Chapter 71 Rowan
Chapter 71 Rowan
Rowan’s POV
Hearing those words from a guest sends ripples running through the crowd.
Chaos erupts.
I rise to my feet, pushing away the stubborn lady’s hand that has continuously attempted to caress mine. Her scent pervades my senses, causing revulsion to course through me. My jaw clenches.
My impatience makes her pale briefly before her face flushes, full of embarrassment.
“Alpha Rowan,” She whispers, covering her face slightly.
Despite this, and her previous attempts at holding conversation between us, I care not. Stonily, I glare at her. Recalling that she is a supposed daughter of a powerful noble line is the only thing that prevents me from losing my cool.
“Do not forget your manners, Lady,” I address her, not an ounce of care in them.
I am already irritated; the sight of my own mate dancing with Kael has rendered me full of frustration and nowhere yet to vent it.
Her hand stills midair, before pulling back.
“My name is Rhea, Alpha Rowan,” she is more flustered now. “We have met before, at the Moonveil Pack. I only wished to…“
I cut her off.
“Lady Rhea,” I call her by her name. “Thats enough.”
I turn around, hearing her whimper and snivel, but it does not move me.
As I move swiftly down from the high table, I hear Kael turn to everyone.
“The banquet is over,” he announces. “Everyone may take their leave.”
It is not a request.
Most of the guests begin to whisper and walk out with their partners and friends.
Confusion and shock, then terror.
I remain, waiting to speak with Alpha Kael. The other Alphas remain as well, even the Alpha of the Redmoon Pack, who has given me more than a few dirty looks this evening.
Luna hesitates to leave, but Kael doesn’t let his guard down. I notice two of the other top tributes rush to her, both looking harried and confused.
Eventually Luna looks away from Kael, a faint trace of disappointment on her face.
As she turns to leave, our eyes meet, and her lips part as if to say something.
But then, the moment is over, and she is rigged away by her friends towards the exit.
When everything is over, the only ones left are a few, including: the Council Representative, the Alphas of the Silverheart, Redmoon and Darknight packs, as well as Master Drake of the Sacred Order and Bain Altheart of the League of Shadows.
I notice Elder Darius of the Moonveil Pack also remains, although Elder Mireya is nowhere to be seen. My brow furrows at the thought of the seer, but I immediately brush aside the wisps of suspicion and lingering trepidation.
I move next to Kael, bending down briefly to pick up the bronze clip, which undoubtedly bears the symbol of the Hounds.
Tarken lingers in the shadows and I discreetly send a subtle message to him.
The mood is soured, and only when the door slams shut in a resounding thud does Kael demand of the guard still kneeling.
“Explain,” he growls, “Everything. Now.”
The guard quivers under his gaze, and, audible enough for everyone to hear, he reports.
“There was an attack on our eastern borders. They used a decoy, a mother and child claimed to be traveling for a long distance. They appeared to be weak. We opened the gates, and…“
“And they attacked,” Kael finishes for him. His tone is light but everyone can detect the power behind it… and the unbridled rage.
“This is preposterous!” Alpha Xander raises his voice. Still seated, he slaps the banquet table with a palm, causing it to tremble. “The Hounds are all gone. This must be some unknown rogue group masquerading as them.”
“If you consider the Hounds’ resurgence to be preposterous then you need not be here, Alpha Xander,” Master Drake cuts through. Calm, collected. “Our Order has long known of their enduring presence. They have rested long enough.”
Hearing those words from Master Drake ignites a fervour in the other Alphas.
“So the Order knew about this and didn’t think to tell us!” Alpha Severus of the Darknight Pack - a tall man with more height than sense - sneers. He eyes Master Drake with disdain, crossing his arms. “What use is your organization to our kind?”
Master Drake remains unruffled.
I step in.
“The Hounds have laid low for a time but if you search hard enough, it wouldn’t be difficult to figure out they still persevere.” I speak up. “For the safety of my pack I have done the same.”
My implications are clear: an admonition and insult to any Alpha who dares push their own responsibilities to others.
Alphas Severus and Xander both shoot me dirty looks, and I smirk slightly, tilting my head to acknowledge them.
Bain snorts, leaning against the wall.
“I don’t doubt that it’s the Hounds capable of this. What I wonder about is the coincidence. There’s what, about 10 important guests in this pack? All of us gathered in one place. If it’s a threat to the Ironfang Pack, it’s a threat to all of us. Not like I give a damn anyway.”
He shrugs after delivering his speech.
The Council Representative nods in agreement.
“The assassin speaks true. My people have already been informed,” His eyes gleam. “This region is at the brink of war once more. Destroying the Hounds is paramount."
His words echo through the halls, sinking into everyone of us.
Kael straightens, his eyes narrowed to flints.
“We must devise a plan. Root out the evil before it festers,” he growls.
Everyone is silent, yet there is a sense of discontent in the air.
As others begin to discuss, I take a seat and listen, looking across all the faces before me.
My gaze settles lightly on Elder Darius who lingers by the corner, expression graver than usual.
He is not happy about this.
Why?
I frown slightly, fingers tapping on the armrest, tilting my head.
Elder Darius has long been known to be arrogant with a sense of authority. Granted a title by default for the sake of his noble lineage, he is the one most undeserving of being here.
Yet, he holds a powerful position both in and out of the Moonveil Pack.
Why?
Something is not right here.
I turn away, refocusing on the conversation right as Elder Darius turns his head to glance my way. I make a mental decision: this requires investigation.
…