Chapter 214 What Else Have You Lied About??

Chapter 214 What Else Have You Lied About??
Victoria' POV

Several gasps erupted throughout the ballroom, but I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Everything was proceeding according to plan. After the chaos caused by Damian and that filthy half-breed, I'd managed to regain control of the situation. Last night's frantic call to Owen had been worth every penny and threat I'd leveraged.

Council member Reed stepped forward, his face a practiced mask of neutrality as he announced, "We have completed our investigation into Shadow Moon Valley Pack, fellow leaders."

His voice echoed through the now-silent ballroom. "We have been investigating here for several weeks... We had planned to announce our findings tonight..." He paused dramatically, making a show of consulting his notes. "We have concluded that, with the exception of Caroline Morrison, no pack members have engaged in any inappropriate behavior. This pack is being managed impeccably."

I couldn't help the smug smile that spread across my face. This was what money, power, and the right amount of threatening leverage could buy. The council's stamp of approval would silence any remaining doubts about my leadership through Richard, of course, and finally put an end to Damian's ridiculous rebellion.

"We demand a public Supernatural Council vote."

Damian's voice cut through my moment of triumph like a silver blade. I rolled my eyes, annoyed but not surprised by his persistence. In a way, his stubbornness only gave me more time to savor his humiliation and consider how to resolve the Airina situation.

Council member Mason rose to his feet, his expression stern. "Only council members can request such a vote."

"Then I request a vote."

My head snapped toward the voice. Lya. That half-breed bitch was standing there, looking far too confident for someone who should be cowering in fear.

I couldn't contain myself any longer. Laughter burst from my lips, drawing every eye in the room to me. The absurdity of it all—this creature thinking she had any right to stand among us, much less address the council.

"Do you have something to say, Victoria?" Damian's cold voice challenged me.

I wasn't concerned. The council would back me no matter what; I'd made sure of it. "I just find it amusing," I replied, my voice dripping with contempt, "that my former foster daughter is standing on this stage like she has any right to be here. She's nothing but a mate-stealing, wolfless whore, and everyone in this room knows it except her."

A growl rumbled deep in Damian's throat. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Victoria. She is my mate and the future Luna of this pack. I suggest you take back your words before you cause irreparable damage."

I scoffed at his threat. "I will not. She is exactly what I said she is, if not worse. You know it yourself. That's why you publicly rejected her months ago."

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Airina's eyes widen as she turned to face me. My stomach dropped. I hadn't meant to reveal that particular detail in front of her.

"Wait..." Airina's brow furrowed, her mind clearly racing. "Wait... you just said Damian publicly rejected Lya months ago. You can only reject someone who's been confirmed as your mate... so that means you've known for months that Damian and Lya are mates? And you never told me? Oh my God! Damian was right! How could you let me humiliate myself like this when you knew all along she was his mate and not me?!"

Damn it. I had planned for Airina to never know this particular truth. I placed my hand gently on her arm, trying to salvage the situation. "Airina, dear, calm down. The Moon Goddess simply made a mistake. You were always meant to be Damian's mate. I didn't tell you about this error because it was irrelevant. Damian rejected Lya the moment he discovered the connection. You and Damian are still mates, you're just second-chance mates."

"Then who was my first-chance mate?" she demanded, anger flashing in her eyes.

"Darling, I obviously don't know the answer to that," I replied smoothly. "Only you would know."

"I've been living with humans for the past two years," Airina said. "I didn't meet my first-chance mate."

I sighed, growing impatient with this detour. "Never mind, Airina. We'll discuss this later. Let's deal with the situation at hand, shall we?"

"No! I want to talk about this now! You lied to me!!! What else have you lied about???"

"Later, dear," I insisted, feeling my control slipping.

"No! Now!" Airina's voice had risen to a shout, her face flushed with anger.

My patience snapped. "STOP ACTING LIKE A SPOILED PUP!" I roared, unable to contain my frustration any longer. "I SAID WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER!!!"

Airina flinched as if I'd slapped her. I'd never spoken to her like that before. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. This was all going so wrong. Why couldn't she see we were in a precarious position? Everything I'd done was to protect her.

"I apologize for raising my voice, Airina, but seriously, we'll handle this privately at home later, okay?" I said, my voice softening.

"You won't be going home," Lya stated calmly. "At least, not to the home you're accustomed to. You'll have a new home in the dungeon."

My anger flared again as I glared at the council members and Richard. "Seriously, can someone get this half-breed mongrel off the stage? Lya is only embarrassing herself. She has no right to be here. Not with her mixed blood."

"I have every right in the world," Lya replied coldly.

"Why? Because you spread your legs for Damian?" I sneered. "Congratulations. You know how to open your thighs. If that gives you a voice in pack and council matters, half the females in our pack should be on this stage."

Damian's growl deepened, threatening and dangerous.

"You told me Damian only slept with Sophia???" Airina's shocked voice cut through the tension.