserve the punishment he had been given. Whatever. Lachesis didn’t have time for it. And yes, being exiled from the pack counts as being punished. So get your head out of your ass and get the fuck away from my borders. Or be removed. Those were Aytigin's only two options.