A soft knock echoes through the packhouse, signalling the imminent arrival of the Wolf Council. Eager to greet our guests, Magnus and I open the door to find Yiselda standing on the threshold. With a warm smile, I draw her into a hug.
'Did I make it to the meeting on time?' Yiselda asks, her eyes filled with anticipation.
'You have,' I assure her, and Magnus steps aside to welcome her inside.
'The others are in the basement. I'll bring them up for the meeting,' I inform Yiselda as I briskly descend the stairs.
I glance at May, Fern, Ela, Ria, and Lilac. 'Yiselda has arrived, and the Wolf Council are on their way,' I notify them.
They nod in understanding and go upstairs to the dining room, where they hug Yiselda and take their seats.
Ryker, Astrid, and Leon arrive and enter the room, joining our gathering at the table. We all appear nervous as we wait for the imminent arrival of the Wolf Council.
My mind manifests into Reapers, allowing me to see through his eyes and hear anything he hears. He is perched in the moon tree, looking off into the distance, where we see the Wolf Council approaching.
‘They’re here,’ I announce to everyone at the table.
‘How do you know? No one has knocked?’ Magnus asks, puzzled.
With assurance, I reply, 'Reaper is showing me through his eyes. They're less than a minute away.'
Within a minute, loud thuds echo at the door. Magnus greets the Wolf Council and leads them into the dining room. The three alphas take their seats, their expressions marked by seriousness and sternness.
'Alpha Bennet, Alpha Theaton, and Alpha Amir, I would like you to meet Yiselda,' Magnus introduces.
The alphas acknowledge the introduction with a nod, maintaining a stoic silence. Yiselda, embodying grace and diplomacy, extends her greetings: 'It's a pleasure to meet you, Alphas of the Wolf Council.'
'Are you the one who guards Pandora's Box?' Alpha Bennet casts a sly smile.
'That's me,' Yiselda confirms, her expression maintaining a composed demeanour.
'So, what your coven said about it is true?' He asks, the sly smile still playing on his lips.
'Yes, my coven sisters have no reason to lie,' Yiselda answers, her gaze steady.
'So, you're telling me that a vampire king and other dangerous monsters exist?' He seeks affirmation, his eyebrows raising in a subtle display of intrigue.
‘Correct,’ Yiselda curtly nods, her response brief.
The Alphas exchange glances, engaging in a silent mind-link.
'Show us,' Alpha Bennet says, his attention returning to Yiselda, a firmness in his tone.
Yiselda’s lips form a straight line, and her eyebrows furrow, revealing a hint of internal conflict. ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot just let anyone into Pandora’s Box. It’s a dangerous place. If any spells or wards were to be damaged or removed, the world would be in peril for all of us,’ Yiselda explains, her expression now reflecting determination and concern.
‘You let the Luna of Shadow Crest in to see it yesterday,’ Alpha Bennet states matter-of-factly, an assertive glint in his eyes.
I tilt my head and stare at Alpha Bennet with a stern gaze, a furrow forming. How would they know that? Then I remember they left some of their warriors here to watch us. They must have seen us go through the portal.
Yiselda nods. 'Yes, but that's because she's a Midnight Coven member, and it's her responsibility, along with the rest of my sisters, to know all there is to know about Pandora's Box in case anything happens to me,' Yiselda explains, her voice calm.
'How can we be certain these monsters and the vampire king exist?' Alpha Amir asks with a doubtful look.
'I suppose you'll never know for sure. You'll just have to take our word for it,' Yiselda replies, her tone tinged with a hint of resignation.
The Alphas laugh bitterly. 'We concluded that without proof of this Pandora's Box and what you are purportedly safeguarding us and the rest of the world from, has given us no option but to banish and exile all witches, and refusal to leave would result in your deaths,' Alpha Bennet sneers, his expression laced with disdain.
We all gasp and narrow our eyes at the three alphas in contempt.
'Are you serious, Alpha Bennet?' Magnus shouts, his voice echoing through the room.
‘I’m very serious, Alpha Magnus, and because your little mate and her sister are half-witches, this rule will also include them,’ he states, his words carrying a cold determination.
Ryker abruptly moves out of his chair and steps toward the Alphas. ‘You must reconsider. An Alpha needs his Luna. Without them, the pack is weakened, and you already know that. The witches have caused no harm, and we insist they stay!’ he says, his tone demanding and firm.
Alpha Bennet smirks manically. ‘Sure, they can stay, but we will return with other Alphas and warm the witches upon a fire,’ he says assertively.
My mouth parts and my hands tremble. ‘You can’t be seriously thinking about burning my sisters at the stake? They are just young women who want to help us,’ I argue at the three Alphas, my voice mixed with disbelief and anger.
Alpha Bennet glares at me. ‘Mark my word, Luna, if you do not leave, we will make sure you are the first we burn at the stake,’ he warns, his threat hanging heavily in the air.
Everyone stands in a defensive stance, and the tension in the room intensifies. I pull my wand out and observe the other witches do the same. The rest of the pack members bare their morphed canine wolf teeth, ready to shift into their wolf forms.
‘I suggest you all sit, put down your wands, and control your wolves,’ Alpha Theaton commands, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. ‘We have our legion of warriors on standby. They are prepared to destroy this entire pack and wipe you out if you attack us,’ he warns, a cold, calculated tone in his voice.
‘So, we aren’t even allowed to defend ourselves?’ Magnus asks incredulously. His face tightens with anger and concern, his eyes reflecting the internal struggle.
The Alphas share a mocking laugh. ‘Seems like you are doomed if you do, doomed if you don’t. There won't be a problem as long as the witches permanently leave,’ Alpha Bennet conveys with a malicious glint in his eyes. ‘You refuse to take us to Pandora’s Box; therefore, you have twenty-four hours to rid your territory of any witches. After that, any we find on this territory will be killed, and you will be charged for treason, resulting in your entire pack being wiped out as punishment,’ he adds.
The three Alphas abruptly storm out the front door, leaving us in stunned silence. The weight of the Wolf Council's ultimatum bears down on us, and worry marks every face in the room.