Chapter 25 – The Council’s Proposal
Hardin’s POV
The packhouse meeting room smelled of coffee, wood polish, and tension.
I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, listening to Elder Marius drone on.
“—and with all due respect, Hardin,” Marius said, adjusting his spectacles, “the pack is in a precarious state. Sebastian’s rule is… steady, yes, but too steady. There is no fire. No authority. Our enemies see it as weakness.”
Another council member, an older she-wolf named Amara, nodded. “We need an Alpha who commands fear and respect. You are the eldest son. The rightful heir. And now that you are back—”
“You want me to challenge my own brother,” I said flatly, cutting her off.
They exchanged glances but didn’t deny it.
“You wouldn’t have to challenge him,” Marius said carefully. “The council could back you. We could make this transition smooth, painless even. The pack would stand with you if you claim your rightful place.”
I raised a brow. “And what do you get out of it?”
“Stability,” Amara said simply. “A strong Alpha who will keep order.”
I smirked. “And what makes you think I want the position?”
“Because you are the position,” Marius replied, leaning forward. “You were born to lead. The only thing standing in your way is the lack of a Luna. The pack needs to see you settle down, claim your mate, so they know you are stable.”
I stiffened slightly but didn’t let it show.
“You mean, find my mate,” I said with a humorless chuckle.
“Yes,” Marius confirmed. “Find her. Claim her. Then the pack will have no choice but to recognize you as Alpha.”
I was about to respond when the door slammed open.
Sebastian strode in, his eyes blazing, his wolf close to the surface.
“Well, isn’t this touching?” he growled, stalking closer. “My dear brother, holding private meetings with my council behind my back.”
Marius stood, flustered. “Alpha, we were merely—”
“Shut. Up.” Sebastian’s voice was sharp as a whip.
His gaze locked on mine, hot with fury. “So this is what you’ve been doing since you came back? Plotting to take what’s mine?”
I stayed seated, calm and unbothered. “I didn’t call this meeting, brother. Your council did. Seems they think you’re too soft to keep control.”
Sebastian’s jaw flexed. “I am not soft. I lead with reason, not fear. Maybe that’s what bothers them.”
I tilted my head. “Or maybe it bothers them that your own mate doesn’t seem to respect you anymore.”
His wolf snarled so loud the entire room stiffened. “Watch your mouth.”
I smirked lazily. “Or what? You’ll hit me? Kill me? Face it, Sebastian, the pack already sees the cracks in your reign. They know you’re too busy chasing after your Brittany or whatever she is called to run things properly.”
He stepped closer until he was towering over me, his breathing ragged. “Stay away from Rhianna .”
“Funny,” I said with a slow, dangerous grin, “she didn’t seem to want me to.”
His hand shot out, gripping the back of my chair, and for a moment I thought he might flip it over.
“Careful, brother,” I said softly. “You don’t want to lose control in front of the council. Wouldn’t want them to think you’re weak.”
He released the chair abruptly, straightening. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl.
“You think you can take her from me?”
I met his gaze without flinching. “No. I think she’ll choose where she wants to be. And maybe…” I let my smirk widen just enough to twist the knife. “…she already has.”
Sebastian’s nostrils flared, and for a split second, I saw raw, primal fear flash across his face before he masked it with rage.
“This isn’t over,” he spat, turning on his heel and storming out of the room, the door slamming behind him.
The room fell silent.
Marius cleared his throat nervously. “As you can see, Hardin, this is exactly what we mean. He is losing his composure. The pack cannot afford an Alpha who—”
I stood abruptly, cutting him off.
“Save your speeches, Marius,” I said, my voice cold. “I’ll think about it.”
And with that, I walked out, my own wolf restless beneath my skin.
Because no matter how much I told myself I wasn’t interested in being Alpha…
I couldn’t get Rhianna’s face out of my head.
Sebastian’s POV
I stormed into the training grounds, my chest heaving.
Warriors scattered as they saw my expression, giving me space.
I ripped off my shirt and shifted halfway, claws digging into the dirt as I started tearing through the training dummies.
“Alpha!” My Beta, Kael, rushed over. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing!” I snarled, slamming a dummy so hard its wooden frame cracked.
Kael hesitated. “The warriors are worried. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. If this is about Rhianna—”
“Of course it’s about Rhianna and that good for nothing he-goat of a brother !” I roared, spinning on him.
Kael’s mouth snapped shut.
“Hardin. Of all people. My own brother. And the council wants him to take my place.”
Kael’s face darkened. “You think he’ll try?”
“I know he will,” I said, my hands curling into fists. “And I swear to the moon, Kael, I will not lose her and my alpha position . Not to him. Not to anyone.”
I shifted fully then, letting my wolf take over and tearing into the training field until I was nothing but snarls and fury.