Chapter 135

Ethan

“You’re cutting it close, Alpha,” one of the elders says as I arrive in the main meeting room of the Pack House. His tone suggests he’s not happy, but with a cut of my eyes, he lowers his gaze. Leaving Fiona again, especially while she could be in danger, was not on my to-do list, but I also couldn’t miss the King’s emissary.

“Alpha, what Elder Raen is trying to say is—”

When Elder Johnson finds my eyes already on him, he goes quiet. Smart man. It’s one thing to speak up to an Alpha while giving advice; it’s an entirely different thing to disrespect one with your tone while trying to hide that you’re being rude.

They may be elders, but I am still their Alpha.

“I know exactly what he meant, Elder Johnson,” I growl, turning my heated eyes on each of the men standing in front of me. “I may not be here full time, but I am still your Alpha, and you will not disrespect me again.”

They all bow, and while this is a minor issue, I still have to hold Zev back from using his Alpha tone to force them to bow further.

Biting back a sigh, I make my way over to the chair at the head of the table and sit, watching as the elders follow suit and take their seats. I can tell by their scents and the stiff way they sit that they have more to say.

“Alpha,” Elder Mann, one of the better elders, says. “As you know, the emissary will be here soon…”

He glances at the men around the table and Elder Johnson waves a hand, urging Elder Mann to continue. The men seem to have a short mental conversation before Elder Mann clears his throat.

“I… We would like to remind you that the King and Council most likely already know of your human mate, and we would like to ask what you plan to do,” he says.

“Do about what?” I ask, knowing exactly what he means. One of the qualifying factors in becoming Lycan King is to have a mate, but not just any mate, a strong and viable mate.

“The law states that an Alpha, or any Lycan, who takes up the title and power of King must have a mate of equal or higher status,” Elder Johnson interrupts, finally speaking. Elder Mann has never gone against my word, and with their little exchange earlier, I knew he still didn’t want to oppose me.

Elder Johnson on the other hand definitely isn’t scared to go against me and remind me of my shortcomings.

“Maybe his time as an elder is up,” Zev growls, pushing forward enough to cause my eyes to glow.

Elder Johnson’s eyes widen, and he sits back down with a gulp.

“My mate may not be Lycan, but she is strong and capable. There is nothing for you to worry about. If the King has an issue with my mate, he can bring that to me personally,” I tell them, pinning Elder Johnson to his chair with my glare.

“What if they do not offer a Selection invitation to you because of your mate?” Elder Jones asks, sitting forward but not standing.

“How can she protect herself if someone comes into our land? A human is not strong enough to keep up with Lycans and does not have the skill, speed, or strength to oppose us,” Elder Johnson says.

“How are we to follow her lead if she knows nothing of Lycans?”

“How can she understand us when she’s human?”

“There’s no pack connection, and we don’t know if she’ll be able to form one once you’ve fully mated. Have you thought of that?”

Question after question flies at me, and I listen. They’re not wrong to have doubts, and it’s understandable, but the disrespectful tone from Elder Johnson and the rapid-fire method the others use is aggravating.

“She could never be a worthy Luna like an Alpha child or Lycan female could be,” Elder Johnson argues, slapping a hand on the table. “She knows nothing of our kind and won’t have the capacity to learn. You should find another mate because there’s no way this human could be a respectable Luna.”

A feral growl rips from my chest, and I turn on him.

“She is already your Luna. I may not have fully mated Fiona yet, but she, on more than one occasion, has urged me to find another mate so that our Pack wouldn’t be impacted negatively. She is a hard worker, cares for people, and has already shown me that she can think like a leader.”

“But the human—”

“Is who the Moon Goddess has chosen for me,” I interrupt, “I will not lie about taking a different mate to the emissary, and I will not abandon Fiona. You all should be ashamed for doubting and for so boldly opposing the Moon Goddess’s choice for my mate.”

Whispers break out around the room, bouncing between men. If there’s one thing elders hate, it’s being accused of going against the Moon Goddess. It’s against their nature. Each of these men is extremely traditional, maybe too traditional if today’s meeting is any indication.

An idea forms in my mind, bringing to thought something I should’ve done long ago.

“I understand your concern, but trust that I have our pack’s best interest at heart,” I announce, taking a breath. Each man nods and settles, except Elder Johnson, so I turn to him. “As for you,” I say, pinning him with my gaze.

“Yes, Alpha?”

His controlled, reserved done is too little, too late.

“You will no longer sit in my council. As of today, you are relieved of your elder status and will be demoted to Omega status. You can live out the rest of your life in the pack as long as you abide by the laws set forth and the rules we adhere to,” I announce. Silence fills the room, and Elder Johnson flops back into his chair in shock.

Everyone watches as Johnson exits the room, leaving with a bow and a dazed expression. A nervous tension fills the room, radiating off the other elders. They’re probably nervous that one of them is next.

I’ve never demoted an elder before, but it’s time to get some new blood in. My father chose each of these men while he was Alpha, but now it’s my turn. I will find new Elders to replace the ones who can’t offer upright and helpful advice, and I know exactly who my first choice will be.

“Alpha Montgomery,” a loud voice calls out.

Standing, I turn to find a woman in the doorway. She stands with her shoulders back and confidence flowing off of her, seeming like she could take on the entire world. Soon, her sharp eyes land on me, and she steps forward.

“Alpha Ethan Montgomery of the Silverclaw Pack, step forward to receive your Lycan King Selection invitation,” she announces, staying put.

I move toward her, stopping in front of her and kneeling as is tradition when a Kind’s emissary gives out an edict.

“This year, due to the King’s request, the Selection will be slightly different,” she says, and everyone takes in a sharp breath, waiting for her next words. “Anyone in the Alpha, Beta, or Gamma rankings can be selected to join the King’s trials where they will compete to become Lycan King. There will be those who receive formal invitations, but there will also be those who enter into a running for a chance to be in the trials.”

The elders whisper behind me, but I ignore them, wanting to hear more. The Lycan King Selection has only ever been open to Alphas before, and only to those invited.

The woman clears her throat, eyeing the elders, and I growl to silence them so she can continue, “Those who enter will be weeded out by the King himself after he looks at their mated status, accomplishments, merits, morals, and family origins. You, Alpha Ethan Montgomery, have been awarded a formal invitation to join the Lycan King Election. Do you accept?”

“I do.”

Lifting my hands, I take the invitation and stand. The woman glances at the elders behind me who seem to let out a sigh of relief before she looks back at me.

“I would like to speak with you alone, Alpha Montgomery.”

“Of course. Everyone, leave.”