Chapter 86 CHAPTER 86
The morning after the celebration broke quietly over Mooncrest, but neither Ethan nor Liam felt anything close to calm. The sun had barely lifted over the palace towers when Ethan stood before the mirror, fastening the silver clasp on his ceremonial cloak. His reflection looked steady, but he didn’t feel steady inside. Today he would stand before the full Council of Elders and reveal truths he had hidden for months. Truths about witches, disappearances, abductions, dark magic, and the unsettling possibility that Lisa was somehow connected to all of it.
Liam waited for him outside his chamber, already dressed in his black commander’s attire. His shoulders were drawn tight, and though he stood straight as always, Ethan could sense the tension running through him.
“You ready?” Ethan asked softly.
Liam exhaled slowly. “As ready as I can be.”
They walked together through the long corridor leading to the council hall. The echo of their footsteps seemed louder than usual, as though the palace itself understood the seriousness of this meeting. When they reached the double doors carved with the symbol of Mooncrest, the guards pulled them open, revealing the circular chamber where the elders awaited.
Elders Lora, Vaughn, Kellan, Rufus, and Thorne all rose to their feet the moment Ethan entered. Lora’s gaze was calm and warm, though she hid her concern with practiced grace. Vaughn’s expression was sharp, already filled with questions. Kellan wore his usual measured neutrality, hands folded on the table. Rufus bowed respectfully, his age evident but his presence still strong. Thorne, the youngest elder, watched Ethan with wary intelligence, noting every detail as if committing the king’s expression to memory.
And at the far side of the table sat Gregor, the court secretary, quill poised over parchment. He did not bow, his role did not require it, but he dipped his head politely before preparing to write.
Ethan took his seat at the head of the table. Liam stood at his right, an unusual sight, because commanders were not typically present during council matters unless something grave was unfolding.
It didn’t take long for the elders to notice.
Elder Lora was the first to speak. “Your Majesty,” she said gently, “may we understand why Commander Liam has been summoned to this session? His presence suggests this meeting concerns matters of security.”
Vaughn leaned forward with none of her grace. “Or it suggests something has gone terribly wrong.”
Ethan nodded once. “It concerns the safety of the kingdom. And everything we discuss today will require Commander Liam’s involvement.”
The room grew still. Elder Kellan’s eyes tightened thoughtfully. Elder Rufus folded his hands on the table, his weathered face shifting into a more serious expression. Elder Thorne straightened in his chair, attentive.
Ethan drew a steady breath and began.
“For the past several months, young men have been disappearing across the kingdom - wolves and humans alike. They vanish without struggle, without trace, without bodies turning up. At first we suspected human trafficking groups or rogue packs, but that theory fell apart when the disappearances spread to territories not connected by travel or trade.”
Silence settled over the elders.
“It took time,” Ethan continued. “But through quiet investigation, we discovered the disappearances were tied to dark magic. There is a witch village hidden in the mountains - one that has remained undetected for decades. They have begun stealing strength from young wolves and abducting humans.”
Elder Rufus inhaled sharply. “A witch village? You are certain?”
“We are,” Liam answered. “I followed the trail myself.”
Ethan lifted a hand, signalling him to continue.
Liam stepped forward slightly. “We chose to keep the information within a small circle. We needed confirmation before involving the council. We also needed to consider Lisa’s safety, because much of this began immediately after she left Silverpine. And the connection we have to the dark magic is also in Silverpine. A spy was planted there years ago, but she only increased her activity after Lisa left Silverpine.”
The mention of Lisa created a ripple across the table.
Elder Thorne frowned. “So the witches became active after the princess’s return? Is that what you mean?”
Liam nodded. “Yes. And during our investigation, we discovered something else.” His voice lowered, controlled. “She is also connected to the future alpha of Silverpine – Princess Lisa’s fated mate – We are not sure whether this was pre planned or just a coincidence.”
Vaughn slammed a hand on the table. “And you withheld this information from us? You think the council incapable of handling the truth? Everything ties back to the princess.”
