Chapter 12 12

Chapter 12 12
Odette

Mistresses.

The word echoed in my mind, ringing louder and louder until it felt like a physical alarm bell. For a brief second, I wanted to curl up in the bed and cry. I wanted to mourn the romantic fantasy I had foolishly started to build in the dark last night. Its not like I love him. But this stupid mate bond was making things messy. 

But then, a completely foreign and violent emotion flared inside my chest.

It was the mate bond. My inner wolf, bruised but finally awakened, let out a vicious snarl. Mine, she growled.

I was Odette. I had survived an obsessive father who saw my dead mom in me,  a wicked stepmother, and a cheating Beta. I had stood on a beach and humiliated them all. I did not survive all of that just to be locked in a penthouse while my fated mate scheduled me like a monthly dentist appointment and spent the rest of his time with other women.

Before I could even process the volume of my own jealous rage, three sharp knocks echoed against the door.

The door swung open, and Lucas, Kael's Beta, stepped inside. He took one look at the shattered expression on Beatrice’s face and my stormy eyes, and he sighed heavily.

"I apologize for the intrusion, Luna," Lucas said, his voice tense. "But the Pack Elders have summoned you to the Council Hall. Immediately. They want to test if you are fit to be the Luna of the Mad Keepers."

"Test me?" I repeated, my voice dropping to a dangerously calm whisper.

"They heard the rumors from Mist Rain," Lucas admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "They know about your... bastard status. They know you stole your sister's place to be Alpha’s mate. They want to tear you down before Kael can officially present you to the pack."

I stood up. The sadness completely evaporated from my veins, replaced by a scorching and defensive fury. I was already boiling mad about being called a "breeder," and now some men wanted to put me on trial?

"Beatrice," I snapped, not taking my eyes off Lucas. "Get me a dress."

Ten minutes later, I walked out of the penthouse wearing a black dress that hugged my curves and made me look sharp. I slipped into a pair of black stilettos, my ballet training making the high heels feel as natural as breathing.

I followed Lucas down to the Council Hall. It was a ntimidating circular room made of dark stone and glass. In the center sat a long table, where three elderly men with sour and arrogant faces waited for me.

"So," the oldest one, Elder Silas, sneered as I walked in. "The little island bastard finally graces us with her presence."

I didn't flinch. I kept my chin high, my posture straight, and walked right up to the edge of the table.

"You may call me Luna," I said, my voice ringing clearly in the cavernous room.

The elders scoffed loudly. "You are no Luna," another elder spat, slamming his fist on the table. "You are a weak, illegitimate Omega from a pathetic from a rainy rock. You tricked our Alpha into marking you! We know you stole that wedding from your sister. You are nothing but an opportunist."

"You are right. I am an opportunist," I replied smoothly, crossing my arms. "I saw a powerful Alpha, and I took him. I won. If you are angry that a twenty-two-year-old girl from a 'rainy rock' outsmarted your entire political system in one afternoon, that sounds like a problem with your intelligence, not my bloodline."

Lucas, standing by the door, let out a sharp and poorly disguised cough to cover up a laugh.

Elder Silas turned purple with rage. "You insolent little brat! You are here for one purpose only. Alpha Kael’s mother is dying. He needs an heir to keep his throne. You are a breeder! A temporary vessel! Do not mistake his mark for respect!"

The word breeder struck the match, and my temper exploded into an inferno.

"If I am just a breeder," I took a slow  step forward, planting my hands flat on their table, "then why are three grown men trembling in a room with me?"

The elders froze.

"I have the Alpha's mark on my neck," I continued, my voice dripping with venom. "I have his claim. If I am just a bastard, what does that make you? Because right now, you are bowing to the woman who shares his bed. If you disrespect me, you disrespect his claim. And if you think Alpha Kael will let you insult his fated mate without ripping your throats out, you are welcome to test that theory."

Suddenly, the double doors of the Council Hall crashed open.

I turned my head. Alpha Kael stood in the doorway.