Chapter 34(After the Tournament)

Chapter 34(After the Tournament)
Roman's pov

The celebration from the tournament had barely ended when the first whispers began to reach my ears. At first, I ignored them. Packs always gossiped after a gathering of this size. But by the next morning, the murmurs had sharpened into words I could not overlook.

The Luna isn't sick...The Luna is hiding something...The Luna has no wolf.

By the time I entered the council chamber, the air was thick with tension. The elders were already waiting, their faces drawn tight, and their eyes restless. Elder Othar stood near the long table, wringing his hands in a way that told me he was nervous. Elder Marcus kept his gaze fixed on the polished wood.

I cleared my throat and took my seat at the head of the table. I let the silence stretch, as my eyes moved from one elder to another. My presence alone should have been enough to quiet their fidgeting. But today they did not bow as deeply, their eyes were filled with unanswered questions.

I couldn't take all the tension, so I cleared my throat and said, “Speak,” I ordered, my voice low, but authoritative.

Othar stood up, his eyes moved from one elder to the next, then he cleared his throat and bowed his head. “Alpha… there are petitions and wild rumors spreading since the tournament ended.”

I frowned. “Petitions?”

“Yes.” His eyes flickered toward the others for support. “Many members of the pack have sent written complaints. They fear that the Luna is not truly ill. They claim…” He hesitated, then forced the words out. “They claim she is wolfless.”

The room seemed to tighten around me. My jaw clenched before I could stop it. “And where,” I asked, each word deliberate, “would they get such an idea?”

Othar swallowed. “It is said that someone from the Luna’s birth pack spoke to one of our visiting warriors during the tournament. They believe she is… cursed. That she hides her shame behind excuses of sickness.”

My fingers dug into the armrest of my chair, a tiny laugh broke from my lip. So someone was dumb enough to start spreading these rumors. Nobody will bring shame or disgrace to me. But I need to fix this, control the narrative, if not…it may just back fire on me. And seeing how brave these elders and pack members are regarding this issue, something or someone is really backing them. In this pack, a wolfless Luna was not just a weakness… She was a threat to tradition, to my title, and to power itself.

“You said they were rumors,” I said flatly. “Nothing more.”

Elder Marcus finally raised his head. “Alpha, with all due respect, the petitions are many. The people are restless. They demand proof, I have never seen them like this before. They need to know the kind of sickness that will make her not participate in an event as big as the annual tournament.”

“Must there be a specific kind of sickness?” The words snapped from my mouth before he could finish. The elders flinched as the air in the room shifted, heavy with my rising power. “Kaelenya is my mate and my Luna. Her health is not for the pack to debate.”

For a moment, no one moved. Only the crackle of the hearth broke the silence.

Then Othar stood up again, and said softer now, “Alpha… the people will not rest until they are assured. Perhaps…perhaps the physician could examine her. If he confirms her illness, the rumors will die.”

That is a very bad idea, if I invite the physician, he would find out that she isn't sick. Fuck! What do I do? My wolf bristled beneath my skin,it was impatient and angry. But if I object to his coming they will conclude the rumors are true. Why does this stupid girl want to bring shame to me? Maybe the physician will be wise enough to cover up for me. Shouting and ordering will not work here. I took a deep breath and gave a curt nod. “Send for the physician. He will examine the Luna. And when he confirms that she is sick, this talk will end.”

The elders murmured their agreement, though I could see the doubt lingering in their eyes.

I got up from my chair, with anger and confusion boiling inside of me. Each step down the stone corridor echoed like a drumbeat in my head. How dare they question me?...Who the hell is fueling them, is it the same lone wolf trying to kill me?

If it comes out that she is truly Wolfless how do I handle it, the same will be too much. There will be questions, why I married a Wolfless bride. I thought this was something I could simply handle but it is blowing out. I never imagined it to be like this. I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms. No. I can't let anyone undermine my authority, I wouldn't let that happen.

The physician arrived that evening, he bowed and greeted me when he saw me. I sent a message across to the elders about the physician’s arrival. We all met again in the council chamber, the elders gathered like vultures, their faces drawn with barely hidden curiosity. Before the elders gathered again, I wanted to tell the physician to lie, but I couldn't. And I didn't even trust him either.

He went into the Luna's room for some minutes, I could feel my heart beating so fast. I never knew that a man as powerful as I am could get to this point, because of a worthless girl. I tried to maintain composure, no one must know about the storm building in my mind. Finally, the physician walked into the hall and bowed. “Alpha, I have examined the Luna, as you requested.”

The room went still. Every elder leaned forward, hungry for the verdict. My heart beat increased, and for a second I almost stopped him from talking.

“She is indeed unwell,” the physician said. My eyes widened in surprise. The goddess has saved me today.

“But not with any sickness that threatens her life.” He hesitated, then smiled…an odd, almost gentle smile. “In fact, her condition is… fortunate.”

A ripple of confusion moved through the room.

“Speak plainly,” I ordered.

The physician inclined his head. “The Luna is not ill. She is with child. The Luna is pregnant.”

For a heartbeat, I heard nothing but the rush of my own blood. The word pregnant seemed to hang in the air. “What!” I don't even know when the words escaped my mouth.

The elders erupted in startled whispers. Othar blinked as if he had misheard. Elder Marcus let out a low sound…half surprise, half disbelief.

I stood frozen, I didn't see this coming, Kaelenya… carrying my child again?

Relief crashed through me. Perfect, this is just perfect…the goddess is truly on my side. Now, the rumors would die off.

The elders were still talking, their voices a blur. Some offered congratulations. Others muttered about the strange timing. I heard none of it. My mind was full of thanks to the goddess.

I straightened, letting my voice cut through the noise. “You have heard the physician,” I said, my tone leaving no room for doubt. “The Luna was actually sick, and all the rumors were false.

The room fell silent, and no elder met my eyes.

I stood up from my chair, and slowly walked to the door of the hall, I stopped and turned back to them. “People had the mind to talk ill about the Luna, they questioned my authority…Me Alpha Roman." My lips curled into a smile. "You don't know what you all have done…get ready, because I will make sure everyone involved pays for this disrespect.” And with that I walked away, leaving them in fear, and consumed with guilt.