Chapter 64: The Gathering Storm

Claire’s POV

The night air was thick with tension as we arrived at Eclipse Hollow. The ancient meeting ground stretched before us, an open expanse of stone surrounded by towering trees. A full moon bathed the area in cold silver light, casting eerie shadows over the council’s stone thrones, each carved with the sigil of an ancient pack.

Derek walked next to me, his body rigid, his hand hovering close to his blade's hilt. We felt as though the weight of the war itself was pressing down on our backs with each step we took.

Jared was there already.

He and his remaining Midnight Moon warriors stood on the other side of the hollow. His shaven face, eyes shadowed with fatigue and something darker, had lost his once-polished appearance. However, a slow smirk curled his lips as soon as his eyes met mine.

"Claire," he said with ease. "I was beginning to doubt that you would arrive."

I tightened my jaw, not giving him the response he desired. But Derek moved forward, his voice icy and low. "You are fortunate that we did."

Jared grinned more broadly, but his eyes were not amused. Derek, are you still acting heroic? I assumed you would have realised by now that in combat, honour is meaningless.

A deep voice broke the tenseness.

"That is sufficient."

As the Lunar Council started to move out of the shadows, their long robes fluttering in the wind, I turned. Each of the seven of them stood for a distinct werewolf social group. The oldest of them, Elder Varian, stood in the middle, his silver beard and sharp eyes giving him the appearance of someone who had witnessed centuries of carnage.

Silence descended as he held up a hand.

"The purpose of this meeting is to decide the outcome of your dispute," Varian stated, his voice echoing through the void. "No more ambushes. No more senseless bloodletting. We will decide both of your packs' futures tonight.

Jared's head cocked. "What if we say no?"

Varian's eyes grew piercing. The council will then step in. Additionally, neither of your packs will enjoy the repercussions.

Both sides felt a wave of uneasiness. The council was not playing a game. They would use force to put an end to this war if they thought it was out of control.

Jared hummed pensively. "All right, then. Let us get started.

Varian looked over at me. Redwater's Beta, Claire Montgomery. Make your case.

I inhaled steadily. Jared's decision to prioritise power over his people sparked this conflict. He led Midnight Moon into battle not for his pack's survival but for his own benefit. He ruled out of fear, disregarded custom, and disregarded his mate bond. I paused to allow my words to sink in before continuing. Redwater, however, has no interest in killing. Peace is what we desire.

Jared laughed. "You consider that speech to be persuasive?"

Derek glared at him, but I did not pay attention. "The wolves that follow Jared do not matter to him. He will keep using them until nothing's left. Midnight Moon will burn if the council permits him to stay in power.

As my words took hold, the atmosphere became heavy.

Varian turned to look at Jared. "Your answer?"

Jared let out a loud sigh. "Oh, Claire, you have always had a sense of drama." He looked to the council. "I acknowledge that I made mistakes. Maybe I was too hard. Power, however, is not for the weak. My pack is worthy of strength, not acquiescence.

His face grew serious. Claire is also not innocent. As soon as she fled from her real pack, she betrayed her own people. She sided with an adversary, Redwater. And now she is in front of you acting like a noblewoman?

I stiffened, but before I could say anything, Jared's eyes met Varian's. Elder, tell me. If she had abandoned your pack, would you have been so forgiving?

The council looked at each other and whispered to each other.

Derek took a step forward. "Claire never left anyone behind. You turned her down. She was humiliated by you. And now you are attempting to change history in order to defend your own shortcomings.

Jared's smile wavered, but he did not lose his cool.

Varian held up his hand. "Enough." He glanced at the other members of the council. "We will discuss."

Whispering to one another, the council turned, forming a closed circle. Tension coiling like a wire about to break, the seconds turned into minutes.

Suddenly, one of the council members turned and spoke in a harsh, piercing voice.

"More deliberation is not required."

Elara.

With her silver eyes shining in the moonlight, she took a step forward. "We have learnt something new."

My heartbeat accelerated.

Jared's forehead raised. "Oh?"

Elara's eyes remained fixed. "An eyewitness has surfaced. Someone who asserts they have proof of treachery within the council.

Everyone started whispering.

Varian's expression grew gloomy. "Who?"

Elara moved forward slowly. Then another. After a fleeting glance in my direction, she turned to face the edge of the hollow.

"Prove yourself," she ordered.

Out of the darkness, a figure appeared.

The crowd echoed with gasps.

My throat tightened with breath.

Rowan was the one.

His face was bruised and his clothes were ripped, but there was something fierce burning in his eyes.

Varian's eyes grew strained. "What does this signify?"

Despite his injuries, Rowan's voice was strong as he stepped forward. "I have evidence that Claire was never the cause of this conflict. Redwater is never mentioned. He turned and met Jared's eyes. "Lies were the foundation of this war."

Jared paused his grin. "What is this nonsense?"

Rowan balled his hands into fists. "Jared, you struck a bargain. a contract with a member of this council. His gaze swept over the elders as he turned abruptly. "A contract that guaranteed Redwater's downfall under all circumstances."

The meeting fell into a deadly silence.

Varian's face became stern. "Describe yourself."

Rowan inhaled nervously. "Jared never acted by himself. He was assisted. He has been receiving information from someone who has made sure his army has the upper hand at all times. I also have the evidence.

He produced a rolled piece of parchment with a worn and cracked seal from inside his cloak. He took a step forward and gave it to Varian.

Unfolding the scroll, the elder accepted it. His face darkened with every second as his gaze swept over the contents.

Then, at last, he looked up.

"Elder Cassius," he uttered icily. "Explain this."

There were gasps from the council.

A thin, sharp-featured man, one of the elders, stiffened. "This is absurd."

However, Varian's eyes blazed with rage. You gave Jared access to council secrets. In order to benefit from the chaos of this war, you made sure it would go on.

Jared no longer grinned. Something I had never seen before twisted his face.

Fear.

I turned to face him as the realisation hit me like a lightning bolt.

He was unaware.

They had used Jared.

Cassius stood up. "You do not have any evidence."

Varian raised the parchment. "Your signature is this."

The elderly man's face went white.

Jared growled, low and angry. "You deceived me?"

Cassius took a step back. "Jared, stop being stupid. I provided the means for you to obtain the power you desired.

Anger darkened Jared's features as his body tensed. He balled his hands into fists.

Chaos erupted in the council chamber.

Derek took hold of my wrist and dragged me back. "We must leave this place."

However, I was unable to take my eyes off Jared. from the way everything in his world appeared to fall apart in front of him.

When he spoke, it was hardly more than a whisper.

"I never had authority, did I?"

Cassius scoffed. "No, young man. You were merely a pawn.

Jared's expression contorted.

Then he lunged before anyone could respond.

A haze of movement. A gleam of silver.

A shout.

Splashes of blood covered the stone.

And chaos reigned over everything.