Jason's POV
The drive to the Embassy took around forty-five minutes; Roger and Lewis sat in the front, with Crystal and I in the back. Not knowing what to expect made me nervous. I knew they would interrogate me regarding the rogue attack on the Moonlight Pack, but they wouldn't have a leg to stand on without proof. I was careful not to leave a trace of evidence leading back to me, anything they had would be circumstantial at the very best.
"Babe, why am I getting the stink eye from everyone here?" I could hear the nervousness in her voice.
"Don't worry about them. They think I have taken you as a chosen mate because of our age gap. We both know that's not true, so ignore them."
"Why does it matter if there's an age gap? Have they seriously got nothing better to do than gossip about things that don't concern them?"
"Lewis, I need you to stay with Crystal; Roger, come with me; I want to try and find elder Owen. He should know why I've been summoned on such short notice."
"Yes, Alpha." Both Roger and Lewis said in unison.
Kissing Crystal, I told her to stay by Lewis's side until I returned. If the elders had an ulterior motive for bringing me here, I wasn't taking chances. I wanted her protected. Walking down the corridors, Roger stayed no more than two steps behind me. Each hall I entered was dimly lit, the carpet I remembered running on as a pup; that's how outdated this place was. Once we reached the elevator, I noticed a security feature that had never been there before.
"Well, this is new." I said, staring at the palm reader. "How the fuck are we meant to get up to the offices if we can't get into the elevator" I spoke out loud, but Roger knew it was a rhetorical question, so he didn't bother to reply.
"You don't... only we have the security clearance to use it." Elder Tom appeared behind us.
"Elder Tom, what's the meaning of this meeting and on such short notice? My Luna and I had plans we had to cancel to be here."
"If you would follow me." He gestured towards the corridor on my right.
Following him into what appeared to be a conference room sat the entire wolf council. On the sofa off to the side sat Crystal. My eyes widened, turning black, when I saw she had been crying and had silver cuffs on her wrists. Blake was trying to force his way forward, but I had no choice. I had to hold him back. If I allowed him control, he would've attacked the guards securing Crystal, which would only worsen matters. After a quick scan of the room, I couldn't spot Lewis, but I did find someone I didn't want to.
"Ah, Alpha Jason, now you've finally graced us with your presence, we may begin."
William's POV
I wasted no time contacting the council after Angel blessed me to return to the Royal Kingdom. I needed to inform them of my decision quickly. While on the phone with Elder Otis, I told him about Angel's and Jake's wolves completing their own mating and marking process. As the head of the council, he had a duty to protect any pups born to their now-entwined bloodline.
Werewolves completing their own marking process was rare, and it signified not only one of the strongest bonds to exist but great power now shared between the two, merging their souls and becoming truly one. Growing up, Angel had begun showing traits of her mother's power, able to do little things such as levitating her dolls. Had our lives turned out differently, myself and Vanessa raising Angel, then by now, she would have harnessed each power gifted to her. But alas, things don't always go to plan.
"Goddess gracious me.... The prophecies were right."
"Excuse me, Elder Otis, what prophecies are you speaking of? If I remember correctly, there are more than one."
"Alpha William, a little over a week ago, each council member was awoken by what felt like an electrical jolt. We weren't sure what to make of it; checking with the records keeper, it turns out that the last time something of this magnitude was recorded was the nights that both Alpha Jake and Princess Angel were born. Both happened to be under the blue full moon. After a thorough search, no new pups were born, but now you have brought their wolves marking each other and under another blue full moon to my attention, I now believe they are to be the wolves of the prophecy. The ones to birth the most powerful wolf ever to exist. It is of utmost importance that she now learns how to use and control her gifts. You know as well as I do that some in the supernatural world will do anything to obtain that power for themselves."
Elder Otis was right; anyone who craved power would now come for Angel. And until she could harness her gifts, she wouldn't be safe. Jake would now have to make sure she was well protected along with himself. Now their souls have become one, any harm that befalls one will ultimately harm the other.
