Chapter 47 47
Chapter 47 47
“This concerns the murder of Alpha Connor Vale,” Elder Kriss declared, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Lucien’s expression remained perfectly neutral.
On the surface, Alpha Connor’s death meant nothing to him. The man’s sudden and violent end was none of his concern. Yet deep down, he had suspected from the beginning that the death was far from simple, and that these scheming old wolves sitting before him were somehow entangled in it.
Behind Lucien, Brennan stood like a shadow, his massive arms crossed over his chest. His lips curled into a vicious sneer as he glared at the elders with open hostility. The urge to rip their throats out surged hot and violent through his veins. Only iron discipline kept him rooted in place.
Lucien leaned back slightly in his seat. “Are you serious?” he asked, his tone deceptively casual, almost bored. “Alpha Vale’s death has nothing to do with me. What exactly are you implying?”
Elder Cassian let out a sharp, mocking scoff, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed triumph. “What do you take us for, Alpha Draven? We are the keepers of law and order in our world. We know everything that happens within the packs. Did you really think we wouldn’t find out that you sent one of your warriors into Moonlit Pack territory right before Connor’s death?”
Lucien didn’t flinch. “That’s correct,” he replied smoothly. “Alpha Vale came here with a small delegation, pushing for an alliance. I told him I would consider it and get back to him. In the end, I sent one of my men to deliver my rejection. Nothing more.”
Elder Thorne’s gaze hardened. “I’m afraid it’s not nearly as simple as you claim, Alpha Draven. All evidence currently points directly to you. You are, without a doubt, responsible for the murder of Alpha Connor Vale.”
Brennan’s forehead creased deeply, his fists clenching at his sides as a low growl rumbled in his throat.
Lucien allowed himself one brief second to look away, his sharp eyes narrowing, before locking gazes with Elder Thorne once more.
A cold, dangerous smile ghosted across his lips. “No doubt?” he repeated slowly, his voice laced with quiet contempt. “That’s a very bold and interesting choice of words, considering how little faith I have in your so-called doubt.”
Elder Rowan chuckled darkly, the sound low and threatening. “Mind your tongue when addressing your elders, Alpha Draven. You may be Alpha of this pack, but you are not above the Council. What do you take us for? Fools?”
Elder Varrick leaned forward, his expression cold and merciless. “You have committed a grave crime against your own kind, Alpha Draven. Do you understand the penalty for killing another Alpha? We are only here as a courtesy, giving you advance warning. In less than a week, you will stand trial before the High Council. If found guilty, and you will be, you will be sentenced to death.”
The threat hung heavy in the air like a sharpened blade pressed against Lucien’s throat.
Lucien simply raised a single dark eyebrow, completely unfazed. He drew in a slow, deep breath, then nodded once, as if the elders had merely commented on the weather.
“I’ve heard everything you came to say,” he stated calmly. “You’ve delivered your message. Now you can leave. When the time for this farce of a trial arrives, I’ll be ready. Until then, I won’t be accommodating any further visits. You know your way out.”
A ripple of stunned confusion passed between the elders. They exchanged sharp, bewildered glances, clearly unprepared for such outright dismissal from someone they had expected to rattle or intimidate.
For a tense moment, no one moved.
Then, with stiff, reluctant movements, the elders rose from their seats.
Their expressions ranged from outrage to thinly veiled fury as they filed out of the Alpha Hall in silence, the heavy doors slamming shut behind them with a final, resounding boom.
Brennan stalked forward, and stopped directly in front of Lucien’s seat, eyes blazing with frustration and disbelief.
“Is this the end of it?” he demanded, voice low and rough. “Are we really just going to sit back while those old bastards try to pin a murder on you and drag you to trial?”
Lucien leaned back against the high-backed chair, and exhaled slowly, rubbing his jaw as he shook his head.
“I doubt it’s the end,” he replied, his deep voice calm but laced with dark undertones. “But I’ll admit… this is more serious than I expected.
Then Silas suddenly appeared inside the room. He bowed deeply before his Alpha, his expression tight with unease.
“Alpha,” he said, voice steady but urgent, “there’s something we need to confirm immediately.”
Lucien’s sharp gaze snapped to him. “Speak.”
Silas hesitated for only a fraction of a second. “I believe… Alpha Connor Vale is still alive.”
Lucien’s brows furrowed deeply, confusion flashing across his usually unreadable face. He straightened slightly in his seat, every ounce of his attention now locked on his warrior.
Brennan’s reaction was far more explosive. His frown deepened into a scowl, and he took a threatening step toward Silas. “What do you mean he’s alive?” he asked. “Is there something you’ve been keeping from us, Silas?”
Silas met Lucien’s eyes directly, guilt flickering in his gaze. “I apologize, Alpha. I failed to mention a minor but critical detail earlier.” He paused, then continued, “When I went to Moonlit Pack to deliver your rejection, I didn’t return alone. I brought Alpha Connor’s pregnant mate with me. She’s been staying at my house ever since.”
Brennan’s eyes widened in pure shock, his mouth opening and closing before he exploded. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” he snarled, voice rising with disbelief and anger. “You brought a complete stranger, the mate of a rival Alpha, into our territory? Into your own house? Have you lost your damn mind, Silas? Did you walk straight into some kind of witch’s trap?”
“It just so happen she wanted to get away from him,” Silas replied bluntly. “Regardless… when I told her what happened to her mate…”
“There is nothing in this world as powerful as the mate bond,” Lucien said quietly. “If she says he’s alive, then he’s alive.”