What Will You Do?

What Will You Do?


Vaelora's POV

I stood in the corner, impatience growing in my chest. I had been trapped here for hours.

Every time I tried to leave, Ryder's watchful eyes made it impossible. If I forced my way out now, it would only make me look suspicious.

Ahead of me, several elders sat around a long table, engaged in what was clearly a secret meeting with Ryder.

And I was certain of one thing.

Whatever they were discussing here would only make my situation more dangerous.

“I believe this is the right time to change who leads this pack,” Elder Cana said coldly. “We cannot allow the triplets to maintain control any longer. They have proven themselves unreliable… and useless.”

“You're right, Cana,” Elder Xavier agreed calmly, stroking his beard. “We have waited years for this moment. There is no better opportunity than now.”

He turned his gaze toward Ryder, who sat quietly reading a report.

“We tested them,” Xavier continued. “To see whether they were truly fit to lead. The results only confirmed what we already knew.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“It is time to place Elder Ryder on the Alpha's throne. He has done far more for this pack than the Alphas ever have.”

“Many already support him more than the triplets,” Elder Cana added eagerly. “All we need to do is snap our fingers and they will pledge their loyalty to Elder Ryder.”

The other elders nodded in agreement whispering among themselves.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed silently.

Bunch of buttlickers.

Another old man leaned forward, whose name I do not know. He seems to be the new member here, because I have only been seeing the others.

“There have also been rumors spreading among the people,” he said carefully. “People claim Nyxion has neglected his duties as Alpha for a long time and that is why there have been attacks almost every time."

He paused before continuing.

“They say Talon was able to attack because of him. That his weakness brought war upon the pack. ” He added.

Ryder finally looked up.

“What do you think?” he asked calmly.

“I believe the Moon Goddess herself has given us this opportunity,” the old man replied with a crooked smile. “This alone is enough reason to strip him of everything.”

Ryder simply nodded, offering no further comment.

Elder Cana watched him carefully before letting out an awkward laugh.

“That reminds me!” he said loudly, clapping his hands. “Do you know whose name the people are praising right now?”

He pointed toward Ryder, the smile on his face widening.

“His.”

The elders leaned closer exchanging glances.

“I made sure the medical supplies sent to the injured were delivered in Elder Ryder's name,” Cana whispered, a sly look on his face.

“Now the people cannot stop praising him in gratitude.” He lowered his voice even more.

“Not a single one of them mentions the triplets anymore.”

“Of course,” Elder Xavier sighed. “How could they?”

“An Alpha who destroys his own unborn child and throws his Luna into prison in the same day…” He shook his head.

“If that isn't madness, I don't know what is.”

Ryder shifted slightly in his chair. His fingers drummed slowly against his knee.

“It was rebellion,” he said calmly.

The elders looked confused.

“He did it to remind me he was not under my control.” His eyes darkened slightly. “But he made a fatal mistake.”

“Aerila.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“She may be a weakness… but she is still my blood.” His voice turned cold.

“And because of that mistake, I will make him suffer until he crawls back to me begging for forgiveness.” His fingers stopped moving.

“He will beg with the same mouth he used to throw her into the dungeon.”

The elders nodded in grim satisfaction.

“Do you have a plan?” one of them asked carefully.

“What will you do?”

I expected Ryder to stay silent and keep whatever plan he had to himself without telling these people.

But instead, he spoke.

“Something I should have done from the beginning.” His eyes grew distant as he fell into deep thought.

“The same thing that made Talon kill Sirella.”

Gasps filled the room.

My brows furrowed. ‘Huh?‘

He knew about that?

Suspicion crept into my mind as I watched Ryder closely.

His expression revealed nothing.

“I think it's time we leave,” Elder Cana said suddenly, sweat forming on his forehead.

One by one, the elders stood up as if the room had suddenly become too hot.

“Yes… we can meet again later.” Elder Xavier laughed.

Ryder did not react. He remained seated, deep in thought.

Seeing that he wasn't going to see them off. They left one after the other.

Soon the last elder left, closing the door behind him.

Silence filled the room. Ryder rose from his chair and walked toward a drawer.

He opened it slowly and took out a small substance hidden inside.

He handled it carefully, almost obsessively.

I frowned.

How could he hide something like that in such an open place?

Anyone could have taken it.

“Alas…” Ryder murmured softly. “I didn't expect to use you again after so many years.”

His eyes gleamed with obsession.

“The first time with Talon worked surprisingly well.”

A dark smile touched his lips.

“I simply didn't expect him to kill Sirella.” He paused. “But that worked perfectly for me.”

“My dear Aerila ended up taking her place.”

He stared out the window.

Then his voice dropped into something colder.

“This time…”

“I will use it to destroy him.”