Chapter 29: Objection Denied - Callista's POV

My heart stopped as I heard more objections.

“Did you see his eyes?” The words echoed across the clearing, and I felt every pair of eyes turn toward us. Mostly toward Riven, who was still kneeling on the ground and covered in blood.

He was trembling with effort to keep the demon from coming to the surface.

They might not have known, but they suspected.

My arms tightened around him protectively, even as my mind raced. What could I say? How could I defend him when I didn’t even fully understand what was inside of him?

“His eyes went completely black,” another voice called out. It was Alpha Stonecrest, Marcus’s father. His face was twisted with anger and something that looked like vindication. “That’s not normal. It’s dark and I bet he used magic to get her. Something is wrong.”

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd again. They were nodding and whispering to each other as they casted fearful glances at Riven.

“He moved too fast,” someone else added. “He hit him too hard. That kind of strength at sixteen is unheard of.”

"External influence?" My father's voice cut through the growing chaos. He stepped onto the platform, his Alpha authority radiating outward. "You're suggesting my daughter's mate is cursed? Based on what? That he's strong? That he fought well? He was defending his mate, which is the one thing a male will become feral over. You all are insane to even suggest that something is wrong with him.”

"Based on what we all saw," Stonecrest shot back. "His eyes went black. Completely black. You saw it too."

My father hesitated, and that moment of silence wasn’t good. He had seen it. They all had.

The Alpha King raised his hand, and immediate silence fell over the gathering. His eyes swept across the assembled Alphas, then landed on Riven with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

"I saw his eyes," the Alpha King said slowly, thoughtfully. His voice carried across the clearing with absolute authority. "I saw them turn dark during combat. I saw the aggression, the speed, and the strength."

No. No, no, no. He was going to confirm their suspicions.

"And I see a young Alpha defending his mate with everything he has," the Alpha King continued, his tone shifting to something almost approving. "Tell me, Stonecrest, when you had to fight for your mate, did you not have a surge of strength to defend what was yours?”

Stonecrest's jaw tightened. "That's different—"

"Is it?" The Alpha King's eyebrow arched. "Or is this simply what happens when a wolf fights for their fated bond? When instinct and destiny combine?" He paused, letting the question hang in the air. "Riven Nightshade is an Alpha's heir. His wolf is naturally stronger and more dominant than the average wolf. Add to that the intensity of a newly formed mate bond, especially one blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, and yes, you will see extraordinary displays of power."

Hope flickered in my chest. He was defending Riven. But why?

"The darkness in his eyes—" another Alpha started.

"Is a trick of the light, amplified by the full moon and your own fear," the Alpha King said dismissively. "I examined both mates personally. Their marks are genuine. There is no dark magic at work here, no possession, and no curse. Just a young, powerful wolf protecting what is his."

I felt Riven’s body sag slightly against me in relief, but I also felt what tension remained. He knew the Alpha King was lying, just as I did. But why? Why cover it up?

“Callista Monroe is a seer,” the Alpha King continued, his gaze sweeping the ground. “She has one of the rarest gifts the Moon Goddess gives. Such a gift requires protection and strong protection. The Goddess, in her wisdom, has provided exactly that. Of course, Callista is going to have a strong mate and someone who will defend her to the death. She needs that in a male and his strength should match the importance of her abilities.”

He made it sound so reasonable, so logical.

But his eyes, when they flicked to Riven, showed that he was calculating something and that made my stomach churn with dread.

“The objection is dismissed,” the Alpha King declared. “The bond stands. Riven Nightshade and Callista Monroe are recognized as mates under pack law, with all the rights and protections that entails.” He paused, his voice taking on a harder edge. “And anyone who continues to challenge this bond will answer to me personally. Am I clear?”

Silence filled the air. No one dared to argue with the Alpha King.

“I said, am I clear?” He repeated, clearly wanting a verbal response.

“Yes, Alpha King,” rippled through the crowd.

"Good." He stepped back, his expression returning to neutrality. "This ceremony is concluded. All wolves are dismissed to their territories."

The crowd began to disperse, though I could feel the stares and hear the whispered conversations. They might not challenge the Alpha King's decision, but they didn't believe it either.

My father approached, his expression unreadable. "Are you both alright?"

"We're fine," I said quickly, helping Riven to his feet. He swayed slightly, exhaustion and blood loss catching up to him.

"We should get him to a healer," my mother said, appearing at our side.

"I'm okay," Riven managed, though his voice was rough. "Just need to rest."

The Alpha King descended from the platform, his guards immediately flanking him. But instead of heading toward his vehicles, he walked directly toward us. Every muscle in my body tensed.

"Nightshade," he said, his tone conversational but his eyes sharp. "You fought well tonight. Very well." He paused, his gaze boring into Riven with an intensity that made the bond flare protectively in my chest. "Your strength is... remarkable. Rare, even among Alpha heirs."

"Thank you, Alpha King," Riven said carefully.

"Yes." The Alpha King's smile didn't reach his eyes. "We should speak more about your unique abilities. After you've had time to recover, of course. I'm very interested in understanding the full extent of your... potential."

Dread pooled in my stomach.

"That's very generous," Riven's father said, stepping forward. "But my son needs rest and—"

"Of course, of course." The Alpha King waved a hand dismissively. "I'm not suggesting now. But soon. Perhaps at the next gathering." His eyes slid to me. "And you, young Seer. Your gift is valuable. I trust you'll continue to develop it?"

"I—yes, Alpha King," I stammered.

"Excellent." He smiled, and it was the smile of a predator who'd just cornered interesting prey. "We'll speak more then. Enjoy your bond, both of you. You've earned it."

He turned and walked away, his guards following in perfect formation behind him. The moment he was out of earshot, I let out a long breath.

“That was terrifying,” I whispered.

Riven looked at me, not speaking a word, but he didn’t have to for me to understand. His look said that the Alpha King knew.

“We need to be very careful,” Alpha Nightshade said. “The Alpha King doesn’t do anything without reason.”

“He has to be planning something, but I’m not sure what,” I murmured, the certainty settling over me like a weight.

"We'll worry about that later," my mother said firmly. "Right now, we need to get you both home. Riven needs medical attention, and you need rest."

She was right. We'd survived the challenges. Our bond was recognized. That was the victory we needed to focus on.

But as we walked toward our vehicles, I couldn't shake the image of the Alpha King's calculating smile. The way he'd defended Riven so smoothly, so convincingly, while his eyes promised something else entirely.

He knew about the demon. Maybe not the specifics, but he knew Riven was different. And instead of destroying that threat, he'd protected it.

Which meant he had plans for it and us.

Riven squeezed my hand. “Now, we need to talk about something else.”

“What?” I asked, my gaze locking onto his.

“I asked you to move to my territory, remember? And you owed me an answer yesterday.”