A Meeting With Elder Cassius
1062 Words
Chapter 16: A Meeting With Elder Cassius.
Alpha Cornelius’ POV.
I stood in front of the structure going over my story one last time. I couldn't mess this up. I needed this to be able to cement my plan to get Aria back.
I could not afford to lose her, and even worse, I could not afford to have everyone find out about her powers.
Those powers in the wrong hands could destroy me. Those powers in the wrong hands could change things, and worst of all, those powers in different hands would strip me of the chance to use that power to gain control.
I couldn't just have one territory. I couldn't just have one space, one pack. That was too small. In the wolf world, you had to be ambitious, and my ambition just rang a little louder than the rest. Nothing too serious. Silly, even.
And the only way I was going to get what I truly wanted was if I kept Aria within reach on a very short leash, and it didn't look like it.
I walked into the house and found a small Omega there, apron on, and as she directed me into the room, I walked into the Elder's chamber. I stood behind the door, taking a breath before walking in.
“Elder Cassius? Ah, Alpha Cornelius. How are we?” I nodded, signaling that I was okay, not wanting to say much to keep the act up.
I couldn't sound too relaxed. I could not sound calm. A man who had just lost his daughter should not sound calm. But I could not look broken either. A broken Alpha was a dangerous thing to present.
I'd just lost a daughter. It was paramount that I looked as agitated as I possibly could without looking like I wasn't capable of ruling my pack any longer.
“Things have gotten quite urgent, Elder. We have a lot to talk about.” He signaled to the seat beside him, a glass of liquid sitting simply on a table beside it.
I stood for a moment and I looked at him, giving him a once-over. I'm making a small estimate of just how much acting I would need to do. I sat down, facing towards him, waiting for a while before taking the drink.
“Elder, things have gone really bad.” My face fell easily. Sadness was not hard to make.
“What happened, Cornelius? Tell me.” Aria's gone, and I believe she's with the Blackthorn Brothers.
“Before anything else, why is Aria gone?” His face was contorted in a grimace.
“Well, she was rejected by Marcus. Marcus Kane. Yes, I know him. The Beta. Very ambitious young man. Why did he reject her?” He looked intrigued.
“Well, that I do not know, but she's gone. I believe she ran away, but I believe the Blackthorn Brothers are with her. And I believe they're trying to build an army with her.” His eyes widened in realization.
“Ah. An army. But what do you mean? She's just a wolf-less Omega. What, how could she possibly form an army?” I looked at him. I still needed some fighting done at the Wolf Council.
“She has certain powers that are not to be shared with the public.” I stuttered, trying to pick and choose my words wisely enough.
“I am not a child, Cornelius. What powers are those that I haven't seen?” He opened his palms and closed them again, looking thoughtfully at me.
I'm breathing, annoyed. Elder Cassius was being insufferable. What did he need to know about her powers now?
If he didn't already know, then my plans had worked just fine. I'd kept her powers asleep long enough to go unnoticed from the Council.
I couldn't let that small victory slip from me. I couldn't lose that now.
“I believe the Blackthorn Brothers have seen her powers, and that is why they want to keep her in their custody so much.” I rushed now, struggling to explain as vaguely as I could.
I knew any mention of the Blackthorns would be enough to distract him.
“Wait,” he stopped. Eyebrows rose in realization. “The Blackthorns? Those rogues?” His eyes drew slits, visibly irritated.
“Yes, those rogues. They have my daughter, Elder. They have my daughter.” He looked at me, pity washing over his eyes.
I fell to my knees, grabbing his knees and shaking them as gently enough as I could without showing too much violence.
“Please, Elder, help me. I beg you. I don't know what to do anymore. Sarah's devastated. Sarah has been asking after her and looking for her everywhere. We can't find her. Help me, Elder. Please.” His expression sobered, looking at me in deep thought.
He took a deep breath and raised me by the hand onto my seat again. I followed his directives and sat down, waiting for his verdict. Things were easier when I could just do things as I liked, but now I needed the help of the Wolf Council.
“Well, do you remember exactly when she went missing?” His concern was palpable now. I'd gotten what I came for.
“Yes. I have written a letter to the Wolf Council already. I need you to read that letter.” I took his again and squeezed. “I need you to ensure that the Wolf Council takes it seriously and looks into this matter. I need my daughter, Elder. Please, help me.” I grabbed his knees again. He held onto my hand steadily, assuring me.
“Don't worry. Things will be sorted out very soon. I just need to see the others. I'll get to the Wolf Council tomorrow. Once I'm there, I'll make sure your letter gets to where it needs to get to. You have nothing to worry about.” I smiled. Perfect.
“Oh, thank you, Elder. Thank you. Thank you so much.” I smiled even wider.
Aria was coming back to me.
There was no doubt about it now. No one questioned the Wolf Council.
“It's okay. Cornelius, go home. Sleep well. Get some food to eat. You'll find your daughters very soon. That I can promise you.”
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