DARRELL'S POV
"Why did they suddenly call for this meeting?" I inquired, furrowing my brow in confusion.
"Pardon me, I think they are here because of Her Majesty," my adviser responded.
I let out a loud groan in frustration, knowing I was in for another long discussion trying to save someone's skin. My gaze remained forward as we approached the grand double doors leading to the council hall.
With a gentle push, the doors swung open, and I stormed into the room, meeting the gazes of the 18 council elders, all waiting for me. They were the pillars of our nation, the backbone of the Alpha. While I held the title of Alpha, consulting them before making any decisions was crucial. The councilor elders of Wraitmoor Nation were not just werewolves; some were warlocks, while others were the darkness that walked in the shadows itself. Basically speaking, they are the hidden force behind this grand Nation.
Taking my seat at the center of their midst, I felt their eyes bore into me, each one having seen it all. But I was ready for whatever challenges they might bring as I would not give in to their demands. The room fell silent, akin to a burial ground, as the council expected me to make the first moves and state my offenses.
"I have nothing to discuss with you because you made the decision to invite Astraa to this Nation," I finally broke the silence, fixing my gaze Maharathan, the head of the council.
"With the sole purpose of finding you your mate," he replied, our gazes still locked.
"Really? Then it seems your power couldn't foresee that my mate is a human, a weakling, and also a threat to this Nation," I seethed in anger as I slowly moved my back away from my seat, my elbows resting on my thighs with my fingers intertwined. "You are trying to weaken my offspring."
"There is always a reason for everything, so I believe there is a reason why she was chosen for you," another voice spoke, fueling my anger with the mere mention of the word 'reason.'
"There is no damn reason because all I can see here is a trick by you hungry monkeys. The only thing you've ever sought is to weaken my power, my authority, and that's why you did that."
"Remember, we did not choose her as your mate; the Moon Goddess did. We only facilitated your meeting."
"Really? But why exactly does my heart fail to believe you? Why do I feel that there is more to this crazy coup you are planning?"
"You should watch your words, Alpha."
"You should be the one to watch how you refer to me!" I banged my fist on the table. "I am the Alpha, I am the king of this Nation, and I expect you to tell me everything that is happening before you make any decisions because here I rule, and you abide by my rule."
"State your offense," Maharathan said.
"I am still talking."
"State your offense," they all said at the same time as their voices echoed in the room.
I seethe in anger as my fist tighten. I rested my back against the chair with my leg crossed.
"I shouldn't have abandoned my position," I began as I racked my brain to remember all Wraitmoor rules I had broken while trying to find Akira.
"And?"
"I shouldn't have left the Nation alone, unprotected."
"And?"
"I should have prioritized my well-being before anything else."
"And?"
"What the heck exactly are you expecting me to say more? As far as I am concerned, that is the rule I broke, and if you are thinking of something else, you better pick up the water in front of you and shove it up," I responded angrily, realizing they were trying to drag Akira into this.
"She has to be punished," Mirabel, the great healer, finally spoke as she had been quiet since morning that the elders have started attacking me. "She broke the rules," she added.
"The rules she hardly knows because she hasn't been accepted as one of us, so I doubt she will be punished for such."
"We all have rules we abide by, and she must be punished."
"But what if I stand that she won't be?" I stood up from my seat and stared at each one of them, looking into their gazes. "What if I refuse to let you lay a single hand on her?"
"You can't do such a thing," Maharathan replied.
"I can because you called her here," I said facing him now, then I stood up from my seat and headed to the door.
"She will be nailed seven times in seven different..."
"SILENCE!" I thundered at Mirabel as my patience grew thin.
And then I felt it surge through and with a flick of my hand, instantly, he fell to his knees with a forceful thud. The tables quaked, and the room began to tremble, the very air vibrating with a force, and the chandelier above swayed precariously, dancing across the room.
"You must control yourself," Maharathan said as he slowly stood up from his seat, and all the elders do the same, moving far away from me.
"But you are making it harder for me," I replied with a deep resonant voice that echoed from the depths of my being.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Clenching my fist, trying to draw upon every ounce of willpower I possessed.
"Your Majesty," Merverick called.
I bit my lip as I took more breaths, and then the trembling ceased, the chandelier stilled, and I took another deep breath as I opened my eyes only to meet the worried gazes of the elders.
"I can't hold it any much longer; you must find a vessel."
"We cannot transfer such a dangerous power, Alpha; you alone are capable of wielding it."
"Oh, that's quite bad because the next time, I might actually rip all of you apart," I said, then stormed out in anger.