003| The Crown, the Council, and the Poisoned Lie

~Lucien~

I could hardly catch my breath.

It all felt as though the walls of the council chamber were closing in on me, drowning me into a darkness I still cant fathom.

The twelve elders of the Pack sat at the table, all looking grim. These were the men who had watched me grow into the man I am today, their Alpha. They had fought to protect this Pack beside my father. They protect the interest of the Pack.

Yet, I can barely restrain myself from snapping their necks. Every word they said right now made my blood boil.

“You have to take responsibility, Alpha.” Elder Garrick’s voice was grave. “Lady Calistra carries your child. We cannot have two Lunas in one Pack, it is impossible.”

My jaw clenched, as I leaned forward. “Elara is my mate, my wife. I am not going to abandon her.”

Elder Malric who was the oldest of them all, snorted. “She is your wife, and yet she failed to give you an heir for three years. But, just one encounter with Lady Calistra, and she is already pregnant.”

My heart tightened. I clenched my fists. “Mind your words, Malric. She is still your Luna.”

Elder Zara spoke up then. “Alpha, we know you love your wife, but this is no longer about love, it’s about the survival of this Pack. The Star Night Warriors has warriors that are twice our number. We will be inviting bloodshed on our hands if we dishonor their Alpha’s daughter.”

“I didn’t dishonor her,” I growled, gritting my teeth. “It was one night; it was a mistake.”

The elders exchanged disapproving glances. “It is a mistake with consequences, Alpha.” Garrick’s voice was much calmer now. “Lady Calistra is still pregnant. The Star Night Pack would not accept anything less than a Luna title for her. It could also give us benefits, like an alliance with them. It will be good for the Pack.” 

My head pounded. I am sure I am having a headache coming on. My wolf, Rion, growled restlessly within me. He too was not taking this well.

“I am not going to accept that.”

“You do not have a choice Alpha, its either that or we step in.” Malric’s eyes gleamed. “This Pack needs an heir, and without one, you’re easily replaceable.”

Replaceable?

The word punched all the air out of my lungs.

My thoughts spiraled out of control.

Elara. I couldn’t hurt her again.

I can still remember her tear-streaked face from last night. The shaking of her voice when she whispered about our miscarriage child. I was not there for her, I failed her too many times.

I rose to my feet, the chair screeching harshly behind me. “You will do no such thing. I decide what happens here.”

The elders bowed, but I could see the disapproval on their faces.

“We heard the Luna tried to harm Lady Calistra.”

I froze.

“She must not be harmed. Anyone who dares to hurt her will face punishment directly from us. Even if it is the Luna herself.” Malric’s voice sounded cold in the already tense room, sending it several degrees colder.

I clenched my fists. “You wouldn’t dare—”

“Our duty is to protect this Pack and its heir. Do not make us go against you.”

I shut the door to my office behind me.

For a moment, I struggled to even find my own breath.

Punishment from the elders directly? That would be worse than death itself.

Every breath I took suddenly felt like dragging chains. I walked to the window, trying to focus on my breathing, to regulate it, but the room felt too stuffy.

The Pack needed an heir. The Elders were determined to draw blood if they had to, to make it happen.

Elara.

She was probably still curled up in bed, hating me. I had broken her beyond forgiveness. But I still miss her.

I want my mate so badly. But she won’t want to see me, not after the pains I caused her.

I saw how she looked at me in the hallway when I picked Calistra up. She hated me now.

A sudden knock came, breaking through my line of thoughts.

Calistra stepped in.

I tried my best not to growl in irritation.

“Lucien, I wanted to thank you for helping me earlier. You were gone before I could. I heard you were in a meeting.”

I regarded her with silence, not trusting myself to speak for fear of snapping.

She, however, was not ready to regard my silence. She stepped in without invitation.

“You look so tense.” Her sweetness sounded feigned, not as Elara’s smoothing.

I looked at her. She wore a silk robe. Her long brown hair curled around her shoulders like they were its home. I looked away from her.

“It was a rough meeting.” I managed.

Suddenly, her hands reached up to my shoulders and began to massage. I stiffened.

“Relax Alpha, let me help you.” She purred.

Her touch didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like Elara’s.

Rion rumbled uneasily too.

“Calistra, you—”

“Relax big guy.” Her breath fanned my neck. “You are stressed out. Let me take care of you.”

Her hands trailed down my body, trailing lower. My skin crawled under her touch.

“Let me help you relax.”

I caught her wrist before she could move further, my hold gentle but firm.

“No.”

She frowned. “Why, it’s not like we haven’t done it before?”

I sighed. “You are pregnant, and this is inappropriate.” My voice was tight. I was barely holding on.

Calistra pouted. “That’s unfair.”

I didn’t respond but stepped away from her.

It was obvious she didn’t like that. Her face darkened murderously…... and then, she forced a smile.

“This is hard on you, I get it. But think about the good part in all this. My father would be happy, you will have kids, lots of them if you wish, and a powerful Pack with my dad’s alliance.”

My heart tightened. Stop.

A soft knock interrupted us before I could respond. Elder Garrick and Malric entered.

It took everything in me not to groan from frustration. They were clearly making their point.

“Alpha.” Even their greetings felt like a forced courtesy.

But when they saw Calistra, their coldness disappeared. They bowed to her; with the same reverence they would have given to Elara.

“Lady Calistra, you look as lovely as always.”

Whether that was fake or true, I didn’t bother to check. I called in a servant to serve us all coffee while we discussed whatever they had to say.

Minutes later, a maid walked in then, balancing a tray in her hands.

She bowed slightly. “Your Coffee, Alpha. And Herbal tea for Lady Calistra.” She went ahead to serve the elders too.

I muttered my thanks, slipping into my seat, grateful for the distraction.

But just as she set the cups down, I noticed her hands trembling.

I tried not to think much about it, and sipped my coffee.

Calistra reached for her tea, lifting it to her lips, but then—

CRASH.

I turned sharply. The ceramic glass was now shattered across the floor, tea splashed everywhere.

Calistra screamed. I jumped to my feet immediately. “What the hell—”

The maid had slapped the cup from her hands, shattering the glass.

The maid dropped to her knees immediately. “Alpha, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

She was afraid, trembling from head to toe.

Great. I am already in a bad mood, and everyone is just going to make it worse?

“Is this how you do your job? You should be punished severally for this.” It was Elder Garrick’s voice.

Tears rushed down her face as she shook her head frantically. “No please—” She trailed off, choking.

“Luna Elara asked me to poison Lady Calistra’s tea. She wants her dead.” Her voice shook. “But I couldn’t do it, I swear I couldn’t bring myself to harm the Pack’s future heir.”

Calistra staggered back, her hands flying to her mouth.

My heart slammed in my chest. “What?”

“This is the second time already. Luna Elara is trying to kill the future heir of this Pack. Alpha, she must be punished for this.” The urgency in Elder Malric’s tone filled me with dread.

But I stood there frozen.

No. Elara wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t… right?

But I could see the maid’s fear, feel her panic. It was too real to be a lie.

My heart pounded. I had just begun doubting the one I swore to protect.

And suddenly, I don’t even know who the enemy was anymore.

“Alpha, we must—”

“Do not do anything; I will be the one to punish her.”