The Relation Elder, taken aback by Luna Mavana’s statement, cleared his throat and backed away, mumbling under his breath.
” Are you threatening us? This is not right. You can not just make your own decisions about the pack’s affairs; the elders will give the farewell speech.” One of the Elders yelled, directing attention to himself.
” I have been so patient with all of you, to the point of not disputing anything, since the beginning of this discussion, but I will not tolerate the nonsense anymore. The Elders have been giving the farewell speeches since the beginning of this pack, and that will continue,” he added, receiving nods of agreement from the other elders and some of the pack members.
“If I may inquire, why was the tradition created?” The Elders looked stunned as Luna Mavana posed the question.
“It was created because the Alphas of this pack have never mated with their destined mate, and our ancestors believed that it would be a disgrace if such a person performed the last ritual,” one of the Elders said with a smile.
“That settles the entire argument,” Luna Mavana declared, bowing her head and prompting others to do the same.
“Today, we gather here to mourn the passing of our beloved Alpha, who died as an honorable man. His life was cut short by treachery and deceit, even though he never showed animosity toward any of us.” Her eyes fixed on the Elders, accusation burning in them.
The elders raised their heads in confusion, and a wave of unease washed over the taunting ones.
“The truth will be known, and justice will be served.”
The pack erupted in cheers and claps.
The Elders’ faces turned pale as the crowd’s cheers reminded them of their undying love for her, and their grip on power slipped away in front of them.
The civil Elder shook his head in disgust as he took slow steps toward the Relation Elder, who was distressed as he stared at Luna Mavana.
” What should we do? Our plan will fail as it is right now.” He whispered, his gaze darting around.
“She has even grown wings to the point of threatening us. Her words emit a disrespectful aura….. ”
“Stop talking and let me think carefully.” The Relation Elder turned away, diverting some attention to them.
The Civil Elder clenched his fist and pressed his lower lips into his mouth in embarrassment.
” If I may ask, Luna, you seem more arrogant than ever. Did you kill your husband for this reason?
I mean, you truly want to dominate this pack without any challenges?” The Relation Elder scoffed, his face displaying a nonchalant demeanor.
Sensing the obvious hatred and division among their leaders, the pack members’ whispers became louder.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Luna Mavana inquired, shocked by the unexpected charges.
“I mean, you…” His rest statement became stuck in his throat as a slap fell instantly on his cheeks.
As his stunned gaze pierced her, his hands shot to his cheeks.
As they witness the drama developing, the pack members gasp in confusion.
“Do not you have any respect? Talking to your Luna with disrespect and making false accusations is a crime.” The Alpha’s mother yelled.
Her eyes were blazing with rage as she glared at him. She pursed her lips in disgust, then inhaled deeply before opening them.
She walked over to Luna Mavana, who was grinning broadly, and said, “I think we need to conclude before things get worse.”
“We sincerely apologize for the mediocrity that occurred, but I believe we should move on to the next task.” All of them nodded in agreement when one of the elders spoke, except for the relation elder, who was giving the Alpha’s mother a disgusted look.
Despite the shame and hatred burning in his mind, he remained composed and moved away from them.
“Unfortunately, I will not be performing the ritual for our late Alpha; it will begin as soon as the Elders give their farewell speech.” She declared as her pent-up feelings surged through her body.
“I am too emotional and overburdened to do that.” She continued, stifling the tears that gathered in her eyes.
“I… ” She hesitated, conflicted but determined to keep her cool and hide her weakness.
“I need to make a statement.” From where he stood, looking around for approval, the Civil Elder shouted.
“You are allowed to speak,” Luna Mavana said in a low, stoic voice.
He said, “I know this is not the right time to say this, but I will say it anyway: the pack members will be on the jury.”
All of them turned to face him, their faces creased with curiosity and their eyes staring into his.
“Even though the Alpha has only recently been declared dead, pack affairs must continue, especially since we have yet to recover from the damage done to our pack. I will suggest that we, the Elders, take charge of the pack affairs for the time being,” He blurted out.
His words hung in the air, heavy with unexplained emotions, as everyone fell silent. The air was filled with shock and intrigue.
The members of the pack scrunched their faces and noses in confusion as the silence was suddenly broken by murmurs.
Luna Mavana turned to face the Alpha’s mother, who had a pale, worried expression on her face.
Her pupils widened in bewilderment as she forced her eyes away from the Alpha’s mother and pressed her lips together.
“Even though I am aware that it is a difficult decision, it will be made.” The Civil Elder grinned and went on, clearing his throat.
He went on to say, “The majority carries the vote.”
Unable to tolerate his words any longer, Luna Mavana screamed, “Enough of your irrational behavior.”
“Beta Frank or I should be making this decision; I do not even think we should be debating this issue to the point of voting.” She glared at him, her voice tinged with anger.
“I do not think you understand me,” he said, to applause and approval from the other elders. “The Elders of this pack are in charge of choosing the acting Alpha.”
“So, what should we say about the late Alpha’s mate, who also carries the heir to the throne? We should just ignore them and push them away?” A voice rose among the pack members, and her eyes squinted as she looked around, perplexed.
“Who are you to interfere in an affair that does not involve you?” The Civil Elder smirked.
“If I remember correctly, you mentioned earlier that the pack members are on the jury, right?”
“You can not just impose something on us like that; even our late Alpha thinks about us when making decisions.”
The pack members murmur, rejecting the civil Elder’s words.
Anger rose in him as he saw how his plans were being thwarted; he parted his lips to speak, but it became stuck in his throat when he saw Luna Mavana’s snuggly smile.
A lump formed in his throat, drawing his gaze away from Luna Mavana. He walked back into the pack, his jaw clenched and veins bulging in his neck.
“Is everything alright?” Beta Frank questioned, halting the Civil Elder in his tracks.
“Am I entitled to give you an answer?”
Beta Frank’s pupils constricted. “I demand an answer. What is going on? ”
“Perhaps you can take a stroll outside to know?” the Civil Elder asked, fixing Beta Frank’s eyes. After answering, he turned to leave.
As he stepped outside, Beta Frank’s hold tightened, controlling his rage.