29- Bound by the Elders’ Shadows
POV Edric Eldoria:
I advanced through the neutral territory with my heart beating out of rhythm. It was the land of our elders, where the monthly meetings took place to discuss matters of interest to the five alphas of the region—or not.
And after the meeting was over, Aldren would host an exclusive party, where some members of each pack were invited. Usually, omegas and alphas without mates and of suitable age to bond and find their fated partner, with the intent of increasing our numbers.
But not for me and the other leaders. For us, it was only fun.
They still didn’t know that I had mated. I kept the truth about Lunara secret, because I didn’t know how to deal with her, much less how to tell them.
Me, of all people, who abhorred mating.
I ran a hand through my hair, sliding my fingers through the strands and tangling some rebellious curls.
I smelled the strong scent of ashes and old paper, characteristic of the elders.
The full moon bathed the path with a silvery light, casting my shadow in front of me as I advanced toward the castle.
The place was drowned in silence. I could smell the presence of the other alphas, who didn’t speak as they waited for the meeting to begin.
It was an imposing stone fortress, rising with authority. The high, robust walls told the story of centuries, scarred by the passage of time. The castle had always existed, for as long as I could remember.
I entered the great hall, whose space opened majestically before me, illuminated by torches that cast dancing shadows on the stone walls.
Of all of us, the elders were the only ones who had never surrendered to technology over the years.
In the center, there were five wide chairs of ancient wood, arranged in a perfect circle, each one destined for one of the five alphas. And in another corner, separated, rested three chairs—these meant for the elders.
Everyone was present, except Viktor. Which was no surprise—he never attended the meetings, but he also never missed any of the parties that followed.
I met Aldren’s gaze, leader of the Valmorin pack, who stood with a firm presence. The faint light highlighted the defined features of his face and the dark hair swept back. His eyes, sharp and calculating, missed nothing. He wore a shirt clinging to his muscles, jeans, and boots.
Of them all, he was the only one I trusted.
At his side was Sullivan, leader of the Tharengard pack. Large and imposing, with dark hair falling heavily over his shoulders, he sat slouched, as if bored. The black clothes covering his body did little to hide the mass of muscles underneath. His green eyes swept the room, just as bored as his posture suggested.
And next to him, Konrad. The alpha of the Cyndrael pack had short blond hair. Bluish eyes in a cold shade. A thin face, with soft features and stubble along his jawline. He was tall and lean, sitting properly in his chair.
I greeted them with a slight nod and cast a look at the only empty chair, belonging to Viktor.
I took my own seat, shifting a little uncomfortably, anticipating what was to come.
I fixed my gaze ahead, facing the shadowy vision of the elders, the three figures who inspired our respect. One of them, without eyes, had wrinkled skin like forgotten parchment, but his posture suggested he saw more than anyone with perfect vision. The second, without a mouth, was silent as a tomb, but his aura indicated he had mastery over words and knowledge. And the third, devoid of ears, seemed to absorb every sound of the environment, the stillness around him more eloquent than any speech.
They sat side by side, each with their absence, but together they formed a whole.
They were the oldest figures I knew. Their age was still a mystery to us. They were seen as fatherly figures. They were the ones who found us, saved us, and gave us the power, authority, and territory we held today.
I instinctively bowed my head, as did the others. It was a gesture of respect deeply ingrained in each of us. The presence of the elders demanded our acknowledgment, even if they lacked traditional senses.
“Without Viktor tonight?” asked the eyeless one, shaking his head in disapproval.
“Unfortunately, yes,” answered the one without ears.
For a long time, I had wondered how the dynamic between them worked. I couldn’t understand how one of them couldn’t hear any of us, except through his brother. After much speculation, I never reached a conclusion.
There were legends saying they were the same person, split into three parts. And others, that they were triplets.
The eyes of the one without a mouth were always attentive, watching us closely.
“Any news, gentlemen?” asked the eyeless one.
Aldren and Sullivan shook their heads. With my ineptitude, they all turned to me and waited.
“Edric?” The elder’s voice reverberated through the hall, loud and clear.
I gripped the chair’s armrests tightly and felt my nails break the skin, lengthening. I felt like an idiot. A fucking idiot, out of control.
I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath.
“I am mated,” I confessed.
For a second, they were silent. Sullivan’s loud laughter boomed through the hall in a mocking guffaw.
I turned to him with a growl caught in my throat.
“Since when did your sense of humor get better?” he asked, laughing.
I clenched my teeth so hard the muscle in my jaw cracked.
“It’s not a joke.”
If only it were.
He shut his mouth, swallowing the laughter and looking at me with a furrowed brow. Aldren remained silent.
“Oh!” exclaimed Konrad, widening his eyes. “Now that can definitely be considered quite some news.”
“Mated and didn’t inform us?” objected the elder.
Not even under torture would I tell them that I had simply let my wolf take over and, when I came back to full consciousness, I was mated to a female I had never seen before.
“It was kind of unexpected...” I muttered, choosing my words carefully. “I drank too much and... it happened.” I scoffed.
Sullivan narrowed his green eyes.
“Who would’ve thought your widowhood would come to an end? I thought you’d stay another fifty years in the dark age,” he mocked.
My fingers whitened from the force I exerted against the chair, while I tried to keep control.
“You know, Sullivan, not everyone orders the death of their fated mate when she’s still a pup and carries on as if nothing happened.”
The smile vanished from his face in the blink of an eye.
“Keep talking and I’ll kill you,” he threatened, his voice low.
A lupine smile spread across my face.
“You can try.”
His eyes glowed in an intense green, and I felt mine reflect gold.