Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Alpha’s Defiance

Enzo’s

I sat at the head of the long table in the council chamber. The elders and council members stared at me as if I were already on trial.

The air was thick and heavy with their silence, and it pissed me off.

Ren stood directly behind me, his scarred face completely blank, not offering a word.

I tapped my fingers on the table. The sharp sound was loud in the quiet room.

I chuckled, a low and bitter sound. “What’s with the silence?” I said, leaning forward. My eyes scanned every face in the room.

“If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. You’re annoying me.”

A gray-haired elder, his face lined and wrinkled, stood. His hands were shaking slightly, but his voice was steady.

“Alpha,” he said, “word has been spreading among the pack. They are worried.”

“They say you’re not acting like the Alpha we know. They are losing trust in you.”

I slammed my fist down onto the table. The wood cracked loudly under the force of my hand.

Everyone flinched. Chairs scraped backward as they leaned away from me.

“Losing trust?” I growled, standing up quickly. My eyes locked onto the elder. “You’re all gossiping about me behind my back, huh? You think I don’t hear it?”

Another elder stood up, younger this time, his face set hard with disapproval. “It’s not gossip, Alpha,” he said, his voice sharp and direct. “It’s the truth.”

“We’ve heard things—things that should not be happening. Are you truly going to bond with a human? Make him your luna? That’s not how this pack works.”

My eyes flashed red. Moses roared in my head, clawing desperately to get out.

I stormed around the table, grabbed the elder by the neck, and tightened my grip. It was tight, but I wasn't choking him.

“What did you say?” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “What is the pack saying about me? Talk!”

The others moved forward to pull me off, their hands grabbing at my arm.

But I growled louder, shaking them off easily. “Back off!” I snapped, my eyes burning with fire. “I asked him a question. Answer me, old man. What is the gossip?”

The elder gasped, his face pale with fear. “It’s… it’s about the human,” he stammered.

“They say you’ve chosen a human mate. That you’re trying to make him luna. It’s not acceptable, Alpha. The pack won’t stand for it. No one wants a human as a mate, and you know that.”

I shoved him back, letting him stumble into his chair.

A woman stood up next. She was a head council member, and her eyes were sharp and completely unafraid.

“He’s right,” she said, her voice clear and steady. “A human luna? It’s unheard of. And with the rogues attacking, led by Eric, they’ll see you as weak.”

“If our enemies find out you’ve got a human mate, they will tear this pack apart. You are dooming us all for one boy.”

I laughed, a sound that was cold and sharp, and stepped toward her.

“You think you can tell me what to do?” I said, my voice dropping to a low threat. “You might be head council, but I don’t care who you are. Keep talking like that, and I’ll rip your throat out.”

She laughed back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Go ahead, Alpha,” she said, meeting my eyes. “Kill me.”

“But it won’t change the truth. The pack is under attack, and your human is a liability. You’re risking everything for him. Why? Because of some mate bond you can’t control?”

I grabbed her neck, pulling her close to me, my eyes burning red. “No one makes decisions for me,” I said, my voice a deep growl.

“Not you, not the council, not the pack. If you’re so worried, go join Eric and his rogues. See how long you last with them.”

She coughed as I pushed her away, letting her fall to the floor. Her hands clutched her throat.

I turned, glaring fiercely at everyone left in the room. “Anyone else got something to say?” I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls. “Speak now, or shut up forever!”

Footsteps broke the heavy silence. They were slow and deliberate.

I turned, and there was Dean, my brother, standing casually in the doorway. He had a familiar smirk on his face.

He walked toward me, completely casual, as if he owned the entire building. “Well, well,” he said, reaching out slowly to adjust my collar, his fingers brushing my shoulder.

“Why so tense, Enzo? Yelling at your elders, threatening your council? You’re losing it, brother.”

I grabbed his wrist, twisting it hard, my face inches from his. “What do you want, Dean?” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You think you can just waltz in here and talk down to me?”

He laughed, pulling his hand free with a sudden jerk. “I’m just saying,” he said, his smirk widening even more. “You’re acting like a cornered dog.”

“Did you know they can strip your Alpha title? Right here, right now. All because you’re soft for that human.”

I smirked, stepping even closer to him, my voice a quiet whisper. “I’m not just an Alpha,” I said. “I’m a true one. Only I decide what happens to me. Not you, not them.”

Dean’s eyes glinted, his laugh sharp and mocking. “Soft,” he said dismissively. “I used to think you were untouchable, Enzo. No weaknesses at all. But now?”

“That human’s got you wrapped around his finger. Noah, right? Your little mate is going to be your downfall.”

I chuckled, leaning closer still, my voice low and venomous. “You’re the fool here,” I said. “Talking like you know me.”

“Keep pushing me, Dean, and you will regret it deeply.”

He stepped back, still smirking, completely unbothered. “Oh, I’m not done with you,” he said. “Let’s just see how long you can keep that human safe. The pack is already turning on you, brother.”

I turned away from him, my hands clenched into tight fists. Moses growled loudly in my head.

“Let’s go,” I said to Ren, not bothering to look back at the council or Dean.

Ren followed me, his footsteps stead

y and loyal, as I walked out of the room. I felt the council’s burning eyes still fixed on my back.