CHAPTER 138: The Alpha’s Claim

CHAPTER 138: The Alpha’s Claim
Alora’s POV

My grandfather’s eyes turned to the elders, his eyes sweeping across them with anger. “I heard everything that you said about my granddaughter. So, this is how you speak of my blood,” he said, each word deliberate, cutting deeper than any shout. “Behind closed doors, questioning her worth as though she hasn’t already proven more loyalty than any of you.”

The room was dead still.

One of the bolder elders rose, his voice trembling despite his attempt at defiance. “With respect, Your Majesty, this is a matter of our pack. Our prophecy…”

“Your prophecy?” The Lycan King’s lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. “You dare invoke shadows to condemn my granddaughter? If this pack does not value her, then she will leave with me. Effective immediately.”

The chamber erupted again, protests and gasps filling the air.

I felt Morgan’s eyes turn towards me, then he moved close and held my wrist, his grip tightening around my hand, as if he feared I might actually be pulled away. My own heart twisted painfully in my chest.

I turned to my grandfather with questions in my eyes. 

As soon as our eyes locked, his gaze softened. 

Leave with him? Abandon Morgan now?

My wolf, Nyx, stirred uneasily, caught between the bond that tied me to Morgan and the fierce, protective blood that called to my grandfather.

“Why do I have to choose between my mate and my sister? They all belong to me. You only had possession of one.

“Alora is my granddaughter, and if she is maltreated by the pack that is supposed to worship the ground she walks on, then I would rather take her back to her people since you don't value a good thing when you see one”.

Morgan’s face turned towards me. “You knew about this? You knew he was your grandfather?”

I nodded, turning fully to face him. “Lucien told me about him when you were captured. I was desperate, so I went to him to help save you…it was the only option I had because I couldn't bear to lose you”, I explained, but I could feel his anger boiling over.

“How come I am just getting to know about all of this”?

I took a step closer to him, but he flinched and took one step back. “How could you hide this from me?”

“We didn't have enough time, Alpha please”, I stalked closer and this time he didn't flinch.

Then his hand shot down, and he touched my cheeks, caressing them with his thumb and staring at me with love, anger and longing. “I guess we are even now, Chula” 

I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean”?

He only smiled and kept his eyes locked on mine. “You didn't give me a choice to choose, now I may not have a choice. I am indebted to The Lycan King now, in more ways than one, and I need to repair my debts, so you will have to choose, but don't ever think I will give up on you.”

Tears gathered in my eyes as he pulled me to his chest and crushed me to him. Then he stepped back and turned his back to me.

Just then, Selene’s voice brushed against my mind like a whisper. Alora. Go with your grandfather. Let Morgan handle this storm with the pack elders first. I promise he will come back for you.

I blinked, my throat tight. You think I should leave?

"I know you must," she answered gently. If you stay, they will tear you apart piece by piece until there’s nothing left but doubt. Let Morgan fight for you. Show them where his loyalty lies”.

Tears pricked my eyes. The thought of walking out on Morgan and the pack I had grown to love felt like a knife in my chest, but I knew Selene was right.

The Lycan King turned to me, his hand outstretched. “Come, Alora. Nobody will ever disrespect you again”.

Every pair of eyes followed me, waiting, judging. My heart hammered as I slowly scanned the room looking. Some of the elders had a look of horror on their faces while some victory.

Reluctantly, I took a step in the direction of my grandfather, who beamed at me, opened his arms, waiting for me to walk in.

Once I got to him, he enveloped me in a tight hug. "Welcome home Alora” he said softly.

I nodded against his chest, my eyes locking unto Morgan.

His eyes burned into mine, then he smiled softly, before his voice came through the mindlink “I will fix this, and I will come for you. I promise you”.

I nodded. 

My grandfather's arm slid protectively around me, sheltering me from their stares. He guided me toward the door.

Just then, Leo ran out of the main packhouse with Chloe in hot pursuit, screaming his name, ‘Leo, you cannot go in there.”

Leo, on seeing me, flung himself on my legs, breathing heavily. ‘Luna, please don't leave me.”

I stepped down and cupped his chin. “I will never leave you, Leo, you will always go with me wherever I go. We are a package deal ok”? 

His eyes filled with tears. “Okay Luna” he replied, sobbing.

I pulled him to me and rubbed his back soothingly.

Jones and Harry stepped out of the council chamber. Harry smiled at me and nodded while Jones came up to me and flung himself on me, “Luna, please don't go.”

“I have to Jones. The elders hate me"I said against his shoulders.

“No, they are scared of your powers. If there is anything I know about Morgan, he doesn't give up, he will fight till his last breath for the people he loves”, he reassured me. I hugged him tighter.

“I am coming with you too,” Chloe said.

As soon as she uttered those words, Harry’s voice came from behind her. “No, you are not going” he uttered, his eyes going wild with panic before he regained his composure.

“You can't tell me what to do, Beta Harry” she challenged, looking him in the eyes.

“I need you Chloe,” he confessed, stepping in front of her.

Her breath hitched, but she masked it with a bitter laugh. “As what, Harry? 

He hesitated, lips parting and closing again, but he didn't say anything more.

“That’s what I thought. Come find me when you know the answer.” she snapped, trying to sidestep him.

But before she could move past, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist in a desperate attempt to convince her to stay.

“As mine. I need you as mine, Chloe.”

I gasped, Jones gasped and King Adrian only smiled.

“I don't believe you Harry,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

His eyes searched hers, “I mean what I just said.”

“Then prove it”, Chloe challenged him.

“Go, if you must. Follow your Luna. But don’t ever doubt I’ll come for you, and this time I will prove just how much you mean to me.”

And then the council doors slammed open.

Morgan strode out, his chest heaving, his eyes locked only on me. 

“Alora… You are not leaving. Not this time. And not ever”

The entire room stiffened as his alpha voice rang out.

“I made that mistake once, and I will never make it again,” he growled, each step bringing him closer. “You are mine, Alora. Mine. I will burn the world before I watch you walk away from me.”

The Lycan King turned sharply, shock flashing in his gaze. “You would defy me?”

Morgan didn’t falter. His eyes never left mine, fierce and unyielding.

“Yes. For her, I would defy anyone. Even you.”

The silence that followed was so deafening that I could hear my own heartbeat slamming in my ears.

My chest swelled with pride and love.

Alpha Morgan had stood up for me. “What about the council”? I said in a small voice. 

“We’ve come to an agreement” he replied, twirling my hair around his fingers, smiling down on me.

I love a man that knows what he wants and would do anything to have it.

And at that moment, I knew… I never wanted to leave anyway.