Elder Dominic accepted the folder from the scout with the Alpha King's crest, his mind swirling with questions. The scout quickly retreated down the hallway, leaving Dominic alone with the weight of the documents in his hands. He couldn't help but wonder why Ethan hadn't used the usual mind link to contact him. Ethan had always reached out through that channel for matters of importance.
Closing the door behind him, Elder Dominic wasted no time. He carefully unfolded the folder, revealing a trove of letters, ledgers, transcripts of phone calls, and reports. His eyes scanned the contents, his initial confusion giving way to anger as he pieced together the disturbing puzzle before him.
Meanwhile, within the private chamber where the Elders deliberated on decisions, Elder Richard found himself under the stern gaze of his fellow council members. Suspicion had simmered for years, with rumors of favoritism and covert dealings with Alpha Kenneth circulating throughout the pack. Today, those whispers had transformed into accusations.
"I've said time and time again that those are nothing more than rumors perpetuated by disgruntled Alphas and Lunas," Elder Richard retorted dismissively. "There's no substance to any of these claims."
Elder Thomas, a Lycan elder, growled with frustration. "It's not just rumors, Richard. You've crossed the line before, making decisions without consulting us, like the matter of Abigail Stewart."
"That was a unique situation," Elder Richard argued. "She was Alpha Kenneth's mate, and it was only right for her to be with him."
"It was not your place to intervene," Elder Thomas countered firmly. "We leave those matters up to the packs."
"Why are we bringing up past issues?" Elder Richard continued. "Let's focus on the pressing matters at hand, like the trial of those two she-wolves caught with an illegal substance."
Elder Dominic entered the chamber, clutching the thick folder tightly. "Because past issues are relevant." Without waiting for Elder Richard's to respond, Dominic spoke firmly, "Richard, I'll give you one more chance to tell the truth. What is your relationship with Alpha Kenneth?"
Elder Richard's face twisted with a mix of anger and defiance. "I keep telling you, these are baseless accusations," he retorted, his voice quivering with suppressed rage. "I've always acted in the best interest of our community."
Elder Dominic's gaze bore into him as he began to read aloud from the damning documents within the folder.
**Elder Richard:** If you don't have it, stop wasting my time.
**Kenneth:** -chuckle- Be careful, Richard. You're starting to sound like an addict.
**Elder Richard:** It is Elder Richard to you. Do you...
**Kenneth:** Without this special supplement, you would be an old broken-down fool. You wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for me. Now, try again.
**Elder Richard:** -pause- Thank you, Alpha Kenneth, for being so generous.
**Kenneth:** That's better. I don't have what you need, not yet anyway.
**Elder Richard:** -frustrated groan- Then, why are you wasting my time? Do you know how risky it is for me to meet you like this?
**Kenneth:** And it will be worth it in the end. My suppliers have run out of what they need to keep creating Hemo. So, I need you to get the resources for me.
**Elder Richard:** You said last time was the last time you would need a favor.
**Kenneth:** Stop your complaining. You want what I have, don't you? You will do as I say when I say.
**Elder Richard:** What do you want?
**Kenneth:** I need blood and lots of it.
**Elder Richard:** You can easily get that from humans. What does that have to do with me?
**Kenneth:** I need werewolf or lycan blood or both. Human blood won't work.
**Elder Richard:** Don't tell me...
**Kenneth:** How do you think Hemo was made? Did you really think you were regaining your youth from human blood? -mocking laughter-
**Elder Richard:** -pause- I can't do this. I cannot allow you to use a fellow wolf as a science experiment. You should be appalled.
**Kenneth:** I have no relation to these wolves. They are a means to an end. Are you trying to have some moral grounds now? That is hilarious. Unless you want to keep the sliver of youth that you have, you'll supply me with blood. I don't care how you get it, but if you want Hemo, that's what I need from you.
**Elder Richard:** -pause- There is an orphanage on the...
Elder Dominic stopped reading, overcome with anger and disbelief. Gasps of shock rippled through the council chamber as the shocking revelation hung heavily in the air. Elder Richard, still in denial, exclaimed, "I don't know what you're reading, but this isn't me. I'm being set up!"
"Do you have no shame?" Elder Dominic growled, displaying ledger entries, correspondence, and even eyewitness accounts, all pointing to a web of deception that seemed impossible to untangle. "You killed innocent wolf pups to feed your addiction. You are despicable."
"We cannot allow such corruption within our ranks," Elder Dominic declared, his tone unwavering. "Richard, as an elder, your duty was to uphold the law and protect our people. Instead, you have betrayed our trust."
Elder Richard's head hung low in resignation as the weight of his actions pressed upon him. "I... I never meant for it to come to this," he admitted. "Truly, I didn't know what he was doing."
Elder Dominic turned to the rest of the council. "In light of these grave transgressions, it is our duty to strip Richard of his title and imprison him until a final decision is reached."
The elders nodded solemnly, and the trial continued, but a noticeable change had occurred. Elder Richard, once defiant and outspoken, now sat in silence, his eyes cast down, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
Unbeknownst to the council, Kenneth had been monitoring the situation through his mind link with Elder Richard. "Damn, it seems we've been found out," Kenneth muttered to Elder Richard, realizing the loss of his key ally was a significant blow. "It seems that you weren't as careful as you thought with our meeting locations."
"This is all your fault. I told you..." Elder Richard started.
"And I warned you what would happen if you compromised my plans and I always follow through on my word," Kenneth interrupted before severing the mind link with Elder Richard.
As the council members escorted a defeated Elder Richard from the chamber to the Moonlight Sanctum, Elder Dominic addressed everyone. "Thank you for your patience. It has come to our attention that one of our own has betrayed us for personal gain. In light of this, Lily Bray will have the choice of returning to her mother's pack or staying with her pride."
"No! She belongs with me!" Matthew's voice erupted with anger and desperation.
"Quiet, rogue!" Elder Dominic snapped. "You are fortunate that we have not thrown you into the dungeon for your association with Alpha Kenneth!"
"What does my mate have to do with any of this?" Mandy questioned.
Elder Dominic glared at her before proceeding. "He will face justice. Warriors, arrest Alpha Kenneth!"
As the warriors moved to apprehend Kenneth, Kenneth stood smirking. He allowed them to grab him. "I don't think so. I think it's time that we have a little reset."
A deafening roar shattered the tranquility, and the stone walls trembled as if struck by a colossal force. The Moonlight Sanctum was enveloped in chaos as Hunters descended upon the scene, disrupting the council proceedings and plunging everything into uncertainty and turmoil.