Chapter 4

KEIRA'S POV

A sharp knock on my bedroom door was what pulled me out from sleep.

I stumbled out of bed.

"Fuck," I cussed.

I had stubbed my toe against the bed frame while trying to slip into my robe.

Grousing, I opened the door.

There I found a young pack runner standing on my doorstep, breathing hard.

"Miss Kiera, there is an emergency council meeting in the palace," he said.

My gaze rounded.

"The Alpha and the elders request your presence there immediately."

My stomach dropped.

"Has anything happened?" I inquired.

He swallowed.

"A formal complaint was filed against you."

My brows quirked.

"About what?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"I don't know, miss."

I snorted.

"I am aware you are in the know," I said to him with a scoff. "Tell me now."

He hesitated.

I grabbed his shoulders and squeezed warningly.

He swallowed.

"It's about you and the Alpha."

My eyes darted around.

"Who filed it?"

The runner would not meet my eyes.

"The Alpha Heir."

Realization dawned on me.

Dominic had done this.

Three weeks had passed since Matthias had given me the diplomatic position.

And the time was spent appearing at his side during every pack function.

Rumors had begun about us, following me everywhere I went—like I wanted.

I should have known that Dominic would not stay still and quiet forever.

Dismissing the pack runner, I turned away and began to prepare for the meeting.

I chose a stunning dress from my wardrobe and paired it with good jewellry.

Dominic would be there.

I needed to look my best so that he could see exactly what he had lost

The throne room was already full with council elders when I arrived.

"Ah, Miss Ashford."

It was Council Elder Marcus.

I smiled at him.

He gestured to an empty chair.

"Please, sit."

I didn't though, my eyes travelling around the room to study everything.

Matthias was seated on his golden throne with a relaxed posture.

He was watching me.

I noticed that the spot beside his throne was empty, waiting for me.

"Thank you," I said to Marcus.

Then, I turned.

I headed towards Matthias.

The tension in the room thickened.

Pairs of eyes followed me as I walked past them to the side beside Matthias.

The grave expression on their faces doubled as my move but I didn't care.

Not about them though because I was focused on the reaction of just one person.

Dominic.

He was sitting among the council members with barely contained rage.

"Pressing buttons, huh?"

I turned around to find Matthias leaning down towards my ears.

A smile graced my visage.

"Does it matter?" I mattered.

He chuckled, leaning away.

When I turned away, I saw that Dominic was visisbly boiling in his seat.

It would have gladdened my heart if he had had boiled into beef for stew.

Elder Marcus cleared his throat.

"Now that everyone is present," he began to say, "we can address the serious allegations which had been brought before us."

Silence fell.

"Dominic, the Alpha Heir has accused his father, the Alpha of inappropriate conduct regarding his former mate."

"Former mate," Matthias said quietly.

Everyone turned to him.

"You said it yourself, Marcus. Keira here is no longer bound to my son in any way."

"But the appearance of impropriety—"

"There is no appearance."

Matthias's voice boomed across the room with power and authority.

"I appointed Keira to a diplomatic position because she is qualified."

"But Alpha," another of the elders named Charles chipped in. "She is a woman."

"And so what?"

Matthias leaned forward.

"She was trained well by her father. It that not evident in her work so far. Or is every one of you too blind to see it?"

Everyone fell quiet.

"Alpha, I am not trying to go against your authority," another elder started.

I've forgotten his name.

"It is just that Kiera as a diplomat isn't the bone of contention here," he said.

Elder Marcus nodded.

"It is the fact that it is whispered you have sexual relations with her beyond that."

Matthias chuckled.

The sound was without humour.

"What I choose to do with her beyond that is not any of the council's concern."

Elder Sarah leaned forward.

"With all respect Alpha Matthias, pursuing or having relations with your son's rejected mate sends the wrong message."

"Exactly what I am saying," Marcus said. "It undermines your power."

"Undermines my power?" Matthias asked with furrowed brows.

Elder Marcus nodded.

"What will people think of an Alpha who chooses a rejected woman?"

A dry scoff left Matthias' mouth.

"My personal relationships are not subject to the pack or the council's approval."

Matthias stood and walked to the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

"My authority over this pack is thoroughly absolute. Or have you forgotten?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Marcus cleared his throat.

"We are merely suggesting that perhaps Miss Ashford's position could be reassigned to avoid further conflict."

"No."

The single word held enough power to make several council members flinch.

Matthias turned to face them.

"Keira works directly under my protection and anyone who decides to disrespect her will personally answer to me."

The murmurs started.

"Is that clear?"

No one spoke.

"I said, is that clear?"

His voice ricocheted through the room as silence instantly reigned in the space.

"Yes, Alpha," they murmured in unison.

Dominic abruptly shot to his feet.

"This meeting is a joke."

He hissed before her stormed out with fumes leaving the top of his head.

He slammed the door behind him.

It took everything in me not to burst into triumphant laughter after him.

The council dispersed shortly after, each of them avoiding my eyes as they filed out.

Matthias waited until they were gone and we were alone before speaking.

"He will not let this go," he said.

"I know."

"Will you be fine?" He demanded.

I nodded with a smile.

"I'll just get back to bed. I haven't had enough sleep these past few days."

He nodded.

I turned away from him and left the throne room with my head high.

Dawn had passed and I just wanted to get home and process what had happened.

I did not make it far before Dominic suddenly appeared from behind the trees.

His face was twisted with fury.

"Pathetic."

I stopped walking.

"Excuse me?"

He moved closer.

I took stepped back and he followed till he was backing me against the fence.

"You are pathetic and desperate for going after my father like some cheap whore."

I scoffed.

"Whore? I'm not the one who was fucking my mate's step sister trash!"

He sucked in a sharp breath.

"Besides, Matthias wanted me."

My heart was racing.

"You said I was too weak to be your future Luna, but your father thinks otherwise."

"Shut up!" He barked.

I didn't, standing up to him.

"I will have everything you took from me, Dominic. Everything and more."

"You are trying to humiliate me."

Spit flew from his mouth.

I dodged to the side to avoid being bathed with a disgusting look on my face.

"Stop parading yourself around with my father like some kind of trophy!"

I said nothing.

Let him wonder.

Let him suffer.

"Say something!" he shouted. "Admit that whatevee you are doing is planned!"

I rolled my eyes.

"I do not owe you any explanations."

His hand shot out.

Before I could move, he grabbed me by the neck with a fierce look in his eyes.

I gasped.

"You little whore—"

"Release her."

The command stopped his grip from tightening around my throat.

Matthias instantly came into view.

Dominic's steel grip on my neck instantly loosened but he did not leave me.

"Stay away father!" He barked.

Matthias snickered.

"This is between me and her."

"I said release her. Now."

Dominic's hand fell away.

I gasped for air, gently touching my throat where his fingers had been pressing.

Matthias came forward.

I hurried to stand behind him before Dominic would come for me again.

"Dominic, you will show Keira respect. She is under my direct protection."

I watched Dominic's eyes go wide.

"But father she—"

"Keep quiet when I speak!" Matthias shunned him instantly.

The order delighted me.

"If you touch her again, son or not, I will make sure you regret doing it."

He stared condescendingly at Dominic with something relatively close to disgust.

"Now get out of my sight."

Dominic stared at his father, something breaking behind his eyes.

Then he turned and walked away from both of us without another word.

Matthias turned to me.

His hands reached for mine.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded, still catching my breath, realising that the game had just become very real.