Ethan’s eyes hardened. “I withheld it because we needed certainty, not panic. And I know my sister, she would never intentionally bring harm to anybody.”
Vaughn’s face reddened with anger. “You think? Secrecy is what destroyed this kingdom seventeen years ago! Your parents trusted too easily, especially where the fae are concerned. You are repeating their mistakes.”
Ethan’s temper flared. “You speak of my parents yet refuse to tell me what you believe they did wrong. What is this secret you keep hinting at? What happened that night? Why do you keep saying trust in the fae caused chaos?”
Elder Lora intervened immediately, her voice firm but calm. “This is not the moment for past wounds, Vaughn. Sit down.”
But Vaughn was not finished. “How can we fight a threat if we pretend the past doesn’t matter? How can we expect the king to make the right choices if he doesn’t understand how badly his parents failed?”
Elder Rufus snapped his gaze toward Vaughn. “You will hold your tongue when speaking of the late king and queen.”
Gregor’s quill scratched quickly across parchment, recording every word. His expression stayed neutral, but the way his brow creased showed even he sensed the tension rising dangerously.
Elder Kellan leaned forward, voice steady. “We can debate the past later. For now, the commander must continue.”
Liam inclined his head in thanks.
He continued, “During Lisa’s shift celebration, we captured another witch. A spy. When we attempted questioning, she resisted. When we applied pressure, she killed herself with her own magic before revealing anything. The witches are trained to die before betraying their coven.”
The elders exchanged troubled glances.
Ethan spoke again. “This is why Sarah must not know we are aware of her identity.”
Elder Thorne raised a brow. “Sarah?”
Liam nodded. “The spy placed in Silverpine.”
A collective gasp filled the chamber.
Elder Rufus whispered, “A witch walked freely among wolves again…”
Vaughn’s outrage returned. “Then imprison her! Drag her here. Make her open the witch village!”
Ethan stood so sharply his chair scraped the floor. “Do you want another dead witch on our hands? Another lost connection? If we pressure Sarah, she will die just like the last one.”
Lora added softly, “We cannot lose her. She is the only bloodline link.”
Kellan nodded. “The only one who can open the entrance.”
The elders turned back to Ethan, who let out a slow, heavy breath.
“Liam’s soldier followed her yesterday,” he said. “Sarah used blood magic to open the entrance. The tree responded only to her. This means we cannot access the village without her. She is the key - whether we like it or not.”
The realization fell over the chamber like cold water.
Thorne whispered, “So if she dies…”
Kellan finished for him. “The abducted boys die. The coven continues unhindered. And we lose our only chance of understanding their power.”
Ethan nodded. “Which is why Nolan and the fae elders have already cast protection spells around the pack territories. Each one is anchored by Guardian Crystals. The crystals are holding, but they will not hold forever. Their magic is a shield, not a weapon. We are buying time, nothing more.”
Lora pressed her lips together. “And the witches are growing stronger.”
“Yes,” Ethan said quietly. “Stronger every day.”
Kellan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “So what is your plan, Your Majesty?”
Liam and Ethan exchanged a brief glance before Liam answered.
“We continue the investigation. We track Sarah closely without provoking her. We strengthen the fae barriers. And we begin preparing for the possibility of entering the witch village when the moment presents itself.”
Ethan added, “But the council must now be fully involved. The threat has outgrown the shadows. We need your wisdom, your resources, and your cooperation.”
A silence followed - long, heavy, and contemplative.
Rufus nodded first. “I stand with the king.”
Lora nodded next. “As do I.”
Kellan offered a slow, thoughtful nod. “This requires unity. I am in.”
Thorne hesitated but then lifted his hand. “The threat is real. We cannot deny it any longer.”
All eyes turned to Vaughn. He scowled but finally muttered, “Fine. But this is on your head, Eth… king Ethan. Every step must be taken with caution.”
Ethan held Vaughn’s stare without blinking. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Gregor’s quill scratched the final notes of the meeting, the sharp sound echoing in the silent chamber.
Ethan and Liam exchanged looks – this had gone better than they had anticipated.