THE REJECTED BLOOD BOND

CHAPTER 9

The investigation came faster than anyone expected.

Two days later, three elderly wolves wearing old-fashioned, high-collared black coats arrived at Obsidian Tower.

They were the representatives of the Lycan High Council, the ancient judges who maintained the laws of the supernatural world.

They didn't care about stock prices or modern technology; they cared about power, bloodlines, and stability.

Julian stood before them in his office, his arms crossed over his chest. Elena stood a few feet behind him, her tablet ready, her face an unreadable mask.

"We have received formal complaints from the Silvercrest lineage, Julian," the lead councilor, an old male named Elder Thomas, said. His voice was like dry leaves scraping across stone.

"They claim your pack aura is fractured, and that you are harboring an unregistered Omega within your inner circle. They believe you have violated the sacred laws of succession by rejecting a fated bond and hiding the consequence."

"My pack is stable, Thomas," Julian said coldly. "Our revenue is up, our borders are secure, and my personal life is my own business."

"An Alpha’s personal life is the pack’s business," Thomas corrected sharply, his blind, milky eyes turning toward Elena. "You. Step forward."

Elena felt a cold chill run down her spine, but she didn't hesitate. She took two steps forward, lifting her chin to face the ancient judge. "I am Elena, Chief Operating Strategist for Vance Capital."

Thomas inhaled deeply, his old nose twitching as he caught her scent. A look of deep, ancient sorrow passed over his wrinkled face, followed quickly by a sharp flash of anger.

"The scent of a shattered mirror," Thomas whispered, confirming Katherine’s words. "You are his fated mate. And he rejected you." He looked back at Julian, his expression turning severe.

"Julian Vance, you have committed an act of supreme arrogance. A rejected mate weakens the spiritual center of the pack.

If you marry the Silvercrest female while your true mate sits at your right hand, the internal conflict will tear your territory apart from the inside. The Council cannot allow an unstable lineage to hold the gate to the Eastern Seaboard."

"What are you proposing?" Julian growled, his hands clenching into fists.

"We are launching a formal audit of your fitness to rule," Thomas declared. "In two weeks, you will appear before the grand circle. If your aura is still fractured, or if the Silvercrest alliance collapses because of this scandal, we will strip the Vance family of its title and reassign the Manhattan territory to a stable lineage.”