Gambled to the Rival Alpha

Chapter 7-The Gathering Of Elders

The gates of the Bloodmoon territory closed behind us, the metallic clang symbolising a final gavel strike against my past.

As the SUV wound its way up the dark roads, the landscape shifted. Where Silver Crest relied on manicured lawns and showy monuments, Bloodmoon was ancient and breathtaking. Dense forests of trees opened up into a valley, where lodges, training grounds, and glowing residential estates rested under the light of the full moon.

Inside the vehicle however, the weight of what I had lost continued to drag at my chest. Nyx shifted restlessly within me as she tried to adjust to the overwhelming territory borders.

"We're heading to the Council Hall," Miguel announced from the front seat, turning off his tablet. "Elder Aaron from Silver Crest sent the formal severance documentation via encrypted link, but our internal council is already assembling. Word travels fast."

"Let them assemble," Diego scoffed, resting his chin on his palm as he looked out the window. "They love an excuse to use their formal robes. And this meeting I called just gave them the perfect opportunity."

I turned my head toward him, my eyebrows knitting together. "Your elders are meeting tonight? Because of me?"

"Because of what you represent." His emerald eyes flicked over to meet mine. "A Silver Crest Luna-to-be, severed from her mate and brought across our border in a single evening, tends to cause a stir among old men who worry about war."

"I don't want to cause a war," My voice dropped to a whisper that sounded pathetic to me.

"I just..." I looked down at my hands, tracing the seams of Diego’s suit jacket wrapped around my lap. "I have nowhere else to go."

For a second, the glint in his eyes softened into something deep and unreadable. He reached across the space between us and his hand covered mine. The heat of his skin instantly seeped through my cold fingers, sending a sudden jolt straight up my arm.

'Ooh!' Nyx let out a low, curious rumble in the back of my mind.

'Not helping!' I snapped at her.

"You're safe here, Ophelia," Diego said softly. "Bloodmoon does not break its guests, nor do we abandon those under my roof."

I pulled my hand back gently, embarrassed by how fast my heart had suddenly started beating. "I'm not your guest. I'm your winning hand, remember?"

"How silly of me to forget." His lips twitched into a subtle smirk. "I'll do well to keep that permanently engraved in mind."

The vehicle glided to a smooth halt in front of a massive structure built into the side of the mountain. Towering stone pillars supported a slate roof, and flaring iron torches illuminated a wide flight of stairs leading to heavy oak doors.

"The Council Hall," I whispered in awe.

Miguel stepped out first, opening my door. The air hit my face, carrying the scents of leaves and high-level Alpha signatures.

Diego stepped out right behind me. Without asking, he offered his arm.

"I can walk on my own." I stared at his dark suit sleeve, my pride rearing its head.

"I'm well aware you can walk, chica," he retorted, stepping closer until his scent flooded my senses again. "But you are entering a room full of old wolves who smell blood and weakness. Walking beside me shows them you are neither."

I swallowed hard, realizing he was right. I couldn't afford to look like a beaten victim.

"Shall we?" he prodded, offering his arm again.

I placed my hand on his forearm, my face heating up with a shade of pink as I felt the rock-hard muscle beneath the fabric. Together, we climbed the steps.

The grand doors creaked open, revealing a high-ceilinged chamber illuminated by floating iron braziers. At the center of the room sat a horseshoe-shaped table where seven high-ranking elders of the Bloodmoon Pack sat in formal dark robes.

As we walked down the center aisle, seven pairs of eyes locked onto us. Sharp and filled with judgement.

"Alpha Diego," the lead elder, an old wolf with snow-white hair spoke. "You call an emergency midnight session for a poker hand?"

"I called a session because the geopolitical balance of the northern border shifted tonight, Vance," Diego replied.

Elder Vance’s stern gaze drifted down to me and his eyebrows raised slightly.

"That's the Scarlet girl," another elder muttered, shaking her head. "The mate of Silas. You brought a Silver Crest prize into our sanctum?"

"She's no longer Silas's mate," Miguel interjected, stepping forward to hand a glowing leather-bound folder to the elders. "The bond was formally severed by Elder Aaron of Silver Crest under ancient gambling laws. Silas surrendered all rights, claims, and protection over Ophelia Scarlet."

A wave of shocked murmurs rippled through the elders.

"Severed?" Elder Vance repeated, his eyes widening slightly as he skimmed the digital document. "A sacred mate bond... forfeited for land deeds?"

"Silas is an idiota' " Diego stated, stepping forward slightly and shielding half of my body from their piercing stares. "And his father proved himself equally foolish by enforcing it to save face. Silver Crest is weak at its core. But Ophelia Scarlet is now under the sanctuary of Bloodmoon."

Elder Vance closed the folder slowly, leaning back in his tall chair. His gaze switched to me.

"Sanctuary comes with a price, child," he said. "If Silver Crest realizes what they have lost, or if Silas regrets his cowardice, this pack could face diplomatic warfare. Tell me... why should Bloodmoon harbor you?"

The room fell silent. I felt Diego start to speak, but I tightened my grip on his arm, stepping forward to speak for myself.

"Because I know Silver Crest's defenses," I said to the elder. "I know their trade routes, their inner council secrets, and their weaknesses. Silas threw me away like trash, but I'm no victim. If Silver Crest wants a war over me..."

I turned to give Diego an intense gaze. "I will help Alpha Diego burn their gates to the ground."

Diego turned his head to look down at me, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. Then a slow, proud grin spread across his face.

Elder Vance stared at me for three long seconds before a faint, approving nod tilted his head. "Well spoken, daughter of Scarlet."

He looked at Diego. "She remains under your house, Alpha. But her presence stays off the formal council ledgers until the northern border stabilizes."

"Agreed." Diego gave a curt nod.

He turned and guided me back down the aisle toward the exit.

As we stepped back out into the cool night air, Diego leaned down, his lips close to my ear.

"Mi reina," he whispered, his hot breath sending a shudder straight down my spine. "You surprise me more every hour."