CHAPTER 64

CHAPTER 64

THIRD POV

The grand hall of the Eastern Territory buzzed with murmurs as council members and pack representatives filed in. Chairs surrounded the long oak table where the main council members had already taken their seats. Guards stood at attention by each doorway, their postures rigid and alert.

Alpha King Arlo sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect without effort. His fingers tapped lightly against the polished wood as the last few members settled into their places.

"Let's begin," he announced, his deep voice silencing the room instantly. "We have much to discuss regarding the upcoming celestial conjunction."

Elder Darius cleared his throat and stood. "The preparations for the celestial conjunction are well underway. The ceremonial grounds have been cleared, and the sacred stones have been placed according to tradition."

"And what of accommodations?" a female council member asked. "Will we have enough for all our guests?"

"That brings us to our next point," Elder Darius replied, unfolding a scroll in front of him. "This year's guest list is a bit longer than usual."

The room fell silent. Several council members exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern.

"How much longer?" asked Councilman Flair, his bushy eyebrows furrowing.

"We have representatives from each of our allied packs, as usual," Elder Darius explained, running his finger down the list. "But we also have confirmed attendance from two alphas from the mountain territories, two alphas from the northern territories. The last men standing, and..." he hesitated, his eyes flickering briefly toward Alpha King Arlo, "an invitation has been extended to Alpha Vespa from the Northern Territory."

Whispers erupted around the table. A younger council member leaned forward. "They're attending or they just got invited?"

"All three Northern territory alphas on one list?" another questioned. "That hasn't happened since—"

"Since before now," Elder Darius finished, nodding solemnly.

Calantha, who had been silent until now, straightened in her chair. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the armrests. "Let me see the full guest list," she requested, her voice carefully controlled.

She was already boiling in anger, but tried to maintain a diplomatic position. She tried not to show the hurt brewing up in her chest just yet until she saw what she wanted to see on paper. She was glad to be at the meeting, seated by her husband's right hand and pretending that all was well, even when he paid no attention to her at all.

As Elder Darius passed the scroll to her, Alpha King Arlo watched his wife's face intently.

Calantha's eyes widened slightly as she scanned the names, her jaw tightening with each line she read. The paper trembled almost imperceptibly in her hands.

"If hosting so many people would be a problem," she said finally, looking up with a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes, "perhaps we could cut down the list?"

Councilman Thorne nodded eagerly. "A wise suggestion. The conjunction is meant to be a sacred event, not a political gathering."

Alpha King Arlo leaned forward, placing his palms flat on the table. "It wouldn't be right to cut anyone," he said firmly. "Let's leave the list as it is. I never said I can not handle my own invited guests."

Calantha's eyes flashed. "May I ask why?" She placed the list down with deliberate care. "Why were the Northern Territories invited to the conjunction?"

The room fell silent again, this time with a tension that seemed to crackle in the air. No one spoke, all eyes darting between Calantha and Alpha King Arlo.

Elder Morwen cleared her throat. "Lady Calantha, Alpha Vespa has always received an invitation, as tradition dictates. She simply hasn't chosen to attend in recent years."

"She probably won't come this time either," Councilman Thorne added with a dismissive wave. "There's no need to—"

"Strike her name out," Calantha interrupted, her voice slicing through his words. She stood slowly, her posture regal but rigid. "And send letters to them stating that nobody from the Northern Pack is invited anymore."

Elder Darius's mouth fell open. "My lady, we can't simply—"

"Can't we?" Calantha challenged, her eyes sweeping the room. "Or won't we?"

Alpha King Arlo stood now too, his presence seeming to fill the room. "This is my pack," he stated, his voice low but carrying to every corner, "and I decide what happens and what stands. We will not be removing anyone's name without my consent."

The air in the room grew heavy, charged with unspoken words and ancient tensions.

"Your consent?" Calantha repeated, her laugh sharp and brittle. "Then why am I even here, if not to advise you?"

He didn't bother to look at her. He was struggling not to embarass her in front of the council members.

"To advise, yes," Alpha King Arlo agreed, his eyes never leaving hers. "Not to dictate."

"So my opinions mean nothing?"

"They mean a great deal," he replied, "when they are given with respect for our traditions and the authority of this council."

Calantha's nostrils flared. "Respect works both ways, my king."

Elder Morwen gasped softly at the edge in Calantha's tone.

Alpha King Arlo's expression hardened. "Enough," he commanded. "You forget yourself, and you dishonor this council with your behavior. You will sit back and remain quiet until the end of this meeting if you do not have anything meaningful to say."

Calantha's face paled, then flushed with color. Without another word, she gathered her skirts and strode toward the door. The sound of her footsteps echoed against the stone floor, each step punctuating the stunned silence.

The heavy wooden door slammed behind her, the sound reverberating through the hall.

For a moment, no one moved or spoke. Then, as if a dam had broken, voices erupted all at once.

"This is outrageous!"

"Never in all my years—"

"His wife has to apologize to us for her disrespect," Elder Darius declared, his face flushed with indignation. "The council cannot function if its authority is undermined in this manner."

Alpha King Arlo raised a hand, and silence fell again. His expression was unreadable, but a muscle worked in his jaw.

"The council has my deepest apologies," he said formally. "I will address this matter personally."

Elder Morwen nodded, her eyes sympathetic. "The conjunction approaches, Alpha King. We cannot afford discord within our ranks, not with so many watching."

"I understand the gravity of the situation," Alpha King Arlo replied. "For now, let us continue with the remaining matters on our agenda. The guest list remains as written."

As the meeting resumed, Alpha King Arlo's thoughts were elsewhere, following the angry footsteps of his wife as she stormed through the halls of their home. The consequences of this day would ripple far beyond the council chamber— of that, he was certain.