THE CLAWS OF THE COUNCIL
566 Words
The awakening of my Silver Moon wolf had changed everything. Where I used to feel an aching void from Ethan’s severed bond, there was now only raw, radiating power.
I stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my quarters, adjusting the cuffs of a tailored midnight-blue blazer. Lucian leaned against the doorframe, watching me with a look that was equal parts pride and calculated dark ambition.
"The Alpha Council convenes in three hours," Lucian said, his deep voice cutting through the quiet room. "Ethan has already called three emergency meetings with neighboring Alpha packs this morning. He's desperate to lock in alliances before we set foot in that hall."
"Let him beg," I said, turning to face him. "Ethan thinks this meeting is about corporate shares and pack boundaries. He has no idea I’m coming to challenge his seat on the Council entirely."
Lucian walked over, reaching out to smooth down the collar of my jacket. His fingers brushed against my neck, sending that familiar electric warmth humming across my skin."
"The Council elders are old-fashioned, Maya. They revere strength and ancient bloodlines, but they fear instability," Lucian murmured, his dark eyes meeting mine. "When you walk in there, Ethan will try to paint you as an unhinged rogue who stole Vance Global shares. You have to make them see you as the rightful Alpha line."
"I won't just make them see it, Lucian," I replied, a slow, dangerous smile touching my lips. "I'm going to make them bow."
Before we could leave, a sudden loud commotion echoed from the main entrance downstairs. Shouting voices echoed up the grand staircase.
Lucian's expression instantly turned to ice. "Wait here."
"Not a chance," I said, following him down the marble stairs.
Standing in the foyer, held back by two tall Nightshade guards with drawn weapons, was Victoria. Her hair was disheveled, her designer dress rumpled, and her face flushed with frantic rage.
"Maya!" Victoria shrieked the moment she spotted me on the stairs. "You think you're so clever, don't you?! You ruined Ethan! He canceled our wedding venue this morning because of your stupid corporate audit!"
I paused on the lower step, looking down at her with calm detachment. "I didn't cancel your wedding, Victoria. Ethan did because his company is hemorrhaging money and he can't afford your taste anymore."
"You stealing his bloodline mark was a fluke!" Victoria spat, taking a wild step forward despite the guards' weapons. "Ethan belongs to me! Vance Global belongs to me! You're nothing but a pathetic rejected girl playing dress-up in Lucian's house!"
I stepped off the last stair, taking a slow, measured walk until I was standing inches from her. The temperature in the foyer dropped instantly as my silver aura flickered just beneath my skin.
"Take one more step, Victoria," I whispered, my eyes glowing a faint, terrifying silver. "And I won't just take Ethan's company. I'll strip your family name from the territory registers by sunset."
Victoria froze, the sheer weight of my presence choking the air right out of her lungs. She took a shuddering step back, her eyes wide with real, unadulterated fear.
"Get her out of my sight," Lucian ordered the guards smoothly.
As they dragged a trembling Victoria out the front doors, Lucian turned to me, his dark eyes gleaming with absolute satisfaction.
"Now," Lucian said, offering me his arm. "Let's go take down Ethan."
- Writer
