Page 41 of Knocked Up By My Fated Alpha
It would be a loss that would be mainly borne by the humans, who, despite their continuous technological innovations, remained ridiculously weak prey compared to wolves.
“Then so it’ll be,” General Devon’s tone was grim. “You’ll find our taxpayers have funded research and development of weapons that can easily level the playing field. So clean up your mess, Alpha Damien, or we’ll do it for you.”
The line went dead. I took a deep breath. A war was seemed more imminent with every damn passing minute. Sinclair walked into my study, a tense expression on his face, and I had an unshakable feeling the night was about to get worse.
“Alpha,” He bowed. “A council meeting is in session.”
My hands curled into a fist. A council meeting in session in my absence? Without an official heir, only I held the authority to call a council meeting.
“Is that so?” I mused darkly. If my council thought this was the besttime for mutiny, they were sorely mistaken. Order our spies in the Sky Pack to extract any evidence of the Sky Pack being behind the killings.” I instructed Sinclair.
I’d scoured every inch of the murder site and my pack in my investigation of the murder. If I still hadn’t found the murderer after all that, it left very few options open.
“Yes, Alpha,” Sinclair nodded once in understanding, but I wasn’t done.
“Also send word to Alpha Matt. I’d like for us to have a meeting.” This time, Sinclair hesitated a moment before nodding. That meeting wouldn’t be an in-law interaction I was looking forward to, but I was done with these games.
I stood from my desk, my temper returning with a vengeance. It was time to see my duplicitous council.
“What’s going on here?”
My words were soft as I stepped into the council meeting, but all the elders went still in their seats, and only Elias could meet my gaze. My nephew sat at one end of the table, his light blue eyes filled with rancor.
Since that day at the Sapphire Hotel when I’d revealed my relationship with Raven, I’d gotten to see a very different side to him that I hadn’t been aware existed. Or maybe I’d always known deep down, but it had been easier to look the other way.
“Alpha,” Elder Malcolm’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “We are glad you could make it on such short notice. In light of recent events, we thought it prudent to review the protocol of inheritance.”
My tone didn’t shift.
“Recent events?”
Half of the council exchanged surreptitious glances, but Elder Malcolm didn’t waver.
“Elias has kindly informed us of the true nature of your fiancée,” he stated firmly. “Not only is she too weak to take on your bloodline, butshe is also a wanted criminal, Alpha, hunted by her own pack. A woman with such a reputation cannot be our Luna.”
Earlier, when I’d left Raven at the party, it had been Elder Nolan who’d requested a meeting to share his concern about something like this coming up. They were concerns I’d put to rest, certain Elias would never dare team up with Malcom and risk upsetting the balance in the pack in a time as volatile as this. I’d been wrong about Elias once again.
“You would dare question my choice?”
As the words left me, all the elders stood as one to bow low.
“We supplicate our alpha on behalf of the Shadow Thorn Pack,” they chorused. “She cannot be our Luna.”
Only Elias stayed seated, a pleased, arrogant smirk on his face. He had every reason to be confident. He had successfully convinced the entire council of Raven’s ineligibility.
Considering how Rielle’s betrayal had nearly undone the entire pack, even Elder Nolan’s rationality led half of the council wouldn’t take a risk with another unproven Luna. And once there was a unanimous council vote, even as the alpha, I had to accede to it. The only exception being if we were at war.
My words held none of the rage I felt. “What would please the council?”
The Elders straightened from their bow, and Elder Mia offered me a serene smile.
“Please choose another mate, a female from a distinguished bloodline that complements yours, Alpha.” Her smile widened as she gestured toward Elias. “We also move for you to reinstate Elias as your heir in light of the imminent war against the humans. He is ready to atone for his past errors.”
I felt a surge of disgust as I watched Elias stand eagerly, an appropriate mask of contrition on his face. To think I’d delayed revealing Raven’s pregnancy because of him. I’d been waiting for Elias to step up and show me that despite the mistakes he’d made, the Shadow Thorn Pack remained his priority.
Now my nephew had shown me exactly what his priorities were.
“I will not choose a new mate, and Elias will never be my heir.”
