CHAPTER 152

CHAPTER 152
Gathering Shadows at the High Council

Joel entered the hall of carved stone, his boots ringing off glittering pillars. Dappled light from the lamps danced across the faces of the gathered Alphas…. proud, wary, optimistic. All wore around a semicircle the sigil of their pack on cloak or armor: the salmon of the River Clan, the owl of the Nightwatch, the bear of the Mountain Howl. Elder Banjo, aged and serious, stood among them in the center.

"Alpha Joel," Banjo warbled, voice ringing out. "You are called."

The cloak of Joel billowed behind him. He bowed his head. "Then say it."

Banjo flapped a hand. "Arise and greet your equals."

Joel's eyebrow shot up but he complied. The room hummed as he walked through it, salutes half muttered. He stopped in the middle and stood, arms folded.

Elder Lyra of the Stone Circle frowned. "Our scouts report a tainted presence beyond our borders. Rogue wolves, tainted by forbidden magic."

Joel laughed. "Rogue wolves have always wandered. Magic…. let them tire themselves out."

A ripple of disapproval swept the chamber.

Banjo raised his hand. "Extreme measures must be taken. This evil…. " he paused, voice gruff "…. has a connection to a great power."

Joel crouched forward. "Old in the sense of a fairy tale? I have soldiers to command, not fantasies to amuse."

Elder Korrin of the Frost Fang pack, starved-looking and bird-like, stood. "This is no legend. We have evidence…. bones drained of blood, wards broken, entire villages silent with no howl."

Joel's gaze flicked to Korrin. "Your villages aren't exactly renowned for their courage."

Murmurs erupted. Korrin's lip twisted. "Insult me at your peril, Joel. We guard the northern passes you scouts don't have the temerity to try."

Joel stood eyeball to eyeball with Korrin. "I protect my own land."

Elder Banjo stepped in. "Enough. We gather to share intelligence.".

He called for a young Alpha, Marek of the Storm Vale. Marek came forward with a scroll. "My scouts made contact with the wolves emblazoned with the Blood Fang rune…. ancient, lost." He unrolled the parchment: stylized fang with ruby droplets. "They hunted a family line rumored to hold a power linked to the ancient prophecies."

Emerald's bloodline. Joel's stomach clenched. He pushed down the flare of protectiveness, becoming impassive.

Aged Lyra leaned on her staff. "That rune marks kin of the Moon Goddess's beloved. Their blood gives power over life and death."

Joel's expression set hard. He swallowed. "They're after her then."

Lyra's glance hit him. "Your mate's blood, Joel. It would seem she carries the living ember."

Joel's gasp caught. He stilled the fear. "They believe me guardian. I am not their plunder."

Korrin spat. "You hold her close…. because she's no ordinary girl."

Lyra's eyes slitted. "Alpha Joel, this council fears she might be the target."

Joel pounded the table with his fist. "Then I shall defend her with all blades in my army."

Banjo held up a calming hand. "Violence is necessary, yes. But first, let us know the enemy."

Joel's contemptuous laugh echoed. "'Enemy'? You wrap old sores in silk. I'll cut them out.'"

Gasps of agreement and surprise coursed through the room. Banjo frowned.

"Let the record show Alpha Joel approves raiding untested country," Banjo read. "Now, report facts."

Marek unrolled another scroll. "They gathered at the Black Marsh, nights of new moon. A pack of outlaw wolves allied with dark mages.".

Joel's gaze landed on the map behind Banjo, where the marsh was circled in red. It was way out, but it could be accessed by hidden trails. He could see Emerald there, trapped.

Elder Lyra laid a slender finger on her lips. "They perform rituals to bond the sacred bloodlines, hoping to stir the wrath. or power of the Moon Goddess. We must not allow them to prevail."

Joel's tough exterior crumbled. "And what if they do?"

Lyra's voice trembled. "All packs suffer. The land bleeds. Darkness spreads."

Joel's wolf growled within. She is at risk.

He slammed his fist on the table, shattering goblets. "Then we hunt them down first."

Korrin sneered. "Always the hunter. And your partner? What's her purpose?"

Joel's eyes blazed. "Emerald is under my protection. No further questions."

Korrin's smirk twisted cruelly. "Protection? Some say she is too… inexperienced for such power."

A silence fell. Joel's fists clenched. He'd known to expect this insult. The question of her purity, her worth.

He stood abruptly. Table groaned. "Who dares speak thus?"

Alpha Elles of the River Clan stood, white face serious. "I do. If the blood of the sacred is not pure, the magic is lost. or rebounds."

Joel's position rigidified. He towered over Elles, gasping. "You defame her."

Elles stiffened. "I need assurance.".

Joel's arm waved out. He struck Elles's shoulder, and she staggered backward into her chair.

Silence exploded in the chamber.

Joel's words were thunderous anger. "I will not have my mate's honor tarnished!"

Elles's hand touched her cloak. "I apologize, Alpha…. "

Joel's knife slid from his belt, point against Elles's throat. He towered, menacing. "You watch your tongue."

Lyra gasped. Banjo struck his staff. "Joel!"

Joel drew a breath, blade still raised. He glared at Elles. "Would you insult her again?"

Elles lowered her head. "No, Alpha."

He tucked the sword away into its sheath, moving aside. "Good."

He turned to address the council. "Let this be our unity. Insult me, not her."

He swept out of the room, cloak flowing, leaving speechless Alphas behind. Lynk caught up with him at the door.

"You nearly beheaded her," Lynk snarled.

Joel's eyes flared. "She insulted her purity."

Lynk's face eased. "Welcome to council life."

He scowled off. Lynk followed him, footsteps ringing.

In the corridor, Joel leaned against the cold stone. His wolf snarled: She's in danger.

He nodded stiffly. "Yes."

He went back inside, leaving the councilors to guess amongst themselves. He had to act.

Elder Banjo's voice chased after him: "Alpha Joel!"

He hesitated.

"You will muster troops," Banjo instructed. "Our combined armies. At sundown, we ride to Black Marsh.".

Joel nodded curtly. "I will gather mine."

He spun and left the council hall, the sharp tread of his feet a footstep of vengeance.

Outside, sunrise came in blood orange light.

Joel's mind flashed with plans…. riders from all the packs, scouts for the hidden ways of the marsh, magical wards to hold back the dark mages.

He came to the courtyard, where Lynk waited by Joel's horse.

"Riders?" Lynk asked.

Joel mounted in silence.

"Sure you didn't mention 'apologies' first, before blade?" Lynk teased as Joel raised the reins.

Joel's grin twisted grimly. "Only when they assault her again."

He spurred the horse on, pounding hooves.

Riding towards the gathered forces, Joel's eyes blazed on the horizon. Lightning crackled across the distant Black Marsh, a warning of the storm to come.

And in the gusts of wind, the whisper was just audible "The blood remembers."

Joel gritted his teeth. He would never forget, either.