Isaiah’s voice held so much authority that everyone went quiet, watching him step forward with Zira’s hand still in his grasp. Zira stood straight behind him with her gaze to the ground. Her body felt as if the sun coming through the windows were all focused on her. Werewolves are normally warm, but this was something different. She couldn’t focus but holding Isaiah’s hand was good for now.
“Isaiah…” Zira whispered.
“Don’t worry. I got this,” Isaiah whispered back to her before turning back to the Alpha King. “Even after everything I’ve…we’d all been through, the Goddess saw it fit to make Zira my mate. My second chance mate at that. Everyone has a right to be with the one the Goddess chose, and I chose to accept Zira as my mate and Luna of the Black Moon Pack,” Isaiah said with a hint of anger directed at Councilman Faulkner.
“He’s right,” some whispered through the crowd.
“It’s only natural that they would want to stay together.”
“But the Goddess can make mistakes…”
“The Goddess does things for a reason.”
Everyone had something to say, letting their opinions flood the room. Zira could pick up some of the whispers, but her focus was mainly on herself. She was seriously burning up. She reluctantly pulled her hand from Isaiah to wipe her sweaty forehead. Isaiah looked at her with a concerned expression, but she nodded for him to keep going.
“Whether people know this or not, she has saved me on more than one occasion. She puts herself in harm's way to help others. Isn’t that a quality we should look for in a leader,” Isaiah asked, looking around. “She has grown into a very brave and determined young woman. She has a strong will to help others, even if the way she goes about it can be questionable. She would be a great Luna and mother in my eyes.”
“You speak about her being your second chance mate, yet she isn’t marked. It’s been over a year. Why the wait,” Lana asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Our son’s health came to the forefront, which only proves where her priorities lie. As parents, you can understand how some things are more important than others when it comes to our children. She spent the past year trying to find a cure for him. Something the council has yet to do themselves,” Isaiah directed towards Lana, who slightly smiled. Isaiah returned his gaze back to the Alpha King. “Your Majesty, please take that into consideration as well.”
If she hadn't been so focused on what was going on with her, Zira could almost cry at Isaiah’s words. Goddess, I could kiss him right now, she thought, and felt a warm sensation move through her body.
“Why didn’t you come to the Elders first about your son’s situation,” Lana asked.
“Right, come to the people who sentenced me to death, to ask for help,” Zira said. “I think I’ll take my chances out there.”
“Zira.” Isaiah gave a soft warning.
“And,” Queen Luna said,” this cure you speak of. Where is it?” Zira noticed there was a sense of urgency in Queen Luna’s voice. She watched Queen Luna hug her stomach even tighter. Was she having a white wolf as well, Zira wondered, wishing she could share this with someone. Maybe finding the cure could possibly save my life or at least give Queen Luna hope.
“Partially, Queen Luna,” Zira said, wiping the sweat forming on her brow. The room was starting to get hot, but it seemed she was the only one being affected. “On my journey, I came across this.”
Zira took the crystal from Percy and placed it on the table for everyone to examine. She noticed the startled look on Lana’s face while everyone else looked at it confused. Lana reached for the crystal and stopped short of it. It was almost as if she was afraid to touch it.
“Where did you find this,” Lana asked with curiosity.
“We found this crystal in a cave in the middle of the Dragon Kingdom. I was hoping to gain information about this crystal from a book called Lefki Thea Lykos which is in your possession,” Zira said, posing it as a question.
“Do we have what she seeks,” the Alpha King directed towards Councilman Faulkner, who regarded the crystal with curiosity.
“I don’t think I’ve come across something with that name, but I’m sure I can find it, Your Majesty.”
“As for you, Miss Lake. It is unnatural to find a she-wolf willing to abort their child,” the Alpha King started with his hand on Queen Luna's.
Zira bit her bottom lip. This was bad. This was so bad, she thought. She looked at Isiaah and could tell he was thinking the same thing, but she wished she could mind-link him.
Though Isaiah’s mind was focusing on something else entirely. He knew, for the first time, he was going to fight against the Alpha King’s decision. He was going to fight for Zira no matter what. The first step was figuring out a way to get her out of this. Worst case scenario, he would give up his title as Alpha and run away with Zira and their son. He knew he would have allies who would help them.
“The crimes brought upon you are serious. Any life, regardless of the werewolf, is special for our community. So, I believe …,” the Alpha King started.
“Look, Your Majesties, before you say anything, for the past year I’ve been risking my life to help my son. I don’t know about you, but that doesn't sound like a person that wanted her son to die. He’s…he’s everything to me,” Zira pleaded.
“Are you finished,” The Alpha King asked. She can tell he didn’t appreciate being interrupted. Zira nodded and held her head down. “As I was trying to say, I believe you truly care for your son and have learned from your mistake. Over the years, my Queen has taught me to make sure I get all the facts before making a judgment and from my understanding, dark forces played a role in this decision. Am I right?”
Zira was surprised by this information. She forgot about the fact that Alaia put a sort of spell on her when learning about her pregnancy, but she didn’t want to pass the blame.
“To be honest, not initially,” Zira said with a few gasps from the crowd, “but it was definitely a driving force. Still…”
The Alpha King held up his hand to stop Zira. “Then I have one question for you, Miss Lake. If you went back, would you make the same decision?”
Zira shook her vigorously. “Of course not. Zacharias is a blessing, and he deserves better. They both do,” she said, looking at Isaiah.
The Alpha King stared at both of them and stood up from his chair. “Then I’ve decided. I won’t condemn you to death. The fact remains that you did not get an abortion and you yourself stopped it. It would be foolish of me to take the life of someone who saved the life of another, especially since that life is the one in question. Killing you would only make us monsters and we are not monsters. Am I clear, Councilman Faulkner?”
Councilman Faulkner was startled by the Alpha King’s accusatory question. “Of course, Your Majesty. We are not.” Councilman Faulkner bared his neck before lowering his gaze in submission.
“Furthermore,” the Alpha King continued, “I would like you to work with the Council to find a cure for your son. We have to protect and preserve the white wolf line as best we can. As for the Luna of the Black Moon Pack, I will leave that up to Alpha Isaiah’s. I learned the hard way to not step in the way of the Goddess’s plan.” The Alpha King looked at his mate. “Do you agree, my Queen?”
All eyes went to Queen Luna as she stood with the help of the Alpha King and moved forward. They shared a look before she smiled and turned to everyone else. Zira and Isaiah knew this was mostly her work and they were grateful.
“Regardless of what anyone has said, I believe you do care for your son, Miss Lake. I can see myself in your eyes when you speak of him as I have of mine. Alpha Isaiah, you have proved yourself to be a thoughtful Alpha. Not many would have the patience and love you have shown with Zira through these troubling times. It’s…refreshing and reminds me of a certain King,” she laughed. “I wish you both the best. That is our decision.”
There were cheers from her parents and friends as Zira let go of the breath she was holding. Isaiah’s arms enveloped her in an embrace and that’s when she felt it. The fire that was building poured out of her like a wave. She wasn’t completely sure what was happening as she pushed Isaiah back and saw his startled expression.
“I tried to warn you,” Nina said, “but as always you refuse to listen.”
“What the hell is this,” Zira asked her.
“We’re in heat,” Nina purred.
Zira looked surprised as she looked around the room and saw that Isaiah wasn’t the only male werewolf staring at her intently. Oh, shit!