Claiming the Last Alpha She-Wolf Chapter 10: The Council

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Chapter 10

~Rhiannon’s POV~

Bloodfang Estate – Council Hall

I dressed in the ugliest, oldest thing they left —a faded, wrinkled tunic that slled faintly of dust and bitterness, paired with trousers that had a threadbare knee and cuffs that hung too long.

There was no vanity in this choice—only strategy.

Let them see what happened when they gave rags. Let them own it.

I stood by the mirror just long enough to tie my hair back, exposing every hard edge of my face.

No powder. No softening oils. They were about to be deeply disappointed if they were expecting a delicate, enchanting mate.

The knock on my door ca sharp and swift. The sa guard as before. Silent. Stoic. Annoyed.

"Council’s waiting," he said, without looking in the eye.

"Good." I smiled and stepped out, ignoring how he flinched slightly as I passed.

We made our way through the estate, past winding staircases and long stone halls, out into the courtyard.

The council building stood just beyond—tall, sharp-edged, and older than the rest of the estate. A wolf crest carved into obsidian stone lood above its double doors.

As we approached, they creaked open without a word, and a hush fell over the chamber like snow.

I walked in, eyes forward, shoulders back.

Every eye turned.

The elders sat on a platform—old wolves in ceremonial robes, lined with silver thread.

Their expressions were unreadable, but the twitch of one man’s nostrils told all I needed to know.

Displeasure.

Raised high on a platform above that of the elders were the Alphas. Kael, Riven, Darian, Talon and Lucien. All seated like kings at war.

All frowning.

I didn’t flinch. I didn’t pause.

I walked to the chamber’s centre, stopped directly beneath the platform where the elders sat, and t their eyes, one by one.

Elder Mauris looked narrow-eyed, already angry. Elder Saben. Disappointed. Elder Norra. Curious—and calculating. Elder Dhoran. Scowling, arms crossed, already judging.

I knew their nas, thanks to the na tag attached to their tables and seat.

Then to the five n who supposedly belonged to , or I to them.

Kael’s jaw was locked. His glacial eyes were unreadable. Riven looked like he was one heartbeat away from shifting.

Lucien arched a brow, probably calculating a joke he wouldn’t say. Talon looked genuinely puzzled. Darian? Furious. And not hiding it.

Kael finally spoke. "You were given new garnts. Ones befitting—"

"Was I?" I cut in while keeping my tone cool. "Strange. Because what was sent to my room said otherwise. Unless rags were suddenly the new velvet."

Murmurs.

I turned to the elders, then back to the Alphas. "Is this how you treat guests in your pack? Give them clothes that fit the rubbish pile? Or maybe—" I tilted my head, "—you’ve gone broke after buying . That would explain it."

Riven bristled. "Kael," he growled. "What is she talking about?"

Kael rose from his seat slowly, every movent precise and deliberate. "There’s a mistake. I selected your clothing myself. Brand new. Tailored. It was delivered to your room directly. This—" he gestured at with a flick of his hand, "—is a joke."

I folded my arms. "My joke, or yours? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like your mistress, Seraphina, was given priority."

"What?" Kael looked like he had seen a strange ghost, and the confusion was clear on his features.

"Yes. She had the so-called clothes you sent to my room taken, claiming you made a mistake and had promised her new garnts. Then she replaced them with her leftovers. I’d hate to think you let her toy with your supposed mate so easily."

The room erupted in murmurs now. Louder. Harsher.

Kael’s lips curled, just slightly. "This is not how we conduct things—"

"Then maybe start," I said flatly.

"You think this is funny?" Elder Dhoran snapped suddenly. "You insult the council with your appearance and expect to be heard?"

"I expect nothing," I said. "I was summoned. I ca. I showed up in what your Alphas left . If anyone here’s embarrassed by that, maybe ask the right people why."

Talon gave a dry cough that may have been a laugh.

Kael was still standing, but his hands had clenched into fists at his sides.

Elder Norra leaned forward. "Is this true, Alpha Kael? Did your... companion remove the gifts given to your mate?"

Kael didn’t speak imdiately. When he did, his voice was tight. "If it happened, it was without my instruction."

Riven hissed. "So she humiliated our mate, in front of our entire council, and you let her?"

"I didn’t know," Kael snapped.

Lucien muttered, "Not a good look, brother."

Darian had yet to say a word. He just stared at , like he was trying to rewrite what he thought he knew.

Elder Mauris cleared his throat, the sound amplified by the acoustics of the room. "Enough. This is not a trial of your dysfunction."

I raised a brow. "Could’ve fooled ."

"Silence," he said coldly, then turned to the other elders. "We are not here to gossip about fabric. We are here to assess the legitimacy of her presence. Of this bond. Of the risk."

Elder Norra nodded. "Then let us assess."

"She slls of humans," Elder Dhoran muttered. "She reeks of them. How can she be chosen by the Moon Goddess and raised among our enemies?"

"I didn’t choose my upbringing," I said calmly. "But I survived it. Would you prefer a pampered pet or soone who already knows how to fight?"

That got their attention.

Elder Saben tilted his head. "And what would you fight for?"

"My freedom," I replied. "My father. And maybe—just maybe—the truth. If you can handle it."

Another wave of murmurs rose. Kael’s nostrils flared. Talon had stopped smirking.

Mauris raised his hand, silencing the room again. "The Alphas claim her as mate. The bond exists—we have seen it. But her background, her defiance, her influence... all pose a potential threat."

Lucien leaned forward. "You say threat. I say asset."

Riven didn’t hesitate. "I say both."

Mauris ignored them. "The council will observe her. Question her. She will not be announced as mate until this trial is complete."

I gave a slow nod. "Fine by . But next ti—try sending shoes that don’t have holes."

Mauris narrowed his eyes. "You’re playing a dangerous ga, girl."

I smiled. "Only if you’re losing."

"You forget your place. Just because you’re the alphas’ mate and..."

"It is precisely that, that makes know my place. I am not just their mate but a rare breed. Or would you have visit any other pack? I bet their alphas would have more decency and decorum."

Mauris slamd the gavel. "eting adjourned."

My lips curled at the side as I gave everyone a long glance. I needed them to know that, unlike them, my options were wide.

I had heard about the mate bond from my father, but... not every mate stuck with their mates.

So rejected them for power, riches or even love. Who says I couldn’t do the sa when I have scumbags for mates?

I didn’t wait. I turned toward the exit, every step echoing louder than the whispers I left behind.

Let them talk. Let them rage.

They called wild. They hadn’t seen anything yet.