Chapter 64
The courtyard was drenched in chaos. Bella's scream cut through the sounds of the battle, raw and desperate as she fought against two guards who held her back.
"Father! Stop this!" she cried out, her voice shaking. "Tell them to stop!"
Marcus glanced her way, his face betraying the slightest flicker of doubt, but his pride held firm, keeping him in place as his warriors fell one by one. He clenched his fists, torn between his need to win and the brutal truth unfolding before him: he was losing this battle. Jake was a force beyond anything Marcus had prepared for, and he knew it.
Jake grinned, wild and unrestrained, his teeth stained red as he tossed aside yet another defeated wolf. "Just say the word, Marcus!" he taunted, flashing a blood-splattered grin. His voice echoed through the courtyard, taunting and daring Marcus to surrender.
When another wolf launched itself at Jake, he caught it mid-air, twisting savagely until a sharp crack resounded. He let the limp body drop, his gaze never leaving Marcus. Finally, Marcus stepped forward, holding up his hand.
"Stop! You win!" he shouted, falling to his knees in surrender. "Just… stop killing my men."
A sigh of relief escaped me as the tension in the air shifted. I saw Jake’s shoulders relax as he let go of his last opponent, dropping the massive werewolf to the ground after one last punch.
"Smart choice," Jake sneered, his gaze locking onto Marcus’s defeated form. "I was starting to think I'd have to put you down myself. Maybe I should." He moved forward, his hand curling tightly around Marcus's throat, lifting him slightly as his eyes bore into him, daring him to resist.
"Please, Jake, don't kill him!" Bella appeared by his side, using her werewolf speed to close the distance, her voice pleading. "Please… for me."
Jake’s eyes flicked to her, softening for a brief second. With a sigh, he let his grip loosen, though he didn’t release Marcus entirely. "For your daughter’s sake, I’ll let you live,” he muttered. “But this betrayal won’t go unpunished.” He leaned in close, his voice low and menacing. “You are hereby banished from my territory, Marcus. If I see you again, I’ll make you watch as I skin your wife alive before I end you."
A flash of horror crossed Marcus’s face, his jaw tightening, but Bella’s expression was one of pure relief. I could tell she was grateful, even if she didn't dare show it openly.
“Thank you,” Bella whispered, glancing down at her father. Her shoulders were slumped, her exhaustion clear.
Jake turned, surveying the silent crowd that had gathered, every eye fixed on him. “Let this be a lesson to all of you. Stand with me and accept that I am your Alpha, or die as my enemy,” he commanded, his voice cutting through the night like a blade.
The crowd murmured in agreement, some exchanging anxious glances, others nodding quickly to show their loyalty.
As the silence settled, I exhaled a shaky breath, turning to Fatima. She nudged me with a sly grin. “That was intense,” she whispered, eyes wide.
“You think?” I muttered, feeling a wave of nausea wash over me.
Sophie rolled her eyes, muttering as we made our way back inside. “Good riddance to the red-headed family,” she sneered. “They’re a bunch of arrogant fools.”
I tried to focus, but Fatima elbowed me again, her voice low. "Baby daddy’s here,” she teased, giving me a mischievous grin.
“Oh, God,” I groaned, knowing full well that Jake’s sensitive werewolf hearing had caught every word. Sure enough, I glanced over to see him lifting a brow at me, his mouth curving into a smirk as he dried his hands with a towel.
Fatima’s face went pale as she realized what she’d done. “Oh crap… he totally heard that,” she mumbled, covering her mouth.
Sophie snorted, barely containing her laughter. “And he can still hear you.”
Jake approached us, the faint hint of amusement in his eyes as he studied me. “So,” he drawled, crossing his arms, “that’s my new nickname, huh?”
I blushed, trying to sound nonchalant. “It’s… just a silly joke.”
He tilted his head, smiling in that dangerously charming way of his. “Uh-huh,” he said, taking my hand. “Come on. You too, Fatima and Sophie.”
He led us toward the meeting hall, where several council members were already seated, waiting for him. As he sat at the head of the table, I took my seat beside him on the right, with Sophie and Fatima settling into the empty chairs nearby.
The atmosphere was tense as Jake looked over the gathered council members, his gaze piercing. “I take it everyone’s heard about the events tonight?” His voice was calm, yet there was an undercurrent of restrained anger. “One of our own, Marcus, decided to betray me. Instead of embracing the pack’s new future, he tried to remove me permanently. His foolish attempt failed, and many men died because of it.”
Murmurs rippled through the council, but they quickly fell silent under Jake’s glare.
“I spared his life,” Jake continued, his tone icy. “He’s been banished. Let it be known that disloyalty will not be tolerated. No one challenges my authority and lives to speak of it.”
An elderly woman seated at the far end of the table, her hands folded primly in her lap, raised her voice. “But, my Lord, was it wise to sever ties with Marcus? That alliance was valuable to Avalon’s strength.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “I do not care for alliances built on betrayal. They are worthless,” he replied. “If we rely on people who plot against us, we are no stronger than the weakest link in our chain. This pack is stronger than alliances based on lies and deceit.”
The council exchanged uncertain glances, and I felt a wave of pride at Jake’s unwavering resolve.
After a moment of silence, the same elderly woman spoke again, her tone laced with disapproval. “Is it true that the witch is pregnant?” She directed her question at Jake, but her sharp glare landed squarely on me.
Jake’s hand clenched the edge of the table, and he let out a low growl. “Yes,” he replied, his voice dangerously soft. “And that ‘witch’ is my mate. She’s carrying my child, Avalon’s future. If any harm befalls her, every one of you will answer to me.”
He rose from his seat, his powerful presence sending a shiver through the room. “From now on, she is under this pack’s protection. Do I make myself clear?”
The council members nodded quickly, a few visibly trembling, and a heavy silence fell as Jake’s gaze swept over each of them.
The woman cleared her throat, her voice trembling slightly as she forced out a reply. “Yes, my Lord. We understand.”
Jake nodded, satisfied. “Good.” He looked around one last time, his expression softening slightly as he glanced back at me.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after, and as the council members filed out, I stayed seated, trying to process everything that had happened. Sophie and Fatima leaned in close, their eyes alight with curiosity.
“Did you see how they all scrambled to agree with him?” Fatima whispered, impressed.
Sophie grinned. “He’s made an impression, that’s for sure.”
Jake’s hand found mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Come on,” he said, his voice softer than before. “Let’s go. I have more to discuss with you… in private.”
Fatima winked at me as Jake led me out of the hall, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Jake might be a ruthless Alpha, but in this moment, with his hand holding mine, I felt a strange comfort—a reminder that despite everything, we were in this together. And whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew he’d face them with the same strength that had drawn me to him in the first place.
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