Blue Moon Eclipse

Chapter 9

Antonio POV~~

It's been three days since I saw my mate, and Kai is becoming irritable. Nothing anyone says or does placates his rage. My family came with me to speak with the council, except my father. He stayed behind to prepare the warriors. The council took three days to process the request to dethrone the King. Today, they pass judgment and tell us their ruling. My brothers, sisters, and mother are all sitting beside me, knowing not to touch me but still being there for moral support.

"Antonio Willows. We understand that you have yet to claim your mate. And yet your father claimed her as your Luna. Explain this for us." The lead council member finally speaks. I stand to reply.

"When Lotus, my Mate, was taken, my father asked me to make a decision on how to handle the situation. Rather than storming the castle and risking losing countless lives, I chose to bring the matter to the Council. Hoping that you would understand that the King broke the accords, that is what I decided to do. My father felt that with that decision, I had earned the title of Alpha. With or without my mate claimed. So he made the decision to name her Luna in the request." The council members nod and begin deliberating again. Sitting down, my leg begins to shake.

"He broke the rules. Why is this taking so long to decide?" Kai is pacing in my mind, irritation radiating from him. I do my best to contain it until the council member speaks again.

"We understand the upset this has caused. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do. The best we can do for you is declare Thompson no longer King and grant you permission to retrieve your Mate from his custody. Should he have wolves loyal to him, you may see yourself in a battle unlike anything we've seen in hundreds of years. But, should anyone question you, the council will make sure it is known that you came to us and we are aware of the situation. We give you our blessing and hope that the Moonlight from the Goddess will guide you through this troubling issue." They all stand in tandem, followed by everyone else in the room.

"Thank you, milords." Bowing my head in respect, I feel Kai swell with excitement.

"I'll rip his throat out. Let him have touched our mate." The thought hadn't even crossed my mind that he may have hurt her. I couldn't feel her, but I also hadn't felt the pain of her death. I know she's alive, but what has he put her through. Just then, everyone's phone goes off with an alert. There's a wolven society public broadcast. My phone goes off a second time with a message from my father.

"Open it. Now." It reads. I hear my sisters and mother gasp in horror. Opening the broadcast, my heart sinks.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Lotus POV~~

I had been grabbed and dragged out of my cell with a burlap bag over my head. Countless sounds filled my senses, and I was unsure of what to do. Even if I struggled, these men were twice my size and could easily overpower me. They drag me for about 5 minutes before I hear the sound of hundreds of people. I feel the warmth of the sun as we go through a door, and I hear Thompsons voice over loud speakers, sending the crowd to silence.

"My people. You have been wronged. Eighteen years ago, we all believed we lost our King, Ordovic, and his family.I regretfully inform you that he is alive." Gasps and muttering begin from the crowd. When they go silent, Thompson begins again. " He has been all these years in hiding. Raising his daughter to be an assassin." He pauses dramatically as the burlap sack is ripped from my head. I see hundreds of wolves looking at me and my father. We stand on a stage with cameras pointed at us. He's making sure everyone sees what he's doing.

"Antonio." Instantly, a plan begins forming in my mind.

"Hours ago, they attempted to take my life. The penalty for this is death. However, this is my brother and niece. So I will give them the chance to earn their freedom. A trial by combat will take place. Ordovic, will you fight or choose a champion?" Lowering the microphone to my father's mouth, he waits for a response.

"I'll fight." He croaks. A slight twinkle shines in Thompson's eyes before his face returns to a false, dejected look. Glancing at me, he speaks into the microphone again.

"Lotus, will you fight or name a champion?" A defiant look gleams in my eye as the microphone comes to my lips.

"My mate, Antonio Willows." The crowd gasps in shock in the same moment Thompsons looks taken aback. He hesitates to speak again. He seems confused that I named my mate to fight for me, but from what I understand, a wolf's mate will fight harder than anyone else.

"Fine. Your champion has until nightfall to get to the palace. If he doesn't show, you will have to fight for yourself. Do you understand these terms?" He looks back to me and smirks ever so slightly, putting the microphone back to my mouth. My eyes go directly towards a camera, knowing that if Thompson is making this public, Antonio will see it.

"He'll be here." I state confidently.

"By the moon goddess it will be." And with that, the guards grab me and my father and drag us back to our cells. The entire crowd goes wild. Some are cheering while others boo and leer as we leave the stage. Thompson follows behind me, seething.

"What the hell were you thinking. Stupid, insolent, b***h!" Grabbing me by my hair from the guards at the door to my cell, Thompson throws me to the ground. "You realize he's going to lose, right? No normal wolf can take on an Alpha Lycan. I hope you're prepared to watch your mate die." Scoffing, he turns and walks out, slamming the door behind him. They didn't even take the time to attach my chains to the wall. Tears begin forming in my eyes, and a sob escapes my throat.

"Oh, Antonio. What have I done? Please be okay. Please win." Once again, hoping he'll hear me, but feeling deep down that he probably can't.