Chapter 67
“What is she?” Owen screamed, I felt the energy inside me start to build again, despite my efforts to calm myself.
“Just keep breathing Charlie, it’ll be okay. You can control this.” Maria whispered, barely audible over the din of the crowd. I could hear them all.
“What is she?”
“Have you ever seen anything like that before?”
“Her eyes, her eyes!”
“Practically burning!”
“Glowing purple!”
“Never seen anything like that before!”
I felt the panic rising within me as Maria continued to softly encourage me to take back control, I just didn’t know how.
“Eyes!”
“Eyes!”
“EYES!” Seemed to echo from everywhere.
“Quiet! Everyone, now!” Richard’s voice boomed around the hall. “I have seen this before, there is nothing to fear. This is how Miss Phillips’ powers started manifesting. She will not hurt anyone, and all this noise and panic could force a power we have not yet witnessed to present itself. So, everyone calm down and take your seats, or I will end this tribunal now, without a vote.” He snapped at the audience of elders. I didn’t dare open my eyes instead I focused on calming my breath and on Maria’s gentle instructions.
“That’s it, Charlie, deep breath in... and out.” I managed a weak smile in her direction, as I kept my eyes shut tight. “Good girl, you’re doing great, last one then I want you to open your eyes and look at me, okay?” She asked softly. I took a final breath and opened one eye, she laughed at my response. “Back to blue, you’re good.” She smiled, rubbing my arm before pulling me into a hug. “Just stay calm and everything will be fine.” She breathed into my hair before releasing me so I could take my seat again in front of the now anxious faces. I sat with my back straight and head up, faking confidence until I could feel it.
“Charlie, do you feel you can continue?” Richard asked me quietly.
“Yes, I’m sorry, I got upset.” It was the only explanation I was willing to give in front of Owen.
“That’s alright, anyone in your position would have been by the questions asked,” Richard replied, shooting his brother a furious glance. “I suggest, if there are no questions left, we commence with the vote. And to be clear, Miss Phillips doesn’t know anything about her powers, however, she and our Alpha have received word of where her father could be and will be going there Monday to get answers. So, all those in favour of ending the tribunal until we know more about Miss Phillips’ heritage and powers, raise your hands.” Richard ordered, I felt confusion swallow me, I thought they would vote on whether I was banished or not today. More than half of the elders raised their hands, I would have to go through this all again, I felt dejected and uncertain of what we would do next. Richard nodded at the crowd. “Those in favour of voting today?” around fifteen people raised their hands, including Owen. “The vote on whether Miss Phillips becomes our Luna or is banished from the pack lands will be postponed until we have more information. Thank you all, dismissed.” He said with authority, turning his back on them all, his eyes boring into his brother’s back as Owen attempted to storm out of the hall through a side door. “Owen, a moment please?” Richard bellowed over the noise of people filing out, ensuring everyone heard him. I saw a few people stop to witness what Richard would say to his brother. I didn’t move either, unsure I would be able to stand, my legs felt weak and jellylike in the wake of the realisation that there were always going to be people afraid of me because of my powers. Whatever they were. I watched Owen stomp over to his brother, like a petulant teenager.
“I will not apologise for not wanting that half-breed as our Luna!” He screamed in Richard’s face. I heard Maria snarl to my left and Ben growl to my right, it filled me with appreciation and love for the pair, whom I had no doubt would have ripped him to pieces if it were not for Richard’s signal for them to stay where they were. I was so focused on the brothers in front of me that I didn’t hear the gasps and whispers of those still in the room until I heard Daniel’s voice over everything.
“Epsilon Owen Summer!” He roared. “You have been accused of treason against your Alpha and pack!” My stomach dropped, this wasn’t the plan, the pack were going to think Daniel was doing this in response to Owen’s stance on me being Luna. Allowing the coup to recruit more people and adding fuel to the fire of the idea that Daniel was unfit to rule. It took me a moment to find Daniel in the throng of people, and another moment to compute that he wasn’t alone. He had five very intimidating-looking men with him, the one leading them was almost as tall as Daniel, he must have been 6ft 3 and was impressively muscular. Without thinking, I leapt from my seat and ran down the steps towards him, silently praying it wasn’t too late to stop him, without tipping off the coup.
