Chapter 108 Any Objections?!
Samael and Darius stepped out of Fernando’s chamber into the thick chaos of the courtyard. The air was sharp with tension shouts, accusations, and the clatter of armored guards trying to hold back an agitated crowd. Elders paced near the dais, faces flushed with indignation. Supporters of Eliana demanded justice, while others whispered in hushed awe about the white wolf with star-dotted fur.
Samael didn’t waste time.
He turned to the nearest guard, a broad-shouldered beta with a scar across his brow and pointed toward the infirmary wing. “Go. Bring Eliana. Not as a guest. Not as a contender. As a suspect. Escort her to the inner chamber. Now.”
The guard hesitated. “She’s of royal blood, Gamma. The Southern Ember Pack—”
“Doesn’t matter,” Samael cut in, voice low but edged like steel. “Do it.”
The guard nodded sharply and jogged off.
Darius crossed his arms. “You think she’ll come quietly?”
“No,” Samael said. “But she’ll come.”
Minutes later, the guard returned with Eliana in tow. Her face was still bruised from the wolf’s impact, one arm in a sling, but her eyes burned with defiance. She stopped ten paces from them, chin high.
“I will not be dragged like a criminal,” she spat. “I am Eliana of the Southern Ember Pack. I demand to speak with Fernando.”
Samael walked toward her slowly, boots echoing against the stone. He stopped just inches away, close enough that she could see the cold fire in his eyes.
“I don’t give a shit about your royalness,” he said, voice quiet but carrying. “I don’t care about your bloodline, your alliances, or your pretty little crown dreams. But if you force me to knock you out in front of this entire court, I will. And I won’t feel bad about it.”
Eliana’s nostrils flared. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Samael leaned in slightly. “Try me.”
For a long moment, they stared at each other predator and prey, neither willing to blink.
Then, reluctantly, Eliana gave a stiff nod. “Fine. I’ll cooperate.”
“Good,” Samael said. He turned to the guard. “Take her to the inner chamber. No visitors. No messages. And if she so much as whispers to a mouse, you answer to me.”
The guard bowed and led Eliana away, her steps stiff with fury but obedient.
Darius watched her go, then turned to Samael. “Now the real mess.”
“The elders,” Samael said grimly. “They’re already calling for annulment.”
“Then we shut them down before they start,” Darius replied.
They strode toward the central dais where the elders had gathered, their voices rising in a chorus of outrage.
“He concealed his identity!” Elder Vorn shouted. “That’s grounds for disqualification!”
“An ordinary servant that was bought cannot become Crown Luna!” another added.
Darius stepped onto the dais without invitation. Every eye turned to him.
“Enough,” he said, voice ringing with authority. “Alberto, known in the duel as Beau Crante, won fair and square. He remained within the circle. He defeated his opponents. He survived poison meant to kill him. And by every law of the Mate Duel, he is the victor.”
Elder Soje, still nursing bruised ribs from Fernando’s earlier throw, stepped forward. “He’s a pack member! A servant! The rules clearly state that only external suitors may compete for the title of Crown Luna!”
Darius raised an eyebrow. “Do they?”
He turned to the assembled crowd. “Show me where it says that.”
Silence.
“Bring the Codex of Trials,” Darius challenged. “Open it to the section on eligibility. Read it aloud.”
No one moved.
Darius smirked. “Because it doesn’t say that. In fact, Article Seven, Clause Three explicitly states: ‘Any wolf of sound mind and pure strength with no history, whether internal or external to the host pack, may enter the Mate Duel provided their identity is known to at least one ranking official of Alpha tier or above.’”
He pointed to Mira, who stood at the edge of the dais, arms crossed. “Mira, the High Healer, knew Beau Crante was Alberto. She vouched for him. She registered his entry under a sealed oath.”
Then he gestured to Samael. “And Samael, Gamma Wolf of this territory, personally verified and voucher for him and assisted in the registration process. So tell me, Elder Soje what part of that is invalid?”
Soje sputtered. “But… he wore a mask! He lied!”
“He concealed his face,” Darius corrected. “Not his identity. And again Clause Five permits concealment if sanctioned by a healer or gamma for ‘protection of personal safety or ancestral duty.’ Which, given what we now know about the poison used today, seems more than justified.”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Another elder, younger but equally stubborn, stepped forward. “Even if the rules allow it, it’s unnatural! A servant? Beside the Alpha? It disgraces the throne!”
Samael finally spoke, his voice calm but cutting. “Who here challenges Mira’s authority as High Healer?”
No one answered.
“Who dares question the Gamma Wolf’s verification of strength?” Samael continued. “Or the Alpha’s right to accept a victor?”
Still silence.
“Then which objection do you have left?” Darius asked, scanning the elders. “Because from where I stand, you’ve got none.”
The yard fell utterly quiet.
Then Samael added, voice dropping to a near whisper but one that carried to every ear, “And for those wondering why this matters so much Alberto was poisoned during the final match. Deliberately. By someone who knew exactly how to hide it. That investigation is ongoing. And until it’s resolved, any attempt to undermine the victor will be treated as complicity.”
He turned to Darius. “We’re done here.”
Darius nodded and followed him off the dais.
As they walked away, Darius muttered, “You think they’ll push back?”
“Not openly,” Samael said. “But they’ll whisper. Plot. Wait for weakness.”
“Let them,” Darius replied. “Fernando’s not the same Alpha he was three days ago.”
They reached the corridor leading to the inner chamber where Eliana was being held.
Inside, she sat on a stone bench, arms crossed, glaring at the door. When Samael entered, she didn’t rise.
“You can’t keep me here,” she said. “My pack will hear of this.”
“Let them,” Samael said, closing the door behind Darius. “But before you send ravens crying injustice, answer this why did you use nightshade-laced hemlock during the duel?”
Eliana’s eyes widened just for a fraction of a second. Then she schooled her expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Mira appeared in the doorway, holding a small vial. “This was extracted from Alberto’s sweat glands. Traces of your mother’s signature toxin Ashen Veil blend. Only your bloodline carries the enzyme to synthesize it without dying.”
Eliana went pale.
Darius folded his arms. “You thought no one would notice. That his collapse would look like exhaustion. That his death would be ruled an accident.”
Samael stepped closer. “But you didn’t count on his wolf. Or his bond.”
Eliana stood abruptly. “I did nothing wrong! The duel allows mental warfare! If his body fails, that’s his weakness not my crime!”
Mira shook her head. “Poison isn’t mental warfare. It’s murder.”
Samael’s voice dropped to a growl. “And if Fernando finds out you tried to kill his mate…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Eliana swallowed hard, her bravado cracking. “I only wanted to win.”
“You wanted power,” Darius corrected. “And you were willing to burn everything to get it.”
Samael turned to Darius. “Stay with her. I need to report to Fernando.”
As he turned to leave, Eliana called out, voice trembling. “He’ll never accept him. You know that. A servant? A hidden wolf? The court will never bow.”
Samael paused at the door. Without looking back, he said, “They already have.”
And with that, he left.