Chapter 29 The Alpha’s Claim
The Redcreek pack house was tense when Tristan came. The air seemed heavier than usual; loaded with expectation and gossiping murmurs of the pack members who had gathered in the main hall. He walked in unhesitatingly, his boots steadily banging on the wooden floor with an air of authority. His dark eyes scanned the room, taking in all the people, but finally landing on Olivia. She stood near the council table, her posture rigid, with an air of composure on her face, though the unease around her betrayed her.
Tristan's lips formed a smirk as he got closer. "Well, well", he said in a low, but carrying voice, across the room. "Looks like things are just falling into place."
He came to a stop a few paces from Olivia, causing her to angle her head upward slightly to meet his eyes. "Word is," he continued, "the Lycan prince, your so-called mate, has lost his memory. That's quite the opening." His tone wasn't threatening just yet, but had a sharp edge to it and the promise was hidden behind the politeness.
The members of the council shifted uncomfortably. Some of them exchanged glances whispering under their breath. King Harry stood by Lydia, frowning because he was trying to keep control over this conversation. He had already been concerned with Olivia's association with Ryder and the anarchy that seemed to follow. Now with this new information he had no idea how to respond.
Olivia's hands were clenched at her sides. She did not speak, but merely stared at Tristan. Her heart raced but she did not want to show fear. Every instinct told her that this man had never cared about anyone other than power and now he was moving to take what he thought was rightfully his.
"Tristan," she finally said, with a firm, yet steady, voice. "I don't know what game you think you are playing, but I am not an object for you to take or bind." Whatever Ryder's condition is doesn't make a difference."
He chuckled and his head went back a bit. "Oh, Olivia, there is where you are wrong. I don't need him. I've been waiting a long time for this moment, you know. The alliance, the power, the claim - it is all brought together with thou standing here. He bent down closer, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. "And like it or not this bond will be permanent."
A few of the councillors squirmed. Even some of Olivia's family members looked uncomfortable at Tristan's assertion, but no one dared to speak. His reputation and authority held more weight than few could oppose and if Olivia acted rashly, things would only get worse for her.
"Father," said Olivia looking over at King Harry. "You can see this. He's not thinking about me, or the pack. He only wants control. You can't allow this."
Harry's jaw tightened. "I... "I'll take care of it," he said but there was no conviction in his tone. Tristan's presence seemed to dominate the room and even the king faltered.
Tristan's smirk widened. "Handle it? That's cute. You have a daughter, a fine one at that, and yet you can't stop me from what I want." He gestured in the direction of Olivia as if to remind everyone that she was part of the prize. "You have been keeping her safe, yes, but, safety is only a concern when I am not in the room."
He slowly paced in front of her, carefully watching how she reacted. "The council will agree. You will agree. And you'll soon realize that it's pointless fighting this. You are mine to claim."
Olivia's teeth clenched. She could see the planning in his eyes, the way he calculated each move, and knew that he would do it if he were given even a fraction of an opportunity. Yet she refused to bow to fear. I will never be yours, she said, with a strong voice, through the hall. "No law, no bond nor the trick that you play, can make me something that I'm not."
Tristan stopped, his demeanor briefly falling, but then he forced another smile. "You sound very confident, Olivia, but confidence doesn't win wars." It doesn't stop alliances. And it sure as hell doesn't undo the situation your Lycan prince got you in. He's gone from your life, be it by choice or fate and that leaves a clean slate."
He faced the council, and spoke in a smooth and commanding manner. "This is an opportunity of all of us." We can secure the alliance between our packs and strengthen our borders and finalize arrangements that have been pending for far too long. All we need is compliance."
Lydia stepped forward and her face was pale, she tried to intervene. "Tristan, this is not about politics any more. This is about the life of a young woman. You cannot--"
Tristan sliced her off with a quick gesture. "Mother, you always think sentiment is something. It doesn't. You'll learn soon enough. Olivia, listen to me." He lowered his voice, intense and personal, a bit as if to try and force the point inside her head. You fight and you'll lose everything you care about." Your family. Your home. Your people. Even the meager illusions of freedom you hold on to."
The words were harder-to-hit than a blade. The hall became silent, the tension so thick that it might have been possible to choke on it. Even the guards abandoned their regular patrolling to watch the confrontation.
Olivia stood up straight and did not want to show the fear twisting inside her. "You can't scare me," she said whispering. "You can't make me love you. Rather, you can't control me like you can the council. I will never be yours Tristan and if you think this is an easy task, you're mistaken."
His head was cocked back and he laughed, slow and deliberate. "I like that," he said. "You have spirit, fire. But spirit saves you from a claim." He stepped closer still, his gaze locked to her - calculating and cold. "I will bind you, Olivia. And when that happens all your defiance won't matter. You shall be mine, and everybody here shall accept it."