Imelda’s Forbidden Love

Chapter Four

Imelda’s Pov

Some time passed until Caleb called a private pack council meeting to decide my destiny. I waited nervously in chains until two guards arrived to take me there. They dragged me to a large gathering circle bordered by tall mountain ash trees.

Inside sat Alpha Caleb on an elaborate stone seat. His mate, beta Myron, head warrior Tristan, and other important wolves filled smaller stone chairs around him. The guards forced me to lay on my belly in the dirt before them all.

Caleb's fierce eyes burned into me for long moments before he stood dramatically and raised his voice loud enough for the whole circle to hear.

"Outsider wolf, we are come to pass judgement on you for invading our territory!" Caleb bellowed. All eyes turned on me. I shrank under their combined gazes full of disgust and suspicion. Caleb continued his speech slowly to increase the tension.

"Some call for death as punishment befitting spying enemies!" Caleb went on as angry growls rose around me. "The beta's son Tristan argues strongly to remove your throat for security!" Caleb gestured approvingly towards Tristan seated at his right paw side.

My blood ran cold seeing Tristan nod, his green gaze cold as he looked down at my cringing form. He would truly sentence the female he once loved without hesitation or mercy?

"She is no spy, only a victim of cruelty needing protection!" Myron insisted bravely. "I offer myself as master if servitude spares her life wrongly threatened."

Loud arguments immediately broke out between the assembled council members over my fate. Tristan and Myron exchanged particular harsh glares from opposite sides of the tense circle. I felt sick with dread as these mighty alphas quarreled over my small, worthless life.

Tristan pointed one clawed finger at me, his charming face now cold and ruthless. "That mangy Bloodmoon worm cannot live free to betray us again!" He pronounced. More nods and shouts of agreement followed his cruel words.

But Myron stepped partly in front of my cringing body as if to shield me from their hostility. "I plead that violence will only breed more violence between our packs," Myron pleaded passionately. "Showing mercy can begin healing!"

Back and forth the debate raged over death or enslavement as my body trembled uncontrollably. Finally Caleb lifted his blood-flecked paw to demand silence again.

"The council votes in narrow favor of slavery over immediate execution for the exile!" Caleb decreed at last. I nearly collapsed in overwhelmed relief. "She will live only to serve at our command and pleasure as bottom rat!" Caleb emphasized with a snarling grin.

Guards roughly unlocked my chains then wrenched me up by my neck fur before I could regain my feet. As Caleb dismissed the gathering, Myron hurried close and gently helped support my limp, battered body. I fell weakly into his kind, comforting arms, both relieved yet still devastated by my fate...

"Thank you Myron..." I whispered. "A living death as slave here still better than losing all chance in your pack."

Myron cupped my face, pity and affection playing on his features. "I offer something beyond just slavery, my sweet one," he said. "If you wish it...become my honored mate instead."

I blinked shocked at an offer so unexpected. But before I could respond Caleb stormed over, outrage twisting his expression harshly...

Caleb rushed over before I could respond to Myron’s offer of mating. Fury twisted the Alpha's expression when he saw us close together.

In one swift, cruel motion Caleb drew back his heavy paw and struck me hard across the face. I crashed onto the ground with my ears ringing as brilliant pain exploded from my jaw.

"Wretched slave dog!" Caleb bellowed above me. "How dare you stand and talk casually with the Beta's noble son!"

I curled into a ball, terrified Caleb would attack again while I was down. I heard Tristan approach now as well to sneer at my battered form.

"My alpha, you allow this diseased outsider far too much freedom already," Tristan growled. He grabbed my neck fur brutally as more agony shot through me. "I say we finish her off!"

Desperate, pleading cries burst from me as Tristan's sharp claws cut into my skin. But suddenly Myron was there grabbing his cruel grasp off me.

"Get away from her!" Myron yelled with more volume than I thought him capable of. He pushed his brother roughly back and stood protectively over my limp body.

Tristan's green eyes were wide in disbelief at gentle Myron's strong reaction. Even Caleb drew back uncertainly from his normally peaceful son's defensive stance.

