Four
1370 Words
Adacus's Pov
One of my weekly routines was pack training. I trained my pack in the gruesome way possible.
"Come at me together!" I demanded as I was surrounded by dozens of my betas.
"The first person to land a hit on me will have a wish of theirs granted!" I knew just how to motivate them.
My tactics in war is an all out attack, no mercy.
I smirked when 5 of them charged at me at once, I would have been disappointed if they took turns.
"Weak." I dodged their claws and swatted them away like flies. More surrounded me but the result was the same.
After going at it for nearly an hour, the betas were all lying on the floor.
Seeing as they're all exhausted, I decided to end the training session then.
Exiting the training grounds, I stationed Syd in the hallway outside my office, flanked by Vemus, my trusted head officer, and a stylish companion.
"They're waiting," Vemus informed me. Stepping out with my Beta and stylish companion trailing, I entered the office to find five senior wolves from the Council seated within. Seating myself with Vemus and Syd by my side, I got straight to the point.
"Why are you here, Elders?" I skipped pleasantries or extra talk. They had a purpose, and I sensed it.
The Council elders held high positions, respected among werewolves for their age and wisdom. This Council represented various supernatural beings, ensuring peace and protecting the interests of all kinds. "Your tone suggests we're unwelcome, Adacus," Elder Code remarked. It was no surprise; we rarely saw eye to eye.
Without hiding my dislike, I met Elder Code's gaze. Their presence hinted at trouble I wanted no part of. I gave a brief, cold smile. "Sorry, but I'm short on time.
Tell me why you're here." Elder Ryu shifted in their seat, considering.
"Alright, as you wish," I replied curtly, not wanting to bend further. "We've heard you've found your mate, Adacus," an elder began.
"And you're treating her poorly."
How did they know that? I'm certain they have spies, those geezers!
The word "mate" hit me hard. My jaw clenched, my hand balled into a fist, tension rising. But I kept a neutral face watching each Elder closely.
"Do you take me for a fool? You're well aware od everything that happened. I sensed your scent when I visited Bartlomeo's turf." I said firmly.
"We just want to make sure the Descendant of the first Luna is safe. As a descendant yourself you should already know why that's important, no?"
"Also, My pack's business isn't yours, as long as we follow Council rules," I reminded them that they must also follow rules.
Elders aren't allowed to interfere in personal Pack issues unless it involves an oracle.
Despite their age, they had no right to interfere in my pack matters.
"True, but this matters to us," another Elder added, their voice echoing in the chamber. "As elders, we have duties."
"This meeting is over, you geezers have been warned. Stay out of my business!"
I turned around ready to leave.
"If you don't fully accept Kristen as your luna. As per the rules, she will be crowned as the Moon Luna."
The Moon Luna the closest person to our god - the moon goddess. She's her hands and ears.
The last time a Moon Luna was crowned was 300 years ago. Of course that's information that not many people know. It's kept a secret. I wasn't supposed to know all these so I decided to act dumb.
I furrowed my brows in confusion, I sat back down and rested a hand on the wooden table.
"And what's that?"
"The Luna's crowning," Elder Bill, who had been silent, spoke up. I sensed Syd and Vemus tensing beside me but saying nothing.
"We have the right to choose a female werewolf as the next proxy of the Moon Goddess. If you keep shunning her. We will be forced to crown her."
I tilted my head coldly, my gaze fixing on Elder Code.
"Fine, I'll be good to hernbut..." I paused. "Rhea is my one true love, and even you geezers can't separate us."
I saw the Elders' face flush with anger. But I managed to keep my calm. Rhea was the woman destined for me and deserved to be my pack's Luna, not the other woman, not the enemy's daughter, not the one thrown in my path by the moon goddess to be a weakness.
Not now, especially as we neared breaking the curse imposed on me.
I'd made this clear to the Elders multiple times. When I found Rhea after years of seeking the one blessed by the moon goddess to save us from the curse, I urged the Elders to crown her as my Luna, but they refused, saying she wasn't my destined mate. And now they aimed to have the enemy's daughter as my Luna. That could never happen.
"She's not your mate, not chosen by the moon goddess, Alpha Adacus," Elder Code said, struggling to contain his rage. But I couldn't care less.
"She's the one I've chosen as my Luna," I asserted, standing my ground. Their words didn't matter; Rhea was the one I chose and the one my pack needed.
"What about your destined mate? What about her?" Another Elder asked, "If you've picked Rhea, why haven't you rejected your mate?"
At the Elder's query, my wolf, Hevel, stirred at the back of my mind. But I shut him out. I had to think clearly and not be swayed by the supposed mate bond.
"Don't fool yourself, Alpha Adacus, even you can't resist the mate bond. If you don't want her, then do it; otherwise, she'll be crowned as your Luna in a few days." Elder Ryu declared, widening my eyes in shock.
"You can't mean that?" I said, astonished.
"Your Luna will be crowned on the full moon night in two days," Elder Bill added.
"That won't happen!" I stood up, fists pounding the table, locking eyes with the Elders. "You can't do this!"
"As the supreme Elder wolves of the Council courts, we've decided, and you can't change it," Elder Nell said firmly, and the Elders stood up.
"We'll see," I muttered before they left. Syd and Vemus rushed to my side, just as worried as I was.
"What now?" Syd was the first to speak. "The Elders were serious. She'll be crowned this full moon."
"We can't allow that." Vemus said. "Remember the curse," At the mention of the curse, my eyes snapped open. There was a lot at stake, my future and my pack's. I couldn't risk everything, not after our long search for an answer, for Rhea. "Adacus, you have to reject her once and for all," Vemus urged.
"No. Rejection isn't to be taken lightly. First, we should try to change the elders' minds." Vemus suggested.
That was the problem. I knew it wouldn't be possible. Nothing could sway those elders. They'd hidden their curse well for years to keep the nightrider Pack from being seen as weak. Their reputation helped, but time was running out, I could sense it. I couldn't be selfish and risk my pack's future. I had to do what needed to be done.
I stood firm, my eyes icy, showing no emotion. "Vemus is right, we can't make mistakes now. We can't risk my future and the pack's." I stared them down. "I have to end this." I had to reject her. Without much talk, I left the office, heading to the west wing of the castle, to Kristen's quarters.
Without even a knock, I barged into her chamber.
My gaze fell on Kyara and Luma, whom I'd placed by her side.
Kyara and Luma lowered their heads instantly, but my focus was on the flawless, pristine figure staring at me with her perfect, round eyes.
"Leave!" I ordered, and Kyara and Luma hurried out, leaving just me and my mate, Kristen.
"Stand up!"
Kristen flinched at my loud command, rising from the bed.
I used my Alpha's speed to shut the door close before she could blink and stood before her again.
"Kneel."
- Writer
