Chapter 14

EVELYN

“Beta Evelyn.” a soft voice echoed from the hallway and then the door opened very fast.

A groan answered.

“Karina, I swear if this isn’t about a fire in the pack or a war, I will—.” Evelyn said, as she angrily threw the blanket off her body.

“No, this is not about war, this is more than a war.” Karina said firmly.

She squinted at the light. “If not war then what now? Did the kitchen mess up the Alpha’s precious breakfast again?”

“Your father is back.” Karina said, her voice barely above a whisper, while she opened the wardrobe to pick out a dress for Evelyn.

Evelyn froze, she rolled her eyes and then glared around the room . “What do you mean he is back? Why would he come back so soon?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know, he came back so quick and called for a meeting, he asked to see the Alpha,” Karina said, her arms crossed tightly over the brown gown she held.

“This must be important, or maybe he already knew about the new Luna.” Evelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina nodded, her fingers still on the door of the wardrobe. “I guess he saw the trending video and one more thing.”

“How about you take them one at a time?” Evelyn raised a brow, trying to lighten the mood.

“Leila is back.” Karina said silently.

Evelyn let out a low chuckle. “The Alpha’s arrogant sister? I guess today’s going to be exciting.” She leaned back against the counter, arms folded. 

Karina nodded and she brought out a dress and stretched it forward to Evelyn.

“Which dress is this?” Evelyn asked, her gaze not leaving Karina’s hand.

“This is what you are going to put on today, you have to get dressed. You should be beside him, you know even though he has a Luna, you still remain the only Luna we all know.” Karina responded very fast.

Evelyn chuckled “No, I won’t be wearing that, I want a black dress.”

“Okay.” Karina said and then searched for one, as soon as she found one she handed the dress over to Evelyn.

“Good.” Evelyn said and then rushed to the bathroom. Few minutes later she walked back to the room looking so sexy.

Karina cleared her throat “All set?” She asked.

Evelyn nodded and then smiled, they were both smiling and talking when Anna walked in.

“Beta.” She said firmly.

“What?” Evelyn shot back at her, “Why are you here? You are just waking up?” She asked.

Anna nodded slightly and then apologized.

“Be sorry for yourself, you are just a rogue we saved, if you don’t act properly I will dump you in the woods where you came from.” Evelyn shot back at her and then walked out leaving Anna alone in the room.

Karina rushed out too and then whispered to Anna’s ears. “You better get out of her room before she comes back.” 

Anna nodded slightly again and then walked out.

Evelyn walked towards the hallway, it was quiet as usual, she walked straight to the pack hall and then she saw her father.

“Father,” she said, her face filled with excitement.

Ronan looked up from his seat at the head of the long table, his expression unreadable, though the corner of his lips tugged into a soft smile. “My dear daughter.”

The entire pack hall, already tense from the urgent elders’ meeting, shifted uncomfortably. They all turned their heads, and they started whispering to each other . But Evelyn wasn’t concerned.

“I missed you Evelyn.” Ronan said, his voice deep and husky.

Evelyn nodded “I know you will.” 

Ronan smiled.

And then Evelyn continued. “Father, I know you came here for something but I am here to clear up whatever it is you want to know, you don’t have to blame the alpha for what he did, ” Aria said, her voice was calm. “Something important.”

Ronan gestured toward the front. “Then speak. The floor is yours.”

Zarek wasn’t in the hall. She noticed. That was probably why she had dared to walk in here, thinking she’d have the upper hand with the Alpha gone.

“Where is the Alpha?” Evelyn asked as she glared around the pack hall.

“He will be here soon, you want to tell me something right? Speak now.” Ronan said, his eyes locked on Evelyn.

Evelyn waved her hand, she walked back to where he was sitting and then she sat beside him. “Never mind father, let him come back.” 

Few minutes later, the Alpha arrived, he walked in with his loyal confidant.

“I am sorry for coming late, I had some things to sort out.” He apologized, while Evelyn shifted uncomfortably on her seat, she had expected Zarek to come with somebody.

Elder Ronan cleared his throat. “Greetings Alpha.” 

“You summoned us, Elder Ronan,” Elder Thomas said, his voice low, his gaze locked on Zarek.

Zarek stepped into the chamber, the heavy wooden doors sounding as they closed behind him. He didn’t respond immediately. He didn’t bow his head. He didn’t soften his gaze either. He simply walked to the head of the long table and stood, his back were straight, his arms clasped behind him.

Ten elders. One Alpha. And no Luna by his side.

“Everyone please sit,” he commanded.

They all sat down except for Elder Ronan, Evelyn’s father.

Zarek didn’t ask him why he didn’t sit, he also didn’t sit because he knew why they came.

“I appointed a new Luna,” he said, calm and clear before they even got to talk.

“You what?” Elder Thomas snapped. His fingers slammed against the table. “Without a formal ceremony? Without our knowledge?”

Zarek’s expression didn’t change. “You weren’t around, some of you weren’t around.”

A murmur echoed across the table. Not from surprise,  they had heard the rumors already, but from the fact he dared to confirm it to their faces without inviting them.

Elder Ronan shaked his head. 

“My daughter has bled for this pack,” he began, his voice was cool but rising. “When your own warriors turned, she stood between you and death. When you doubted your worth, she defended it in front of us all, because of that incident she lost—-.” He said and then paused, he continued again. “ And this is how you repay her loyalty?”

Zarek’s eyes flicked toward him. “I didn’t reject your daughter, she remains my beta and will always be.”

“No,” Harlan countered, leaning forward. “This is betrayal.”

Everywhere went silent.

Zarek’s voice lowered, dangerous. “I owe no one in this room an explanation for claiming my mate, and I hope you all will stop discussing the Luna issue again.”

“You owe this pack,” Elder Ronan cut in sharply, “You brought in a woman from exile, she was castaway, rejected by her own mate and you named her the pack Luna. With no background. Not even a council vote, most of us weren’t present when you officially named her Luna which is a disrespect to all of us.”

Zarek’s gaze grew colder.

“I’ve watched this council force their Alphas to shred for less,” he said. “But you all forget something. I was chosen by the moon. Your voices are advisory. But mine is final.”

Elder Rowan cleared his throat. “But Alpha.” 

“My word is final,” Zarek said, stepping down toward Beta Evelyn, who stood quietly beside her father, pretending she had no idea what they were talking about.