Married to the alpha, marked by another

Drew’s POV The council chamber always felt like a prison. The air in here never moved, no matter how big or tall the room was. It felt heavy on my chest, full of old rules and older men who thought they owned the future just because they had made it through the past. I stood in the middle of the stone floor with my hands behind my back and my back straight. Posture of the alpha. That was what they wanted. Power and taking charge. I felt trapped inside."Silvermoon can't go on like this," Elder Ben said, and his voice bounced off the walls. "The pack needs certainty." I slowly raised my eyes to meet his. "The pack has an Alpha." Murmurs spread in the hall right away. Elder Mara leaned forward in her seat. "An Alpha without a Luna is a reign that isn't finished." I pushed down my anger."My father ruled before getting married to my mother for years without any troubles." At the mention of my "mother," I looked up. Above us all, on the raised platform carved into the stone, sat Mother Luna. She was more than just the late Alpha's wife. She was the woman who still held Silvermoon together with a calm authority. My mom. She had her silver hair neatly pulled back. Her face was calm. Too calm. Elder Ben said, "And your father is gone." "The times call for balance." Balance. When they wanted to be in charge, this was their favorite word. Elder Mara went on, "You are of age." "Strong."People look up to you. The people want you to have a Luna by your side. "I don't," I said. That hit like a slap. Mother Luna finally spoke."Drew." It's just my name. That's all. A warning wrapped in silk. I clenched my jaw. "With all due respect, Mother-" Elder Ben cut her off. "Someone has chosen a mate." I quickly raised my head. "Who chose?" I knew the answer before he even said it. He said, "The council." My chest tightened. Anger crawled up my spine, slow and hot. "I wasn't asked." "You are being told," Elder Mara said calmly. I let out a sharp breath through my nose. "What if I say no?" Think about it. I looked into Mother Luna's eyes. "You won't." The way she spoke made me think this had gone too far. Elder Ben pointed to the tall double doors behind the council seats. "Bring her in." The doors opened. And the past came right into my life. My brain didn't get it for a second. Then it did. I couldn't believe what I saw. I muttered under my breath, "Fuck." Elara. Standing there like she belonged here. Very tall and pretty. She was always sure of herself in a dangerous way. Her dark hair was braided in a complicated way that framed a face I knew very well. She wore a light blue dress that fit her body and made her look soft and innocent. I was sick to the bone. My ex-girlfriend. The same girl who had been f*****g my best friend behind my back when we were in school. The same girl who cried when she found out she was pregnant, not because she had cheated on me, but because I wouldn't lie for her. When she saw me, she smiled. A smile that was slow and knowing. "Oh," she said quietly."Hey, Drew." For a moment, the room became blurry. I remembered that horrible day- there was blood on my knuckles. Chard on the ground. Elara yelled my name like I was the bad guy. "You have to be kidding me," I yelled in a sharp voice. Elder Mara coughed. "This is Elara." The daughter of Elder Ben. Like I didn't know. Elder Ben said proudly, "She comes from a noble family."Learned, calm, and "Faithful to Silvermoon." Faithful? I laughed. A sound that is short and doesn't make others laugh. "That's one way to put it." Elara stepped forward with grace and calmness. "People change, Drew." I looked at her all the way then. I looked really hard. She is more mature, polished but still risky. "Some people do," I said. "Some people just get better at keeping their true selves hidden." For half a second, her smile faded. Just the right amount. Elder Ben's voice got harder. "Watch your tone.""No," I said quickly. “Dont ever cut me when I'm talking Elder Ben" I'm only keeping my cool because of your age! Don't take me for granted! You all brought my past into this room without warning. You don't get to control how I react. Mother Luna stood up. Silence right away in the hall. It was because she was there. She said calmly, "This ceremony will happen." "But not tonight." I frowned. "What?""There is something else to talk about first. Elder Ben frowned. "Mother Luna, this is-" "I said not tonight," she said again, this time more firmly. She looked at me. "Drew, you need to hold back. "I took a deep breath and forced myself to step back emotionally. Alpha control in place. Calmly watching. Mother Luna turned to face the room. "A guest will come tonight." My forehead wrinkled. "Someone is coming?" "Yes." Elder Mara looked lost. "Who?"Mother Luna's eyes came back to mine, and there was something unreadable in them. She said, "A young woman." "Someone whom I can say I know something about her... family." My heart skipped a beat. Family? I stood up straight. "Whose family?" Her lips turned up a little. No smile. Not a sign of danger. Just something that has to happen. My mother went on, "She comes looking for safety." "And answers."There were whispers all over the hall. Elara's eyes narrowed with interest. I swallowed."Mom, who are you talking about?" "Don't worry, you'll see her soon," said Mother Luna."Don't worry." That scared me more than anything else. The council finally ended, but my mind stayed on that word. Family. What the hell is my mom talking about? I was always amazed by this woman. I was halfway down the hall to my office when I heard loud voices coming from the front door. A Woman’s voice, sharp and familiar. I stopped. Then turned. I was either curious or annoyed that I turned back. Two of my guards stood near the doors, stiff and uncomfortable. Elara was right there with them. Fighting. “I don't need permission," she said angrily. "I know where his office is." One of the guards moved. "Lady Elara, the Alpha-""I know who he is." I moved forward and said sharply, "Shegun." The guards stood up straight right away. "Alpha." I said, "Let her in.""She's my guest." As Elara turned to face me, her lips slowly curved. She still thought she owned me. I walked ahead and made her follow me. The door to my office slammed shut behind us. I didn't ask her to sit down. I went to my desk instead and looked at the stacks of files that were waiting for me. "I have a lot of work to do, Elara," I said in a flat voice. "Let's get this over with." She didn't say anything. I let out a sigh because I was already annoyed. "You know better than to marry me, as your father and the elders told you to."That will never happen. As I spoke, I stepped back from the desk and turned- Elara was not wearing any clothes. She was completely naked. No underwear, no nothing. I couldn't help but catch my breath. "f**k," I said quietly. "What the hell is this?" She turned her head to the side, and her eyes were dark. "You've always liked being honest." "This isn't being honest," I said angrily. "It's manipulation." She got closer. Slow and not ashamed. "You're an Alpha now," she said in a soft voice. "Power makes things different." "No," I said, making myself look at her face. "It doesn't erase the past." She touched my arm with her fingers. I immediately stepped back. I growled, "f*****g Put on some clothes Elara." She smiled.