Alpha Kaelan sat at the long mahogany table, his expression tight with barely contained anger. Around him, the council members wore expressions ranging from cautious concern to smug satisfaction. At the head of the table sat Alpha Veyron, Kaelan’s father, his steely gaze fixed on his son.
“The selection was necessary, and your behavior during it was unacceptable,” Veyron said, his voice calm but firm.
Kaelan’s fists clenched on the armrests of his chair. “Unacceptable?” he repeated, his voice low. “You arranged a selection behind my back, undermining my authority and disregarding my bond with Mira. That’s what’s unacceptable.”
One of the elder council members, a wiry man named Solas, leaned forward, his hands folded. “Alpha Kaelan, you must understand. Your reluctance to choose a Luna is causing unrest among the pack. They see it as a weakness, a sign that you are unwilling to prioritize the future of your people over personal desires.”
“My personal desires?” Kaelan snapped, his voice rising. “Mira is my mate. Chosen by the Moon Goddess. That is not a desire—it’s a sacred bond.”
“Sacred or not, it’s insufficient,” another elder chimed in, his tone dismissive. “Mira lacks the strength and support necessary to be Luna. The pack needs someone who can command respect, forge alliances, and represent stability. Someone like—”
“Liana,” Veyron interrupted smoothly, his eyes narrowing as he gauged his son’s reaction.
Kaelan stiffened, his jaw tightening. “Liana?”
“She has the bloodline,” Veyron continued, ignoring Kaelan’s growing anger. “The council has reviewed her credentials and believes she is a strong candidate for Luna. Her selection would quell the unrest and solidify your position as the future Alpha.”
Kaelan pushed his chair back abruptly, rising to his full height. “You’re seriously suggesting that I take Liana as my Luna? The same Liana who has spent her life scheming and tearing others down for her gain?”
Veyron’s expression remained impassive. “We are suggesting what is best for the pack. Your personal opinions of Liana are irrelevant.”
Kaelan’s laugh was bitter, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Of course. Irrelevant. Just like my mate, my bond, and apparently my authority.”
Before anyone could respond, a maid entered the room, carrying a tray of tea. She moved silently, placing cups before each council member and then before Kaelan. He barely noticed, his mind racing with frustration and anger.
“Kaelan,” Veyron said, his tone softening slightly. “You are not yet Alpha. You need to prove to this council that you are capable of prioritizing the pack above all else. Until you do, your leadership will remain in question.”
Kaelan’s chest heaved as he struggled to contain his rage. He reached for the mug in front of him, his hand shaking slightly.
And then the door burst open.