CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Garrick's Point Of View.

I sat at the round table. By my side, Silvana nervously gnawed on her lower lip, her fingers laced with mine underneath the table.

I knew her intention was to offer reassurance, but I could feel the tremor in her hand, sensing her own unease. I longed to comfort her, to ease her anxiety, but right now, I felt like a broken dam on the verge of collapse.

Yesterday... At the garden....the memory of my carelessness still haunts me. If she hadn't called out my name, if she hadn't pulled me back at that moment, things could have been irrevocably worse.

Damn it!

I couldn't believe I had almost unleashed my pent up rage on her.

And then..her confession last night, about her admitting that she wanted me too..it had pushed me dangerously close to the edge again.

But I couldn't risk it.

Our first time deserved to be sacred, not untainted by the darkness that clouded my mind, I wasn't stable enough. Zephyr's death had left me reeling, disoriented. The last thing I wanted was to inflict a horrible experience on her, to be consumed by my own pain and neglect her needs.

"Garrick?" A sharp, feminine voice pierced through my thoughts. I looked up to see Ravenna staring at me with her brows furrowed in concern.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

I could feel the collective attention of everyone at the table focused on me. It felt like a weight of expectation.

"Yes," I lied. "Continue."

"Okay," she nodded, turning her attention back to the matter at hand. She began outlining Eryk's history, his brutal tactics, his reputation as a tyrant, but also highlighted the benefits he would bring into the White Wolves pack as their Alpha.

A nice political strategy. But I wasn't buying that shit.

"Eryk may be known as a tyrant, but in these precarious times, he's exactly what we need. He's ruthless, decisive. He inspires fear, and fear keeps the rogues and other enemies at bay."

Aloha Darius shook his head, his expression disgusted. "Ravenna, I appreciate the sentiment, I truly do. But letting someone like him," the disdain dropped from the word. "Sit on that throne?" He gestured towards the ornate white throne at the head of the room. Just seeing it empty sent a fresh wave of grief crashing through me. I could still picture Zephyr there. Ah fuck it! I need to get a grip. "Absolutely not happening." Darius added.

"Why not?" Ravenna challenged, placing a hand on her hip as she glared daggers at him. "Why not, Alpha Darius?"

Before Darius could defend him, Alpha Luca spoke up instead, his tone heavy with impatience. "Look, you people fail to understand that we don't have the luxury to waste time. Not too long ago, Garrick and Zephyr went to war against the Rogues," he then turned to me. "Shall I remind you of the reports? We all heard the chaos that happened there and how a human was selling weapons to Rogues here, even right under your nose," my nose flared at his words, but I kept mute. He then turned his attention back to Darius. "We can't leave the throne vacant for long. The Kings need to be complete."

"For long?" I finally retorted, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Zephyr just died."

"And the Rogues are on their way as we speak," he countered, meeting my harsh gaze without flinching.  "I understand that you just lost someone who was like a father to you, and you have issues with Eryk. But I support Ravenna on this. Practically trumps sentimentality. This Pack needs a leader, Now!"

I heard Alpha Rain sigh from across the table, I shifted my gaze to him. "Kisten, I don't have all the time to sit here and argue all day. I'd only agree to this if Ravenna puts some kind of protective measure in place to keep Eryk in check.....or a rope up his ass. Either way, we need something to ensure he doesn't revert back to his old ways."

I heard Eryk snort from his end. "No one will be treating me like a common dog,"

Aloha rain shrugged. "Sorry Eryk, but you brought yourself to that level. It would take a millennium before you can earn our trust completely but unfortunately we don't have that luxury."

I let out a weary sigh and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. I felt Silvana squeeze my hand again, her touch calming the storm that raged inside me.

What would I have done without her?

"Look," I heard Luna Evelyn say, I raised my head up to see her staring at all of us with a solemn expression.  "I understand that everyone has their own opinions, and frankly, everyone has a point. Be it those supporting Eryk and those opposing him. Eryk is bad news, but just like Luca said, the rogues are a real threat we haven't been able to wipe out completely for ages. Their numbers keep growing no matter how many we kill, and we can't afford to lose another pack to them entirely, remember the Moonveil Pack?" Immediately, the room fell silent. She then stood up to her feet. "Exactly what I thought. And this throne," she gestured to it with her hand. "It is one of the most sacred seats in this realm, we can't afford to leave it empty. Zephyr's sudden demise was a devastating shock, but...." Her voice caught in her throat. She inhaled sharply, regaining her composure. "He's gone, and we can't do a damn thing about that. But...we can uphold his legacy and continue his work," She turned to Eryk. "If you promise to lead the White Wolves with honor and integrity, to protect them and uphold peace. You will have my support."

Alpha Darius sighed and nodded, seemingly swayed by Evelyn's impassioned plea. "You'll have mine as well."

One by one, the other Alphas voiced their agreement. When I still remained silent, all their eyes shifted to me.

"Garrick?" I heard Ravenna call out. I looked up at her, seeing a mixture of hope and pleading in her eyes. "I beg of you... Please."

I remained silent, the conflicting emotions that warred within me threatened to bubble up. Just then, I heard Eryk sigh loudly from across the table. "Garrick," he called out, making my gaze fall on him. "I know you don't trust me,  I know you hate me. And honestly? I deserve it. But I swear to you, I would never hurt Zephyr nor would I knowingly hurt the innocents. Yes, I was a tyrant once, I went down a dark path, I was young and useless, driven mad with power. But I've learned from my mistakes, I'll never disrupt the peace of my own realm again. I give you my word."

I still remained silent, my gaze fixed on him, trying to discern the truth in his words. Silvana gave me a gentle squeeze again, I turned to look at her, she met my gaze, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding, and nodded.

I sucked in a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "I agree, you have my support. But," my voice dropped, gaining a sharper edge. "If you dare to try to trick us, I will kill you."

He merely smirked, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "I look forward to that."