The elders looked at with scrutiny as if they hadn’t expected to show such confidence in their presence.
I still couldn’t understand what they were after by summoning to the hall.
However, the last thing they could expect from was showing weakness or being bullied by them.
I was well aware that they are strong and could easily finish off
But I am not soone people could step on anymore.
So, I sat straighter and waited for them to reveal their real purpose.
"You speak well," Elder Rowan finally admitted. "But words are not enough."
"I know that. But the situation in the pack isn’t simple."
Even though I said it straightforwardly, I am sure they could understand that I was criticizing them for being useless.
After all, the pack had beco a real den of wolves because of them.
My reply seed to catch him off guard. So, he asked again.
"Then what do you propose?" he asked.
"Accountability," I said.
The word landed heavily.
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
I t his gaze directly.
"The pack has been unstable," I said. "Not because of external threats. But because of internal decisions."
This was indeed true. Even though they refused to admit it, the pack had beco rotten and chaotic without it bursting open.
But the only reason that hadn’t happened was because no one challenged what was happening before.
I am also sure that if soone tried to challenge the so-called traditions of the pack, they would be prosecuted.
And I have done exactly that. By encouraging won to take up leadership roles in the pack or at least, seek independence I have pretty much challenged these old geezers who refuse to die.
And even though they tried to cover it well with artful words, they couldn’t hide the fact that they were now going after for this reason.
However, the only reason I was even interested in taking up any Luna roles in the Night claw pack was because I needed to build so influence for when I leave or at the very least, distract them from what I was really doing, which was to build Vortex Systems Limited.
"And you’re implying what exactly?" After a long silence, Victor asked coldly.
"I’m implying," I said evenly, "that leadership needs to be responsible for its actions."
Marcus leaned forward slightly.
"And you think we are not?"
"I think," I replied carefully, "that mistakes have been made."
I wanted to test the waters. See if they will let sothing about my father slip, but I guess they are all old n with a strong ntality.
They couldn’t be provoked by sothing so small.
However, by saying those words, I had also stepped on a very dangerous line.
A line I couldn’t fully cross without severe consequences.
However, it was enough to make them uncomfortable.
I wondered whether this would cause soone to get impatient and slip up giving so evidence of why my father was frad and killed.
Marcus exhaled slowly.
Then leaned back.
"This is not a rebellion?" he asked.
"No," I agreed. "It’s not."
"Then what is it?"
"I am just acting in my capacity as a young Luna to do so corrections. I believe that the pack needs it."
Victor scoffed again.
"You think you can correct this council?"
"No," I said. "I think the pack needs better decisions."
"And you’re the one to make them?"
"I would never dare. I am just trying to do my part."
Of course I am not stupid enough to challenge the council head-on. That would be asking for death.
Marcus tapped his fingers lightly against the table as if thinking of sothing and for a mont I wondered whether they would silence .
"We will be watching you closely," he finally said.
It was clearly a warning. But I couldn’t do anything about it, so I just nodded and replied politely.
"I would expect nothing less."
Victor’s lips curled slightly.
"Be careful, Luna," he said. "Power is not as good as you think."
I nearly scoffed at him.
If it wasn’t that good, would they have held on for centuries?
Rowan stood slowly.
Signaling the end of the eting.
"For now," he said, "you may go."
I didn’t move imdiately.
Just held his gaze for a second longer then I stood up and walked out.
The mont I stepped out of the door, I exhaled slowly and my body finally relaxed.
I had been too tense inside that hall. If I didn’t leave soon, I might have cracked under pressure.
I knew that these elders were sending a warning.
They had just been testing my resolve today. Next ti, I might really get hurt.
They were too traditional and used to things going their way. My way of doing things may seem insignificant now, but with small changes, it might trigger a massive change later that reduces their power and they would never allow it.
I took a deep breath at that thought.
I really need to speed up setting up my company to leave this place.
If I wanted to protect what little control I had, I would have to be smarter.
I started walking down the hallway with a calm expression.
By now, probably everyone in the pack already knew I had been summoned by the elder council.
However, I couldn’t let them think that I had butted heads with the elders. Otherwise, so people who followed the wind would start treating like before.
As if I was so kind of a disaster that needed to be avoided.
I was actually tempted to just stop everything and just wait a few more days to turn eighteen and gain the freedom to move out of the pack without the need for a guardian.
However, I was also aware that if I left just like that, my father’s set-up may never be uncovered and he would forever be branded a traitor.
So, I must keep my position as Luna for now and avoid crossing those elders.
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