Chapter 36 Alpha Council–1
|| Lilac’s POV ||
The day of the alpha council meeting arrived, and with it came a storm of emotions I wasn’t entirely prepared for. I woke up early, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my chest. The dress from the Nightshades hung in my closet, a reminder of the mysterious forces that seemed to be closing in around my family. I slipped it on, the fabric cool against my skin, and took a deep breath as I looked at myself in the mirror. Today was about more than just appearances it was about proving myself, protecting my family, and confronting the shadows that had been lurking in the corners of my life.
Dad was waiting for me downstairs, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with focus. Ezra was already in the car, slouched in the back seat with his arms crossed. He looked upset, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a sullen silence. I couldn’t blame him. Being spied on, having his every move documented, was enough to shake anyone. But today wasn’t the day for sulking. Today, we had to be strong.
“Remember, no matter what, stay calm,” I said as I slid into the passenger seat, glancing at Ezra in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah,” he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. He didn’t look at me, his gaze fixed on the window.
Dad started the car, the engine purring to life as we pulled out of the driveway. The drive to the council hall was quiet, the tension in the car palpable. I could feel Ezra’s unease, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. But there was no time to coddle him. Today, we had to be united.
The council hall was a grand building, its towering columns and intricate carvings a testament to the power and history of the alpha council. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and polished leather. Alphas, lunas, and betas from all over the region were gathered, their voices echoing through the vast hall as they mingled and exchanged pleasantries. The room was a sea of formal attire, the sharp lines of tailored suits and the flowing elegance of dresses creating a striking contrast.
I walked in with Dad, my head held high despite the nerves churning in my stomach. Ezra trailed behind us, his hands shoved into his pockets and his shoulders hunched. The moment we stepped into the room, all eyes turned to us. Whispers followed in our wake, the sound of my name on everyone’s lips. I could feel their gazes curious, assessing, some even sympathetic.
“Lilac, darling you look absolutely stunning,” Luna Marissa said, her voice warm as she approached me. She was one of the few lunas who had always been kind to me, her gentle demeanor a stark contrast to the coldness of others.
“Thank you, Luna Marissa,” I replied, forcing a smile. My heart was pounding, but I kept my expression calm, my posture confident.
“You’ve handled everything with such grace,” she continued, her hand resting lightly on my arm. “At your age, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with half of what you’ve been through. You’re
stranger than you know”
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Chapter 36 Alpha Council–1
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Her words were meant to comfort, but they only added to the weight on my shoulders. I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Other lunas approached, their voices filled with praise and reassurance. “You’ll find a better mate, dear,” Luna Evelyn said, her tone kind but patronizing. “Someone worthy of you.”
I forced another smile, my hands clenched at my sides. “I’m not worried about that right now,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. “I’m focused on my family and my role as a beta.”
Their eyes widened at my response, and I could see the respect in their gazes. They hadn’t expected that from me a young beta female, barely nineteen, standing her ground. But I wasn’t the same naive girl they remembered. I had been through too much to let their pity or their expectations define me.
Finally, the meeting began. The alpha king, Darius, and the luna queen, Cassandra, took their seats at the head of the room, their presence commanding the attention of everyone in the hall. Kael was there too, sitting a few seats away from us. His eyes kept flicking to me,
his gaze
intense and unreadable. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I refused to let him see my unease. I ignored him, focusing instead on the discussions at hand.
The meeting started with the usual formalities reports on pack finances, updates on border security, and discussions about upcoming events. But as the hours passed, the tone of the meeting shifted. The alphas began to discuss the future of the pack, their attention turning to Ezra.
“Ezra Blackwood’s eighteenth birthday is approaching, Alpha Asher said, his voice carrying through the room. “It’s time we start considering his training as the next royal beta. He’s the rightful heir, and we need to ensure he’s prepared for the role.”
I felt a surge of pride at his words, but it was short–lived. Kael stood, his expression cold and. calculating.
“I’m afraid that might not be the case,” he said, his voice cutting through the room like a knife.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands clenched into fists under the table. What was he playing at?
“What do you mean, Kael?” Alpha Asher asked, his tone sharp. “Ezra is the only rightful heir to the position of royal beta.”
Kael’s lips curved into a smirk as he placed a stack of photos on the table. “That would have been the case if I hadn’t found these. This morning, someone delivered these pictures to me. I’ve verified their authenticity, and they are not edited.”
My blood ran cold as I saw the images, Ezra, standing in a dimly lit alley, handing a package to the same rogue we had seen in Alaric’s photos. The room erupted into murmurs, the sound. growing louder as the alphas and lunas passed the photos around.
“What is the meaning of this?” Dad demanded, his voice filled with anger and disbelief.
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Chapter 36 Alpha Council 1
is unacceptable for someone who is supposed to be the next royal beta.”
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