The council chamber was alive with quiet chatter as mbers made their way in, their robes swishing and boots tapping on the polished stone floor.
Erald sat quietly in the front row, her gaze darting to Adrien as he walked in and took his usual spot at the high seat. His expression was hard to read, but she could feel the heaviness hanging on his shoulders.
She hadn’t had a chance to tell him about what Ares discovered... about Seraphina, the rogue etings, the hidden connections.
She’d planned to speak with him after the council, once the room wasn’t filled with sharp-tongued advisors and power-hungry nobles. But the tension already hanging over the session made her stomach twist.
"Let’s begin," Adrien said in a sharp and composed tone.
The eting began with typical topics: updates about the northern border, a trade agreent that just needed a signature, and a complaint about a patrol captain who was overstepping his bounds.
Adrien handled everything with composure, but Erald noticed he seed a bit distracted and not entirely focused.
Then, just as expected, it happened.
One of the elders, an older man with steel grey hair and too many opinions, cleared his throat and spoke. "Alpha Adrien. Forgive , but we must once again raise the matter of succession."
Adrien’s jaw tightened. "You must?"
The elder paused for a mont. "We’ve been understanding and patient, but the future of the pack relies on having heirs. We need to choose a Luna soon."
Another voice joined in, this ti a younger woman. "If there’s no Luna, we won’t have a direct heir. And without an heir, there will be no stability."
Adrien leaned in a bit, speaking softly but with a sharpness to his tone. "Are you planning to kill soon?"
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Even Erald tensed.
"No, of course not," the elder stamred. "That’s not what we..."
Adrien held up a hand. "Then I suggest you stop circling the sa fire like moths. I have a mate. The rest is not your concern."
"But she is not from our pack..."
"If there are no pressing issues beyond speculating about my death and criticising my personal life," Adrien said, standing, "this eting is adjourned."
No one moved to stop him.
Erald stood up, ready to follow him, but Kion was already at Adrien’s side, pulling him toward the exit and speaking with a hushed but urgent tone.
Adrien must have sensed her presence because he glanced over his shoulder at her and said, "Co by my room later. I’ll be free then."
She gave a quick nod, but just as she was about to exit the room, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"You don’t belong here."
Erald glanced over and saw Seraphina standing by the exit, her arms crossed and a look of pure disdain on her face. "Excuse ?"
"You heard ," Seraphina said, stepping forward. "You had no right to sit in on that eting. You’re not part of this pack. You don’t understand our ways, our customs."
"I understand enough to know you’re full of shit," Erald replied calmly. "What’s your ga, Seraphina? Why are you really here?"
Seraphina smirked. "Isn’t it obvious? I want Adrien back. You’re in the way."
Erald raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. So then tell , why did you reject him in the first place?"
"That’s none of your business."
"Oh, it’s very much my business now."
They started at each other without saying a word, the air between them filled with a tense energy.
Erald crossed her arms. "With or without , Adrien’s not interested in you."
Seraphina’s smile widened. "Are you sure?"
Erald hesitated.
A small part of her still questioned that. Adrien had a long, complicated history with Seraphina. Emotions like that didn’t just vanish overnight. He might not love her now, but Erald couldn’t deny the bond they once shared had been deep.
She didn’t respond.
Seraphina took a step closer, eyes gleaming. "See? You don’t even believe it yourself."
But Erald squared her shoulders, forcing the doubt down. "You might have had a chance before. But not anymore. And once Adrien finds out you conspired to kill his brother..."
Seraphina’s mask slipped for just a mont. It was barely noticeable... just a quick glimpse, but Erald caught it.
"I never..." Seraphina began, but Erald cut her off.
"You don’t have to deny it. We both know that you had a hand in his death."
"I loved Adrien," Seraphina snapped. "I would never do anything to hurt him."
"Funny. You rejected him and left the pack. And now you show up right as the council starts pushing for a Luna again? Timing’s convenient."
"You don’t know what you’re talking about."
"I know you’re lying."
Seraphina’s expression hardened. "You can go on spreading baseless rumours, but the truth is... you’ll never be what Adrien needs."
Erald blinked. "What?"
"You’re not a Luna. You’re not one of us. You’re a political distraction, a toy. You’ll never give him what he needs: heirs, legacy, stability."
Erald’s fingers clenched.
"And more than anything," Seraphina added, her voice rising, "you’re a whore. That’s all you’ll ever be."
The sharp sound of Erald’s hand landing on Seraphina’s face rang through the council chamber like a gunshot.
Seraphina stumbled slightly, holding her cheek with wide eyes. "You dare???"
She lunged forward, her claws starting to shift, but just as she was about to reach Erald, a guard moved in front of her and grabbed her arms.
"Let go!" Seraphina shouted. "She hit !"
The few council mbers who hadn’t yet exited turned at the commotion, their faces ranging from surprise to horror.
"She assaulted !" Seraphina wailed, her voice cracking. Her eyes filled with tears instantly, and she stumbled slightly, pressing a hand to her face. "I did nothing... she just attacked !"
Erald stared at her in disbelief. "Are you seriously crying?"
"You saw her!" Seraphina turned to the few elders still standing nearby. "She attacked without reason!"
Erald folded her arms, unimpressed. "Keep up the act, Seraphina," she said coldly. "Very soon... they’ll all see you for what you are."
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