Daniel’s POV.
The council chamber was even more imposing than I remembered it from my younger days. The high, vaulted ceiling seemed to stretch endlessly upward, creating shadows that danced along the dark stone walls.
The air was cold, heavy with the weight of centuries of decisions made within these walls, each one shaping the pack’s future. At the center of the room stood the circular council table, made of ancient oak, its surface polished to a shine from years of use. Around it sat the pack’s most influential elders and advisors-men and women whose decisions could sway the fate of hundreds. Their faces, tired and lined with years of experience, were filled with a mixture of emotions. Some looked curious, their eyes following my every move. Others were openly skeptical, with raised eyebrows and tight lips. A few, like Helena, wore expressions of thinly veiled disdain, their disapproval practically radiating off them.
But their judgmental stares didn’t bother me. In fact, I welcomed them. To me, their skepticism was like fuel for a fire, something that only made my determination burn brighter. I had faced doubters before, people who thought I wasn’t capable of achieving my goals. And every single time, I had proven them wrong. This situation would be no different. They could glare at me all they wanted, but soon enough, they would have no choice but to acknowledge my authority. They would see that I wasn’t the same man who had left this pack years ago. I had returned stronger, smarter, and more prepared than ever to take what was rightfully mine.
“Daniel,” Elder Marcus said, his voice breaking the silence in the room. He was the oldest and most respected member of the council, a man whose opinions carried more weight than anyone else’s. His voice was steady but tinged with caution, as though he were still deciding what to make of me. His sharp eyes, though clouded slightly with age, remained piercing as they studied me from his seat at the head of the table. “It has been a long time since you’ve stepped foot in this chamber. Many things have changed in your absence.”
“Yes, it has been a long time,” I replied, keeping my tone calm and steady. I didn’t want to show any sign of hesitation or doubt. “But I’m here now. I’ve come to reclaim my rightful place as the Alpha of this pack. I was born for this role, and I’m ready to take it back.” My words were firm but respectful, a delicate balance meant to assert my authority without coming across as arrogant.
A ripple of murmurs spread around the table like a wave, soft whispers filling the room as the council members exchanged glances. Some appeared intrigued, while others didn’t bother to hide their unease. My father, who sat near Elder Marcus, remained silent. He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, as though he were deliberately staying out of the conversation for now. It was a calculated move, one I understood well. He was waiting to see how I would handle myself.
“You left this pack in chaos, Daniel,” Elder Helena said sharply, her voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. Her fiery personality was reflected in her appearance-her auburn hair, streaked with silver, framed a face that showed both strength and years of wisdom. “You abandoned your responsibilities and left your father to pick up the pieces. Now, after all this time, you think you can simply walk back in here and demand that we hand the title of Alpha back to you? Do you have any idea how much damage your departure caused?”
Her words were biting, meant to provoke a reaction, but I refused to let them shake me. Instead, I met her gaze with unwavering confidence, my voice steady as I responded. “I left because I saw a bigger picture, a future for this pack that none of you could have achieved without me. I left to build alliances, to secure opportunities that would strengthen us in ways you can’t imagine. And I’ve succeeded. Everything I’ve done has been for the good of this pack. It’s time for all of you to see that.”
Helena raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical as she leaned back in her chair. “Alliances, you say?” she asked, her voice dripping with doubt. “And what alliances have you supposedly built, Daniel? What proof do you have that anything you’ve done will benefit this pack in the slightest?” Her tone was challenging, daring me to back up my claims.
I stepped forward, closing the space between myself and the council table. Placing my hands firmly on its surface, I let my gaze sweep over the room, making eye contact with each elder. “I have secured a bond with Aria Nightshade,” I announced, my voice ringing with authority. “The daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade. She has agreed to be my mate and Luna.” I let the weight of my words hang in the air, watching as the expressions around the table shifted.
The room fell silent, the kind of silence that felt heavy and charged, as though the very air had been sucked out of the chamber. Even Elder Helena, who had been so quick to challenge me moments before, seemed momentarily stunned. Her sharp gaze softened slightly, her eyes widening in surprise. The other elders exchanged glances, their murmurs hushed but filled with intrigue and speculation.
Elder Marcus leaned forward in his chair, his gnarled hands clasped together on the table in front of him. His tone was thoughtful as he spoke. “Aria Nightshade,” he repeated slowly, as though testing the name on his tongue. “The daughter of Alpha Xavier. The Nightshade pack is one of the most powerful in the region. A union with their Alpha’s daughter would undoubtedly strengthen our position considerably.”
“Exactly,” I said, straightening to my full height. “Aria’s bloodline is royal. She is respected and admired across the region, not just for her lineage but for her own strength and leadership. As my Luna, she will bring influence and power to this pack. Together, we will elevate this pack to heights it has never seen before. We will become stronger than any other pack in the region, and no one will be able to challenge us.”
The room remained silent, the weight of my words settling over the council like a heavy storm cloud. I could see the way my announcement had shifted the atmosphere.
The skepticism on some faces had turned into cautious intrigue, while others looked unsettled, as though they were trying to process the magnitude of the alliance I had forged. Even Elder Helena, who had been so quick to attack me earlier, seemed momentarily at a loss for words. Her sharp, unrelenting gaze had softened just slightly, and I could tell she was reconsidering her stance. The silence stretched on, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.
