Chapter 213 Should Never Have Existed

Chapter 213 Should Never Have Existed
Victoria's POV

The moment the silver handcuffs clicked around my wrists, my world went silent. The guards efficiently worked their way around our box, securing everyone, including Airina who sat trembling beside me. I noticed the cuffs were wrapped with specialized fabric to prevent direct skin contact with the silver, but I could still feel its effects seeping through, severing my mind-link abilities completely.

"What is the meaning of this?" I demanded, struggling to keep my voice steady. The guards didn't even acknowledge I'd spoken, which only heightened my growing panic.

Despite the fear creeping up my spine, I reminded myself that I'd prepared for every possible scenario tonight. I'd considered every angle, anticipated every challenge. But deep in my gut, something felt terribly, terribly wrong. An ominous sensation I hadn't experienced since the day I discovered Sebastian's betrayal with that vampire whore.

Tonight was supposed to be our pack's celebration—my celebration. Airina and Damian would finally reunite, strengthening their bond as mates. My beautiful daughter would be officially announced as the future Luna. The ridiculous "investigation" into Airina and Sophia's behavior would be declared closed, clearing up what I'd carefully framed as "misunderstandings."

This party was meant to be another public display of my power—cementing my position as the pack's true ruler, even if Alpha Richard and Luna Isabella wore the official titles. That sense of control always made me feel safe, secure, and important. It was my way of proving I was worthy of Sebastian, that I had overcome the shame of his past indiscretions.

But everything had gone sideways the moment I walked into that ballroom earlier tonight. The tension in the air had been palpable, and at its center stood Lya. My half-blood foster daughter whom I'd paid good money to ensure would be gone from Shadow Moon Valley forever.

Yet there she'd stood, not only alive but radiant and confident, surrounded by pack members eager to speak with her. It was my worst nightmare made flesh. Lya had always been weak, worthless, a taint on our bloodline. Seeing her composed while pack members flocked around her made my blood boil with rage.

I'd immediately mind-linked Airina, urging her to come downstairs quickly. I needed her to redirect attention from Lya. But Airina had stalled, claiming she needed more time to get ready—something about her dress not fitting properly. I should have recognized then that something was wrong. Airina never delayed making an entrance.

So I'd decided to handle that half-blood bitch myself. My plan was simple: drag her out of the ballroom, subdue her with silver if necessary, and hand her over to my most trusted guards to be disposed of permanently. But when I was less than twenty feet from her, several burly guards seized me, ignoring my struggles and commands as they dragged me to a "secure room."

The room had been equipped with high-definition cameras, speakers, and a large video screen showing everything happening in the ballroom. I could see everything but couldn't be seen or heard. All mind-link abilities were blocked. I'd been furious, demanding to be released and threatening the guards with Sebastian's wrath, but they simply locked the door and left me there.

Through the cameras, I'd watched everything unfold. They focused precisely on Airina and Lya's interaction, followed by the confrontation between Airina, Lya, and Damian. I'd screamed and cried hysterically, kicking furniture and pounding walls until my knuckles bled.

How could Damian and Lya be so cruel to Airina?!?! Didn't she deserve happiness?! I'd wanted to kill Lya with my bare hands—that half-breed who should never have existed, who had turned my life—and her sister's life—upside down before I could end her existence in the womb where she belonged.

It's ironic how quickly indifference toward a child can transform into absolute hatred, isn't it? But she was never my child.

Now, sitting in this box with silver cuffs around my wrists, I watched as council members took their seats across the stage. The entire evening had spiraled beyond my control, and for the first time in decades, I felt true fear creeping up my spine.

"This is all a misunderstanding," I whispered to Airina, trying to sound confident despite the terror gripping my heart. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll sort this out."

But Airina's eyes remained fixed on Damian and Lya standing center stage, her expression a mixture of betrayal and rage that mirrored my own inner turmoil.

A tall, distinguished wolf approached the front of the stage—Raymond White, a senior member of the Supernatural Council. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice carrying through the ballroom. "Why have we been summoned in this manner?"

Lya stepped forward, her posture straight and confident in a way I'd never seen before. "Councilor White and other respected members of the Council, this is an emergency meeting and call to action. I apologize for not giving you advance notice, but I believe by the end you'll understand why it had to be done this way."

Another council member—Adam Reed—stood up. "Special sessions of the Supernatural Council can only be called by council members or at least three regional Alpha leaders or Lords. You, young lady, are neither."

Lya's lips curved into a small smile that made my skin crawl. "Actually..." she began.

Three figures moved forward to stand beside her. My stomach dropped as I recognized them: Lord Adrian of Blood Stone City, Alpha Bryan of Dark Moon Territory, and Alpha Mark of Moonlight Bay.

Lord Adrian spoke first, his voice smooth and aristocratic. "We fully support Lya Morrison's request for an emergency special council session."

"On what grounds?" Councilor Reed demanded.

Alpha Mark stepped forward, his expression grave. "Councilor Reed, we have two grounds for this meeting. First, we have discovered irrefutable evidence of extremely serious crimes that have been occurring within Shadow Moon Valley Pack for many years. We demand the Council's immediate intervention, the removal of Alpha Richard from his position, and the installation of his son Damian as the new Alpha."