Alpha Kael’s POV.
I frowned, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. “What about the Council, Elder? What’s going on?”
Elder Thorne’s expression turned grave. “An emergency meeting has been called, Kael. Your presence is required.”
I stood up, feeling a pit form in my stomach. What now? I had enough on my plate with the missing females and the pack’s security.
“Shall we?” He said and I gave a curt nod.
Elder Thorne led me to the Council meeting room, the tension between us palpable. As we entered, I saw the Council members seated around the table, some twitched their lips on seeing me but I could not care less.
“Alpha Kael,” one of them began, “we’ve called this meeting to discuss the recent… happenings in your pack.”
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “What’s happening?”
The council members exchanged looks before one of them spoke up again. “The missing females, the lack of patrols, the general disarray of your pack. It’s unacceptable, Kael.”
I tried to explain, but the questions kept coming, each one more accusing and annoying than the last. “What are you doing to find the missing females?” “Why haven’t you increased patrols?” “How can you expect to lead the pack when you can’t even keep them safe?”
I felt my temper rising, but I knew I had to keep it in check. I couldn’t let them get to me. These idiots have been paid by Keiran.
“I understand your concerns,” I said, trying to stay calm. “But I assure you, I’m doing everything in my power to find the missing females and restore order to my pack.”
But the questions kept coming, each okie aiming to piss me off or get me to say something I should not.
“Or is it keiran?” One asked, catching me off guard.
I gritted my teeth. “Keiran has nothing to do with this.”
But they wouldn’t let me be. “Are you sure?” another Council member asked. “Because it seems suspicious that he’s been absent during all this.”
I felt my control snapping, my anger rising to the surface. How dare they question me like this?
And then, just as I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, Elder Thorne spoke up. “Enough. Kael has answered your questions. Let us move on to the next matter.”
Elder Thorne’s voice cut through the murmurs, his eyes scanning the room. “Enough. Kael has answered your questions. Let us move on to the next matter.”
The Council members nodded, their faces still stern. One of them, a tall, thin man with a scar above his eyebrow, spoke up. “Very well. Alpha Kael, we have discussed your… situation, and we have come to a decision.”
I was amused by how well they have set me up. What had they decided?
A Council member continued his voice firm. “We are giving you six months to fix things, Kael. Six months to find the missing females, to restore order to your pack, and to prove yourself as a capable leader.”
I felt a surge of anger, but I knew I had to keep it in check. “And if I don’t?” I asked, my voice even.
The Council member’s eyes narrowed. “If you don’t, then we will have no choice but to consider other options. Options that may include… removing you from your position as Alpha.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. They were threatening me, threatening to take away everything I had worked for.
“And who would take my place?” I asked, my voice cold.
And the answer came just as I had expected it. “Your brother, Keiran, has expressed interest in the position. And he has the support of many pack members.”
“I see,” I said, my voice low, as I tried to hide my laughter. “And what makes you think Keiran would be a better leader than me?”
The Council member shrugged. “He has promised to bring order to the pack, to restore our honor and our strength. And he has the support of many pack members.”
I laughed out loud. “Keiran’s promises are empty, and his support is bought and paid for. He would ruin this pack, destroy everything we hold dear.”
The Council member’s face turned red with anger, but Elder Thorne intervened before he could speak. “Enough, Kael. We have made our decision. You have six months to fix things. If you don’t… then we will take action.”
“I accept your challenge,” I said, my voice firm. “I will find the missing females, restore order to my pack, and prove myself as a capable leader. And I will do it all within the next six months.”
The Council members looked at each other, seemingly surprised by my acceptance. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, spoke up. “Very well, Alpha Kael. We will hold you to that promise.”
I nodded, my jaw set. “I would expect nothing less.”
Elder Thorne gave me a small smile. “Then it is settled. Kael, you have six months to prove yourself. If you succeed, then we will recognize you as the rightful Alpha of this pack. But if you fail… then Keiran will take your place.”
I nodded, ready to win and prove these fools wrong. “I will not fail,” I said, my voice void of emotion. “I will do whatever it takes to protect my pack and my position as Alpha.”
The Council members nodded, and some sneered. “We will be watching you, Kael,” one of them said. “Closely.”
I smiled a cold smile. “I would expect nothing less.”
With that, the meeting was adjourned. I left the Council chamber, my heart pounding with each step. I would not fail. I would find the missing females, restore order to my pack, and prove myself as a capable leader. No matter what it took.
As I walked out of the chamber, I saw Keiran waiting for me, a smirk spreading across his face. “Well, well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. “Looks like you’ve accepted the challenge, brother.”
I nodded, my eyes narrowing. “I have,” I said, my voice cold. “And I will win.”
“I hope so…brother,” Keiran said and whistled as he walked away.