Chapter 75 Chapter 75

Chapter 75 Chapter 75
~NYRA~

My stomach felt like a rock. I, on the other hand, felt like an outcast, clothed in silver and expensive embroidered fabric.

This room wasn't a place for me to stay — how could I sit in the midst of werewolves while mine had disappeared again?

I glanced at Mikael; his gaze was also focused on me. He grinned — a silent reassurance that he was here.

We were in the meeting room. The elders hadn't fully accepted me, but my presence was acknowledged.

"Promise me, Mikael! Promise that no one is going to know about this apart from you, the healer, and the witch!" My words from earlier rang in my head. Mikael had assured me he intended to keep the promise; he would never give anyone a chance to use this to bring me down.

"Alpha, what do you think about O'Lean's idea of exporting herbs to the pack?" Sasha, one of the elders, spoke, dragging me back to reality. We had assembled to talk about how to increase the prosperity of the land.

We needed to trade with other kingdoms in this realm since the werewolf kingdom could not produce these things on its own.

Mikael looked at his beta. "What do you think?" he asked.

She leaned forward, hands clasped together. "I suggest we send a force that would make them release the herbs easily."

I frowned.

Oppressing the other kingdoms with power — what was the difference between that and the former people who once held this power?

"What about you, Nyra? What do you think?"

I sat upright. "I do not agree with the use of force!" All eyes were now on me.

"And why is that?" Josie asked sharply.

I looked at her. "You can't treat them the same way they treated you. The cycle is just going to go on for a very long time. We can't strike evil with evil… it only births more evil and does more damage," I responded calmly.

She snorted.

"They won't give in even if we ask gently," she said in a mocking tone.

"Do you think force is a good long-term solution? What if another person comes into power? What will you rely on then?" I retorted sharply, matching her tone.

I should not be irked easily, but showing an ounce of weakness might reveal that I was wolfless.

Do you think that would help? Hiding? Running? A thought stirred in me.

I sighed, dejected.

That's right… running and hiding under a camouflage wouldn't help, but it would buy time.

"There is no one who can come close to Mikael! Nobody — so what are you saying?" Josie interjected. "Also, if you think your kindness is going to help, then I'm sorry, because I know my father and I know how vile he can be!"

"I agree with Josie. The Luna is speaking based on emotion and we can't let it rule us!" Alan reasoned.

Everyone except O'Lean and Natalie agreed with his words.

"Alpha, I suggest we make plans to present this as an ordinary exchange of goods that would benefit both sides, instead of bargaining with force," O'Lean chimed in. I smiled at him, glad he was coming to my rescue.

Lois spoke up, irritation laced in his tone. "O'Lean, giant… do you think those despicable creatures are going to bow at your feet and appreciate your kindness? They are going to take advantage of it. We need to strike more fear into their hearts."

I stared at him, wishing I could understand what was going on in their heads. "You think they are not already afraid of you?" I hissed. I spread my hands across the table, demonstrating.

"These people feared you long before they decided to throw you into the beyond. They have been afraid since the day a hybrid was created, and no matter how small a hybrid is, they see them as a threat. Coupled with the way Mikael took over, their fear has only been heightened," I argued, then closed my eyes and exhaled deeply.

"We need to take advantage of the power we have and try to bring peace among us. If we want to be fully accepted in this realm without them living in fear, we have to let them know that we are like them — only slightly different — and that they can be at peace when trading with us," I reasoned.

However, this seemed to have angered the people in the room. "The same? You are similar to them… not us! So stop the comparison!" Lois fumed.

His words were like a knife and cut me exactly where it hurt. It was a reminder that I would never belong.

Mikael banged his hands on the table, his aura filling the room. "How dare you imply that my woman is not part of us! She is mated to me… she bears my mark. Of course she is part of us!" he snarled.

Everyone bowed their heads. "I apologize, Alpha. I didn't word my opinion well. What I meant was that—"

"Keep your explanation to yourself, Lois. That apology is owed to your Luna!" he interrupted.

"Luna, I apologize for my words! I hope you can forgive me."

I waved him off. "I know you didn't mean it that way. Your apology is accepted."

Mikael's eyes roamed over everyone in the room. "Let today be the last time any of you disrespect my woman in that manner. This courtroom is not a place to show disrespect to either me or your Luna!" He spoke firmly, and they nodded.

"Yes, Alpha!" they said in unison.