Chapter 25 A meeting with the council
Antonella Erickson - POV
It felt strange to stare at an unfamiliar face in the mirror, but I know sacrifices have to be made if I want to survive. I let out a sigh and straightened my dress and walked out of my room. As I reached the landing, I saw Maximus and Beta Murphy standing by the front door.
“You look stunning, Luna Evangeline.” Beta Mruphy commented when I felt my cheeks burn bright red at his compliment.
“Thank you so much, Beta Murphy.”
“How are you feeling right now, Luna Evangeline?”
“A little better. I guess the wounds I sustained caused an infection.” I lied when I saw concern etched on Beta Murphy’s face while my heart squeezed in guilt.
“I still feel ashamed that we couldn't protect you from that attack, Luna Evangeline.”
“Rachel saved my life. I don't think I can complain much, Beta Murphy.” I told him when a sad smile appeared on his face.
“You are right. So shall we go?” he asked me when I looked at Maximus for an explanation.
“The council elders would like to see you in person before the main ceremony tomorrow.” Maximus explained when I felt a lump form in my throat. The werewolf committee comprises some of the most powerful wolves among us, and there were rumors circulating that they could even see through any disguise that you had on.
“You go ahead, Arthur. I will come with Evangeline in a moment.” Maximus told his beta, sensing my fear when beta Murphy nodded his head and left the house, leaving us alone.
“Maximus, until now I didn't have much thought to this, but if I am close to the elders, wouldn't there be a chance that they would see right through my disguise?” I asked him as my voice broke at the end.
“No one has such powers. Moreover, I will be with you so they won't suspect a thing.” Maximus reassured me when I reluctantly nodded my head. “Shall we go?” he asked me, and I nodded my head, and right then I heard a noise right outside. It sounded like something fell into a bush.
“Did you hear that?” I asked Maximus, but I didn't wait for his reply when I hurried to the front door and pulled it open to find the driveway empty.
“It must have been a cat.” Maximus told me as he stepped out of the house as well while my eyes were glued to the rose bushes that were beside the front door. The roses were crushed, but there was no scent lingering around. “I would know if someone was there, Evangeline,” Maximus reassured me.
“Shall we go?” I asked him when he nodded his head. I walked down the few stairs as I waited for Maximus to lock the front door before we continued walking towards the pack house. The closer we got to the pack, the faster my heart started beating while I kept a straight face.
Maximus was right when he said that there was no one outside, but after everything that I have gone through, I have learned to trust my instincts, and right now my instincts are telling me to stay alert.
As the pack house came into view, I saw that Beta Murphy and Rachel were standing by the doorway with two older men wearing a deep red cloak, Alpha Jace and Alpha Cedric.
“My, my, my, is this your beautiful mate that got all the packs talking about, Alpha Alexus?” Alpha Jace said when we stopped in front of him.
“Alpha Jace, this is my mate, Evangeline Malcolm.” Maximus introduced me to everyone as he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
“We are happy that you finally found your fated mate, Alpha Alexus.” Alpha Cedric said when he turned to face me. “So which pack are you from?”
“I am a rogue, Alpha Cedric.” I told him when I saw a frown appear on his face.
“How did you know my name?” he asked me when I felt my heart sink to the pit of my stomach while I was panicking within. No one had ever seen the faces of the council elders since they believed that it might compromise their safety, but only the alphas and the Lunas of various packs knew what they looked like.
“She saw a picture of you in my office the other day, and I told her who you were.” Maximus quickly interrupted.
“Ah, so you have been teaching her how a pack functions?” Alpha Cedric asked when Maximus nodded his head.
“Let's go inside and talk. I think it's starting to get warm in here.” Rachel suggested that when everyone agreed. Beta Murphy led us into an empty living room when all of us quickly took our places.
“How is the peace talk coming along?" Alpha Jace asked Maximus as soon as the omegas left the living room after placing the coffee.
“It collapsed. I don't think that is going to work, Alpha Jace.” Maximus said in a monotone.
“Alpha Alexus, you know how much this war is affecting the neighboring packs?” Alpha Cedric questioned when I felt Maximus get angry. "At least give us a reason as to why you are determined to kill Alpha Alastair.”
“Why didn't you ask him about it?” Maximus asked with a raised eyebrow.
“We did, but he has no idea.” "Alpha," Jace said. “His pack has lost a lot of good men, and now his Luna has gone missing as well, but he is unable to go and even look for her because of this war.”
“Do you even know why she ran away from his pack?” Maximus asked the elders.
“Luna Antonella didn't run away, Alpha Alexus. She was kidnapped by a group of rogues and…” Alpha Cedric trailed off while his eyes were fixed on me.
“He told you that I have her captive?” Maximus asked the elders, but they didn't say a word.
“I only found that his mate was missing two days after he had given a report in the were’s newspaper. If I had kidnapped her, Alpha Cedric.” Maximus said in a dark tone when I felt his hand on my knee. “I would have been the first one to inform the press about my victory.”