Chapter 84 Rowan’s POV
Chapter 84 Rowan’s POV
Rowan’s POV
Back at the Nightfang Pack after the various meetings, my mind is set. Prior to dealing with the Hounds, I must ensure my Pack is fully loyal to me. A surmountable task, with obstacles more fierce than a Hydra.
I have long kept an attitude of impassiveness towards the various foes I have faced in the Pack since my ascension as Alpha, but now is not the time for that.
Elder Mireya’s words ring in my head.
I must handle my own matters swiftly if I am to aid Luna in hers.
“The Elders wish to see you, Alpha Rowan,” a guard reports, bowing as I walk past the border gates. My lips curl into a frown, wondering what the Elders want with me again. Each time I handle matters outside the Pack, it is one thing after another. Their ability to end every mission with a series of harassment speaks to the way they do not regard me.
A growl leaves my lips and Tarken hums as I storm into the Elder’s meeting hall alone.
He waits behind, but not before giving me a word to calm down, disappearing to carry out my previous orders.
The Elders all sit imperiously on their chairs, eyes fixating in me as soon as I step in.
“Greetings, Elders,” I nod, tone on the edge of frustration.
“Alpha Rowan, greetings,” One Elder rises tk his feet, and I recognize him as one of the most outspoken of the many who regard me poorly. “We have heard news of the Hounds, of many happenings outside the Pack. This is quite terrible.”
“It is. We must work with the Council to ensure these rogues do not rise up against us," I incline my head, unsure of where this line of reasoning is heading.
To my surprise the Elder chuckles nervously before saying, “I believe it is in our best interest to remain out of the fray. To focus on our safety. The Nightfang Pack should only care about the Nightfang Pack, and thus, we should remain impartial to all events outside.”
A sardonic smile makes my lips twitch.
Again, they are in with their foolish ideas.
“Tell me, Elder,” I clasp my hands behind my back. “Are you telling me to pretend the Hounds are not near our doors no? Or to ignore the calls of the Council for cooperation in times of war? Or perhaps,” I chuckle darkly before continuing, watching their faces pale slowly with each word I speak. “You wish for me to renege in the truce and promise of future alliance in the interest of the Ironfang and Nightfang packs.”
The Elder’s face flushes, embarrassment on his face, and also anger.
“We believe the Hounds want to target the Ironfang Pack specifically. Whatever the Ironfang Pack is involved in has nothing to do with us,” he lifts his chin, eyes narrowed into my face. “You are much invested in the developments of another Pack other than your own. It is preposterous that an Alpha does not regard the warnings of an Elder—“
“Not if the Elder maintains a lack of sensibility,” I cut him off. Today they seem intent on testing my patience. But this time I am not going to engage in long-suffering behavior, reeking of patience to win the long game.
“Your words are disrespectful to our gathering, Alpha Rowan!” Another Elder rises, aghast at my words.
“That’s enough!” I raise my voice. And silence ensued, borne out of shock. I smirk slowly, looking at all of their faces. Elder Lance is one of them who stares with confusion in my direction. I am not keeping to their words this time, not falling in line.
“You must,” the outspoken elder tries to gain the greater ground. “Abandon thoughts of an alliance with the Ironfang Pack for now. You are too lax in your dealings, focused more on relations with other packs instead of securing your Pack and your position with an heir!”
His voice thunders through the room.
“Oh? Is that your prerogative Elder? Or is it not your duty to focus on the greater picture? Let me remind you,” my tone grows frigid, enough to freeze an entire forest. “That the Council is already concerned with the matter of the rogues. Therefore it is the work of every single person to work against the Hounds. And let me remind you of the past you claim to have lived, though my memory is clearly better than yours,” I tilt my head. “The Hounds consume any enemy on their path, without care. Even if the Ironfang Pack is defeated, it doesn’t guarantee our safety long term. Are you ready to take the responsibility for that?”
The silence in that brief pause says everything.
Hmph.
Scheming without common sense.
I continue, “And as to being less focused on Pack matters, well… your spies have ensured I have no rest, haven’t they? Or shall I remind you of everything you have done?”
Gasps and murmurs ripple through the lot of them. I sneer. They have long pretended they are so innocent, while acting with malice behind my back.
All because of the past, I am beholden to them.
With a gesture from me, a guard approaches from the entrance.
Eyes widen when I am handed a stack of parchment.
“What are your intentions, Alpha Rowan?” Someone demands.
I clear my throat, and they all fall silent atvonce.
“All these are accounts, from each witness of your crimes, each spy you kept in my household willing to give their testimony before death, every single one who dared to act in your names against me.” I glance aroind. All look ashen-faced. They never expected I would dare to show my true anger. “I could have the Council handle this without a problem. You all would die before the Hounds had a chance to deal with you.”
“Alpha Rowan, do not make useless threats,” one of the Elders rise to his feet. He is furious, I can tell from the way his mustache bristles, his hands shaking. “You dare to act against us!”
“I dare, Elder Kain. And you will be an example, since you dare to speak up this time. Guards!”
The guards rush in, and chaos ensues. Within a minute, Elder Kain is grabbed firmly on either side by a guard, shoved out of his chair.
“Elder Kain, you are under arrest. You shall undergo a Trial, where all evidence and witnesses will be present. A representative of the Council would join us, of course, since you think I would act as a tyrant,” I chuckle darkly. His face pales, and around me, all of them seem to hold a terror in their eyes.
They could be next.
…