Chapter 78 Chapter 78
Zane
What I did not think would happen would be being called to a meeting by my elders, to discuss why I was not willing to mate with Margaret.
Yet here I was, sitting at the head of the council table while five pairs of eyes stared at me with varying degrees of disapproval.
One of the Elders spoke first, “Alpha, we need to discuss the alliance with Luna Margot’s pack.”
“There’s nothing to discuss.” I kept my tone neutral. “I rejected the proposal. The matter is closed.”
“With respect, Alpha, it’s not that simple.” Elder Cora leaned forward, her expression sharp. “That pack is one of our strongest allies. Refusing their offer of a second Luna—especially after the situation with your nephew—sends a message we should not risk sending.”
I noticed Tiana sitting in the chair to my right, her posture rigid and her hands folded carefully in her lap. She shouldn’t have been summoned to this as it was council business.
But of course, they had requested that she be here.
Margaret sat across the table with a perfectly neutral expression. But I caught the satisfaction in her eyes.
“What message would that be?” I asked Cora.
“That Fangstain doesn’t value its alliances. We should not be willing to throw away strategic advantages for…” She glanced at Tiana. “Personal preferences.”
“My mate is not just a personal preference,” I said quietly. “She’s Luna of this pack. That’s not negotiable.”
“No one is questioning Luna Tiana’s position,” Elder Matthias said smoothly. “We’re simply suggesting that taking a second Luna would strengthen our packs”
“I don’t want a second Luna.”
“But the alliance—”
“Can be maintained through other means. The same way we maintain relationships with every other pack that doesn’t require me to marry their daughters.”
Elder Silas spoke up from the end of the table. “The western pack specifically offered their daughter as a solution to the broken arrangement. Rejecting her is a direct insult.”
“Then they’ll be insulted.” I met his gaze steadily. “I’ve made my decision.”
“A decision that affects more than just you,” Elder Cora said.
“The pack needs an Alpha who doesn’t make decisions based on political pressure.” I leaned back in my chair. “What else?”
Matthias exchanged glances with the other elders. Then he played his card. The one card he had always used on me and somehow I hoped he would have outgrown it.
“You need an heir, Alpha.”
I subtly sighed.
“The treatments with Luna Tiana have been ongoing for months,” he continued. “And while we understand these things take time, there’s no guarantee they’ll succeed. Taking a second Luna—one from strong bloodlines—would provide backup, securing the pack’s future.”
I felt Tiana go still beside me. I felt sad because not being able to conceive was a me issue that had been in continuity.
Now, seeing her hands clench in her lap made the truth obvious. The amount of pressure she had to be under because of me.
“No,” I said flatly. “I still will not mate with their daughter.”
I let authority bleed into my voice now. “The arrangement with Kaius was political. I only let it stand because it made sense for the pack and he was unmated too.”
My gaze moved between them. “You are quite aware that I was never in support. And I certainly would not take on his rejected betrothed myself.”
“The western pack can accept my refusal or not. That’s their choice.” I stood, signaling the meeting was over. “Margaret, you’re dismissed. I suggest you make all the necessary arrangements so you can return to your people.”
Margaret rose slowly. “The western pack won’t forget this insult, Alpha.”
“Fine,” I shrugged.
Elder Silas stood abruptly. “Alpha, you can’t just make a decision like that.”
“Why?”I turned to him fully. “I am not interested in any bond. If you are that concerned, you can take her in as your third mate.”
Whispers followed as well as gazes hardening at me. But I was living in my ‘I said what I said’ moment.
Ruling the pack with these elders made me realize that most times it was the best way to handle issues like this.
Elder Silas’ tone hardened. “Alpha, you can’t put personal issues above pack security!”
“And you can’t use pack security as an excuse to control who I mate with.” I moved around the table toward him. “If you’re so concerned about Margaret’s return journey, Elder Silas, perhaps you should accompany her to her pack and not come back.”
Silas’s face reddened. “That’s… I didn’t mean…”
“Then sit down.”
He sat.
I looked around the table, making eye contact with each elder. Reading their expressions and cataloging their reactions.
And all of them, had pushed too hard on this.
My suspicions crystallized into certainty. My council was compromised.
I had suspected corruption in the council for months. Now their actions had only confirmed it.
But that was a problem for another day.
“This meeting is over,” I announced. “Unless there’s actual pack business to discuss?”
When the silence stayed even after two minutes, I continued. “Then you’re all dismissed.”
They filed out slowly, Margaret among them. She paused at the door, looking back at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Then she was gone.
Tiana started to stand, gathering her things with careful movements.
I did not want to look at her so I would not notice her drooping shoulders but the corner of my eyes caught her sway suddenly, her hand shooting out to grip the table for balance.
“Are you alright?” I moved toward her quickly.
“I’m fine. I think I stood up too fast.”
But her face had gone pale. And as I watched, her expression changed, shifting into what looked like panic.
She pressed her hand to her mouth. “I need to—”
She didn’t finish the sentence.
She just turned and rushed toward the corner of the room where she doubled over and was sick.
I was at her side immediately, one hand on her back while she heaved.
“Get a healer,” I barked to the guard at the door. “Now.”
Tiana straightened slowly, wiping her mouth with shaking hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what is wrong with me.”
“Don’t apologize. Just breathe.”
The healer arrived within minutes, rushing to Tiana’s side. “Luna, let me examine you.”
Tiana nodded, allowing the healer to guide her back to the chair. I watched as she checked her pulse, then looked at her eyes, before placing a hand on her stomach.
After a few more checks, she went very still.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong, Alpha.”
A small smile that did nothing to calm my increased heart rate, appeared on her lips as she mentioned,
“The Luna is with a pup.”
I stood frozen, my mind unable to process what I was hearing.
After months of treatments, the pain she had to face and the uncertainty.
She was pregnant.
I felt something wet on my face and realized with shock that it was a teardrop.
My Luna was with a pup.