Chapter 24
Olivia's POV
As Ethan and I entered the grand hall for the Alpha Council meeting, an air of tension crackled like electricity. So much power in one room could be oppressive.
Alphas from various packs filled the room, their sharp gazes assessing everyone who dared to cross the threshold. I could sense their power, a palpable force that thrummed in the air.
Ethan led me through the throng, his presence a grounding force. I clutched Ethan’s arm, resisting the weight of feeling slamming into me, but I could feel Ethan’s nerves beneath the surface.
Ethan’s grip tightened as he spotted Aiden across the room, his jaw clenching. “Stay close,” he murmured, his voice low and fierce.
As the meeting was called to order, I tried to focus. Alphas spoke of territory and alliances, but my thoughts kept drifting to the impending vote.
This was the moment Ethan had been waiting for; this vote was the reason he proposed this mating arrangement in the first place.
‘Those in favor of Aiden to claim the vacant seat of this Council?” Called the chairman. Four hands raised.
“And those in favor of Ethan?” Four different hands raised. It was a tie and only one vote remained.
“Those who abstain?”
My eyes swung to the final Council member yet to vote, my breath catching in surprise.
Derek, the man from the restaurant, sat casually and raised his hand signaling his abstention from the vote. A murmur rippled through the room; disbelief written on every face.
Ethan’s expression darkened, and I could see the storm brewing in his eyes.
“Why would he abstain?” I whispered, unable to contain my surprise.
“Because he’s a selfish bastard,” Ethan replied, his voice a tight whisper.
The tension in the room erupted into chaos. Alphas shouted over each other, and I felt the weight of their collective gaze on Ethan.
Fueled by a sudden urge to confront the man who hid his identity at dinner and now stood in the way of this vote, I called out, “Alpha Derek! If you have something to say, say it!”
The council fell silent, and all eyes turned to me. Derek regarded me with an amused expression, a glint of challenge in his gaze.
“My dear Olivia, it’s not my place to interfere with family affairs,” he replied, voice smooth like silk.
Family affairs? What was he talking about?
“What kind of Alpha abstains when the Packs need representation?” I shot back, my confidence surprising even me.
Derek raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping across his face. “One who sees the bigger picture, perhaps.”
I could sense Ethan’s tension behind me, but I pressed on, “Then I suggest you vote, Alpha Derek. Because right now, inaction speaks louder than words.”
The council erupted again, but this time, there was a crackle of energy; an acknowledgment that I had dared to challenge an Alpha. I felt a rush of exhilaration, and yet, an undercurrent of fear.
Derek’s demeanor shifted slightly, irritation flickering behind his mask of amusement. His eyes narrowed on me. “Careful, Luna Olivia. This is a council of Alphas. You tread on dangerous ground.”
In that chaotic moment, I turned to Ethan, my voice low, “That was the guy from the restaurant, he didn’t tell me he was on the Council.”
Ethan’s eyes darkened, “Yeah. And he’s my father.”
Realization hit me, and I knew I had pushed things too far.
Ethan's POV
The moment Derek abstained from the vote, a wave of disbelief washed over me, swiftly followed by a surge of anger. My father, who had always valued tradition and power, had just thrown the Council into chaos.
I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my emotions in check, but the storm brewing inside me threatened to explode.
Olivia’s voice cut through the chaos like a knife. I couldn’t believe how fearless she was, standing there defiant in front of the Alpha Council, her gaze locked on my father. I felt a mix of pride and dread.
I admired her courage, but my heart raced with worry. Openly challenging an Alpha, especially a member of the Alpha Council was foolish and dangerous. It was well within Derek’s right to forcer her to submit.
The council was not a place for emotion; it was a battleground where power dynamics shifted with every word and every challenge. My father was playing a dangerous game, and I had to rein in my temper before it cost us dearly.
Olivia had a gift for getting under people’s skin, but now I feared it might backfire
Derek had a way of twisting words and intentions, and he was enjoying this. The look on his face, that familiar mixture of amusement and irritation, made my blood boil.
As Derek narrowed his eyes on Olivia, I took a step forward, ready to intervene if things escalated. My instincts screamed at me to protect her, but I couldn’t rush in; that would only add fuel to the fire.
I braced myself for Derek's retaliation, fully expecting him to unleash his wrath. Instead, I found myself frozen in disbelief as he leaned back in his chair, an amused smile creeping across his face.
He wasn’t angry; he was entertained.
“Olivia, my dear,” he drawled, his voice dripping with condescension, “how refreshing it is to see such passion. You truly believe you can sway this council with bravado alone?”
The room fell into an uncomfortable hush, the tension palpable as everyone waited for his next move.
I couldn’t comprehend what I was witnessing. This wasn’t the Derek I knew; he was ruthless, calculating, and unforgiving. Yet here he was, treating Olivia’s challenge like some playful banter instead of the threat it posed.
“Perhaps you should reconsider your stance,” Olivia shot back, unyielding, her confidence wavering slightly in the face of his change of mood.
Derek’s laughter echoed through the room, rich and warm, and I felt my heart sink. He was toying with her, using her boldness as entertainment rather than a challenge to his authority.
My instincts screamed at me to protect her from the fallout, but I felt helpless, caught between the desire to intervene and the shock of Derek’s unexpected indulgence.
“Ah, Olivia, you are certainly a breath of fresh air,” Derek continued, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Tell me, do you really think your words carry weight here? This council does not bend to emotion.”
Derek seemed almost charmed by Olivia's audacity, using it to reaffirm his dominance without raising a finger. My pulse quickened as I considered the implications of this newfound dynamic.
If Derek wasn’t going to retaliate, what did that mean for Olivia, and for me?
I felt the tension within me slowly morph into resolve. I would find a way to turn this situation to our advantage.
I just needed to figure out what my father was up to now.