But not everyone was convinced. Elder Tobias, a wiry man with a shrewd gaze and a reputation for being one of the most cautious members of the council, finally broke the quiet. He leaned forward in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin as he studied me with a calculating expression. “This is a bold claim you’ve made, Daniel,” he said, his voice even but carrying a note of suspicion. “But alliances, no matter how strong they appear, must be built on a foundation of trust and honor. Tell me, how do you intend to address the scandal surrounding you and Aria? The video has spread across the packs, and the whispers have already started. There are those who believe this union is not one of mutual respect, but one forced through manipulation and disgrace. How do you expect the packs to accept a union born from such controversy?”
I felt a flicker of irritation at his words, though I kept my expression calm and composed. Tobias was known for being difficult to impress, and I had expected his skepticism. Still, a part of me bristled at the accusation that my bond with Aria was anything less than strategic brilliance. “The video was a deliberate attack,” I said firmly, my voice steady and controlled. “It was an attempt to tarnish both my reputation and Aria’s. Whoever was behind it knew what they were doing-they wanted to weaken us, to make us vulnerable. But they failed. The video doesn’t define us, and it doesn’t define our union. Once Aria and I are mated, the scandal will be irrelevant. The packs will see us as a united front, stronger than ever. They will see that no amount of slander can tear us down.”
There was a murmur of discussion among the council members, their voices low but filled with both curiosity and concern. Some nodded thoughtfully, seeming to consider my words, while others exchanged skeptical glances. Tobias didn’t look entirely convinced, but he leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes never leaving mine. “You speak with confidence, Daniel,” he said after a moment. “But confidence alone won’t erase the damage done by this scandal. The packs are not so easily swayed, and trust is not so easily regained. It will take more than words to repair the damage and convince them that you are fit to lead.”
“Actions speak louder than words,” I replied, holding Tobias’s gaze firmly. “And I am prepared to prove myself through action. Securing Aria as my mate was the first step. Once our union is official, I will work tirelessly to rebuild this pack’s reputation, strengthen our alliances, and expand our influence. I will show the packs that I am not only capable of leading but that I am the only one who can take this pack to the heights it deserves.” My voice rang with conviction, each word carefully chosen to emphasize my determination.
Helena, who had been silent since my announcement, finally spoke again. Her tone was still sharp, but there was a hint of grudging respect in her voice. “You’ve set your sights high, Daniel,” she said, her piercing eyes fixed on me. “And your ambition is clear. But ambition alone isn’t enough. You need to deliver on your promises, and you need to do it quickly. The packs won’t wait forever, and neither will we.”
Elder Marcus, who had been quietly observing the discussion, cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. His presence was commanding, and when he spoke, his words carried an air of finality. “This pack has been without a strong leader for too long,” he began, his voice steady and deliberate. “Your father has done an admirable job of holding things together in your absence, Daniel. But he is not the leader this pack needs to move forward. We need someone who can guide us into the future, someone who can restore our strength and reputation. A union with Aria Nightshade would undoubtedly strengthen our position and give us the alliances we need to thrive.”
Marcus’s words hung in the air, and I could feel the tide beginning to turn in my favor. I glanced at my father, who had remained silent throughout the discussion. He shifted in his seat slightly, his expression still unreadable, though I could sense the tension in his posture. He was watching me closely, as if waiting to see how I would handle this moment.
“I propose,” Marcus continued, his gaze sweeping over the other council members, “that we allow Daniel to resume his position as Alpha, on the condition that his union with Aria is finalized within the next month. This will give him the opportunity to prove his commitment to this pack and to show us that his plans are more than just empty promises.”
There was a moment of hesitation as the council members exchanged glances, each of them weighing the proposal. Helena frowned slightly, clearly still unsure, but she didn’t voice any objections. Tobias stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression pensive. Finally, he nodded slowly. “This is a risk,” he said, his tone cautious. “But it may be one worth taking. If Daniel can secure this union and deliver on his promises, it could change everything for this pack.”
I inclined my head slightly, a gesture of respect, though inside, I felt a surge of triumph. “You have my word,” I said firmly. “I will secure my union with Aria, and I will prove to all of you that I am the leader this pack needs. Under my leadership, we won’t just recover-we will rise to the top. No pack will be able to rival us, and when the time comes, we will claim our place as the ruling pack of all.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. “You aim for the Alpha King’s throne?” he asked, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and caution.
A small smirk crossed my lips as I met his gaze. “Why stop at being an Alpha when I have the means to become a king?” I replied confidently.
The room fell silent again, the weight of my ambition settling over the council like a storm cloud. This time, however, the silence wasn’t filled with skepticism or doubt-it was filled with possibility. I could see it in their eyes: the realization that I wasn’t just talking about reclaiming my title as Alpha. I was talking about something far greater, something that would elevate not just me but the entire pack.
Finally, Marcus nodded, his expression resolute. “Very well,” he said. “The council will support your reinstatement as Alpha, provided you prove your claims. Secure your union with Aria Nightshade, and you will have our full backing.”
I inclined my head again, a slow, deliberate gesture that conveyed both respect and triumph. “You have my word,” I said, my voice steady and confident.
As the meeting concluded and the council members began to leave, my father approached me. His expression was still unreadable, but there was a tension in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“You’ve managed to convince them,” he said quietly, his voice low. “But this isn’t over, Daniel. You’ve made promises, and now you’ll have to deliver. If you fail, it won’t just be your position on the line-it will be the future of this pack.”
“I won’t fail,” I replied, my voice unwavering. “Aria will be mine, and this pack will rise to the top. No one will stand in my way-not the council, not the packs, and not you.”
He studied me for a long moment, his gaze searching mine, before nodding slightly and walking away.
As I stood alone in the now-empty chamber, a slow, satisfied smile spread across my face. Everything was moving exactly as I had planned. Aria was mine. The pack was mine. And soon enough, the throne would be mine as well.