Chapter 181 Seeing the wisdom in it

Chapter 181 I'm alright

Ira's POV

The hall falls unnervingly silent the moment I step inside.

Every conversation dies quickly and suddenly every pair of eyes in the room shifts toward me.

I stop just inside the doorway, mentally reminding myself that I don't need to hide, that their gaze might be sharp and scrutinizing but they do not wish me dead.

The council sits arranged along a curved table of dark polished wood. Some faces are recognizable, like Commander Cael and alpha Davan but most of them seem new.

A few look curious, some look skeptical while some others simply watch.

I step forward slowly, my eyes flickering to Ruel. He is sitting near the center of the table, still and watchful, one hand resting loosely against the arm of his chair.

A faint frown pulls at the space between his brows. His concern deepens the closer I get.

I try to stay focused but I'm all too aware of how his gaze moves over my face carefully, like he is searching for something.

When I meet his gaze again, I feel the question in his eyes. Although he doesn't say a word, I hear his worry loud and clear.

But just then I see Kami.

She's sitting beside Ruel with effortless poise, her relaxed posture somehow still feels graceful. When our eyes meet, she makes no move to look away.

Of course she doesn't. The smirk resting at the corner of her mouth is subtle enough that she could deny it if anyone pointed it out.

But I see it. And now I think I know exactly what it is.

Reluctantly I look away. She isn't worth the cost of my composure right now.

“Ira, you are?” A pleasant looking woman asks, a good smile on her face.

I give a nod and the man beside her stands to his feet.

“It's nice to meet the mate of our future alpha.” He greets warmly, stretching out his hand for a shake.

With a slight bow I accept his hand.

“I'm Alpha Davan's beta and this is my mate, Arabella.” The man points at the lady beside him. “I'm sure you're met our little angel, Kami.” He adds smiling at his daughter.

I look at her, swallowing the sharp urge to glare and say aloud what I already know… that beneath it all, she is duplicitous to the core.

“Yes,” I answer.

Only then do I become painfully aware that I am standing awkwardly in the middle of the hall with absolutely no idea where I am supposed to go.

“Come here, my child.”

Granny Bel’s voice reaches me from the raised podium at the far end of the table, nearer to alpha Davan, and some of the tension in my back eases immediately.

She gestures toward the empty chair beside her.

“Come,” she repeats gently. “You are not meant to stand there looking abandoned.”

A few quiet chuckles ripple through the room.

I exhale through my nose and walk over to her.
“Thank you,” I murmur as I settle into the chair beside her, ensuring to bow in courtesy to alpha Davan before actually sitting down.

Granny Bel pats my hand tenderly. “You look troubled,” she says quietly enough that only I hear it.

“I’m alright,” I lie.

Her eyes linger on me for a second like she knows better, but she lets it go and folds her hands neatly on the table.

Is it odd that I feel like she actually cares? But then I also know that's just wishful thinking. No one except a few people actually give a fuck about my feelings.

“For those who haven't met her before, this is Ira from Vahl pack. She is, as you can see, a sempyr. A clan we all thought was wiped out.” Alpha Davan speaks from the largest seat in the room.

“Always knew they couldn't all be taken out like that. I'm surprised there's only one.” The beta says.

“That's what we are about to hear. Ira due to her ability has seen a few things that occurred before and during the war. I want her to say it to the hearing of this council. Then we'll decide what to do next.” He says.

Taking his gaze away from the others he focuses on me. “Ruel must have told you what you will be needed for.”

“Yes, Alpha.” I keep my voice even. “We discussed it earlier.”

“Alright then. And you are sure you want to do this?” He presses.

I nod. Certain.

He leans back slightly, “Tell us all you know.” he says.

I inhale slowly. Kami’s words still run underneath my thoughts.

Not marked yet.

I shove it down, choosing not to think about her sitting beside Ruel.

“I had a dream about what happened,” I breathe out slowly.

Everyone looks attentive.

“There is no discovered physical proof of this,” I continue carefully, “but I believe it could still be useful to the case.”

No one interrupts so I keep going.

"Alpha Andre as we know was previously the head of the Vahl pack royal guards. And the Sempyr whom everyone believes began the war was actually set up by Andre.” I state, choosing to hide the fact that he was my father for now.

Ruel nods encouragingly.

I tell them about the way Andre convinced my father to set up the meeting. I tell them about the little argument they had and how it was not what resulted in the war.

I tell them how the gas paralyzed the witch leader and the others. And how the rumour about sempyrs being the cause spread due to the fact that the sempyrs were still mobile after the pollution that crippled the rest.

I tell them how the heir to the throne was killed in the attack, her lifeless body found by her mate.

I tell them how Bukasvad had kept me safe.

When I'm done, I notice how they all look thoughtful.

“So the people didn't crown him as their alpha then?” Commander Cael asks.

“I don't remember an event like that happening but then I don't remember a lot from that time.” Ruel says.

“And I was never around the pack house to know if he was legally positioned as alpha.” I say.

“I doubt he was. Remember all those with alpha strength and blood line were somehow murdered during the war.” Granny Bel says.

“You're right.” Alpha Davan says.

“This was a strategically plotted reign.” the beta mutters.

“For Andre to wipe everyone out like that, he must have had help and for him to think of such, he must have had a personal drive. We need to discover what those things are.” Arabella suggests.

“Well the same time I discovered how my parents died, I discovered that the sempyrs killed his mate. But from what I gathered, he had a hand in her death too.” Ruel says.

Kami leans forward slightly. “There is nothing here about Alpha Thalrik.” her tone is soft, her gaze drilling into me.