Married to the alpha, marked by another

Chapter 8

Drew’s pov

The council chamber smelled like old wood, candle smoke, and people getting angry. I walked in with my cloak trailing behind me and stood up straight.

All the elders, advisors, and guards turned their heads toward me. Of course, Elara was already there, sitting at the end like a coiled panther, watching me as if she could see every muscle in my thoughts.

Elder Ben said right away, "Alpha Drew," in a tense voice. "The council wants to know what you think about the Luna petition-" I raised my hand to stop him before he could say another word.

"I've made my choice," I said calmly. "I don't accept the petition." There was a ripple in the room. Elara's smile came slowly and on purpose.

She said, "Interesting," in a soft voice that only I could hear. Her eyes sparkled. "And brave." Elder Mara blinked, showing that she was surprised. "Rejecting... Elara?"

I said, "Yes." The stone walls made my voice sound faint. "I have thought about her application. And I think it's wrong. Right now."The room whispered. People looked around.

Whispers flew through the air like flames. I didn't pay attention to them. "Alpha," Elder Ben pushed, his voice full of anger. "It's very strange for you to turn down a Luna."Especially if the council thinks she would be a good choice.

I gave him a look. "I am not bound by merit, only by need." And the need here is different. Elara's head moved to the side. "You talk carefully, Drew." Too careful. But I can see it. I understand why you won't let me be your luna.

I could hear the wolf inside me growl softly and protectively. "I deny you," I said slowly and on purpose, "because I choose the time." Not for games, not for fun. Elara leaned a little bit forward. A test.

"Oh, Alpha," she said in a low voice. "You say no to me, yes. But I do know who has cast a spell on you. The room froze. In a literal sense. Every elder turned to look at her.

"I'm sorry?" The voice of Mother Luna was steel wrapped in silk. Shock barely held back. Elara's lips turned up. "I said what I said." You haven't been honest with me for reasons that aren't your own.

And the council and your mother should know that it is someone in the palace. I didn't take a breath. I could feel the chamber's pulse rise. Mother Luna's eyes got very narrow, like they could cut stone.

"Elara, explain yourself."Elara smiled even more. "Oh, I will. Of course."I think Alpha Drew is ignoring me because someone else has caught his eye," she said, her voice dripping with poisonous charm.

Someone your Alpha knows and has kept from all of you. You could hear the gasp. My mom's hand got tighter around the edge of her seat. The council was so shocked that they could taste it.

Elara said, "She's in Silvermoon," and she walked slowly, letting each word sink in."With a pup, no less." Holding another man's cub. And hiding.

"Hiding while the Alpha of this pack is denied and controlled." I could feel all of my muscles getting tense. My wolf growled deep inside me. Safe, Possessive, and Risky.

Mother Luna got up from her chair, her voice tense. "Elara, that can't be done." "Who…"

Elara said, cutting her off. "She is." "The woman you said you found, Mother Luna. The one you protect. The one you told to be quiet. The one Alpha Drew won't tell the council about because-

"She leaned in, her voice sharp as a knife. "Because he trusts her."Because he's falling in love with her. And you, MotherLuna, let it stay hidden.

I wanted to go. I wanted to hit her for every word. Because it was cruel for no reason. But I stayed. I kept every part of myself in check.

"You're lying," Mother Luna hissed. Elara said, "I speak what I've seen." "What Drew feels. He won't admit that he loves me because he can't explain it to those who would question him.

Not without telling the truth about... her. I finally moved, standing up straight now, my voice low and sharp. "That's enough." Elara's eyes sparkled. "No, Alpha. This is only the start. Everyone has the right to know the truth.

And Yes! She is pregnant too. And she is here. Out of sight. Your mother will keep you safe. And by you. Everyone in the council chamber turned to look at me. Every whisper of doubt and shock felt like a knife.

Mother Luna's voice was hard, short, and shaky. "Hey, Drew. What have you let happen? I kept my eyes on her. "I've made it safe for her. That's it.

She hasn't asked you for your approval. She has asked for a safe place. And that's what I give. "Sanctuary?" Elder Mara's voice was sharp.

"Alpha, are you really telling this council that an omega with another man's pup hides in Silvermoon while you let it happen?"

I said, "She is under my protection," in a cold, clear, and final way. "She belongs here." She needs to keep things to herself. This council will also respect it.

Elara clapped slowly. "Bravo, Alpha," she said in a mocking tone. "But the council doesn't have to do what you want them to do."And you? You can't deny how you feel. I could feel the heat of her words hit me. Not under my control. Against everything I tried to keep up.

"She isn't a pawn," I finally said, letting the growl drop just enough to cut through the room. "And I'm not playing games. What I feel I owe her is protection. And you can't change that. Elara tilted her head in that annoying, perfect way that always made my skin crawl.

"Ah, Alpha. You think you're smart. You believe you are in charge. But you can't deny the pull. And I know it. The council will find out. Mother Luna has known it. "You-" "I don't know anything," I said through clenched teeth. "And I won't let you turn this room into your theater of lies."

She laughed, softly, but sharply. "Are you lying? Oh, Alpha. You can't see that this is true. And soon... She leaned in and said in a voice that was sweet but angry, "You will have to answer for what you've hidden." For whom you keep safe. And for what is to come.

There was a lot of tension in the room. Even the guards flinched, thinking the walls might break.

Mother Luna's fists were tight at her sides. She said, "Explain this right away." "I don't have anything to explain," I said. "What she says doesn't change what I have to do." I won't tell you who she is until the time is right.

Until she wants to be seen. Elara's eyes narrowed, and they were sharp and shiny."And what if the time comes, Alpha, and she's not ready for the world?" I took a step toward her, and I was in full control of my body, but my muscles were ready. "Then we'll get them ready.

And anyone who gets in the way will have to deal with the results. There was a tense silence. The elders talked quietly to each other. Mother Luna's eyes were always on mine. And I felt it in that silence. The pull.The risk. The fact that it will happen.

Elara smiled and then stepped back to her seat."Enjoy your protection, Alpha," she said softly, but with a deadly tone. "It might be the last gift you can afford to give." I let out a slow breath, and the tension in my chest got worse.

My wolf growled softly. Greedy, protective, and predatory. Mother Luna's voice was soft and shaky now.

"Drew, if what she says is true, this will bring up old problems. The council won't take it lightly. I said, "They will." "Because they won't be able to handle it if they do." Not while I'm looking out for her. Not while I'm standing here.