Chapter 9
Marissa POV
I sat in the center of the room, on a chair that might as well have been a throne of thorns. Around me, the alphas of the werewolf packs numbering about twenty, loomed like statues, their eyes sharp and unyielding. Each one of them was a leader in their own right, a figure of power and authority in the werewolf community. And now, they were all here for me.
I didn't need to be told why I'd been summoned. My open defiance of Julian Corbin and Theo Black had made me a high-profile figure, not just among the werewolves but across the entire continent. I was becoming a symbol, a beacon for the rebels, and the alphas weren't happy about it. They didn't want the heat on them. They didn't want the trouble I was stirring up.
One of the alphas stood. He was an older man, his face lined with age, but his eyes were as sharp as ever. "Marissa Fairmont," he began, his voice echoing in the silence. "You've been summoned here today to take on the responsibilities of your actions. Your defiance of Julian Corbin, the ruler of Northwind Reach, has brought unwanted attention to our kind. Your refusal to submit to Theo Black, our leader, has caused division within our ranks. And your failure to fulfill your obligations as a member of the pack has left us with no choice but to bring this to an ultimatum."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I knew what was coming. I had all but expected the alpha council to summon me, it was just a matter of time.
The alpha continued, his tone cold. "You have three options. First, you must openly acknowledge the rule of Julian Corbin. This will be recorded and broadcasted to ensure your compliance."
I had earlier noticed a camera in the corner of the room, its red light blinking like a warning. Acknowledging Julian publicly would mean the end of the rebellion. As far as I knew, no one has ever stood up in front of Julian and lived to see the next day. My submission to his rule would definitely have a rippling effect on those who didn't acknowledge tyranny.
"Second," the alpha said, his voice cutting through my thoughts, "you must agree to marry Theo Black's nephew. This is not negotiable. If you refuse, you will face immediate exile from your pack and any other pack that you might want to seek refuge in."
My stomach churned at the thought. Exile wasn't just being cast out of the pack; it was being cut off from everything I'd ever known. It was losing my family, my home, my identity.
"And third," the alpha finished, his gaze locking onto mine, "you must swear an oath to never go against Theo Black's directives or rules. He is our leader, and his word is law as long as he leads the council."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. I could feel the eyes of every alpha on me, waiting for my response.
I couldn't help but laugh.
It wasn't a happy laugh. It was a bitter one. My situation was the funniest thing that has ever happened to me, and not once did I ever imagine that the long arm of tyranny, flung by Julian would reach me. "You know," I said, my voice cutting through the silence, "it's funny. This room is full of men, yet I'm the one with the balls to stand up to Julian Corbin."
The alpha's eyes narrowed, but I didn't give him a chance to respond. "Let me ask you something. Have any of you stopped to think about what's happening in the rest of the continent? Two weeks into Julian's rule, and the shifters and witches are already on the brink of war. Does that make sense to you? For decades, we've lived in peace. And now, suddenly, the shifters attack the witches for no reason at all? Does that sound like something Luca Wilder would do?"
The alpha's face was emotionless. "What happens between the shifters and the witches is none of our concern. You would do well to focus on yourself and your future."
I sighed, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "My future? My future is tied to the future of this continent. If we don't stand up to Julian now, there won't be a future at all"
The alpha's expression didn't change. "You have your own thoughts regarding Julian. That's great. Stop trying to make everyone feel the same way. Don't make your personal vendetta everyone's problem."
I clenched my fists, my mind racing. I thought about my options and how each one found a way to be worse than the other. I knew what was at stake. Exile wasn't just a punishment; it was a death sentence. Without the pack, I'd be vulnerable, alone, and cut off from the only family I had left. I couldn't deny Julian's authority and settle on Theo Black's for the sake of my safety, they were all the same to me.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was a message from an unknown number.
*Our last meeting was interrupted. Meet me in thirty minutes at the Capitol. I'll find you.*
I pocketed the phone, a spark of hope igniting in my chest. This wasn't over. Not yet.
I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. The tension in the room tightened, the alphas eyes narrowing as they watched me. They knew what I stood for and how potentially it could affect the werewolf community and the whole continent. I could see it in their eyes how much they wished for me to submit.
"Julian Corbin is a disease," I said, my voice steady and strong. "And if we don't deal with him, this continent will cease to exist in peace. But if you want to hear me submit, fine. I acknowledge that Julian Corbin is the ruler of Northwind Reach. I will submit to Theo Black as the leader of the werewolves. And I will marry his nephew to fulfill my obligations."
The room was silent, the weight of my words sinking in. I could almost hear all of them collectively sigh, though the surprise in their faces was unmistakenble.
Theo Black stood, his expression stern. "Bow," he said, his voice cold and commanding.
I hesitated, my pride screaming at me to refuse. But I knew I didn't have a choice. I bowed my head, the gesture small but enough to satisfy him.
"Good," Theo said, his tone dismissive.
I didn't wait for permission. I turned and walked out of the room. The moment I was outside, I broke into a run, my mind racing.
I jumped into my car and sped toward the Capitol, my hands gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.