Chapter 242

Chapter 242
Augustin's POV

I stood before the full-length mirror in my quarters, adjusting the collar of my formal uniform.

"You look so gorgeous," Berry said softly from behind me.

Our eyes met in the mirror's reflection. Despite her smile, I could see the worry lurking in her blue-green depths. The same concern haunted me, though I tried to keep it hidden beneath a mask of confidence.

"Matthew's letter should take effect immediately," I said, smoothing down a non-existent wrinkle. "The temporary voting meeting has been scheduled for today."

Berry nodded, moving closer to stand at my side. "All regional representatives?"

"Yes. Every party with a stake in this will attend." I turned to face her directly. "Matthew's been surprisingly effective in pushing this through. I never thought I'd see the day when we'd work so seamlessly together."

"The enemy of my enemy," Berry murmured, reaching up to straighten my lapel though it needed no adjustment.

I covered her hand with mine. "Evanth has decided to attend as the Montalvo family representative."

Her eyebrows rose. "That's... unexpected."

"He wants to stop Sebastian from casting a vote. As Mother's son, he has legitimate claim to represent her family."

Be careful with him, Fenris growled inside me.

I ignored my wolf's warning. Evanth had proven himself lately, showing loyalty I hadn't expected.

My gaze dropped to Berry's midsection, where the gentle swell of her pregnancy was becoming more noticeable beneath her fitted dress. A surge of protectiveness washed over me, mingled with fierce pride. Our child growing safely within her.

"We need to secure peace before the baby comes," I said, placing my palm over the small bump. "No child of mine will be born into chaos."

Berry leaned into my touch. "No pressure, then," she joked, but her eyes remained serious.

I turned back to the mirror, studying my reflection. Yet inside, doubts still lingered. By removing control from the Elder Council and centralizing power, was I disturbing that balance?

"The Sovereign is a clever coward," I said suddenly, the thought crystallizing. "He prefers to manipulate from the shadows rather than face direct confrontation."

"Sovereign?" Berry asked.

I nodded. "He's smart enough to know he'd lose in open battle. That's why he's used pawns and proxies all this time. Today we force him into the light."

Berry reached up, tracing the line of my jaw with gentle fingers. "This uniform suits you," she whispered. "Someday, you'll be a real King, not just in title, but in the hearts of your people."

I caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. The faith she had in me was humbling and fortifying all at once.

"The council awaits, Your Majesty," she said with a playful smile.

I pulled her against me, claiming her mouth in a heated kiss that left us both breathless. "Let them wait," I murmured against her lips before deepening the kiss, savoring her taste and the way she melted against me.

Breakfast was a tense affair. My mother picked at her food while Evanth maintained a stony silence. Chris and his family wisely chose to remain in their quarters, avoiding the tension that hung over the dining room.

"I'll stay here with your mother," Chris announced as we finished eating. "No need to draw unnecessary attention today."

I nodded my thanks. Having Chris and Mother together at the manor would give them time to develop their relationship, something that both seemed tentatively willing to explore.

"The regional leaders have already departed," Bryloch reported, checking his watch. "They left separately to avoid any appearance that this was pre-arranged."

"Good." I stood, signaling the end of breakfast. "We should leave now. I want to arrive with enough time to assess the room before the meeting begins."

Outside, several black SUVs waited on the circular drive. I helped Berry into the backseat of the lead vehicle before sliding in beside her. Bryloch, Adryx, Scarlett, and Freya joined us, their faces serious.

As we pulled away from the manor, I stared out at the passing landscape, my mind already in the council chambers, anticipating arguments and planning counters.

"You're quiet," Berry observed, placing her hand on my thigh.

"Just thinking," I replied. "Matthew and Kieran have arranged to have the prisoners transferred to Clifflands by tonight."

"The Council won't like that," Adryx commented from the seat behind us.

"They don't have to like it," I said firmly. "This meeting needs to conclude today. The prisoner situation requires Elder Council handling, and I won't give them any excuse to delay."

Berry squeezed my thigh gently. "We'll get through this, one way or another."

The rest of the journey passed in relative silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. When we arrived at the grand stone building that housed the Elder Council chambers, I noticed the subtle shift in how people regarded me. Their nods were perfunctory, their greetings cool. Word had clearly spread about my defiance of council tradition.

Let them disapprove, Fenris growled. They'll learn soon enough who truly rules here.

I kept my expression neutral as we proceeded through the ornate hallway toward the main chamber. The Alpha representatives from all regions had already arrived, I spotted Quinn and Maddox among them, standing with their respective groups.

"Don't forget who your real enemies are," I murmured to Berry as we approached the chamber doors. "Some here are merely misguided, not malicious."

She nodded, her expression composed and regal. Every inch my future Luna Queen.

The massive oak doors swung open, revealing the circular chamber beyond. Stone benches rose in tiered rows, forming a semicircle around the central speaker's platform. Each major family had their designated section, marked with their ancestral crests.

My eyes immediately went to the Montalvo section, noting the empty seats. I wondered if Evanth would truly follow through with his plan.

We took our places in the Levenston section at the center of the assembly. Matthew, Kieran, Ulysses, and Stefan each sat with their respective regional sections. I could feel the weight of dozens of gazes, some curious, others hostile.

A quick assessment of the room confirmed my fears. If put to a vote now, I would likely lose. Too many remained loyal to tradition, fearful of change. Too many had been influenced by the whispers against me.

Just as Sebastian stood to call the meeting to order, movement at the entrance caught everyone's attention. Evanth strode confidently into the chamber, his expression determined as he walked directly to the Montalvo family section and took the center seat.

A ripple of murmurs swept through the assembly. Quentor immediately rose to his feet, his face flushed with anger.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "Evanth Levenston has no authority to occupy that seat!"

Evanth stood, his posture straight and dignified. "I represent my mother, Amelia Levenston, born of the Montalvo family. In her absence, I claim the right to speak for her ancestral house."

Gregory Savidge rose next, his expression skeptical. "The Montalvo seat passes through blood, not marriage. Your mother may have been born a Montalvo, but she became a Levenston upon marriage."

"And yet the blood of Montalvo flows in my veins," Evanth countered smoothly. "I am as much Montalvo as I am Levenston."

Glenn Cole, one of the elder council members, cleared his throat. "There are formalities, documents to be signed. One cannot simply claim a family seat without proper procedure."

"I'm not claiming leadership," Evanth clarified. "Merely representation for today's vote. Unless someone here has a stronger claim to the Montalvo bloodline?" His challenging gaze swept the room, finding no opposition.

Quentor's face had darkened to a dangerous red. "This is unprecedented and unacceptable! The Montalvo vote should be suspended until proper representation can be established."

"My blood gives me the right to cast the Montalvo vote," Evanth insisted, his voice growing firmer. "Unless the council wishes to deny me my heritage?"