Unfeeling Luna, Ruthless Alpha

CHAPTER 6: Vanguard Elder Council (VEC)

FORSYTHIA’S POV

The bastards Mak referred to were none other than the Vanguard Elder Council (VEC), who acted as advisors, community listeners, and were revered elders over a hundred years old. I could clearly see that the VEC consisted entirely of men, wearing black robes, trying to appear like a special group.

They lived in the east wing of the palace. I guessed there were about eight Elders and their servants. Mostly women.

We met the Elders in a large room. The air inside the chamber was thick with the suffocating scent of ancient parchment and dried, decaying herbs, a stark contrast to the fresh vitality of the forest outside.

The first Elder to approach me had a flowing white beard and hair, looking younger and stronger than the rest.

"Welcome, Ms. Greenwood, my name is Joel. I am pleased to meet you."

"Yes, Elder." I bowed.

"I am aware that you are Alpha Makarios’s mate."

"Yes, that’s right." I glanced toward Mak, who was sitting at the largest table in the room. It seemed to be his seat here, yet he didn't intervene.

"It is miraculous that he has a fated mate." The Elder assessed me from head to toe. "Although you aren't particularly remarkable, I believe you are someone who knows how to be obedient."

Surprised by his bluntness, I nodded. "Yes, I will try my best to rule the pack with Mak."

"Naturally." Joel’s voice went up an octave.

The Elders behind him chuckled. Joel continued, his hands clasped behind his back. "But that is not your primary task, Luna. You are here to perform one task, the only task you were born to dedicate yourself to."

Oh no, I had a bad feeling.

"It is to bear children for the Alpha. The child must be strong enough to be an heir, so I always hope it is a son, a beta, naturally." Joel smiled. "I hope you understand the purpose of your existence."

I looked toward Mak, expecting a correction, a sliver of protection. All he did was tap his fingers on the table in a rhythm I couldn't understand. But clearly, this was my own battle; waiting for him to help wouldn't accomplish anything.

I opened my mouth, my breath catching in my throat. In the end, I could only nod.

"Good, she seems obedient. Alpha, you got yourself a bargain." Joel looked toward Mak.

The rhythmic tapping of Mak’s fingers against the stone table stopped abruptly, leaving a heavy, lethal silence in the room that made even the Elders hesitate for a split second.

The Alpha stood up and walked toward me. He grabbed my arm, and as we walked, he mumbled, "Naturally, I am a strong man."

"Will the wedding be soon, Alpha?"

"We will prepare starting today."

"Wonderful, goodbye, Alpha and Luna. Have a good day."

We walked out, the Elders bowing behind us. Their farewells seemed laced with sarcasm.

After returning to our main living quarters, I let out a sigh, actively avoiding the Alpha and his hand.

"I don't want to meet them too often," I muttered.

"Just stay here and do your duty," the Alpha commanded. "Pay no mind to what they say."

"Very helpful, thank you, Mak," I mocked.

What sin had I committed to be ignored by my mate when someone else was demeaning me?

"You could have done better, Forsy." Mak turned to face me. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I protect you when your life is in danger, and I have given you the power to dismiss those who stand in your way. You are the Luna; you have more power than them, and every right to anger or punish them if you wish. I cannot be with you at all times to do it for you."

Yes, I knew he was right. But the problem was that I couldn't do it. No matter how much I tried, I was still little Forsy, easily frightened and bullied.

"You must think of them as dirt under your feet." The Alpha leaned in close, his eyes boring into me. My body went tense; every cell in my body trembled.

"How they feel? Ignore it. If they disobey you, punish them. If they demean you, remind them of their place. Do not let them make your mind passive."

We were now so close that we could feel each other's breath. I had thought the Alpha and I were about to kiss. My heart hammered, unable to suppress the sense of longing surging in my chest.

There were footsteps. Someone was approaching. At the corner of the hallway, a servant was running toward us. The girl had red hair, wearing a long, dark green maid's dress. Her eyes lit up when she saw Mak, then dimmed when she saw me.

"Alpha Makarios, Ms. Greenwood," she bowed. "I have something to report."

"What is it?" Mak kept our close proximity. His gaze was burning through my wretched blonde hair.

"Our Research Lab has had a seed sprout, sir. Beta Emarine is very happy, and she asked me to report it to you."

"Thank you, Unila."

With those words, the Alpha successfully made Unila smile as she left. Oh, I knew what that smile meant; I had once been a girl like that before men shattered me.

Thinking of Draco, my body went rigid and defensive. All the attraction from moments ago evaporated. Only bitterness and shame remained from being toyed with by men.

Was Alpha Makarios any different from them?

"You're uncomfortable. Jealous?" Mak pursed his lips to suppress a smile.

I placed my hand on his chest, looking straight into his eyes. His smile vanished. And I pushed him. Both the Alpha and I were surprised.

Because, just as I expected, he was pushed to the side, but as I stepped forward, I tripped over my own feet and stumbled forward. A hand grabbed my hip and pulled me back.

The situation was that the pulling force was too strong, and due to momentum, the Alpha fell to the ground while I crashed onto his chest.

Things gradually became strange.