CHAPTER90
1236 Words
The council chamber was full, the air heavy with tension. Warriors, healers, and servants crowded the edges. Whispers buzzed like flies, but the center of the room was silent, all eyes fixed on Kai.
He stood rigid, hands clenched at his sides, face pale but eyes burning with fury. His chest heaved as if every breath was a battle. Elise stood opposite him, her body shaking, her lips trembling. She tried to reach him, but he pulled back as though her touch would burn.
“Say something,” she whispered, voice cracking. “Please, Kai. Look at me. You know I would never—”
“Stop,” he cut in, his voice rough, breaking. “Don’t you dare say another word.”
The pack stirred. Some leaned forward, hungry for drama. Others averted their gaze, pity etched across their faces. Becky stood near the edge, her hands folded neatly, her head bowed as though in sorrow, but her eyes glistened with quiet triumph. Luka was beside her, arms crossed, smirk barely hidden.
Elise’s knees weakened, but she forced herself to stay upright. “You don’t believe me?”
Kai’s laugh was short and bitter. “Believe you?” He stepped forward, his voice echoing. “I saw you with him. I saw the way you let him touch you. I saw the video. And now you stand here and dare to ask me if I believe you?”
Her tears spilled, but she shook her head frantically. “It wasn’t what it looked like. He tricked me, he cornered me, I thought it was—”
“Don’t!” Kai roared, his fist slamming against the table. The wood cracked under the force. The crowd jumped, whispers rising again. “Don’t insult me with lies. Don’t say you thought it was me. Don’t make excuses for betraying me.”
Elise covered her mouth with trembling hands, choking back sobs. “I didn’t betray you. Please, you know my heart—”
“You’re not my mate anymore,” Kai cut in sharply. His voice sliced through her words like a blade.
The entire hall froze. Gasps erupted. The phrase had been spoken.
Elise’s world tilted. She staggered back as though struck. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head violently. “No, you don’t mean that. You can’t—”
“I reject you,” Kai said, louder now, forcing the words out even as his throat trembled. His eyes shone with tears he couldn’t stop, but his jaw stayed hard. “I, Kai, Alpha of this pack, reject you, Elise, as my mate.”
The words burned in the air. The bond between them quivered violently, tearing at her chest. Elise dropped to her knees, clutching at her heart as pain ripped through her.
“No!” she cried. “Don’t do this. Please, Kai, please!”
He turned his face away, tears streaking down his cheeks, but he didn’t take the words back.
From the side, Elder Kion rose slowly. The old man’s cane tapped against the floor, each sound like a nail in a coffin. His sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on Elise’s broken figure.
“Well,” he said finally, his tone cold but satisfied, “it seems the Alpha has made his decision.”
A wave of murmurs spread. Elder Everglade, Becky’s father, nodded approvingly, his lips twitching with a faint smile. Aunt Thea, who had been pressed against the wall in shock, pushed forward, her voice trembling.
“This isn’t right!” she cried. “Kai, you’re hurt, you’re not thinking clearly. Elise is innocent, she would never—”
“Silence,” Kion snapped, his voice cutting through hers like steel. “The Alpha has spoken. The bond is broken. There’s nothing more to discuss.”
Thea shook her head furiously, stepping between Elise and the council. “You can’t do this! She has stood by him, she has risked her life for this pack! You all know Elise!”
“Enough, Thea,” Kion said, his tone final. “You’re blinded by sentiment. The girl’s guilt is plain. She is no longer welcome here.”
Elise’s breath came in sharp, shallow gasps. She crawled forward on her knees, clutching Kai’s leg, her tears soaking the fabric of his trousers. “Please, don’t do this. Don’t let them throw me away. Kai, look at me. Please.”
Kai’s body stiffened, but he didn’t bend. His hands shook at his sides. He closed his eyes briefly, then shoved her back with trembling force. “Don’t touch me.”
The rejection in his voice cut deeper than any blade. Elise collapsed, sobbing, her nails scraping against the stone floor.
The crowd began to mutter louder now, voices rising.
“She shamed the Alpha.”
“She betrayed him.”
“I always knew she wasn’t good enough.”
“She should leave before worse comes.”
Each word slammed into Elise like a blow. She turned her head, searching for one kind face, one person who might believe her. Her eyes met Lucien’s across the room. He stood in the shadows, his arms crossed, his expression tight. He didn’t speak, didn’t move. But his eyes held something—pity, disappointment, maybe doubt. She couldn’t tell.
Becky stepped forward then, her voice soft, dripping with sympathy. “I didn’t want this to happen. I wanted to protect you both. But truth must be faced, Kai.” She turned to Elise, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. You did this to yourself.”
Elise’s anger flared through her grief. She lunged at Becky, voice raw. “You planned this! You and Luka! You set me up!”
Gasps filled the air again. Becky stumbled back dramatically, hiding behind Kai. Luka’s smirk widened.
Kai’s hand shot out, holding Elise back. His voice roared. “Enough! Don’t you dare touch her again.”
Becky clutched his arm, her eyes wide with fake fear. “She hit me before, Kai. You saw it. Please, don’t let her—”
Kai’s chest heaved, his face twisting with pain. He turned on Elise, his voice breaking as he shouted. “I don’t want to see your face again. Get out!”
The command echoed. The pack fell into silence.
Kion struck his cane against the floor. “It’s settled. Elise is stripped of her place here. She is nothing to this pack now. Guards, escort her out.”
Thea rushed forward, clutching Elise’s shoulders protectively. “No! You won’t touch her! She’s innocent, and one day you’ll see it!”
Kion’s eyes narrowed. “Careful, Thea. Or you’ll share her fate.”
Two guards approached. Elise shook her head desperately, clinging to the floor, to Thea’s arms. “Please, Kai, don’t let them do this. Please! I love you!”
Kai turned away, his shoulders trembling, his tears silent now. He didn’t speak again.
The guards lifted Elise roughly. She screamed his name, begged, fought, but no one moved to stop them. The pack watched, some cold, some whispering, some shaking their heads. Becky and Luka exchanged the smallest glance, the faintest victorious smiles.
And Elise was dragged out, her cries echoing long after the doors slammed shut.
The packhouse remained silent. Kai stood there, broken but unyielding, while Elder Kion’s voice carried through the chamber.
“Now, at last, order will be restored.”
- Writer
