Chapter Ninety

Chapter Ninety
Chapter Ninety
Lia’s POV

The council chamber felt super cold, like the walls themselves hated me being there. All these old folks, sitting up straight in their heavy robes, their eyes boring into me. The second I walked in, whispers started, like dry leaves rustling. They were all expecting Edgar. But nope, it was just me.

I didn't even slow down. My nails dug into my palms, a little reminder that I couldn't freak out. Not here, not now. Edgar was dealing with his stuff behind closed doors, and I had our kid growing inside me. They both needed me to be tough in this room full of snakes.

One of the elders coughed, a super loud sound in the quiet. “Where's the Alpha?”

“Resting,” I said, no bowing, no sorry. “But don't think his quietness means he's not speaking. I've got his words, his will, his fire. You'll hear him through me.”

More murmurs. Some people snorted, others shot quick looks at each other. Brie Nolan, sitting near the middle, leaned back like she owned the place. Her eyes ran over me like she was checking for weak spots.

“How brave,” she said, all sweet but totally fake. “The Alpha's mate speaking for him. But tell me, kid, since when does love make someone fit to lead?”

My chest felt like it was on fire, but I stuck my chin up. “Love doesn't,” I said. “Strength does. And strength isn't about how old you are, Brie, or the fancy titles you hide behind. It's about what you're willing to fight for when everyone else is against you.”

Her smile flickered, just for a second.

Another elder, Malrick, leaned in, talking slow and careful. “And what exactly are you protecting here, Lia Mason? A bloodline that's already a mess?

Those words stung like a whip, but I wouldn't let them see it. “I'm protecting the Alpha who built this pack from the ground up because you guys were too scared. I'm protecting the heir of Duskwood, the baby in my belly.”

The room went dead silent. All eyes snapped to me. Some were wide with shock, others narrowed with suspicion. My hand went to my stomach, even though you couldn't see anything yet. The silence was like a drawn-out bowstring.

Brie's laugh broke it. “How convenient. The perfect story, just in time to get everyone feeling sorry for you. So, Lia, are we supposed to just believe this... miracle of yours without any proof?”

I walked up until the shadows from their long table touched my boots. “Believe what you want. The goddess knows the truth, and Edgar knows the truth. That's enough. And if any of you want to question if the Alpha's line will continue, I dare you to speak up now. Look me in the eye and tell me you want this baby hurt.”

Nobody said a word. Their silence wasn't agreement, it was fear. They knew what I'd just said. Wishing harm on an heir? That's basically calling yourself a traitor.

I let the quiet hang there, then pushed it. “You've tried sneaking around. You've tried poison. You've whispered doubts and waited for him to crash and burn. But he hasn't. And neither have I. So listen up, if you come after him again, I'll be waiting. And I won't be forgiving.”

A chair scraped back. An older woman, all bent over but still with sharp eyes, slowly stood up. “You're talking like you're already Luna,” she said. “Like your connection to him means you're in charge.”

“It does,” I said, no hesitation. “I'm his mate. He is chosen. His equal. And if the goddess decided to bless us with a child even now, when things are so rough, then who are any of you to deny her will?”

The old woman's lips got thinner, but she didn't say anything.

Brie leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. “Be careful, Lia. You're walking a dangerous line. Too much fire burns itself out.”

“And too much plotting,” I shot back, “rots your soul until you're nothing but dust. I know what you've been up to, Brie. You try to hide it behind tradition, behind saying you care about the pack, but your ambition is poison. I see it in your eyes. And soon, everyone else will too.”

Gasps went around the room. Brie's calm façade cracked, her knuckles turning white where she gripped the table.

“You dare accuse me?” she hissed.

“I dare anything,” I retorted. “For Edgar. For our kid. For this pack that you're trying to tear apart with your lies. You wanted them to be patient, Brie. You wanted them to wait while you pulled the strings. But I'm here now, and I'm cutting them loose.”

She breathed in sharply through her teeth, but before she could say another word, another elder jumped in, sounding tired.

“Enough. This fighting isn't helping anyone. The Alpha is weak, the pack is restless, and our enemies are lurking outside our borders. If what the girl says is true, if there's an heir on the way, maybe that alone will keep everyone calm.”

“She's not a girl,” I said, my voice booming. “She's me. I'm Lia Mason, your Alpha's mate, the mother of his heir, and if I have to tear down every single wall in this chamber to protect them, I will.”

The force of my words made even me tremble, but I held their gazes until the silence felt like it was bowing to me.

Brie finally spoke again, quieter now, but still dangerous. “Enjoy your fire while it lasts, Lia. The night always comes to snuff out the flame.”

I met her eyes, not backing down. “Then I'll burn brighter.”

The elders shifted, looking uncomfortable, caught between what they always knew and the new energy in the room. I didn't have a crown, no official title, but right then, I felt taller than all of them.

I turned and walked away without asking permission, without waiting to be dismissed. Let them whisper. Let them doubt. I had spoken, and it felt like the walls themselves were carrying my words. Edgar's voice might not have been there, but mine had been enough.

As I left the chamber, my hands were still shaking, but not from fear. For the first time, I really felt the power inside me. And I
knew, whether they admitted it or not, the council felt it too.