Council Pressure

Declan’s POV:

A rush of hot blood coursed through my nerves as my eyes caught a hold of Vanessa. She stood right beside the school’s gate, lips pouted, and eyelids furrowed. She folded her arms across her chest, and her legs vibrated on the spot.

A smirk slowly spread across her face, after which she turned to take her leave. I knew her presence meant nothing but trouble. So, I turned to Freya.

“I have to go now.” I said to her. My eyes drifted in between hers.

“Quinn…” She mumbled with a breaking voice. She grabbed my hand, and I could see fear written boldly in her eyes. I smiled. It was the first time she touched me willingly.

“He is going to be fine. I promise.” I assured her. 

“I know you are scared of Vanessa reporting about the incident to the Alpha. So, I have to leave now. At least, before she makes things so bad.” She nodded her head, and then uttered a ‘thanks’.

I gently grabbed the back of her head with my hand, my smile widening as I moved closer so she could inhale my scent. “I will be back.” I said and turned to leave immediately. 

I could sense her eyes following me till I was out of her view. 

The sun was particularly hot that afternoon. I didn’t come with a car, so I had to channel all my energy and hurry to the pack house. I arrived after about fifteen minutes of non-stop running.

“Insolent! He has to reject her!” I heard an elder blurt out as I took a step into the throne room.

“Reject who?” My voice came out louder than I intended, and they all flung their gazes in my direction.

I walked to the center of the room, and glanced at the throne chair. My father was not in the meeting. I rolled my eyes all over them, and they all adjusted on their seats, not daring to say a word.

As expected, Vanessa sat in a corner, pretending to mind her own business.  

An elder stood up, and cleared his throat. It was Elder Silas, who was also an old antagonist of the Nolan’s family.  

“You will have to reject the traitor’s daughter as your mate, Alpha prince.” He said in a very calm voice that somehow sent chilly waves down my spine. 

He belonged to the Beaumont family, so he was untouchable because of the plague that was given to them by the previous Alpha. The plague was so powerful that the family could use it to ward off the Alpha’s orders towards them, and even the current Alpha, my father, has to show him some respect.

“So, you called the council meeting?” I said huskily, my eyes piercing through his.

“Yes. I did!” He replied casually. My knuckles cracked loudly as I folded my palms into fists. I took a few steps to him, closer enough for him to feel my coarse breath scratching his face, and I smirked. 

“I, Declan Ramsey, will NOT reject Freya Nolan as my mate.” I yelled across his face, placing a huge emphasis on the ‘not’.  He staggered a few steps as my harsh voice travelled through his ears and my smirk widened.

He took a quick glance at the remaining elders who flung away their gazes immediately. He cleared his throat nervously.

Beta Jensen walked in almost immediately. He wore the pack’s soldier uniform which he only wore if he followed my father out of the pack. I guessed my father was probably behind the door since he was always with his Beta.

“You have to reject her, publicly.” Elder Silas seems to suddenly find his voice again as he sighted Beta Jensen. He knew my father would be nearby, and that probably gave him some audacity.

“Or what?” 

“Or you risk losing the support of the council elders.” He said in a voice that reeked of finality.

I scoffed. They were cunning elders who indeed knew how to make people submit to their wishes, but I was not going to let them win on this.

“We heard of what happened in the King’s academy, and how you rushed to cover up the incident.” It was Beta Jensen’s turn to talk.

“Words indeed travel fast.” I replied. My eyes rested on Vanessa who immediately bowed her head and pretended as if she knew nothing about the matter.

“And why’s Vanessa here? Why is she in the council meeting?” I inquired, turning to face Elder Silas, who looked at Beta Jensen instead.

“Because she is your future Luna, and it’s only right she starts to familiarize herself with the pack’s political affairs.” Beta Jensen responded.

I suddenly burst into a huge round of laughter. It was so hard that Jensen’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“I think you should quit being a Beta, and consider a career in stand-up comedy. I mean, you will do well in the human’s opera shows.” I laughed once again, and Beta Jensen’s teeth gritted in annoyance. I had just insulted his career, and I could see his palm turning to a fist.

The laughter turned into a smile, which slowly disappeared as I began to summon all my energy incase he wants to fight. To my greatest surprise, he took a deep breath, and shook his head.

“How could you risk yourself because of a traitor, Declan? You have failed your father’s teachings, and I am highly disappointed in you.” Beta Jensen continued, causing me to throw a sharp gaze at him.

“Oh really?” I scoffed. “A couple of grown up men coming around to bully a weak lady? What makes you think you could talk to me about being filial?”

“Quinn did transform partially, and Freya ran forward to calm him down. She prevented the chaos from happening, and all you can all do is to sit down here and think of ways to bully her. You are the real pathetic ones and I am certain the ancestors would be highly disappointed in you!” My voice thundered. The atmosphere in the room became more tense, and the elders glanced at each other, murmuring words that were inaudible to me.

“Freya is my mate, and no amount of pressure from you guys can make me reject her. Even if the previous Alpha rises from the dead, he stands no chance.” With that being said, I turned towards the door and stormed out of the room.

I halted for a second when my eyes met with my fathers’. He was indeed listening to our arguments all the while.

“Declan!” He called, but I just stormed off without saying a word.

Vanessa was gaining the elder’s support, while my own political standing was slowly getting weakened. The game was indeed larger than I thought.