[ Council Hall : venue of the All Alpha Meet ]
A single circular table stretched through the meeting hall’s center,its surface inlaid with markings older than the bloodlines that now gathered around it.
Heavy wooden chairs groaned as the Alphas took their seats one by one. Not a word was spoken.Most didn’t even look at each other.
The tension literally clung to the air like a mist.
Eyes flicked. Mouths tightened. Hands curled over chair arms. Every Alpha wore a different expression...some veiled, some openly bristling...but none of them looked at ease.
At the far end, Councilman Fenric slowly stood up.He was flanked by two other council members.
The room shifted, just slightly.
Fenric cleared his throat. "Brothers," he began, voice quiet but firm, "we are not gathered today for pleasantries."
He paused, letting the words settle like a stone in still water.
"We have reason to believe that the recent... disturbances in our world might have some ripple effects. Our treaties with the Old world might no longer be enough to hold them back.There was a breach from our end and we have every reason to fear that they might use this opportunity to strike us...after decades of peace..."
A ripple of silence moved through the room.
All heads turned, almost in unison.
The sharp sound of a goblet being set down punctuated the stillness.
An older Alpha with grizzled gray hair sneered. "So it’s true then? The rumors? That you risked exposing us all to their barbarism...breaking treaties...for the sake of a rogue girl?"
Another leaned forward. "What the fuck is going on Blackmoon? Why the hell were you on the Forgotten lands? "
Kieran’s fingers curled slowly against the edge of the table. "I didn’t risk the treaties for nothing," his voice was steady. "There have been kidnappings...trafficking...dozens of gifted females gone missing across packs. I believe it’s tied to the old world’s awakening. I acted...because no one else did."
Murmurs erupted. Scoffs. One Alpha leaned back, unimpressed.
"You expect us to believe that?If you had any such intel, why didn’t you inform us? " he said coldly. "You chose some random girls over generations of peace? Who gave you the authority?"
"I chose what was right," Kieran snapped, voice suddenly like steel.
The entire room broke into chaos.
"You insult the laws of the council!"
"You think you have some moral high grounds,Kieran???"
"You are unfit to lead a pack if your emotions cloud your judgements!"
"Maybe we should offer the Blackmoon pack to the Old Ones as compensation," someone muttered.
Kieran rose halfway from his chair, rage flashing in his eyes but just then Fenric raised a hand.
"Enough!" the old councilman barked. "There will be order in this chamber."
The voices slowly died down, though tension crackled in the air like lightning just waiting for a strike.
Fenric’s eyes scanned the table. "There will be a short recess. Refresh yourselves. We will reconvene in fifteen minutes."
The collective sound of chairs scraping echoed like distant earthquakes as the Alphas rose.
And then like a shadow slipping through the cracks Velor appeared at Kieran’s side.This was like his perfect opportunity.
His expression was neutral. Almost calm. But his eyes... were gleaming.
"Walk with me," he said quietly.
Kieran didn’t answer. But he followed.
They stepped out into one of the side corridors.It was a stone passage cooled by mountain wind and...peace.
For a moment, there was nothing between them but breath and... a lot of old memories.
Velor leaned casually against the wall, folding his arms. "That... went well," he said dryly.
Kieran didn’t respond.
Velor tilted his head. "They are ready to strip you, you know. Rip the Alpha title from you, tear apart your pack, divide your land like scraps among vultures."
Kieran’s jaw tensed. "They won’t.I will kill every last one of them."
"Oh! Do you even hear yourself,Kieran?You won’t possibly survive after killing just a few of them max. Logic,Kieran...logic...I beg at least use some of it..." Velor said smoothly. Then added. "In fact, they are eager for it.You know, the Council had always wanted it. You have given them the perfect excuse they have been waiting for...again."
He took a step closer adding,"But I can stop it."
Kieran narrowed his eyes. "Why would you do that?"
Velor gave a small shrug. "Because once... before all this bullshit... you and I were...friends. Remember? I never forgot.I hate you...don’t have a doubt about that. But I want to hate you fair...not have any undue advantage..."
Velor went on. "They need to see stability. Control. That you are still capable of leading like normal folk...not chasing fairy tales and ghosts. And that means... it’s time to seal your marriage."
Velor’s voice dropped lower. "Sleep with Lyla. Produce an heir. Perform the Ritual of Binding before the council. Tonight. I have already proposed it quietly to Fenric. Everyone agrees it would... pacify things."
Kieran scoffed. "You want me to fix this with a public fuck?"
"I want you to survive," Velor said flatly. "You do this...and I bury the motion to remove you."
There was a long, weighted silence.
Kieran’s jaw was clenched too tight.The veins on his forehead had popped out.
" Do this for your pack...not love." Then Velor reached into his coat.
Pulled out two glasses. A small metal flask. He poured.
"One for old times," he said lightly, handing one to Kieran.
Kieran took it slowly, suspicion flickering in his eyes.But the need to drink was surpassing anything.
Velor raised his own glass. "To duty. To saving what we still can.To smiling futures."
He just watched, a small smile curling at the edge of his lips. Then he patted Kieran once...almost affectionately...on the back.
"You will thank me for this someday." Velor turned and walked away as his footsteps echoed down the stone corridor.
Kieran remained behind, staring at the empty hallway.Then he downed the rest of the drink before pouring himself another glass.