Chapter 204 Council summon

Chapter 204 Council summon
Chapter 204

RAVENNA

I woke up slowly, my body warm and tangled in sheets that smelled like him.

Darius.

His arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me close against his chest, and for a moment—just one perfect, stolen moment—I let myself believe everything was fine.

That the supernatural world wasn't coming for me. That I wasn't a threat. That we could stay here forever, wrapped up in each other, and nothing bad would ever touch us.

But the weight in my chest told me otherwise.

Reality was waiting just outside this room, and it wouldn't wait much longer.

I shifted slightly, and Darius's arm tightened around me immediately, pulling me closer.

"Don't move," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep. "Stay here with me."

I turned in his arms so I could see his face. "I wish I could."

He opened his eyes and looked at me, like he was trying to memorize every detail.

"We need to talk about what happens next," he said quietly, his thumb brushing across my cheek.

My chest tightened. "I know."

He sat up slowly, pulling me with him, keeping one arm wrapped firmly around my waist like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.

"Your bloodline is revealed now," he continued, his voice steady but his eyes filled with worry. "The entire supernatural world knows what you are. They felt that wave. They're going to come for you."

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "I know."

"I won't abandon you," he said firmly, his hand cupping my face with such tenderness it made my eyes sting. "No matter what happens and matter who comes, I'm not leaving your side."

I leaned into his touch, blinking back tears. "You might not have a choice."

"I'll always have a choice," he replied, his voice fierce now. "And I'm choosing you, every single time."

Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door.

We both froze.

The knock came again.

Darius cursed under his breath and stood quickly, pulling on his trousers. "Stay here."

I grabbed my shirt and pulled it on, my heart already pounding in my chest.

He opened the door.

A messenger stood there. One of my father's guard. His face pale, his expression grim.

"What is it?" Darius demanded.

The guard didn't look at him. He looked directly at me, and something in his eyes made my stomach drop.

"The Supernatural Council has summoned Miss Ravenna," he said quietly. "They demand her presence for questioning about the power wave."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

My legs felt weak.

Darius's entire body went rigid beside me. "They can't just summon her like—"

"They already have," the guard interrupted, his voice apologetic. "The message arrived an hour ago. The Council has given her forty-eight hours to appear."

I stood slowly, my hands trembling. "Where's my father?"

"He's downstairs waiting for you."

I walked downstairs with Darius at my side, his hand gripping mine so tightly it almost hurt.

But I needed it. I needed something solid to hold onto.

My father was in the sitting room, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, his expression thunderous.

Torren was seated calmly in a chair, though his face was lined with deep worry.

The moment my father saw me, he crossed the room in three strides and pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe.

"They can't just summon you like a criminal," he said, his voice shaking with fury.

I hugged him back, my face pressed against his chest. "What does the message say?"

Torren held up a sealed letter, the Council's crest stamped in red wax that looked like dried blood.

"They want you to appear before them to explain the power wave that occurred last night," Torren said carefully. "They're calling it an 'uncontrolled magical event.'"

Darius let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Uncontrolled? She was defending herself from an assassination attempt!"

Torren nodded slowly. "I know but they don't care about context. They care about power. And Ravenna just demonstrated more power than any wolf has shown in a hundred years."

My father's jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind. "What if we refuse the summons?"

"It would make things worse," Torren replied, his voice heavy. "It would confirm their fears that she's dangerous and uncontrollable."

I pulled away from my father and looked at Torren, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Then I'll go."

"No," my father said immediately, his hand gripping my shoulder.

"I'll go," I repeated, more firmly this time. "But only if you, Torren, and Darius come with me."

Darius nodded without hesitation. "I'm not letting you face them alone."

Torren exhaled slowly. "The Council won't like it. But they can't refuse your right to bring advisors."

My father looked at me for a long moment, and I saw the war happening behind his eyes—pride battling fear, love battling helplessness.

