Chapter 12 The Elders
The moment the guard said her, my wolf surged.
I knew that the elders would eventually want answers but I didn't think they would pay us a visit and so soon.
We walked to the main hall in silence, Elena was lost in thought, her beautiful face filled with worry. I hated that.
We got to the main hall. I turned to her, her big brown eyes sparkling. “Wait here, okay?”
“But what if—”
“I don't want you in there,” she flinched, misreading my words.
“If you go in unprepared, they will eat you up and you aren't prepared.”
I raised my hand, touching her beautiful raven hair, she leaned into my touch without knowing.
Goddess, the things I would do for her. I turned to the door, sparing a glance at the guard who looked at us confused. I couldn't blame him, who would have thought that my mate actually came back to life.
I opened the door.
Elder Rowan stood near a table, his face blank. This was the first time I saw him and he wasn't smiling. Beside him, were the other elders.
Josh stood by another table as he nodded at me.
I didn't give a shit about the other elders especially not Elder Harvard, the man was an asshole, always arguing with me even though he knew I was right and now he was glaring at me.
“Where's Elena Stone?” He asked, his voice filled with annoyance.
I kept walking until I was close enough to them. “She doesn't answer to you,” I said evenly.
“Liam, this is serious,” Elder Rowan spoke up.
“I know that but I need to know what this is about before I let you see her.”
Harvard's eyes stayed on me. “The girl is a mystery, she has no wolf which has never been heard of before and yet by some miracle, begins to glow on the night of the rogue attack.
“What do you mean some miracle? Are you suggesting that she had something to do with the attack?” I glared at him.
“We cannot be certain but it does seem like there's a connection between the girl and the attack,” Elder Calvin said. He was a tiny old man who mostly never said anything in the council meeting, always agreeing with the others, the same for Elder Brown.
“She hasn't harmed anyone,” I growled.
“Not yet,” Elder Harvard insisted. “We felt it, there is something strange about the girl, Alpha Liam,” he said my name like it was an insult. My wolf sneered in my chest.
“And not to mention you took the girl from her pack without their permission and claimed her for your pack,” Elder Harvard added.
“Well, what will you have me do? Leave her there, where she was being accused and tortured by those monsters, tell me Harvard, would you let something like that happen?”
“Watch your tone boy,” Harvard warned.
I moved closer to the table, putting my hands on it. “No you watch yours, she has been beaten, humiliated and nearly killed by the very pack that now wants her returned like property, they will not have her.”
Josh finally spoke. “There have been accusations against the pack coming from all directions but before we could act, you insisted on evidence.” He looked at the elders.
I laughed once. Short. Sharp.
“Then I’ll present evidence.”
I mind linked the guard telling him to bring Elena in.
Elena walked in looking like the goddess she was,her eyes wandered until they found mine.
She came closer until she was finally next to me.
“There are bruises all over her body and they were not from the rogue attack.” I hated that I needed to bring her in here, but the elders were always too stubborn.
“Do you mind showing them, Elena?”
She nodded.
I didn't have time to admire her beautiful body before, but now I wish I had.
She rolled up her sleeves.
The marks appeared instantly.
Old bruises.
New scars.
“This,” I said quietly, “is not discipline. This is cruelty.”
Harvard's expression hardened. “Even so, she is not of your pack.”
“She is under my protection.”
“That is not the same as claim,” Elder Brown pressed.
I felt Elena tense.
And something inside me snapped into place.
“She is my mate.”
The words landed like thunder.
Elena’s head snapped toward me, shock clear on her face.
So did everyone else’s.
Harvard's eyes widened—just a fraction.
“That is impossible,” he breathed. “Your mate died at birth.”
“That,” I said coldly, “is what I was told.”
Silence followed.
“If she were truly your mate,” Harvard said slowly, “you would have claimed her already.”
I leaned closer. “And if I had, you would already be sharpening your knives.”
The room hummed with tension.
“You are asking us to ignore tradition and just let her into your pack?” Elder Calvin said.
“I am telling you,” I corrected, “that tradition nearly destroyed her.”
Harvard exhaled slowly. “Very well. Then hear our decree.”
I straightened.
“Elena Stone will remain within your territory,” he said. “Under observation. No claims. No public announcements. Until we understand what she is.”
“No.”
The word cracked through the hall.
“She will not be treated like an experiment,” I continued. “You will not isolate her, threaten her, or do anything to her without my presence.”
“And if something happens again, it will be your fault” Harvard said.
“I will answer for it.”
Rowan finally spoke. “Liam… this is a heavy burden.”
“I carry heavier ones already.”
The elders exchanged looks.
Finally, Harvard nodded once. “Then so be it. But know this—if she becomes a threat—”
“She will not,” I said, trying to hold back my anger.
“But until then,” I finished, “she is mine.”
I turned and walked out, not waiting for dismissal.
Only when we were outside did I exhale.
Elena looked up at me, eyes wide.
“You didn’t have to say that,” she whispered.
“I know,” I replied.
“Did you mean it?”
I stopped walking.
Turned to her fully, her pink lips tempting me.
“Yes,” I said simply. “And I will burn this world down before I let them touch you again.”
I wasn’t afraid of the bond.
I was afraid of what I’d do without it.