Chapter 38

ALPHA MARK'S POV.

As Beta Ash and I walked into the council chamber, the low murmurs of the elders talking among themselves immediately died down.

I walked briskly to my seat at the head of the table and slipped into it, while Beta Ash stood beside me.

“Good evening elders,” I greeted after clearing my throat, “I hope the day has been kind to you all so far?”

They murmured their response to me, nodding their head positively, which showed me that they had been doing good.

I took a deep, long breath, and let it out slowly, trying to brace and steady myself on what I was about to share with them.

“Firstly, I would like to apologize for calling you out of your comfort zone in such an impromptu manner, I didn’t mean to disturb your day,” I continued, “But what I have to say is urgent, and I can’t keep it to myself any longer.”

Elder Sinclair leaned forward on his chair until his elbows touched the table, as he allowed his eyes which were mixed with curiosity and concern to meet with mine.

“We understand Alpha Mark, we know you wouldn’t just call us out of our abode if what is at the stake isn’t an urgent one,” he paused and darted his eyes away from me, rolling them at the rest of the elders who nodded their head to what he was saying.

“Why don’t you go on and tell us what is in your mind, our ears are itching,” he added.

I nodded my head, grateful for their understanding, “There is a betrayal, and a liar in our midst,” I went on with a firm voice, “Someone who has completely lost my trust, and cannot further be trusted by anyone.”

The elders turned to exchange glances at each other, obviously surprised by my choice of words, but I ignored them, going on with what I had to say.

“I recently discovered that Martha has been lying to us all about Ava's infidelity, and not only that, she has been lying to us about Ava being barren.”

The chamber was immediately lit up with whispers and soft gasps.

“I thought you summoned us here to break the good news to us, like telling us about your wife being pregnant, and you're expecting an heir soon.” one of the elders interrupted.

“Alpha Mark, why are you bringing up an issue that happened a long time ago and has also been settled?” Elder Sinclair chipped in.

I held up my right hand as a sign for them to be quiet, “I am bringing it up because I just discovered that the incident was all a lie, and Martha has been playing games with us,” I continued once they were calm.

“I have evidence to back up my claim.”

The elders started murmuring again, and I ignored them as I inserted the flash drive Beta Ash had earlier given me back into my laptop and turned the laptop towards them so they could all watch the video.

The elders watched in stunned silence, going to exchange glances as they saw that Martha was the one in the video with another man and not Ava as she had claimed years back.

I replayed the video several times for them to watch also like I did to clarify any suspicion they might be holding in their heart.

“You also said she lied about Ava being barren, where is the evidence to prove that also?” The first elder that initially spoke questioned.

Shooting him a sharp look from where I was, “Why don’t we settle the issue one at a time instead of rushing into it all?” I asked rhetorically before turning my gaze back to Elder Sinclair, “I asked that Martha be summoned now before the council without any delay.”

The elders started murmuring against themselves again before nodding their heads in agreement.

Turning to Beta Ash, “Go and summon Martha immediately.” Elder Sinclair ordered him.

Beta Ash did as he was commanded, and he returned a moment later with Martha in tow.

She looked her normal way, confident. Not take my threat to heart, but her expression was flattered when she saw the stern, unsmiling look on the elders' faces.

“We called you here this evening because Alpha Mark is here, your mate is reporting an issue against you, so we would like to ask before concluding.” Elder Sinclair spoke up.

“Over the years, you have maintained that you saw Ava with another man while Alpha Mark was away, isn’t that so?”

Straightening up herself and trying to regain her composure, “Yes, that is correct. I saw her with my own eyes.” Martha responded.

Elder Sinclair gestured to me, and I immediately played the video again.

As the footage rolled on, Martha’s face flushed pale, fear, and shock replacing her earlier confident look.

“Martha, I am deeply disappointed in you, I least expected this to happen, not after all the trust I have in you,” Elder Sinclair spoke after the video ended, “This stings me show much, I should have…”

“Plea…please” Martha stammered, falling on her knees, “I can explain, this isn’t my fault in any way, I don’t know what got into me.” she blabbed, feigning a cry.

“Given the severity of this betrayal and crime committed by Martha Smith, I proposed that Martha be thrown out of the park house with immediate effect,” Elder Sinclair said in a firm, steady voice, slowly rising to his feet.

The elders nodded their heads at Elder Sinclair's proposal, after murmuring among themselves again.

“Then the decision has been enforced” Sinclair stated, “Martha, you are to leave the pack house immediately.” He added pointing at her.

“Please Elder Sinclair, please give me a second chance, I promise to be of the best behavior.”

Martha continued pleasantly, but all her words fell on deaf ears as nobody was listening to her.

Despite the resolution of kicking her out of the pack house, I still felt a pang of disappointment with the judgment as I expected something more.

I was about to reject her and banish her from the pack entirely and of course, she won't be known as my Luna when Elder Sinclair signaled for me to follow him outside.

“Alpha, I know you are thinking of banishing her from the pack but you can't.” He spoke to me when we were outside.

“And why can't I do that?”

“Because we still need the support of her father.” He spoke which got me in a bad mood.

“And do you think he will give us his support if we banish his daughter from the pack?”

Elder Sinclair hesitated for a while, “Alpha, please I think it is best we leave it as this, given that this issue is from the past and the deed has already been done.”

I left him and got back inside realizing what he meant and hated the fact that I had to endure Martha staying at the pack.

With the judgment being ruled, the meeting ended uneasily.

I quietly watch the elders file out of the chamber one after the other, discussing in hush tones, my emotions a mixture of relief and anger.

Still keeping the fact that I had two children with Ava a secret.