CHAPTER 10: THE HIGH COUNCIL ASSEMBLY

CHAPTER 10:

The atmosphere inside the High Council chamber of the Vance estate was thick with centuries of pack authority and corporate power. Long mahogany tables sat arranged in a sweeping arc, occupied by senior elders, elite board members, and corporate attorneys.

I stood beside James at the head table, wearing a dark, double-breasted charcoal suit. Underneath the tailored fabric, my hand briefly rested over my stomach—a quiet, protective reflex I was catching myself doing more frequently now. Beneath my collar, the scent-blocking patch pressed snugly against my skin, neutralizing any trace of the pregnancy pheromones.

James stood beside me, his broad shoulders squared and his sharp silver-gray eyes scanning the room. His comforting scent of smoked cedar and dark tangerine formed an unshakeable shield against the hostile gazes surrounding us.

Across the hall sat Victor Vance—James’s older brother—and Matthew. Matthew’s sweet vanilla scent was rank with anxious anticipation. A few rows behind them sat my stepbrother, Tyla, keeping a modest pose, though his eyes gleamed with spite.

Victor rose from his chair, raising a hand to command the room.

"Elders of the High Council," Victor announced, his practiced voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. "We convene today to address a severe breach in our family’s corporate stewardship. My son, Matthew, brings forward an urgent motion to freeze and revoke the pending transfer of the Mercer land titles."

"On what grounds, Victor?" the senior council elder asked, leaning forward over his gilded spectacles.

Victor cast a sharp, condescending glance directly at me. "On the grounds that Soren Mercer is an unbonded outsider. He entered this estate under the guise of a temporary corporate retainer, yet he is utilizing Vance capital to clear his family's debts. Allowing core assets to be signed over to an unbonded Omega with no blood ties to our line is a violation of pack governance."

Matthew stepped up beside his father, throwing his shoulders back. "The original land agreement contains a dormant clause, Elders. Without a verified financial clearance, Soren’s claim is legally void. We request an immediate freeze on all transfers and his removal from corporate counsel."

Hushed murmurs broke out across the long table. Several elders nodded along with Victor’s appeal to tradition.

I didn't flinch. I pulled a thin leather portfolio from my briefcase, stepped up to the central podium, and tapped the digital display interface.

"If the Council permits," I said, my voice ringing clear and steady across the silent hall. "I would like to address the matter of 'financial clearance' and the Mercer estate debts."

Victor sneered quietly. Matthew folded his arms with a smug grin. They expected me to panic or hide behind James.

"Go ahead, Mr. Mercer," the senior elder permitted.

I brought up a series of detailed financial ledgers on the Council’s central projection monitors.

"For months, Victor and Matthew Vance have claimed the Mercer estate fell into ruin due to poor internal management," I stated, my tone smooth as glass. "However, a comprehensive forensic corporate audit conducted over the last forty-eight hours reveals a completely different reality."

Matthew’s smug expression faltered.

"These are transaction records from Vance Logistics, directly managed by Matthew Vance," I continued, highlighting a series of red-flagged bank transfers. "Over two million pounds were systematically siphoned out of the Mercer development fund prior to our broken engagement. Matthew didn't inherit a failing estate—he intentionally drained its capital, created an artificial default, and attempted to force my family into bankruptcy so he could seize the land himself."

Gasps erupted around the table. The elders stared at the red figures on the monitors, then snapped their heads toward Matthew, whose face drained of color.

"That's a lie! Those documents are fabricated!" Matthew shouted, slamming his palm onto the table.

"Every transaction is cross-verified by three independent financial auditing firms and certified by the Banking Regulatory Board," I replied smoothly, closing my portfolio with a sharp, decisive snap. "It isn't a default, Elders. It's corporate embezzlement and fraud committed by Matthew Vance against my family."

Victor turned on his son, eyes blazing with fury, but before he could spin the narrative, a heavy, suffocating pressure dropped over the entire chamber.

James stepped forward.

The air in the room plummeted. James’s smoked cedar and dark tangerine scent flared with terrifying Prime Alpha authority, crashing over the high tables like a physical wave. Several younger Alphas in the gallery visibly stiffened, struggling under the weight of his command.

"That is enough," James’s voice boomed—low, resonant, and absolute.

He walked to the podium, placing his hand firmly over my shoulder—a clear, protective declaration that silenced every voice in the room.

"Soren Mercer is not an outsider," James stated, sweeping his icy gaze across the Council. "He holds full power of attorney over the Mercer holdings, and his position is backed directly by my authority as Head of this House."

James locked eyes with Victor and Matthew. "The land transfer is approved, effective immediately. As for the two million pounds stolen from the Mercer accounts... Matthew will forfeit his corporate bonuses and executive dividends until every cent is repaid."

Victor opened his mouth to object, but under the immovable weight of James’s Prime Alpha presence, he swallowed his words and slowly sat back down.

The senior elder cleared his throat, knocking his gavel against the wooden block. "The Council recognizes the validity of the audit. The Mercer land transfer stands ratified. Assembly adjourned."

As the hall cleared out, Matthew and Victor exited through the side doors in bitter silence, with Tyla following closely behind.

I let out a quiet breath, feeling the tension drain from my frame.

James turned to me, his overwhelming aura vanishing completely, replaced by a warm, approving look in his eyes. He reached out, his hand resting gently against the side of my neck—dangerously close to where my scent patch was hidden.

"You were brilliant in there, Soren," James murmured, his voice soft and full of genuine pride. "You completely dismantled them."

"We dismantled them," I corrected softly.

James let out a low chuckle, pulling me slightly closer by the waist. As he did, his head dipped down near my collarbone, his nose catching the subtle air around my neck. He lingered there for a second, his dark brows knitting together in quiet curiosity.

"You know..." James whispered, his warm breath tickling my skin, "even with your scent patch on, every time you take a victory... your scent feels just a little sweeter. Like a sudden, crisp light rain after a storm."

My heart did a sudden, frantic flip against my ribs. I kept my face perfectly calm, resting my hand flat against his chest to maintain a safe distance.

"That's just the feeling of winning, James," I replied smoothly.

He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to my temple, completely oblivious to the tiny secret resting safely behind my suit jacket—a silent truth that would change everything when the time was right.