"I will inform you of their progress as often as possible, but please, Elder Otis, let me know if you find anything else regarding them."
"Of course, I will old friend.... One last thing: You will be summoned to the Embassy shortly regarding a matter of urgency. It will be well in your interests to ensure you are present."
Elder Otis was right. Within two hours, I had been summoned to the Werewolf Embassy. Having arrived early, I was escorted into the chambers and taken to a seat at the top table. If I had possessed the title of King, which currently resided with Jason, I would have sat on the throne at the top floor overseeing the hearing. It didn't take long for the council members to enter and find their seats, followed by selected wolves from the community to act as a jury.
"Get off me... Don't you know who I am? I am your queen. Let me go.... LEWIS!" Looking over to the left of the room, I saw Crystal being dragged in and shoved onto the sofa, silver cuffs on her wrists.
"I suggest you calm down, Luna; you're in enough trouble. I don't think you ought to make things worse for yourself." said the guard who pulled her in.
"When your King arrives, you will be punished for your outright disrespect of me. Now, where is my gamma?" she spat at him.
Realising no one was going to answer her, she finally quieted down. Whatever she had done to be bought before the council on short notice had to have been bad. Although the laws were strict, there was a lot of leeway regarding mistakes. Suddenly, the doors to the room's rear opened, and in walked Elder Tom, followed by Jason. Looking at Jason, I noticed he didn't have silver cuffs placed on him; this meant his mate was in trouble. His eyes turned black with rage at seeing Crystal cuffed and distressed before lifting his gaze and scanning the room. He was looking for someone and panicked, not spotting them. When his eyes laid on me, I could have sworn his wolf was about to submerge.
"Ah, Alpha Jason, now you've finally graced us with your presence, we may begin." Elder Otis spoke from his place at the high table.
"What is the meaning of this.... I demand to know why my mate is in cuffs. NOW!" Jason roared.
Completely ignoring his outburst, the Elders continued with their trial. After interviewing several wolves, they pulled up CCTV footage from what appeared to be a convenience store. Watching the playback, it revealed Crystal entering to grab some items and the shop assistant coming up behind her and grabbing her ass. The footage had no sound, so we could not hear what words were being exchanged. As the male assistant turned his back to her, we saw her eyes turn black before extending her claws, ripping out his throat, followed by his heart. Looking at Jason, he was watching the floor.
'He knew what his mate had done and didn't try to cover up her attack.' Maximus was disgusted by what we had seen on the screen.
Maximus was right; Jason wasn't shocked by the events in the slightest. On the other hand, Crystal held her head high, looking proud of herself. As a result of her allowing our existence to become known by a human, I knew she would be sentenced to death. Before being executed, she would be stripped of her title, which would be an excruciating process on its own.
"Crystal, I command you to stand!" spoke another elder.
"NO, I am your queen. You have no right to command anything from me. That man deserved what he got. If I could go back in time, I would do it all again!" she roared.
"You will stand voluntarily or be forced to stand!" The elder spoke loudly while gesturing to the guards to yank Crystal to her feet.
Just as the guards placed their hands on Crystal's arms, readying to pull her up, Jason's brown wolf appeared behind them, ripping them apart before they had time to shift themselves. The whole room erupted into chaos as Blake began slaughtering those present, making a beeline towards the high table. Jumping from my seat and using my enhanced speed, I ran to Crystal, grabbing her by the back of the neck.
"Blake, I suggest you stop right fucking now, or she's dead!" I roared in my Alpha tone.
Out of instinct, his wolf was about to submit, but using all its strength, he was able to refuse my command. Trying to call my bluff, Blake stalked towards me, his hate flowing off him in waves.
'How is my little princess? I was thinking of visiting her. We could play another of our 'games.'' Without responding, I tightened my grip on his snivelling mate's neck until I heard it snap.
"I, William Hartley, the rightful Alpha King to the Royal Pack, challenge you, Jason Bates, the acting Alpha King for your title!" I shouted while dropping his mate's now lifeless body to the ground.