Chapter 27: The Council’s Ultimatum
The morning sun barely crested the horizon as Rowan approached the Elders' chambers, Rhea walking silently beside him. The weight of the previous night's revelations pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he masked his fatigue behind a stoic expression.
The Council chamber smelled of dried herbs, polished stone, and something else—old tension, maybe. Rowan entered with his shoulders squared, his expression unreadable. Rhea trailed behind him with quiet poise, her long braid swaying gently with each step.
Inside, the five Elders awaited, their expressions a mix of anticipation and impatience. Elder Malric, seated at the center, leaned forward, his eyes sharp.
"You stand before us again, Alpha Rowan," Malric said, voice low but commanding. "You’ve returned, we assume, to confirm your commitment to our plan."
Rowan kept his tone steady. "Yes. I’ve come to reiterate what was already agreed upon. I will declare my union with Rhea at the full moon next month, as previously discussed. That agreement still stands."
Malric's knuckles tightened on the armrest. "That is no longer acceptable, Alpha Rowan," Malric began, "we've convened to discuss the urgency of your mating. The full moon rises tomorrow night. It's time that you take Rhea as your mate and give this pack a Luna."
Rowan met his gaze evenly. "We had an agreement—three months to choose my mate. Only two have passed. And in case you have forgotten, I have already found my Goddess given mate."
"Agreements are not absolutes when they threaten the stability of the pack." Malric's voice rose slightly. "Each day you wait is a day uncertainty breeds. The rogues draw closer, your authority is questioned, and the pack grows restless."
Elder Brynn interjected, "Circumstances have changed since the initial deal. The pack needs stability, especially after recent attacks getting right on our borders."
Malric's voice hardened. "Delays breed doubt. The longer you wait, the more unrest festers within our packmates."
Before Rowan could respond, Rhea stepped forward, her voice calm yet firm. "With respect, Elders, we agreed upon three months. Rushing this union undermines that decision."
Elder Brynn tilted her head thoughtfully. "She's right. But Malric also speaks with reason. The timing of this union is no longer just a personal matter—it’s a symbol."
Rowan resisted the urge to glance at Rhea, but her calm presence beside him helped ground the tension threading through his spine.
Elder Thorne frowned, glancing over at Rhea. "Do you question the Council's wisdom?"
"Not at all," Rhea replied smoothly. "But a wedding of this magnitude requires preparation. The pack deserves a celebration worthy of its Alpha and his Luna."
"I understand the need for strength and unity," Rowan said. "That’s why I won’t rush something as vital as a mating bond just to soothe worried minds. A rushed announcement tomorrow is not happening."
Malric’s jaw clenched. "Then at least offer the pack something. They need reassurance. If not the ceremony, then a public declaration. A formal intention to mate at the following moon. Let them see you two together and hear the words from your lips."
The room fell into momentary silence.
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "You’re changing the terms."
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "You’re changing the terms."
"We are adapting them," Malric snapped. "This pack needs to see your commitment. And if your rogue hasn’t proven herself—"
"Leave her out of this," Rowan growled.
Elder Thorne raised a placating hand. "Rowan, we’re not asking for the bond. We’re asking for unity. A shared word, a gesture. One public show of strength to remind them who their leaders are."
Elder Soren added, "A ceremony can wait. But intent cannot."
Rhea’s soft voice interrupted the mounting pressure. “If it calms the pack and offers time to prepare, then I will stand beside Rowan and make our intentions clear, but nothing else.”
Malric’s eyes narrowed at her, searching for some deception.
“I see no harm in that,” said Elder Brynn. “It satisfies both timelines.”
Rowan exhaled slowly, studying the faces around him. One month. That’s all he needed. If this would keep Giselle and her family safe—if it bought him time—then he’d swallow the bitter taste of compromise.
“Fine,” Rowan said at last. “Tomorrow night, we will announce our intentions to mate.”
Malric leaned back in his chair, but the glint in his eyes was anything but satisfied.
“You will not regret this,” Elder Brynn said smoothly, his excitement palpable in the air.
Malric's eyes narrowed. "And what of the rogue and her family? Their presence continues to sow discord."
Rowan's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone neutral. "They remain under watch. No further incidents have occurred."
Elder Soren leaned forward. "Ensure it stays that way. The pack's safety is paramount."
Rowan inclined his head. "Of course."
As the meeting adjourned, Malric approached Rowan privately. "Don't let sentiment cloud your judgment, Alpha. The pack looks to you."
Rowan's eyes met his, a flicker of steel in their depths. "I haven't forgotten."
Without another word, Rowan turned and left the Elder’s chambers, his mood dark and worry in his heart. He didn’t know how to prove Giselle’s innocence and show the Elders that she belonged by his side, but he knew he would stop at nothing until he did.
Even if it costs him his position in his pack, he would take no other as his mate.
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