Chapter Fourteen: The Boundaries of Power
The door to the council chamber slammed shut behind Rowan with a thunderous crack that echoed through the high, vaulted room. Five pairs of seasoned eyes lifted slowly to meet his, their expressions unreadable behind the veil of age and power.
“Alpha Rowan,” Elder Thorne said, folding his weathered hands over the ancient stone table. “To what do we owe the honor of this… urgent appearance?”
“I just left training,” Rowan said, his voice tight, barely leashed. “Sylah blindsided Giselle. Pinned her down with enough force to bruise a rib. Not a single warrior stepped in to call it what it was—an assault, not a spar.”
The elders exchanged glances. No surprise. No concern. Only mild irritation at being interrupted.
“She wasn’t injured,” Elder Mina replied blandly, adjusting the folds of her cloak. “And if she’s to remain within this pack, she needs to toughen up. Sylah was simply... testing her resolve.”
Rowan clenched his fists. “You mean punishing her.”
“She’s a rogue,” Elder Harlan cut in, shrugging. “And an unclaimed one at that. These things take time, Alpha. Acceptance must be earned.”
“She’s my MATE,” Rowan snapped, stepping forward. “Whether you allow me to announce it or not. The wolves in this pack feel that distance between us, and they’re using it as a reason to treat her and her family like pariahs.”
“Because they are pariahs,” Elder Thorne said sharply. “You’re not just a wolf, Rowan. You’re the Alpha. And you are not above the laws of this pack.”
Rowan let out a slow breath, trying to stay composed despite the fire crawling under his skin. “So what do you suggest I do? Watch her get torn apart in training sessions? Let her sister walk around camp scared out of her skin? Let her sick mother keep getting passed over for healer visits while everyone else gets priority?”
“We’ve made our stance clear,” Elder Mina said. “Until we are confident in her loyalty and intentions, you are not to make your bond public. You will continue your courtship with Rhea as planned.”
Rowan stared at them in disbelief. “You think courting someone else will make this easier?”
“It maintains appearances,” Thorne answered smoothly. “This pack needs stability, not scandal. Claiming a rogue—one who may or may not have had ties to the same group that attacked us—is not a wise political move.”
“She saved her sister from that Alpha,” Rowan bit out. “She fought him. Nearly died doing it.”
“Maybe,” Mina said, lifting one brow. “Or maybe it was a performance. A convenient way to ingratiate herself into your good graces.”
“That’s a damn reach and you know it.”
“We know what we know,” Thorne said, standing slowly. “And until Giselle proves herself loyal to this pack—by action, not sentiment—our answer is final.”
Rowan’s hands braced against the edge of the table. “She is my mate.”
“You’ll find,” Thorne said, voice suddenly ice-cold, “that being Alpha doesn’t mean you always get what you want. Sometimes leadership is about sacrifice.”
Rowan stared at them all, disgust curling in his gut. “You’re asking me to sacrifice my mate.”
“We’re asking you to serve the pack,” Mina corrected.
He straightened. “I won’t abandon her.”
“Then be discreet,” Harlan said. “Keep your bond hidden. Let her earn her place, and if—if—she succeeds, we will revisit the subject.”
Rowan shook his head in disbelief, the fury under his skin turning to something colder. More dangerous.
Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the chamber.
The corridor outside was dim and cool, lined with tapestries depicting battles and oaths long passed. Rowan leaned against the wall, trying to breathe through the hurricane inside his chest.
‘We’re not going to let them control this,’ his wolf growled in his mind, all teeth and fury. ‘We should’ve claimed her on the first day. She’s ours.’
“We can’t protect her if the pack turns against her,” Rowan murmured aloud.
‘And how do we protect her by letting her suffer?’
Rowan didn’t have an answer for that.
—
The fire in Rowan’s chamber had burned low, casting long shadows across the stone floor. He sat at the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, fingers threaded through his hair. The silence in the room felt heavier than it should’ve—thickened by frustration, duty, and the bitter weight of longing.
A quiet knock sounded at the door.
He didn’t move. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and the soft padding of footsteps crossed the threshold. He looked up to find Rhea standing there, calm and composed, her dark eyes unreadable as they took him in.
“Rhea,” he said, pushing to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting—”
“I know,” she interrupted gently, closing the door behind her.
Rowan straightened his shoulders, instantly aware of the awkwardness that hung between them. “Is everything all right?”
She nodded once, then took a breath. “I wanted to speak with you. Alone.”
He motioned for her to sit, but she shook her head. “I know about Giselle,” she said plainly.
Rowan blinked, stunned by the directness. “What do you mean?”
Rhea arched a brow, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You’re not exactly subtle, Rowan. The way you look at her. The way your wolf paces when she’s not nearby. I may be quiet, but I’m not blind.”
A silence settled between them. Rowan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I… didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said honestly. “You’ve been nothing but gracious through this entire mess, and I never wanted you dragged into it.”
“I know that too.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “And I haven’t forgotten your promise—to choose your mate, if you found her.”
Rowan gave a slow nod. “I meant it.”
Rhea’s expression softened. “Then honor it. Claim her, when the time is right. Let the pack see who you truly belong to.”
Rowan swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I’m trying. But the Elders—”
“I know how they are,” she cut in gently. “You’ll deal with them in your own way. Just don’t let their fear become your burden.”
His gaze dropped for a moment, the weight of her understanding settling over him like an unexpected comfort.
“Would you…” he hesitated, unsure how to phrase it, “Could I ask something of you?” Rhea tilted her head. “Be kind to her. She hasn’t had an easy path to get here. And I think she’s still waiting for someone to prove she belongs.”
Rhea’s lips twitched—not quite a smile, but something close. She turned toward the door. “You didn’t even have to ask, Alpha.”
With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Rowan in the quiet once more.
But this time, it didn’t feel so heavy.
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