"Forty-eight hours?" he asked quietly.

Torren nodded. "We leave tomorrow morning."

A second messenger arrived not even ten minutes later.

This one wore the Mooncrest Pack crest.

Darius took the letter, and I watched his expression darken as he read it, his jaw tightening with every word.

"What is it?" I asked quietly, though I already knew it wasn't good.

He crumpled the letter in his fist, his knuckles white. "My father and the pack elders are calling an emergency meeting. About our mating."

My chest tightened painfully. "When?"

"Tonight."

Torren looked up sharply, his eyes widening. "They're bringing up the ancient law, aren't they?"

Darius didn't answer, but his silence was confirmation enough.

I felt sick. "What ancient law?"

Torren stood slowly, his movements careful, deliberate. "There's a law that's been on the books for centuries. It forbids Alpha heirs or true-born wolves from mating with MoonWolves."

I stared at him, my mouth going dry. "What?"

"The previous carriers caused chaos," Torren explained, his voice gentle but firm.

"One of them burned an entire pack alive in a fit of madness. Another used the moon's power to control wolves like puppets, turning families against each other. The Council declared MoonWolves too dangerous to be tied to pack leadership."

My hands started trembling. "So they're going to force Darius to reject me."

"They can try," Darius said coldly, his voice like steel. "But I won't do it."

I turned to him, panic rising in my chest like floodwater. "You have to go. You have to deal with your pack."

He shook his head immediately, stepping closer. "I'm not leaving you."

"Darius—"

"I'm not leaving you to face the Council alone," he said firmly, his hands gripping my arms.

I stepped closer, my voice breaking. "You're going to lose everything because of me. Your pack, position and future."

He cupped my face in his hands, his eyes blazing. "You ARE everything. The pack, the position, the future—none of it matters without you."

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. "You're willing to give up your birthright for me?"

"I'd give up a thousand birthrights for you," he replied, his voice dropping to a whisper.

We stood there, foreheads pressed together, both of us trembling.

My father's voice cut through the moment like a knife.

"This is nothing for you two to argue about."

We both turned.

He was standing now, his expression calm but absolutely firm.

"Everyone has a responsibility here," he continued. "Darius, you need to go to your pack and find out what your father is planning. We'll handle the Council."

Darius opened his mouth to argue.

"She won't be alone," my father said before he could speak. "I'll be there. Torren will be there. Sam and Theo. We'll protect her."

Darius looked at me, conflict written all over his face.

I nodded slowly, even though every part of me wanted to beg him to stay. "He's right. You need to deal with your pack."

He exhaled shakily, his hands tightening on my waist. "I don't want to leave you."

"I know," I whispered. "But you have to."

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, like he was trying to pour everything he couldn't say into that single moment.

When he pulled back, his eyes were red, glassy with unshed tears.

"I'll be back before the Council meeting," he said, his voice rough. "I promise."

I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.

He turned to my father. "Thank you."

My father nodded once. "Keep her safe."

Darius kissed me one more time, his lips lingering on mine and then turned and left with Dorian.

I stood there, staring at the door long after he'd gone, my chest aching.

My father came up behind me and rested a hand on my shoulder. "He'll be fine."

I nodded, even though I didn't believe it.

Sam appeared beside me, taking my hand gently. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

I let her lead me toward the kitchen, my mind still spinning, my heart still heavy.

We were halfway down the hall when one of the guards appeared, his expression uneasy.

"Miss Ravenna," he said quietly. "Someone is here to see you."

I frowned. "Who?"

"A girl," he replied, shifting uncomfortably. "She requested to see you specifically."

Sam squeezed my hand. "Do you want me to come with you?"

I nodded.

We walked to the front entrance together, my heart pounding for reasons I couldn't explain.

The guard opened the door and there she was.

Asteria.

She was standing at the edge of the property, her arms crossed, a slow, cold smile spreading across her face like poison.

"Hi, big sister."