Chapter 198
Ethan
“We’re glad to see you feeling better,” Elder Nugyen says as we enter the meeting room. Each of the pack Elders takes a seat, murmuring their agreements and greeting me. I take a seat at the head of the table, motioning for them to sit.
“It’s good to be back, and I am thankful for your help, Elder Denton for sheltering my mate when she needed it,” I say.
Multiple heads whip in my direction, eyes growing wide and mouths dropping open.
“Your mate? The human?” Elder Prentiss asks, staring at me.
“Yes. We have not yet completed our mating, but she has agreed to be my mate. Elder Denton kindly offered her a place to stay while I was in the hospital, which I am grateful for,” I tell them. Each has a different expression on their faces, and not all of them are expressions of acceptance.
I knew that announcing her presence could get a negative response, but it’s better to ease the pack in bit by bit so Fiona doesn’t face too much backlash.
“I expect each of you to treat her with respect as my mate,” I continue. “She is your future Luna and worked incredibly hard to create the antidote to save my life. Not only that, but she risked her life more than once to keep me alive. I know my words may not mean much to you, since you haven’t met Fiona and because you don’t know her, but I ask that you give her a chance.”
“A chance to do what?” Elder Tanner asks. “What if she can’t handle being the Luna?”
Turning, I look at the man. His worry is written clearly on his face, and when I look at the other Elders, it’s in their faces as well.
“Do you trust me? As your Alpha, have I ever led you into a situation where I wasn’t sure of myself or my outcome?”
Silence circles the room before they break out into whispers, muttering to each other. I let them talk, let them get their thoughts out. There’s no good in making them stay silent. If I forced them to keep their opinions to themselves, they’re bound to resent it.
Elder Denton and Nugyen sit quietly, waiting until the other Elders slowly quiet down.
“We trust you, Alpha Montgomery,” Elder Tanner says, sitting up straighter. He nudges his twin sitting beside him, who adds, “If she saved your life, then we will be grateful.”
“We’ve heard the whispers in the hospital of a mysterious healer with no scent. Would this be…”
Nodding, I clasp my hands together in front of me. I’d also heard some of the hospital patients talking. At first, I thought about stopping them, but I knew having good rumors spread about Fiona would only help in the long run.
People can be stubborn, but Lycans take being bull-headed to another level.
“Yes. Would you like to meet her?”
That catches everyone’s attention, and after they all answer that they would, I stand, walk to the door, and pull it open. She’s standing right on the other side of the door, her hands clasped in front of her nervously, but when I hold my hand out, she takes it.
“Everyone, this is my mate, Fiona.” I lead her inside, letting her sit in my chair so she doesn’t have to stand. I don’t want any excess stress put on her body, especially not while she’s pregnant.
“H-Hi,” she says softly, waving. Each of the men around the table stares at her before lifting their own hands and waving. I bite back a laugh at the shocked look on their faces.
“Fiona, these are the Elders of the pack. They serve as a council of sorts, giving guidance and using their wisdom to help me lead.”
“It’s nice to meet you all. I—”
“Did you really heal the Alpha?” One of the Elders asks.
Fiona glances at me, then looks back at them, “Yes. I did.”
“Then we welcome you, Luna Fiona, to the Silverclaw Pack,” Elder Tanner and his twin say at the same time. They stand and bow, then surprisingly, the other Elders stand and bow as well.
I let them talk for a few minutes, asking her questions about herself and letting her answer before I rap my knuckles on the table.
“While I’d love for this introduction to continue, I did call this meeting for another purpose,” I announce. “Have you heard anything about the Lycan King Selection?”
“Ah, yes. While you were indisposed,” one of the Elders speaks, “We got word that you passed the Challenges as the top contender. The King is now in the final rounds of the Selection and is looking over the files on the winners to choose the next King. Your name is still in the running, and we should be informed soon on the outcome.”
Good. Things are still moving along, and I haven’t missed the announcement. It’s good to know I haven’t been counted out of the running.
“Alpha Montgomery. Thank you for bringing my men back to me,” the Alpha of the Bluemoon pack says, taking a seat in front of me. His two guards stand behind him, while Laxus and Michael stand behind me with the Bluemoon intruders.
Their Alpha glances back at them and then at me, the annoyance shining clearly from his eyes. He’s not happy his men got caught, but he’s not voicing it.
“Your men put my mate in danger, so if I find any of your pack trespassing on my land again, I will not be as forgiving as I was this time,” I tell him, getting straight to business. I won’t stay here longer than I have to.
Fiona is waiting for me at home.
“I had no idea. The four of them were not given permission to leave our lands, and they made the decision to go rogue,” the Bluemoon Alpha says, but I don’t buy it. These men wouldn’t act without an order.
Standing, I grab the closest man to me and shove him forward.
“Lying won’t help you now,” I growl. “We heard everything from your own men. We know you sent them to scout our land to find weaknesses so you could attack. During that time, they found my mate and my Gamma and proceeded to attack them. By trespassing on my land and putting, not only my mate, but also my pack in danger, you have broken the treaty we signed years ago.”
His mouth drops open then closes, like a fish gasping for breath. Our packs have never been on good terms, but we have had a truce up until now.
“I’m in a pretty good mood today, so I’ll let this instance slide, but If you try something like this again, you will regret it,” I say, standing to my full height. I let my Alpha tone fill my voice as I tower over the trembling man. “You do not want to be my enemy, so I suggest you heed this warning and keep your dogs off my land.”
Laxus and Michael kick his men forward and then follow me out of the room, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
I don’t waste any time shifting to my wolf form because I have someone at home waiting for me.
