gathered outside the palace, their anger and discontent palpable. They protested Aria's pardon, convinced she had murdered Akira and left Lyra an orphan.
The Alpha's rage simmered beneath the surface as he emerged from the palace. The pack's defiance was unprecedented, revealing traitors working to undermine his authority.
Led by the scout who falsely accused Aria of Akira's murder, the protesters dared challenge Elijah's judgment.
Elijah's howl echoed through the air, a thunderous expression of his wrath. The crowd trembled, recognizing the Alpha's call.
"How dare you!" Elijah's voice boomed. "What gave you the audacity to question my judgment? You challenge me, your Alpha?"
His growl sent shivers through the crowd. As the most powerful wolf in the pack, Elijah's authority was absolute. Born of an Alpha, his leadership was uncontestable.
"No one questions my decisions," Elijah declared, his dominance asserted. "I will not tolerate dissent. You will respect my rule."
The protesters cowered, reminded of their place within the pack's hierarchy. Elijah's fury lingered, a warning to those who would dare challenge him again.
Before dismissing the crowd, Elijah's gaze swept across the sea of fearful faces. "Bring the scout who witnessed Aria's alleged crime to my chambers," he commanded, his voice firm but controlled.
The crowd murmured, exchanging nervous glances. The scout, visibly shaken, stepped forward.
Elijah's eyes narrowed. "Now."
The scout nodded, flanked by two of Elijah's guards, and followed them to the Alpha's chambers. The crowd dispersed, whispers of unease and uncertainty lingering in the air.
In his chambers, Elijah awaited the scout's arrival, his mind racing with questions. What had driven this scout to falsely accuse Aria? Was he manipulated or coerced?
As the scout entered, Elijah's piercing gaze pinned him. "Tell me exactly what you saw," he demanded.
The scout swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "I-I saw Aria stab Akira, Alpha. I swear it."
Elijah's expression remained unreadable. "Continue."
The scout's tale unfolded, but Elijah detected subtle inconsistencies. He sensed deception, fueling his determination to uncover the truth.
Elijah's eyes bore into the scout. "What is your name?"
"R-Kaelin, Alpha," the scout stammered.
"What's your parent's wolf?" Elijah asked.
"My mother was a Delta, Alpha," Kaelin replied.
Elijah's expression remained stern. "What did you say happened again?"
Kaelin repeated his tale, but Elijah's skepticism grew.
"What dress was the witch wearing the day you saw her?" Elijah asked.
Kaelin's confusion deepened. "I...I don't remember."
The court's members bombarded Kaelin with questions, exposing his inconsistencies.
Elijah summoned Aria to the courtyard.
"Is this the dress she was wearing that day?" Elijah asked Kaelin, as Aria arrived dressed in the white gown.
Kaelin nodded hesitantly. "Y-yes, this exact one."
Lila stepped forward. "My lord, permission to speak. This scout is lying, and I don't know why. This dress is from my closet, my late sister's. Aria only wore it yesterday."
Elijah's gaze turned icy. "What's your defense, Kaelin?"
Kaelin crumbled. "I...I lied! Please forgive me, my Lord."
The council erupted into anger and arguments.
Elijah demanded, "Who put you up to this?"
Kaelin trembled. "I...I...can't tell."
Elijah commanded, "Tell me the person this instant!"
Kaelin swiftly drank a substance from a vial.
Lila rushed to intervene, but Kaelin collapsed, dead.
Axel examined the vial. "It's poison. He killed himself."
The crowd exploded into chaos, shock, and outrage.
Elijah's voice rose above the din. "This is treason! I will uncover the truth."
The scout's sudden death only deepened the mystery, and Elijah's determination to expose the mastermind behind the deception.
Elijah's expression darkened. "Take Kaelin's body to the pack's morgue for examination. I want to know what kind of poison was used."
Axel nodded, gesturing to the guards. "See to it."
As the guards removed Kaelin's body, Elijah turned to Lila. "Investigate Kaelin's background, see if there's any connection to the traitors."
