Chapter 54

Chapter 54
Elara’s POV

The council chamber was colder than I remembered. Maybe it was the stone walls, maybe it was the way every set of eyes cut into me as I stepped inside. The scrape of the door closing behind us echoed too loud.

There were six elders sitting at the long table, their faces sharp with judgment. I knew most of their names now, but none of them had ever spoken to me kindly. At the far end sat Elder Thomas, his gaze heavy and unreadable. He had lost a daughter to Kael’s cruelty, yet I couldn’t tell if he looked at me with blame or pity.

Damian moved half a step closer, not touching but close enough that I felt his presence at my side. Marcus leaned against the wall near the door, arms crossed. He didn’t look at me, not directly, but I could feel his attention waiting for the slightest slip.

The elder in the center cleared his throat. Elder Rowan. His gray beard twitched as he leaned forward. “You understand why you’re here.”

I forced myself to meet his stare. My hands wanted to shake, but I clasped them together in front of me so they wouldn’t. “Because I collapsed. Because they saw what I did.”

Murmurs rippled down the table, quiet but sharp.

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “You admit it then. That you wield something unnatural.”

“Unnatural?” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t make myself what I am. But if it can help the pack, I’ll use it. You’ve seen that already.”

Elder Mira, a thin woman with sharp cheekbones, leaned forward. “And if it destroys us instead?”

The words stabbed, and for a moment I couldn’t breathe. Damian’s low growl rumbled beside me, but I raised a hand slightly, stopping him before he spoke. This was my fight.

“If I wanted to harm this pack,” I said, my throat tight but my voice clear, “I wouldn’t have stood in front of Doran. I wouldn’t have risked myself in that circle. I could have stayed hidden. I didn’t. I gave what I had to protect your wolves.”

Mira’s lips thinned, but she didn’t answer.

Elder Thomas finally spoke, his voice slower, heavier. “Intentions aside, power like this cannot go unchecked. You say you want to use it for us, then prove it. Not in words. In action.”

Rowan nodded. “That is why Alpha Damian has agreed. You will take up duties. Training. Patrol. You will serve as any other wolf serves, no more, no less. And the council will watch.”

My heart beat hard in my chest, but I lifted my chin. “Then watch. I’ll do it.”

More murmurs rose, sharper this time. Rowan slammed a hand on the table, silencing them. His eyes stayed locked on me. “Understand this, girl. One mistake, one slip, one loss of control, and the council will move against you. Do you accept those terms?”

Every instinct screamed at me to hesitate, to think. But hesitation would look like weakness. So I forced the words out before I lost the courage. “Yes. I accept.”

Damian stiffened beside me, his hand brushing mine briefly, like he was asking if I was certain. I didn’t look at him. I kept my gaze on Rowan.

“Then it is decided,” Rowan said. “Your first duty begins tomorrow. Patrol at the northern border. You’ll accompany Marcus.”

My stomach lurched. Patrol. The thought of facing rogues or worse with my control so shaky made my mouth go dry. But I only nodded. “I’ll be there.”

The elders exchanged glances, some doubtful, some calculating. Mira looked almost disappointed, like she had hoped I would refuse. Thomas still didn’t show whether he believed in me or not.

Rowan waved a hand. “Dismissed.”

The scrape of chairs against stone filled the chamber as the council rose. Damian guided me out, his hand firm at my back now. Marcus followed, silent as ever.

The hallway outside felt warmer, but my chest was still tight. As soon as the chamber door shut, Damian turned to me. His jaw was hard, his eyes burning. “You shouldn’t have agreed so fast.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I said. My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. “If I looked weak, if I hesitated, they’d never give me a chance.”

“They’ll test you,” Marcus said from behind us. His tone was flat, but his eyes finally met mine. “Patrol isn’t just a walk at the edge of the woods. It’s bait. They’ll want to see what happens when you’re under pressure. When blood is on the line.”

Fear twisted in my stomach again, but I swallowed it down. “Then I’ll show them.”

Damian swore under his breath and raked a hand through his hair. “You’re still recovering, Elara. You’re not ready.”

“Ready or not,” I said, my voice sharper now, “this is the only way. If I don’t take the risk, they’ll never accept me. And I can’t live like that, Damian. I won’t.”

His eyes softened then, though his shoulders stayed tense. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so Marcus couldn’t hear. “Just promise me you’ll stay alive. No matter what they throw at you. Promise me that.”

I wanted to promise. I wanted to tell him I’d come back no matter what. But I couldn’t lie, not when tomorrow could tear everything apart.

So I just nodded, even though we both knew it wasn’t enough.