Zayn sat at the head of the long stone table, fingers tapping slowly and impatiently on the armrest. Ezra stood behind him, arms crossed and annoyed.
“They’re late,” Ezra muttered. “They think just because the Alpha King...”
“Let it go,” Zayn said quietly.
Just then, the doors creaked open.
Alpha King Dace sauntered in, flanked by several Alphas. His eyes swept over the room, then landed on Zayn.
“Thank you for keeping my seat warm, Zayn,” He said with a smirk as he walked up to him.
Zayn didn’t flinch, nor did he move.
“Meeting was set for noon,” He reminded,” You’re late.”
“My apologies,” Dace continued, “We got a little carried away.”
The other Alphas nodded in agreement with sly smiles.
“Now that we’re here, let’s not waste time,” He added as he gestured at the chair Zayn sat on, “Would you be so kind as to return my seat to me, Zayn?”
Ezra tensed up behind him.
“That’s your seat,” he muttered under his breath.
Zayn held up a hand, silencing him. Without a word, he stood and stepped aside.
Dace sank into the chair with a satisfied sigh. “Much better. Now we can begin.”
The room grew quiet as the rest took their seats, some casting brief glances at Zayn, others pretending not to notice.
Ezra sat behind Zayn, his jaw tight.
“I’ve been asking around,” Dace said. “Talking to your pack. Listening.”
Zayn stayed quiet, but Ezra folded his arms, already on edge.
“There’s been an increase in complaints coming from the Thunder Paw wolves,” Dace continued. “They don’t trust your leadership.”
Zayn scoffed. “Says who? Did you talk to the kitchen staff or the warriors?”
Dace smiled lazily. “I’ve spoken to many. Enough to see there’s a pattern.”
Zayn’s voice was calm. “There’s always talk. That doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“Maybe,” Dace said. “But from what I’ve seen, this pack’s a mess. Half of them still don’t know where they stand. You’ve got broken wolves, old grudges, and no real structure.”
Zayn’s jaw tensed. “We’re rebuilding.”
“And how long will that take?” Dace asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because right now, all I see is chaos.”
“We were enslaved,” Ezra cut in sharply. “You expect perfection overnight?”
“I expect progress,” Dace snapped. “Not confusion.”
Zayn kept his eyes on the table. “So what do you want?”
“Reform,” Dace said simply. “Fix the pack. Get it under control. Or someone else will.”
Zayn’s voice cut in, calm but cold. “You want me to step down?”
“Not yet.” Dace’s tone was light, but his eyes were sharp. “But the idea is on the table. We can’t afford weakness in leadership.”
Zayn didn’t flinch. “You think I’m weak?”
“I think you’re... unpredictable,” Dace said smoothly. “And that is dangerous.”
The room was heavy with silence.
Zayn leaned forward. “Then why are you still sitting at my table?”
Dace’s smirk faded slightly.
Ezra chuckled under his breath.
Dace’s smile returned, thinner now. “Let’s not play games, Zayn. Your position is under review. You’ve made some questionable choices lately.”
Zayn’s eyes narrowed. “Questionable choices?”
The Alpha King raised a brow, “You tell me.”
“Let’s not beat about the bush, your Majesty. What choices are you referring to?”
Dace leaned back in his seat, folding his arms. “Your Luna candidate is questionable.”
Zayn didn’t speak immediately. He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the Alpha King. "You saw it yourself during the full moon dance. Xavier is unfit to lead. He’s unstable." freew\ebno\vel..(c)om
Alpha Kade opened his mouth to object, but Dace’s sharp glance silenced him.
Zayn didn’t miss the exchange. "Don’t hold back now. If you have something to say, say it."
Kade shifted uncomfortably but remained silent.
Zayn’s voice hardened. "You all turned a blind eye to Alpha Grayson’s cruelty. He destroyed my pack, and none of you intervened."
The room fell into a tense silence.
Dace’s expression remained unreadable. "Grayson’s actions were... regrettable."
"Regrettable?" Zayn’s voice rose slightly. "He murdered and tortured wolves. My people, your subjects. Let’s not forget the debauchery he relished in. And now you question my leadership?"
Ezra placed a calming hand on Zayn’s shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
"You question my decisions, yet you did nothing when Grayson was in power."
Dace’s eyes narrowed. "This isn’t about the past. It’s about ensuring the future stability of the packs."
Zayn stood, his chair scraping against the stone floor. "Then perhaps it’s time we stop repeating past mistakes."
The room remained silent, the weight of Zayn’s words hanging heavily in the air.
Zayn straightened, voice firm and unwavering. “I’ve already made my declaration. Lily will be Luna. Together, we’ll rebuild what Grayson destroyed. Both packs, mine and the remnants of Thunder Paw, need unity. This is the way forward.”
A low murmur rippled across the table. Some of the Alphas looked unsure, others skeptical.
Alpha King Dace raised a brow. “You think naming a former slave as your Luna is going to unite the packs?”
“She’s more than that,” Zayn said tightly. “She’s of the alpha bloodline of Thunder Paw. She’s endured more than anyone sitting here. There’s no one more suitable.”
Dace’s expression remained cold. “That might be true. But has she agreed to this?”
Zayn hesitated. “She hasn’t objected.”
“That’s not the same,” Dace said, leaning forward. “What if she’s just afraid to speak up? You were once a slave too, Zayn. You of all people should understand what fear could do.”
Zayn’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
“I want to speak to her myself,” Dace continued. “Privately. I want to hear her say it.”
Ezra’s chair scraped softly as he shifted behind Zayn. “With all due respect, Your Majesty...”
“No,” Zayn cut in before Ezra could finish. His voice was sharp, final. “You don’t get her alone.”
The Alpha King narrowed his eyes. “Are you hiding something?”
“I’m protecting her,” Zayn said. “You question my leadership, fine. But I won’t let you use her to make a point.”
“I’m questioning her free will, not your pride,” Dace said, folding his hands. “If this agreement is real, she’ll say it herself.”
Zayn didn’t answer. He could feel the heat rising behind his ribs. There was this twist of doubt that curled in his chest. What if Dace was right? What if she felt pressured... trapped?
He hated that he didn’t know.
Dace stood slowly, eyes locked with Zayn’s. “You say she’s to be Luna. Fine. But if that’s true, she’s not just your responsibility anymore. She’s ours.”
Zayn’s jaw tightened, his voice steady but laced with tension. "Fine. Bring her in. Let her speak for herself."
Ezra immediately pushed back his chair, rising to his feet. "I’ll go get her."
But before he could take a step, Dace raised a hand, his tone icy. "No. You’ll stay."
Ezra froze, confusion flickering across his face. "Your Majesty—"
Dace’s gaze sharpened. "Respect is earned, Beta. And right now, I don’t trust your intentions."
Zayn’s eyes narrowed, sensing the underlying accusation. "What are you implying?"
Dace leaned back, fingers steepled. "I’m implying that perhaps your Beta has his own agenda. One that might not align with the truth we’re seeking."
Ezra bristled, fists clenching at his sides. "I only want what’s best for the pack."
"And yet," Dace said smoothly, "your eagerness suggests otherwise."
Turning to one of his own guards, Dace nodded. "Bring the girl. Now."