The morning the envoys left was subdued despite the fact there was practically a buffet of food available with loads of werewolves coming in.
Ava stood next to Adrian making small discussions with the envoy team. Javier still wasn’t friendly with her.
If she asked him a direct question in front of people, he answered politely but distantly and although she had listened when Alex told her it would take some time, she had naively assumed that they would part on better terms.
“It was wonderful having you here.” Adrian was saying now. “Thank you very much for everything.”
“It was our duty. We will see you at the next Werewolf Council meeting, goddess willing.”
“Goddess willing.” Adrian intoned and slipped his fingers around hers.
The Werewolf Council summons came early in the morning almost a week after the departure of the envoys and sooner than anyone had expected.
“This is the first Werewolf council seating that the Mountain Coast will be seating in on. Naturally, the elders should have representatives accompany our Alpha and Luna.”
Ava had zero doubts about the fact that Elder Elvis was planning to nominate himself for the trip. Naturally. The more times she sat in on elder meetings the more she was beginning to understand Adrian’s ever-increasing irritation towards the man.
These meetings were an unfortunate aftereffect of picking up her slack as the Luna of the pack and she could swear that Elder Elvis gave her the evil eye every time she came in.
“There will be no need for that. Calvin will be accompanying us as well. The pack will need the guidance of all the elders at this crucial time. The last thing we need to do is to leave the pack defenceless at this time.”
Adrian sounded very matter of fact that Ava had to fight to conceal her smile. She knew the real reason behind him not wanting any elders to come along was that Adrian had no intention of spending any length of time alone with Elder Elvis or giving him any extra no required time to monitor him.
Not that she could blame Adrian. She didn’t been particularly enchanted with Elder Elvis when she had finally gotten to talk to him about Gabrielle. It didn’t take much to know how Ivy had gotten the way she had.
She met him immediately after an Elder meeting.
“Elder Elvis.”
He paused mid-stride surprised that the was talking to him. Generally, they didn’t speak much to each other, both of them pointedly trying to ignore the other’s existence.
“Luna Ava. A pleasure.”
He bowed lightly, his bow nothing more than an incline. It was an insult to her. A subtle one but still an insult.
Ava ignored it. He could play politics all he wanted. She has come for her sister’s and mother’s sake. She was here to make peace.
“Same here, Elder. I wondered if we could perhaps speak?” She added. “In private.”
The man looked vaguely intrigued. Ava almost dared hope.
“Of course.”
And that was how she had found herself seated in the empty meeting room with Elder Elvis.
She had gone straight to the point with her fingers crossed and her heart in her throat.
“I need to know where my sister is. I would really appreciate any help you could render.”
Elder Elvis looked at her questioningly as if to ask if that was all. When she didn’t keep talking, he spoke.
“My apologies Luna. I will be unable to assist you. You of all people should know that I cannot divulge that to you.” He stood. “If that was all you wished to talk to me about, I take your leave, Luna.”
“Wait!” Ava stood up quickly. “Elder Elvis, please. I will beg if that is what you want. My mother, she is sick. If you adhere to the letter of the law, she could be dead by the time Gabrielle’s sentence is over.”
He turned back to look at her, his gaze was cold and unreadable.
“If that is what must happen, then it will. I didn’t make your mother sick or your sister a traitor. Your family did that all on their own.”
“Elder! You push your boundaries.”
“No, you push yours, Luna. You think everything revolves around you. That just because you happened to be Adrian’s mate, you have what it takes to lead this pack. To change our laws and traditions.”
“Maybe those laws need to be changed or if they give corrupt wolves like you the power to oppress whosoever you please.” Ava fumed all plans of peace going out the window.
Elder Elvis’s eyes turned darker and she felt him throw off a wave of dominance meant to cow her. She stood her ground. Adrian was far more dominant than he was and she could stand toe to toe with him.
Elder Elvis didn’t seem to like that as he leaned in, a malevolent gleam in his eyes.
“Be thankful for your mate, Ava. The goddess keep both of you together.”
Then he left her there with that wish that felt more like a threat.
She had successfully made a staunch enemy and she was still nowhere close to finding her sister. She was coming to understand the inevitable. She might never find Gabrielle. At least not in time for her to see their mother before she died.
The sound of Elder Elvis’s voice brought her back to the present.
“Who said anything about the elders going, Alpha? We also want to keep the pack safe and secure. Which is why I said, representatives. People who we trust that can look after your well-being, best interests and those of the pack.”
Of course.
Ava saw the realization dawn on Adrian’s face a second too late. His hands were tied behind his back because while he had given all the reasons the Elders couldn’t join them, he had practically left open a gap for Elder Elvis to utilize.
Adrian opened his mouth anyway as though to correct this oversight but Elder Cayenne was already speaking.
“A wonderful idea, a wonderful idea.” He nodded.
The other Elders began to express their similar sentiments and the discussion moved on to the people who should have the esteemed pleasure of escorting the Alpha couple for the council meeting.
One penny who was the first nominee.
And that was how they were conned into taking Ivy with them.