Chapter 85 Stephan

Chapter 85 Stephan
Rowan’s POV
The struggles of Elder Kain fade as the guards make their exit.
“Who’s next?” I ask, mocking them all.

No one speaks but there is a tremor in the air. Discontent mixed with terror.
Finally, one Elder speaks. I recognize him as a close associate of Elder Lance, and thus, part of his people.
My jaw tightens.
“You cannot simply arrest Elder Kain without presenting such evidence to us, Alpha Rowan. Though your words might bear some merit, you must keep to the rules.”

I raise a brow, staring the Elder down until he sits back down.
“I believe the Trial will reveal all. And keeping the evidence concealed before then is acceptable. You may petition the Council if you believe I am wrong, Elder. But remember, I have evidence not only of Elder Kain, but everyone else. Many of you, who have sought to collaborate with other packs to sell off our territories to deprive our pack of resources, still sit in this very chamber. Should you bring attention to yourself, you will face the consequences,” I reply, pausing briefly. “That, you may interpret as a threat, respectfully.”

The room is once more silenced.

Elder Lance is seated at the front and I glance at him with a knowing smirk. His eyes blaze with fury, and I wonder idly if he could suffer a heart attack and cease to disrupt my life.
When our eyes meet, I see the veins on his neck bulge.

He looks away first.

Facing only silence and the tense expressions of everyone, looking as if they have eaten lemons, the meeting ends abruptly.

I exit, a lightness in my step. Some ways away, Tarken is waiting for me. He falls into step behind me.

“This is quite risky, Alpha,” Tarken states. “Those damn old fogies would only get angrier.”

“Let them,” I responded, voice rough. I cannot protect Luna when my own pack is in such turmoil. Silently I have watched as they bled the pack’s resources like leeches, while I, overwhelmed and burdened with their threats, put out one fire after another to ensure the wellbeing of my people.
If it takes this moment to ensure the safety of my pack and the resurgence of our former might, then it is the right thing to do.

I sigh inwardly, rolling my shoulders back.
“WHat words have you heard from Dean?’ I ask Tarken.

He pauses before responding softly, in a low tone no one else can hear.
“The Hounds seem to have fragmented once more. Divided themselves into groups. But it is uncertain how many groups there are. I suspect they intend on raiding a couple of smaller packs to start with.”

“Possibly,” I muse internally. But that cannot be all. If they had tried to abduct Luna, there has to be a reason behind it.

I clear my throat, ordering, “Ensure he finds out the identity of all the rogue leaders. And send word to all packs across our borders. They must be on the lookout.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Tarken nods.

As I turned the corner I spotted a maid approaching us, her steps hurried.
“Alpha,” she stops a foot away from us, and bows deeply. “The Beta Lucien wishes to see you.”

Tarken scoffs openly.
“Of course the bastard has probably heard about what happened in the meeting. Likely wants to assert authority.”

Tarken’s disdain for Lucien mirrors mine or rather, mine far outweighs his.
My lips curl into a sardonic smirk.
“What authority?” I ask rhetorically. “All he can be is a cunning snake. Have you gotten any information on his close associates outside the pack?”

“Not all, some are very quiet. Only showing up once in a fortnight. But I have some leads,” Tarken promises. I nod, and give more orders, before we reach the study, where Lucien awaits.

Back when the Nightfang Pack was regarded as the most powerful, standing beside the Ironfang Pack whose wealth is innumerable, the region faced an unprecedented time of peace after the Great War. The blood, sweat and tears my parents, the Alpha and Luna of the Nightfang Pack, had put in, was all destroyed by one single mistake.

Lucien stands waiting at the door of my study. As I arrive with Tarken, his gaze darkens.
“Alpha Rowan,” He nods, though the words that spill from his lips are hissed. “It has been a while.”

Indeed,” I enter the study, and Lucien walks in, stride swift and hurried.

“I have some inquiries to make–” Lucien begins speaking but I cut him off.

“Dare you to not pay your respects to me properly, Lucien?” I cut him off. “No bow, not even an explanation for your absence in the past month?”

Lucien’s eyes flash with anger, but he instantly conceals it.
“I have been busy–”

“Then perhaps you will report exactly everything you have been busy with. There has not been any emergency that requires you to leave the pack for such a long time, Lucien.” My voice lowers, deep and full of warning.

He lowers his gaze, then slowly states, “I have heard of the Hounds and their actions. I have come to ask for the token to command the troops in your stead, Alpha Rowan. I can handle that while you handle other matters.

“Do not presume to make decisions for me, Lucien. You follow my orders, not the other way around,” I slam my hand on the desk.

“Yet my duty is to support you,” Lucien begins to argue, the self-important tone grating on my nerves and the barely concealed rage in his eyes stirring my Wolf.

If only he weren't the one appointed by the Pack Elders and formally recognized by the Council… I would have severed his head from his body by now.

“Your opinions are noted, Lucien.” I raise a brow, emphasizing the word ‘opinions’, and he growls, taking a step forward. Tarken blocks his path.

“Stephan would have listened to his subordinates,” Lucien hisses.

Of course, he has to bring up STEPHAN.
…