Cassandra's POV
At the council chamber, my father sat at the head of the long, polished wooden table, his expression unreadable. He had summoned me to this meeting, insisting that I be present because, as he put it, “this concerns you more than anyone else.”
I watched as each of the council elders filed into the chamber, their heavy robes swishing against the marble floor.
I studied their faces carefully, trying to discern who was on my side and who would dare oppose me.
The first three members who entered wore deep frowns, their gazes filled with something close to disgust. I clenched my fists beneath the table, my nails digging into my palm.
Those ones were against me. I noted it silently.
When we had all settled, the questioning began.
“Why is it that Cassandra, the Alpha's daughter, is not the bearer of the Eclipse Moon Bound?” Elder Malachai asked, his wrinkled face twisted in disapproval. “Why does she not possess the Lunar Flame as was predicted? Her mother’s gift should have been passed down to her, yet she remains ordinary.”
The other council members murmured in agreement, their whispers like sharp knives cutting through the air. My father remained silent, his jaw tight. I knew he had no answer. None that would satisfy them, at least.
“There is only one possible explanation,” a voice spoke from the far end of the table. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the speaker, Elder Garrick, a man known for his cruel bluntness. He leaned forward, his lips curling into a smirk. “She is not of Alpha Nathaniel’s blood.”
A stunned silence followed his words, and then the rage within me erupted like wildfire.
In a blink, I was out of my seat, my hand gripping the front of his robes as
I slammed him against the stone wall. Gasps and shouts echoed around me, but I didn’t care. My pulse roared in my ears.
“Say that again,” I growled, my grip tightening around his throat.
Garrick's eyes gleamed with defiance. “You. Are. A. Bastard.”
Red flashed across my vision as I struck him, sending him crumpling to the ground.
The room burst into chaos, elders rising to their feet in shock. My father called my name sharply, but I ignored him, stepping over Garrick as he groaned in pain on the floor.
“Take him to the dungeons,” I ordered the guards stationed by the doors.
They hesitated only briefly before dragging the disgraced elder away.
The rest of the council scooted backward in fright as my gaze swept over them. Fear. Good.
I turned and strode toward my father, who still sat in his chair, his expression a mixture of shock and something else I couldn’t quite place.
Disappointment?
“It doesn’t matter if I was a bastard or not,” I declared, my voice ringing through the chamber. “What matters is that I am here. And I will get back my ring. I will get back the Lunar Flame. And I will reclaim the Eclipse Moon Bound. Now tell me,” I paused, scanning the room, “who stands with me?”
Silence.
Not a single voice spoke in agreement. My lips curled into a sneer. I had expected as much. No matter. I had already prepared for this eventuality.
“Very well,” I said smoothly, turning toward the entrance. I lifted a hand, and at my silent command, the doors swung open.
Rogue warriors filed into the chamber, their steps precise, their presence imposing. The council members gasped, some rising from their seats in alarm.
“What is the meaning of this?” my father demanded, his voice sharp with authority.
I turned back to face him, meeting his gaze evenly. “I will not allow anyone to stand in my way,” I stated coldly. “Those who are against me are nothing more than obstacles to be removed.”
The masked warriors moved swiftly, grabbing the elders by their arms and dragging them from the chamber.
Their protests and shouts of outrage echoed down the halls, but I paid them no mind.
When only my father and I remained, I turned to him, tilting my head slightly.
“You,” I said, lifting a hand to stop the warriors who had moved toward him, “stay.”
The warriors stepped back, leaving my father seated, his expression one of pure disbelief. “What the hell is wrong with you, Cassandra?” he demanded, his voice lower now, filled with something akin to fury, but also worry.
I walked closer, standing just inches from him as I met his eyes. “I shifted, Father,” I murmured.
His breath hitched. “You did?”
I nodded. “Yes. I already shifted.” I watched as a flicker of hope passed through his features before I crushed it with my next words. “But I did not have a silver wolf like Katrina did. I saw no sign of possessing the Lunar Flame.”
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper. “So tell me, Father… who am I?”
The room felt colder, the weight of my question settling between us like a heavy storm cloud.
My father’s lips parted, but no words came. For the first time in my life, I saw true uncertainty in his eyes.
I straightened, my decision solidified. “I want answers,” I said, turning away. “And I want them now!