Chapter 257

Chapter 257
Iris's POV

The hall fell into a heavy silence as I stood there, wrist extended, the Alpha credential catching the light. I scanned the faces before me, carefully noting each reaction. The Beta's eyes flashed with naked hunger and barely contained rage — not surprising. But what caught my attention were the elders standing around him, particularly a white-haired female whose gaze darted between me and the Beta with unmistakable suspicion.

Interesting. This wasn't the unified front I'd expected. The subtle shifts in posture, the exchanged glances — these weren't the reactions of co-conspirators. A theory began forming in my mind: the attacks on my family might not have been sanctioned by the entire pack, but rather the Beta's private initiative.

"Even if you hold the credential, it doesn't change the fact that you're an outsider," the Beta finally spoke, his voice deliberately calm though his eyes kept flicking toward the white-haired elder, searching for support. "This credential should belong to the Northern European pack."

My heart raced despite my outward composure. Somewhere in this territory, Sebastien and the others were likely in position by now, waiting for my signal or ready to extract me if things went south. I needed to make this work — not just for myself, but for my children waiting at home.

I seized the moment of tension. "I understand your desire to reclaim this credential," I said, voice steady despite my racing pulse. "But I have a question: was sending people to attack me and my family a decision made by the entire Northern European pack, or was it someone's personal initiative?"

My words exploded like a bomb in the hall. Several elders whipped their heads toward the Beta, eyes burning with questions. The white-haired woman barked something in their language, her tone sharp with accusation.

"Magnhild Elder, please remain calm," the Beta responded in English, clearly wanting me to understand. "We discussed the need to retrieve the credential. I merely took necessary action."

"You never told us you sent people to attack the credential bearer!" Magnhild's English was surprisingly fluent. "This violates our traditions! Anyone bearing the credential must be respected in any pack territory!"

I fought to keep my expression neutral, but inwardly, I felt a flutter of hope. I've found my opening. The Beta's unilateral decisions clearly hadn't received full support from the elders. This divide was exactly what I needed to exploit.

I straightened my spine, mind racing through possibilities. K's intelligence had been accurate — there were indeed factions within this pack. Now I needed to drive that wedge deeper.

"I would like to request an opportunity to speak," I interrupted their argument, raising my voice to command attention. "Not just to your leadership, but to the entire Northern European pack."

The hall fell silent again, all eyes turning to me.

"That won't be necessary. You've said enough," the Beta snapped, panic flashing briefly across his face. He was afraid — afraid of what I might say to his pack.

I turned directly to Magnhild Elder, my tone respectful but firm. "I've traveled a long way to resolve misunderstandings and prevent unnecessary conflict. According to ancient tradition, doesn't the bearer of an Alpha credential have the right to address a pack gathering?"

Magnhild nodded slightly, approval glimmering in her eyes. "She speaks truth. Tradition grants this right to credential bearers."

"This is a waste of time!" The Beta's face had turned ashen. "She is not one of us. Her words mean nothing!"

Another elder, a silver-haired man with a surprisingly straight posture, spoke up: "Erik, you forget our traditions are what have sustained the Northern European pack for millennia. If we ourselves don't respect tradition, who will?" He turned to me. "I support giving her the opportunity to speak."

Erik—the Beta—was forced to concede, though hostility radiated from him. "Fine. Let her speak. But don't expect it to change anything."

I took a deep breath, recognizing this as my single chance. "If possible, I'd like to address all pack members. After all, this concerns the future of every Northern European pack member."

"Impossible!" Erik's reaction was even more vehement than I'd anticipated. "What are you trying to do? Incite our people?"

His overreaction only confirmed I'd struck a nerve. Magnhild considered for a moment before making her decision. "Gather all members. Since she bears the credential, tradition gives her the right to be heard. Besides, our people will learn of her presence eventually. Better they hear directly what she has to say."

Despite Erik's obvious displeasure, the elders insisted, and he had no choice but to comply. "Summon everyone to the central square. Within the hour," he coldly ordered a guard.

Watching his reluctant expression, I felt a small wave of relief wash over me. Step one accomplished. Now I needed to think carefully about how to use this rare opportunity. Standing by a window, I watched people gradually gathering in the distance and felt nervousness creep up my spine. I was about to face an entire ancient wolf pack, and my words could determine the fate of my family.

An hour later, I stood on a stone platform in the central square, facing hundreds of gathered Northern European pack members. Torches burned around the square, casting flickering orange light on the crowd's faces. I'd never imagined I would be in this position, addressing a group of werewolves.

From my elevated position, I truly grasped the size and strength of this pack for the first time. Old and young, men and women, but nearly all radiating a wild power. They examined me with curious eyes, suspicious and wary. I felt their judgment like a physical weight, making my heart beat faster.

Erik stood to one side of the platform, face dark, arms crossed over his chest, his entire posture declaring his disapproval. The elders stood on the other side, expressions serious. I noticed many young faces in the crowd, their expressions more open and curious than those of their elders, giving me a glimmer of hope.

Magnhild Elder stepped forward and introduced me to the pack in a strong voice, explaining my identity and the fact that I held the Alpha credential. When she gestured for me to show the credential on my wrist, surprised whispers erupted through the crowd. I felt all eyes focus on the seemingly ordinary bracelet, which glimmered slightly in the torchlight as if possessing its own life force.