“Daniel, you can’t arrest him for treason, I’m not Luna yet, voicing his concerns, while insulting and racist isn’t called for all this.” I tried reasoning with him, as I silently cursed the fact I couldn’t say more out loud, or via mind-link.
“That isn’t the reason he is being arrested and placed in the cells,” Daniel said softly, he stroked my cheek reassuringly. “What kind of leader do you think I am?” He asked with a smile.
“I don’t understand, why is he being arrested then?” I replied, hoping someone would link Daniel and change his mind before the whole plan was blown to pieces.
“Earlier today, several rogue wolves attempted to cross onto our territory, they had text messages and orders from our Epsilon.” Daniel raised his voice for all to hear. “The Epsilon also left several key areas of our borders unprotected, to aid their invasion.” He turned to face the pack members, rather than his uncle, I saw their fear, disgust and anger the more they heard. “With so many of our pack here, their objective was to find and kill me, with the Epsilon’s help, and the help of some of our warriors that have already been taken into custody. Once I was dead, my mate, Beta, our Gammas, and some of you, would have been killed, in order for Owen to become Alpha!” The growl of outrage was almost deafening, so much so I didn’t hear the ripping of clothes Daniel did. He turned quickly, grabbed me and flung me behind him. One of the men he entered with caught me and placed his body in front of mine, I recognised him as the security guard from Appletree, Kyle Henry. Before I could react, Daniel was gone, his wolf was leaping towards a paler grey wolf, that was attacking from where Owen had been standing. Three of the men with Daniel, also shifted, circling the two wolves that were biting and snarling at each other. While Kyle and the other man who hadn't shifted, started barking orders for the elders to retreat and leave the hall. I was frozen at Kyle’s side, paralysed by my fear of something happening to Daniel. It took me a moment to realise, that Richard had also shifted and was taking a protective stance between the fight and his wife and the other members that were on the long table at the front. He growled menacingly each time Owen’s wolf came too close to them. Ben leapt from the stage, shifting mid-air, and landing on the table, preventing Owen from escaping that way. It was almost beautiful, like a ballet, the way the wolves moved, blocking Owen’s path, but avoiding coming between the Alpha and his prey. Each one shifted slightly, to keep Owen trapped within the circle as Daniel’s wolf, clawed and bit at any part he could attack. I saw Maria selflessly grabbing council members from behind Richard’s wolf and pushing them towards the doors and away from danger. The only person, who hadn’t fled was Miranda, she was staring at her brother-in-law with a fury I had never witnessed before. Once the room was cleared, it was like someone gave Daniel a signal, he immediately went for Owen’s throat, pinning him to the ground and savagely biting him. The other wolves growled approvingly, Owen tried fighting back, but even I could see he was no match for Daniel, he was much smaller and soon submitted. Daniel and the other wolves shifted together as Owen’s now human body lay bleeding on the ground, too weak to stand. In human form, they howled as one, it was incredible, and terrifying, and majestic. I was still frozen in my spot behind Kyle, he and the other man were also howling, making the sound incredibly loud. I felt myself tremble, as shock overtook my body. Daniel turned to look at me, as the other men lifted an unconscious Owen up and out of the room. Kyle, however, didn’t move with everyone else, because as I soon realised, I was gripping his arm tightly, unable to let go. Daniel marched towards us, his beautiful face smeared with blood, as were several parts of his body. He had scratches on his arms, legs and the side of his torso, they appeared to be healing at super speed. But his face was flashing between concern and jealousy with each step in my direction. I felt Kyle’s body stiffen, as Daniel neared us, but he didn’t move an inch. When Daniel reached us, I saw his jaw clench.
“Charlie, you need to let Eta Henry go.” Was all he said, I felt my whole body shake and tears spilled from my eyes. “It’s okay, I’m okay!” Daniel’s voice became slightly panicked at my reaction. He had four parallel cuts from his eyebrow to his lip, that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from. The two men had to physically remove my hands from Kyle’s arm as I stood there crying and shivering. I couldn’t speak, I was sobbing hysterically, Daniel pulled me into his bare chest, holding me as I wept.
“Your face!” Was all I could manage to blubber as his bloodied hands stroked my hair.
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