The Forced Mate

Chapter 5: Elders council

**At the Packhouse**

The packhouse was beamed and splendid in the light of that summer day. It had a roof that rose upward as a proud Mansion-spire of olden times.

The Blue Moon pack had seen the challenges of families over the generations, the battles fought regardless of the outcome in here.

The packhouse had seen the human battleground of love and suffering at close quarters as each generation made their stand.

It had stood through famines and plagues, all the same, ever welcoming the survivors and offering the best shelter it could to those homeless werewolves.

Bernard and his parents were on the balcony, coupled with about five elders of the pack. They were all seated in a circle and discussing tonight's rite on the late Alpha and his Luna.

"Has Maria been informed about tonight?" One of the elders looked in Bernard's direction and asked.

"I already explained everything to her," Bernard replied.

"And she didn't act rebellious about it?" Another Elder asked as he seems surprised.

"She did, but everything is under control!"

"Even if she isn't cool about it, there's nothing she can do. The pack decision is final!" Bernard's mom, Luna Victoria chipped in as she had a disgusted face on.

"I've talked to her mom..." Bernard quickly cuts in to stop his mom from saying anything further.

"That's good of you Bernard!"

All the elders looked so pleased with Bernard and how he has been handling things for the past three days after the death of Alpha Jackson.

"Since we are putting late Alpha Jackson to rest tonight, I guess Bernard should be sworn in as the next Alpha as soon as possible." One of them suddenly raised an opinion which everyone seems so cool about it.

They all gazed at each other and nodded their head in approval of what Elder Donald just uttered. But Beta Gilbert doesn't look okay with their suggestion.

"I think we should slow things down for now... Let's allow Maria to mourn her parents for a while before taking any next step towards appointing Bernard."

Beta Gilbert said to them all, but none of them approved his suggestion from their facial expressions.

"Whether she mourns them till next day, nothing is gonna change! Bernard is ready and we are all solemnly behind him!" Elder Donald said, and the remaining elders agree with him.

"Elder Donald is right... We can't leave the position of Alpha vacant for a long time. Since we are all aware of Bernard being the next Alpha, I see no reason why we should slow down on anything!" One of them backed up Elder Donald's words.

Bernard stays calm and quiet while observing what everyone has to say. For some reason, he agrees with his dad but it seems none of the elders are willing to accept it.

"I understand Bernard is ready, still, we just need to slow things down for a month." Beta Gilbert said, and his wife gave him an unpleasant look as she continues to control her anger. Her husband is trying to disrupt what she has been yearning for all this while.

Immediately they all heard him, they started whispering to each other in disagreement. None of them wants to accept Beta Gilbert's opinion.

"A month is too far for that position. I'm thinking of the next three days!" Luna Victoria suggested.

"Yes, she's right, let's go for that!" One elder backed up her idea. Everyone agreed with her suggestion, and the preparation is set to hold in the next three days.

Beta Gilbert wanted to say another word when his wife quickly cuts in to stop him from uttering anything. "We would inform everyone in the pack to get ready for the new Alpha preparation."

"Good!"

"That's fine!"

"Bernard, are you sure Maria is your chosen mate?" Elder Donald turned to him and ask with all seriousness.

When Bernard heard his question, his heart skip a bit, but he maintained the calmness on his face. "Yes, she is..."

"What baffles us is that no one in the pack has ever seen her shift. Yet, the late Alpha Jackson insisted that she has, and you are her chosen mate. Is that true?" Another elder said to Bernard.

"She already has and we've known about it. You all have nothing to worry about." This time around, Beta Gilbert was the one that responded.

"Alright, but she has to be present on the day of Coronation of the Alpha since she's going to be the next Luna."

"Yes, she will!" Bernard replied with certainty.

At the mention of Maria being the 'next Luna', Luna Victoria's eyes changed, and she became angry but controlled it. She seems so mad with the fact that both her husband and her son, are lying on behalf of that cursed child.

Since she doesn't want to tarnish their family's reputation, she maintained her silence and play along.

When they all finalized everything that has to be done, the meeting came to an end. The various elders returned to their apartment, whilst Bernard and his parents were left alone.

"I can't believe you two would lie just to save that cursed child!" Luna Victoria sounded furious as she faced her husband.

"Shh, keep your voice down! Someone might be around." Beta Gilbert scanned the area very well as he cautioned his wife.

"If she's coming into the family as a princess, then we would both have a problem!" Luna Victoria let out angrily and walked out of them.

As soon as she walks out, Bernard and his dad stared at each other. They looked confused and tries to process what they just heard.

Bernard was about to break the silence when his phone suddenly started ringing. As he saw the caller ID, he excused himself from his dad's presence and walked over to his car.

"Speak!" Bernard ordered with an icy tone, and the person on the other end of the phone started explaining some things to him.

"Good... Make sure she doesn't escape and keep a close eye on her! I will be on my way now." Bernard replied, and hangs up.

Without going back to bid farewell to his dad, Bernard hurriedly hopped into his car and drove away...