Chapter 83 – The Council and the Choice
The heavy doors of the council room closed behind Hardin with a loud thud. The air inside felt thick and cold. Torches burned on the walls. The elders sat in a half-circle on raised seats. Their faces were hard. The eight guards stood behind Hardin, still holding his chained arms.
Elder Mara spoke first. Her voice was sharp.
“Hardin Blackwood, you stand accused. You are unfit to lead. You waste pack resources. You risk war with another pack. All for a girl who is no longer ours.”
Elder Cavan added, “We have reports. You send scouts without approval. You ignore our orders. You put the pack in danger.”
Another elder, a woman with gray hair, spoke up.
“We heard you plan to cross the river tonight. With armed men. This is madness. You want to kidnap a woman who lives with royals. That will bring enemies to our door.”
Hardin stood straight. The silver chains burned his wrists. He looked at each elder.
“You have reports,” he said calmly. “Who gave them?”
Elder Mara answered, “Loyal wolves. Wolves who care about the pack.”
Hardin smiled small. “Loyal? Or paid?”
One elder, a man with a scar on his face, jumped in.
“We have proof. You shouted in the war room. You said you will take her even if the prince fights. That is war talk.”
Hardin looked at him. “And you were there? You heard me?”
The scarred elder looked away for a second. Then he said, “Others heard. They told us.”
Hardin nodded slowly.
“So you lie to make me look bad. To take my title.”
The room became quiet. Some elders looked uncomfortable. Others looked angry.
Elder Mara said, “Enough. You are no longer Alpha. The title returns to the council until we choose a new leader.”
Hardin looked at her. His voice was steady.
“If this is about the title, take it. I don’t want it.”
The elders stared.
Hardin continued.
“I became Alpha to find Rhianna. She is alive. I saw the report. She is out there. She does not remember us. But she is alive. She is the one who makes me happy. I am going to find her. I will bring her home. I will not come back until I do.”
He looked around the room.
“You can have the title. You can have the power. Keep it. Fight over it. I don’t care. My fight is for her.”
The elders were silent. Some whispered to each other.
Hardin raised his chained hands.
“Take these off.”
Elder Mara hesitated. Then she nodded to the guards.
“Remove the chains.”
The guards unlocked the silver. Hardin rubbed his wrists. The burns were red, but he did not show pain.
He turned and walked to the doors.
No one stopped him.
The doors opened. He stepped out.
Whispers followed him down the hall. Wolves in the corridors stared. Some bowed. Some looked confused. Some looked scared.
Garrick, his Beta, waited outside. Garrick looked worried.
“Alpha,” Garrick said quietly. “What happened?”
Hardin kept walking. Garrick followed.
Hardin said, “They took the title. They wanted it. They lied to get it. I gave it to them.”
Garrick stopped. “You gave it away?”
Hardin did not stop. “Yes. I don’t need it. I need her.”
Garrick walked faster to catch up. “What now?”
Hardin said, “Gather two of your best men. The ones who don’t talk. The ones who follow orders. We leave tonight.”
Garrick asked, “Where?”
Hardin looked straight ahead.
“Wherever Rhianna is. Beyond the river. To the palace. To the market. To wherever she stands.”
Garrick nodded. “I will get them ready. Quietly.”
Hardin said, “No pack mark. No banners. Just us four. We move fast. We move silent.”
Garrick asked, “And if they follow us? The council?”
Hardin’s voice was cold.
“Let them try.”
They reached the end of the hall. Hardin looked out at the night sky. The moon was bright.
Garrick said, “She may not remember you.”
Hardin answered, “I know. But I remember her. That is enough for now.”
He walked forward into the dark.
Garrick watched him go.
Then he turned to prepare.
The pack would wake tomorrow to a new story.
No Alpha.
No Hardin.
Just whispers.
But Hardin did not care.
He had one goal.
Find Rhianna.
Bring her home.
No matter what.