My gaze darted between Elder Eamon and Alaric, desperate for something that made sense.
Had Elder Eamon been bought? Had this stranger somehow corrupted even him?
The accusation spilled from my lips before I could stop it: "Elder Eamon, did he pay you off? What did he offer you? How can you betray Uncle Fenris like this? How can you dishonor my dead parents?"
The elder's expression hardened. The warmth drained from his voice entirely.
"Kael, what madness are you speaking? This is the first time I have ever met this young wolf. I am old—what use would I have for bribes or territory? Everything was done according to your uncle's own wishes!"
"No!" I snarled. "Uncle Fenris would never abandon me!"
I spun around and seized Alaric by the collar of his coat, my claws threatening to extend. I glared into his face with all the fury I possessed.
"Who are you? Why would Uncle Fenris willingly give you everything? Tell me—what hold do you have over a dying wolf? What threat could possibly force him to name you his heir?"
Alaric Ravenhart's face, which had remained eerily calm until now, finally showed cracks.
"Enough!" He wrenched my grip from his arm with surprising force. "If it weren't for the fact that you're Fenris's blood-nephew, I would have called for the Pack Tribunal to deal with your harassment long ago. Keep pushing me, and I won't hold back any longer!"
Elder Eamon limped forward, his weathered face creased with concern. "Kael, I understand this is difficult to accept. Your uncle must have had his reasons for this decision. You're still young—your future achievements may well rival his own. Why torment yourself like this?"
"Why torment myself?" I stared at him in disbelief. "We're not talking about a few silver coins or a small territory. This is the entire Ashenvale pack lands, the tribute networks, everything my uncle built over his lifetime. Doesn't it strike you as strange that he suddenly changed his succession decree right before his death? What hold does Alaric Ravenhart have over all of you?"
Eamon's expression hardened completely. "Suspect what, exactly? Kael, your uncle has passed beyond the veil. I expect you to honor the wishes of the dead!"
Alaric let out a cold laugh. "All this noise—you're trying to imply your uncle and I had some shameful bond, aren't you? Kael Stormshadow, he was your own blood. How dare you smear his memory like this?"