Lila nodded. "I'll get started, my Lord."
Elijah's gaze swept the courtyard, his voice echoing through the silence. "This betrayal will not go unpunished. I will root out the traitors and bring them to justice."
The crowd dispersed, whispers of unease and uncertainty lingering in the air.
Elijah ordered Axel to escort Aria to his private chambers, intent on testing his beta's loyalty.
As they entered the room, Aria rushed to Axel, embracing him tightly. "I'm scared," she whispered. "I think they'll kill me."
Axel's expression softened, and he wrapped his arms around her. "Who do you think will kill you? Who are they?"
Aria's voice trembled. "I don't know... The Kaels. I saw them kill Akira."
Axel's eyes widened. "Wait, you saw Akira's killers and kept quiet?"
As Aria met Axel's gaze, she saw his unwavering loyalty to Elijah.
Just then, Elijah entered, his face darkening at the sight of Axel and Aria embracing.
Axel quickly released Aria, his face flushing. "My lord, it's not what it seems."
Elijah's anger boiled over. "Leave. Now."
Axel bowed, departing with haste.
Aria turned to Elijah, concern etched on her face. "Why are you mad at your loyal beta?"
Elijah's fierce strides closed the distance between them. Aria retreated until her back pressed against the wall.
"I don't want to ever see you in any man's hands again," Elijah growled, his eyes blazing.
Aria stammered, "Y-yes."
Elijah's touch sent shivers down her spine as he cupped her face. His lips hovered above hers, and Aria's involuntary moan tested his control.
With a primal hunger, Elijah claimed her lips, his kiss fierce and demanding. Aria's low moans pushed him to the edge, threatening to unleash his wolf.
Elijah's kiss deepened, his hands exploring Aria's curves. Her body responded, melting into his touch.
Aria's thoughts blurred, overwhelmed by the intensity of Elijah's passion.
Just as suddenly, Elijah broke away, his chest heaving. "You're mine, Aria," he declared.
Aria's lips parted, her voice barely audible. "Yours?"
Elijah's eyes burned with possessiveness. "Mine to protect, mine to keep safe."
Aria's heart raced, unsure what to make of Elijah's claim.
Lila's knock at the door broke the tension.
"Elijah, we've found a lead on the poison Kaelin took," Lila announced.
Elijah's expression turned cold. "I'll deal with it. You stay here, Aria."
Aria nodded, still reeling from Elijah's kiss.
As Elijah departed, Aria wondered what she'd gotten herself into.
Was Elijah's possessiveness a sign of love or control?
And what lay ahead for her in this treacherous world of wolves?
Aria's thoughts swirled, trying to make sense of Elijah's sudden claim. She paced the room, her mind racing.
Just then, Lila entered, a knowing glint in her eye. "You're in deep, aren't you?"
Aria's cheeks flushed. "What do you mean?"
Lila smirked. "Elijah's never acted this way before. You've gotten under his skin."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What does it mean, being his?"
Lila's expression turned serious. "As Alpha, Elijah's protection comes with a price. You'll be bound to him, body and soul."
Aria's eyes widened. "Bound? What do you mean?"
Before Lila could respond, Elijah returned, his face grim.
Elijah's gaze swept the room, his voice firm. "Lila, I told you to take Aria home."
Lila nodded swiftly. "Yes, my lord."
Aria and Elijah shared a knowing glance, the tension between them palpable.
In that fleeting moment, Aria saw a glimmer of something deeper in Elijah's eyes – possession, protection, or perhaps something more.
With a subtle nod, Elijah turned and exited the room, leaving Aria to follow Lila.
As they departed, Aria's mind whirled with unanswered questions.
What did Elijah mean by "bound"? And what lay ahead for her in this treacherous world of wolves?
The silence between Aria and Lila was heavy with unspoken thoughts, until Lila broke the silence.
"Aria, be careful. Elijah's not a wolf to be trifled with."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "I know."
But did she truly understand the depths of Elijah's world – and her place within it?