Myron turned to his father, no longer shy or afraid of the fierce alpha looming there. "You pledged to make Imelda a slave, not repeatedly victimize her!" Myron declared.

Caleb spat in anger. "She belongs beneath us as filth!" He argued. "I say and do what I wish to Broken Fang trash!"

But Myron did not stand down this time. I gazed up in amazed admiration for my dear friend finding such courage and authority to challenge the alpha.

"No more!" Myron said firmly. "Your abuse ends today or you lose all honor and loyalty pledged to you as leader. The council gave its ruling and you cannot retract your word without appearing weak and chaotic!"

Caleb stared him down furiously. But Myron matched his glare without even a twitch of submission. Murmurs rose from lingering onlookers amazed to see timid Myron stand up to their mighty alpha and win.

At last Caleb shoved past us roughly. "Do what you will with the wretch then since you find pleasure in her!" He spat over his shoulder before storming off in a rage.

Gently Myron helped me up and began licking my wounds. "He will not touch you again, I give my oath," Myron murmured affectionately. "Now come, and we will discuss in private my wish for you as my honored lifelong mate..."

Myron brought me to a small cave at the border to treat my hurts after he stood up to his father. He gently washed the blood out of my fur where Caleb and Tristan attacked. I still shook badly in fear from what they did.

When I was cleaned and soothed, Myron led me deeper into the dark cave away from other eyes. In the closed-off den, he held me very close so our bodies pressed together comforting.

Myron moved closer. His sweet forest scent filled my nose and made my heart jump.

"I want no other female," he insisted. "Only you, Imelda. I will face my father's anger gladly."

I looked down, confused inside. Part of me longed to accept Myron's offer. He was handsome and kind - a strong hunter who could provide good food and safety. His love warmed my lonely spirit.

But the Alpha's rage frightened me. Caleb had barely allowed me to live after the spy accusations. If I tried claiming his eldest son as mate, he would surely see it as a power grab from a low exile.

"You must reconsider, Myron," I pleaded. "Your father will think I am using you for status. He will throw me back out into the wilds if we go against his command."

"I will make him understand," Myron said, caressing my ear gently. "You are no spy wolf. And I will provide new good standing for you here. Do you not return my love, Imelda?"

I shivered at his touch, my secret hopes rising. "I do love you," I admitted. "But..."

"Then we shall be together," Myron interrupted with playful firmness. "I will speak to my father his chamber tonight."

Fear and joy battled within me. But Myron stood tall and determined. Could we truly build a future united? Or would Caleb's rage at his pureblood son mixing with disgraced exile end in disaster?

I prayed silently to our ancestors for good fortune. If Myron speak to him and we gained approval, my life would transform from bleak hardship into beautiful dream. I would work devotedly at Myron's side - hunting, raising pups, proving my worth to the pack that had scorned me before.

This chance shined brighter above us. I must be brave and seize it!

"Yes, my love," I whispered, playing with Myron's muzzle. "Face your father together. I am ready."

Myron tilted my chin kindly. "I want only you, outcast or not," he promised. He tried to kiss me but I shyly turned my head. Myron's sweetness warmed me yet my spirit still wavered from past deep wounds.

Just then Caleb's loud voice exploded behind us at the cave entrance!

"How dare you sneak off with the prisoner!" Caleb yelled. Myron jumped back from me quick as his raging father charged over.

Caleb's eyes shot furious sparks seeing us together. "Have you lost mind with filth slave?" he spat at Myron. Spit flew from his long fangs and I trembled.

"Father I cannot mate another now," Myron tried explaining calm. "My heart wants Imelda though you disagree."

"You shame our pack taking enemy rat as partner!" Caleb shouted. He called me rude, cruel names and raised his paw to strike us both.

Myron caught my hand supportive even as we shook under Caleb's great temper. "Imelda is my love," Myron said bolder. "Someday I will lead here and make her Beta female."

Shock filled Caleb's mean face hearing his soft son talk back brave. Then the Alpha growled in disgust. "You leave me no choice weak boy," he said cold. "I banish you from Crimson land forever!"

I covered my mouth sadly as I asked Myron, “Did you just hear what he said"?