Chapter 217 The Chosen One

Chapter 217 The Chosen One
Damian's POV

Standing beside Lya on that stage, watching Councilman White's smug face as he dismissed her with that condescending tone, it took every ounce of my self-control not to leap across the space between us and rip his throat out. My wolf, Luke, was practically frothing with rage inside me.

Tear his throat out, Luke growled. How dare he speak to our mate that way?

I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles turned white. The only thing stopping me from teaching every disrespectful council member a lesson in respect was knowing this was Lya's battle to fight. She needed to handle this herself, and I trusted her completely.

Lya's voice cut through the tension, quiet yet somehow filling the entire chamber. "Is that what all of you think?"

There was something dangerous in her tone that made even my wolf pause. I glanced at her profile, noting the slight tilt of her chin, the steel in her eyes. My mate was magnificent when she was angry.

The three councilmen—excluding Logan and Mason—turned to Victoria. My former almost-mother-in-law gave a small nod, and the three men answered in unison, "Yes."

Lya's laugh was cold and brittle. "Wow. So you're not even trying to hide that my adoptive mother—"

"Young lady, I command you to leave this stage and go home now," Councilman White interrupted, his voice deepening with the unmistakable pressure of an Alpha command.

I felt the weight of it press against me, instinctively wanting to obey despite knowing it wasn't directed at me. Around us, others on stage stiffened, their bodies responding to the authority in his voice. But Lya? She didn't even flinch.

"Did you just try to Alpha command me, Councilman White?" The amusement in her voice was genuine, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise.

White's face reddened. "Leave now, young lady," he repeated, his voice even more forceful than before.

Lya laughed again, the sound both beautiful and terrifying. "Again? Do you really think that even if I left, you'd be safe today? Do you think I'm the only one who knows what you and the other councilmen have been doing?"

Confusion flickered across White's face. "What are you talking about? And how are you ignoring my command?"

Lya stepped forward, and I couldn't help the surge of pride I felt watching her. Gone was the timid, frightened girl I'd once known. In her place stood a woman with the confidence of a Luna and the power of something far greater.

"Not only is your command ineffective on me, Councilman White, but you have much bigger problems than I do." She turned her attention to Councilmen Wood and Taylor. "You two need to make a choice. Are you with Councilman White, or are you with me?"

Councilman Wood cleared his throat. "We stand with the Moon Goddess."

"Do you?" Lya asked. "Then tell me, are you also in favor of dismissing all charges against everyone involved in the Moon Shadow Pack investigation except for Carolyn Morrison? Are you also in favor of ignoring all evidence of torture, mind control, and attempted murder? Are you in favor of giving Airina and Sophia immunity for their crimes?"

Councilman Taylor shifted uncomfortably. "The procedure is that only a council member can call for an open vote."

"Answer the question." Lya's voice rang with Alpha authority.

Wood blinked, looking startled as the words seemed to pour from his mouth against his will. "No. We have serious concerns about what's been happening in Moon Shadow. It's clear that things have been much worse than previously described."

He continued, seeming almost surprised by his own words, "We argued fiercely with the other members this morning about it... they insisted on announcing complete immunity for all involved except Carolyn Morrison at today's gathering."

Wood and Taylor exchanged startled glances, clearly shocked at having spoken so freely.

Lya smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes. "Now, Alphas, I think this is a good time to discuss the second basis for your requested meeting tonight."

Bryan stepped forward, nodding gratefully to Lya. "Yes, thank you, future Luna Lya. The second urgent matter concerns the prophecy and the composition of the Supernatural Council itself. You see, we have reason to believe several members of the council have been compromised. We request their immediate removal and replacement."

For the first time in months, I didn't want to kill Bryan. Watching the councilmen's faces drain of color was immensely satisfying.

"Only the Moon Goddess herself or the Chosen One can remove council members," Councilman Wood said hesitantly.

"Exactly," Bryan replied with a knowing smile.

"Then your request is denied," Councilman White said quickly. "Meeting adjourned. Release everyone in containment."

"Do not release anyone," Lya countered, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.

White's face contorted with rage. "Who do you think you are to override my authority?"

I couldn't help myself. "Are you really that dense?" I asked, glaring at White.

He turned to me, eyes narrowed. "Are you saying you're the Chosen One?"

"Now you're just being deliberately obtuse," I said with a smirk.

Lya's calm voice cut through our exchange. "Damian isn't the Chosen One. The prophecy stated the Chosen One would be female."

"Then who?" White asked, fear creeping into his voice.

Lya's lips curved into a playful smile. "Oh, I think you already know, Councilman White. But let me give you another hint. The Chosen One is the same person you just commanded to go home and lie down."

I watched as the realization dawned on Victoria's face, then Sebastian's, then my parents', and finally Sophia's and Airina's. Their collective shock and fear was almost palpable.

Moon Goddess, I thought, satisfaction spreading through me, justice is sweet. And we're just getting started.