Chapter 23 - Dark Purpose

Elder Ian and Elder Lyndon stepped into their usual bar, a dimly lit establishment on the outskirts of the city. The familiar scent of alcohol and cheap perfume hung in the air as they made their way to their favorite table. The bartender, recognizing them immediately, nodded and began pouring their usual beers.
"Here we go again," Elder Lyndon muttered as they sat down. He seemed lost in thought, reflecting on the tense meeting they had just left.
Elder Ian sighed, his thoughts echoing the same sentiment. As they settled in, two pretty girls who worked at the bar, familiar faces to the elders, sidled up to them. Elder Ian's eyes lingered on Ivana, his personal favorite. She was a strikingly beautiful woman, with long dark hair and a flirtatious smile that could charm anyone.
Ivana perched herself beside Elder Ian, leaning in close. "Evening, handsome. Long day?" she purred, her voice dripping with practiced seduction.
Elder Ian managed a smile, though his mind was elsewhere. "You could say that. Sometimes, things don't go the way you want them to."
Ivana laughed softly, her fingers tracing patterns on the table. "Sounds like you need a distraction. How about I help with that?" Her tone was playful, but her eyes were calculating.
Elder Ian's thoughts drifted back to the earlier confrontation with Elder Kelvin and the sting of the younger elder's words. Were they really just envious of Alpha Shane? Was that why they were so adamantly against Giselle? He frowned, considering the possibility.
"Let me ask you something, Ivana," Elder Ian said, his voice more serious than usual. "Would you ever consider marrying a werewolf?"
Ivana raised an eyebrow, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Depends on the werewolf, darling. If he's rich and powerful like you, then why not? I've always had a thing for a man with some cold cash, werewolf or not."
Her flippant answer made Elder Ian frown. Ivana's mercenary nature was no secret, but her words highlighted something he had been avoiding. She didn't care about who he was, only what he had. In contrast, Giselle, despite being human, had won Alpha Shane's heart without ulterior motives.
Elder Lyndon, who had been engaged in a similar conversation with his own companion, turned his attention back to Elder Ian. "What's on your mind, Ian?"
Elder Ian shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "Just thinking about what Kelvin said. Maybe there's some truth to it."
Lyndon grunted, clearly displeased with the reminder. "Forget about Kelvin. We're doing what we believe is best for the pack."
"But are we really?" Ian countered. "Or are we just being petty because Shane found something we don't have?"
Ivana, sensing the shift in mood, decided to steer the conversation back to lighter topics. "Come on, boys. You're here to relax. Let's not talk about pack politics."
Elder Lyndon raised his glass in agreement, but Elder Ian remained contemplative. Ivana's presence, once a welcome distraction, now served as a stark reminder of what they were missing. Genuine connection, true loyalty—qualities that couldn't be bought.
The bar's music grew louder as the night progressed, and the elders found themselves surrounded by the familiar chaos of their usual haunt. Despite the noise and the company of the pretty girls, Elder Ian couldn't shake the feeling of discontent. For the first time, he questioned their plan against Giselle and what it truly meant for the future of the pack.
As Ivana leaned in to whisper something in his ear, Elder Ian glanced around the bar. The realization struck him hard: no matter how many times they came here, no matter how many pretty faces they surrounded themselves with, they would never find what Shane had with Giselle. A modest, genuine love that transcended the superficiality of wealth and power.
Elder Ian turned to Ivana, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ivana, we appreciate the company, but right now, we need some time to ourselves. We have some things to discuss."
Ivana rolled her eyes, clearly displeased but accustomed to the whims of her patrons. "Fine. Just call me if you want to be satisfied later." She winked and sauntered off, the other girl trailing behind her.
As soon as Ivana was out of earshot, Elder Ian's expression hardened. He leaned in closer to Elder Lyndon, his voice dripping with bitterness. "I never want to see Alpha Shane happy. Not after he’s chosen that human woman over one of our own."
Elder Lyndon nodded, his face reflecting the same resentment. "Agreed. Shane’s decision undermines everything we stand for. He’s putting his personal feelings above the needs and traditions of the pack."
Elder Ian clenched his fist around his beer glass, the foam threatening to spill over the edge. "It’s not just about tradition. It’s about power, control. Giselle can’t help him maintain that. She’s a liability, plain and simple."
Lyndon grunted in agreement. "Exactly. Shane's infatuation is clouding his judgment. A Luna needs to be strong, capable of leading alongside the Alpha, not someone who has to be protected."
Ian's eyes flashed with anger. "And what about when we’re attacked? She’s just a human. She’ll be the first to fall, and Shane’s attention will be divided. It’s a risk we can’t afford."
Lyndon took a long sip of his beer, his gaze distant. "We need to make sure Shane understands the gravity of his mistake. If that means Giselle has to disappear, then so be it."
Ian nodded, a dark smile playing on his lips. "Agreed. Trixie has already set things in motion. The rogue will handle Giselle. All we need to do is make sure the path is clear for them to get into the mansion."
Lyndon leaned back, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of anticipation and malice. "And if the rogue gets caught, we can pin it all on them. We’ll keep our hands clean."
Ian chuckled, raising his glass in a mock toast. "To a future where Shane is forced to see the error of his ways."
Lyndon clinked his glass against Ian's, the sound ringing hollow in the noisy bar. "To a future where our pack remains strong and untainted by human frailty."
As they drank, their minds churned with the plans they had set in motion, fueled by their greed and envy. The bar around them buzzed with activity, but for Ian and Lyndon, the night was filled with a dark, sinister purpose.