Chapter Twelve: The Weight of Leadership
The council chamber was cloaked in a heavy silence, the kind that settled deep into the bones and refused to be shaken off. Rowan stood at the head of the long oak table, his hands braced against its polished surface, knuckles white with tension.
Across from him, the Elders sat in a semi-circle, their expressions a blend of concern, disapproval, and, in some cases, outright hostility. Elder Thorne, the eldest and most vocal, leaned forward, his piercing gaze fixed on Rowan.
"Alpha," Thorne began, his voice gravelly, "we must address the matter of the rogues you've brought into our midst."
Rowan's jaw tightened. "They are not just rogues. Giselle is my mate and you will give her the respect that that position affords her."
A murmur rippled through the Elders. Elder Maren, always the more diplomatic, raised a hand to quiet the others.
"We understand the significance of the mate bond," she said gently. "But bringing in a known rogue and her family without council approval sets a dangerous precedent, even for the Alpha."
Rowan stood tall before the semicircle of Elders, arms crossed, jaw tight. The air in the council chamber was thick with tension, the silence stretched too long before Elder Marrek finally spoke.
“We’ve discussed your… bond with the rogue,” he began, voice heavy with disapproval. “And while we acknowledge the mate pull is sacred, you cannot formally announce her until she’s proven to be trustworthy.”
Rowan’s fists clenched. “She risked her life to protect her family. She fought against the very wolves who commanded her. What more proof do you need? She chose to trust me and come here, to seek refuge from the group that has harmed them. That should count for something.”
“She’s still a rogue,” Elder Brina interjected, sharp and unyielding. “And her family has lived among enemies. The pack needs stability, not another reason to fear. Until she earns that trust—through actions, not emotions—she cannot be named Luna to the pack.”
Rowan’s wolf growled in his head, bristling at the command, but Rowan remained silent and waited to hear the rest.
Elder Thorne scoffed. "It could all be a ploy to get our guard down. Rogues are cunning. They could be spies, waiting for the right moment to invade our pack and strike when we least expect it."
Another Elder, Tomas, leaned forward. “We expect you to continue your courtship with Rhea. She has been loyal to this pack since birth and carries the bloodline of Betas.”
“I won’t lie to her,” Rowan said through clenched teeth.
“Then don’t,” Elder Marrek replied coolly. “Just don’t make your bond public. Not yet. And do not mark her.”
Rowan’s heart burned, but he gave a curt nod. For now, he’d play their game.
But not forever.
Rowan's wolf stirred uneasily within him, a low growl echoing in his mind. ‘She is ours. We will protect her.’
He took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising anger. "I trust her. And I will vouch for her and her family."
Elder Maren exchanged glances with the others before speaking. "Very well. But trust must be earned. They will be watched, and any sign of betrayal will not be tolerated."
Rowan nodded, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders. "Understood."
\---
It was late afternoon when Rowan stepped quietly into the room, pausing just inside the threshold. He watched the trio with a tenderness that made Giselle’s throat tighten.
Giselle glanced at the door, her eyes searching his face. "Is everything okay?"
He offered a small smile. "May I come in?"
She motioned for him to enter. Inside, her mother rested on a couch, a blanket draped over her legs, while her sister sat nearby, reading a book.
Rowan addressed them all. "I wanted to inform you that the council has agreed to let you stay, under certain conditions."
Giselle's brow furrowed. "Conditions?"
He nodded. "You'll be monitored for a period, to ensure the safety of the pack. It's not ideal, but it's the best I could do given the circumstances."
Her mother spoke up, her voice soft but resolute. "We understand. We're grateful for the chance to prove ourselves."
Rowan met Giselle's gaze. "I know this isn't easy, but I believe in you. In all of you."
Her mother rose with Elara and gave Giselle a look full of unspoken understanding before guiding her sister out of the room. Rowan crossed to her slowly, careful not to startle her, and sat on the edge of a nearby chair.
“You look better,” he said softly, eyes scanning her face for signs of pain.
“I feel like I got trampled by a moose,” she joked weakly, and his lips quirked in the barest smile.
“I’ve seen worse,” he replied, his voice deeper now, more serious. “You were brave. Foolish, maybe, but brave.”
Giselle swallowed, avoiding his eyes. “I didn’t have a choice. He was going to—he threatened Elara. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“You don’t have to explain,” he said gently. “You did what you had to. And now you’re here. Safe.”
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Giselle finally turned her head toward him. “Thank you... for coming for us. For saving us.”
“I’d do it again. A thousand times.” Rowan leaned forward slightly. “You’re my mate, Giselle. That means everything to me. And I will protect you—for as long as I draw breath.”
Her heart squeezed painfully at his words. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough. I know that you’ve been fighting to survive. I know that you’re loyal and protective and stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. And I know that you’re mine.”
Tears filled her eyes again, but she blinked them away. She hated feeling weak.
“I’ve never belonged anywhere,” she admitted. “And now… I don’t even know if I belong here.”
Rowan reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “You belong wherever you want to belong. But if it’s here… then this pack will know it too. Just not yet,” he said, pulling his hand away with a guilty look.
She looked away, chewing on her lip. “Then I need to prove it. Not because I have to. But because I want to.”
Rowan nodded. “Then you will.”
Later that night, once she was alone again, Giselle stared at the ceiling and let herself feel the weight of everything.
Freedom. Safety. Love—just within reach.
She would earn her place. Not because she needed to prove anything to Rowan… but because she needed to prove it to herself.
She was no one’s pawn. Not anymore.
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