Chapter 100 ECHOES
Chapter 100 ECHOES
Diego's POV
Leo's words echoed in my ears over and over again, and believe me when I said I'd never wanted The words in my head to shut up the way I wanted it now. By now, I was used to hearing voices echo in my mind. It sounded weird, but somehow, those echoes were what made me human and sometimes took my mind off the crazy maze of activities that being alpha came with.
But this, this was different, and I wasn't sure what I thought about it.
My mind whirred, and I hated how time seemed to come to a standstill. For a moment, I honestly thought the world had stopped moving, until something caught my eyes.
No, not something. Someone. .
Kali.
She was still pressed in her spot in between the wall and my abs, but her eyes were no longer on me. She was glancing at Leo now and even though I wasn't a mind reader, I just knew for a fact that she was trying to figure out just what the council wanted from me. If her eyes could peel off layers, then best believe that Leo's mind would have been an open book now, and she would have easily taken every bit of information she wanted from him.
“Diego.” Leo's voice was all it took to pull me out of my thoughts. I blinked back a couple of times, but somehow, it didn't exactly come with the clarity I expected. “We have to go now.”
“Why?” My retort came out quicker and sharper than I expected it, and I saw Leo raise a brow. “They sent a letter didn't they? I'll respond to it in the morning.”
“There is no letter.” Leo was shook his head, as he stepped closer. “they sent the word through a servant. They want to see you in their chambers. Now.”
The words landed like a slap across my face, and I hated how averse the consequences were. For a moment, I was stunned, but one glance at Kali was all it took to wipe the confusion off my face.
“Don't think for a second that we're done here.” I turned back to her, and as I spoke, I fought the urge to let out a small chuckle. Given the basis of our little fight here, she was the one who was supposed to get mad because she'd found out that I lied to her, and not the other way around.
Kali parted her lips to speak, but just when I was expecting some snarky remark, she pressed her lips shut, before pushing against me and marching in the opposite direction.
“You could have kissed her had I not walked in here.” Leo let out, and I felt the urge to punch him. “Again. Was the last time….”
“Watch it.” I snarled in his direction, all while pointing a finger to his face. Instead of looking the least bit fazed, I didn't miss the amusement dancing in his eyes. “The servant didn't say anything?”
“No.” Something about the way that response slid past Leo's lips didn't exactly sit right with me. “Just said the council wanted to see you and urgently too.”
“But it's almost midnight.” I fought the urge to whine. “What could they have to say that couldn't wait till morning?”
“I'm just as confused as you are.” Leo shook his head. “But if there's one thing I'm sure of, I don't think this is going to be like their usual check ins.”
I held Leo's gaze for a while, and I hated how the words that had just slid past his lips made sense, too much sense if you asked me.
Without wasting so much as a second, I walked towards the place where I was beingsummoned. The council chambers always reeked of cold marble and old power, and even now, as i walked towards it, believe me when I said that I could feel it radiating all over me.
It thrummed in my veins and bones, but no matter how hard I tried, i just couldn't shake it off. I arrived in no time, and without wasting so much as a single second, I pushed the double doors open. The moment I'd stepped inside, the doors shut behind me with a groan, that familiar, stillness pressed in on my skin, like walking into a mausoleum. I knew it couldn’t be good if they’d dragged me out here past midnight. A summons at this hour was never for pleasantries.
Four pairs of eyes tracked me from their high backed chairs as I crossed the length of the chamber. Torches spat low flames against the stone walls, and I didn't miss how their shadows were tall and crooked, like judgment given form.
I stopped at the center of the room, spine straight.
Show nothing, give them nothing, was going to be my mantra for this meeting and hopefully, it was going to work.
“What’s wrong?” My voice carried, clipped, steady. “A summons this late usually means an emergency.”
“While that is true” Eldricc was the first to speak up. “A little pleasantry and catching up wouldn't hurt, would it now?”
“I don't have time for pleasantries.” My response was quick and sharp. “And I know you don't too. This is past midnight, and I should be sleeping by now if I'm to get a headstart for the morning's activities.”
For a moment, silence stretched, after that, and I watched them throw each other subtle glances. After what seemed lik forever, Mara spoke up next.
“Indeed.” She had a smile on her face, but I knew it was nowhere near warm. Before she continued, I watched her lean forward, just to steeple her fingers underneath her chin. “And it is an emergency, though not in the way you expect.”
“Really?” A muscle ticked in my jaw. “Then get to the point.”
“Tell us, Diego” Caelum purred in a humorless half smile. “how far along is your search for a Luna?”
The question snapped like a whip through the air, and I narrowed my eyes into slit almost instantly. My fists clenched at my sides before I could stop them, but I knew they'd noticed.
Of all the things to talk about , it was this? And at midnight no less? They dare drag me here for this?
“I don’t see how my personal choices concern the council,” I said evenly, voice flat as iron. “I like to think they're personal for a reason.”
“On the contrary,” Sylara interjected. Her eyes were glasses cold and if I could, I wouldn't mind shutting them permanently. “Your choices concern all of us. You are the head, the strength, the face we present to the world. And yet, you stand alone. No Luna. No heir. Now that's not a very good image if we think about it.”
“I don't care what image you or the pack have of me. So long as I'm doing my duties as I'm supposed to, I don't see the problem here.” My chest tightened with a quiet, rising fury. “My strength doesn’t depend on a title beside me.”
“Perhaps not,” Eldricc let out again. “But the future does.”
“What future?” They stared as though daring me to deny it. My teeth ground together, but I forced my voice calm. “I’ll decide when the time is right.”
I turned sharply, already done with their meddling. But before I reached the door, one of them called out, his tone smooth, final, carrying the weight of decree.
“Then we will decide for you.” Caelum’s words echoed in the almost empty chamber, and I froze.
“We’ve discussed at length,” he continued, “and agreed. Since you refuse to choose a Luna, the council will find one for you. A woman strong enough to give you a pup, to secure the line, to keep our future intact.”
Their words fell like a blade sliding into the dark.
I didn’t turn back. I Couldn’t. My hand flexed against the iron of the door, knuckles pale, and rage pounding through me like fire in my veins. If they thought they could control me, box me in or even choose for me, then they were wrong.
I would rather die than let thae happen.
Another stretch of silence e settled between us as I waited for them to speak, but they didn't. So, without another word, I shoved the doors open, their heavy clang echoing behind me as I left the chamber.