Chapter 8: Their Pawn; His Sweet Poison

Lyra's POV 

I was informed that Elder Mordecai wanted to see me, but does that warrant why I'm being escorted by two hefty men, armed to the teeth? And they won't even speak to me.

“Where are you taking me?" I asked again, looking up at both men, from one to the other. 

They remained silent, none of them spoke to me. The only sounds were just from the echoes of their boots off the stone floor. Something about the atmosphere felt off like it was ice cold—bad omens.

They pushed the heavy wooden doors apart, and I could see the top members of the council and for the umpteenth time today, I shuddered. 

A certain shame washed over me—the shame of knowing that I'd been marked by Alpha Kieran. 

Lady Saraphina's presence made it worse because she had seen the lack of decency when she caught us in the moment. I could understand her anger, but I wanted to not be the object of it.

“She doesn't look too bad; only a bit fragile," Lord Ulric remarked.

"Silence, old Man!” Lord Mordecai hissed in annoyance.

It seems the council members were at it again, they didn't like each other so much. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I stole a glance in Lady Seraphina 's direction. Her face looked like all hell had been let loose. She didn't speak. 

Lord Vance cleared his throat, making the silence even more suffocating.

“It has come to the notice of this honorable council that Alpha Kieran seems to have taken a peculiar interest in you. This development is of great benefit to us, and will be even more rewarding to you,” he said.

I noticed Lady Seraphina bodily movement as her eyes flashed with annoyance and her hands tightened into fists.

"How is the taste of your new status?” She spat venom with everything in her. "Do you like the honor or do you want to decline it?”

Honour? Hmph…everything I've received today is far from honor. It's just shame, hurts, and losses on each side. It would have been a thing of great honor if I was of noble birth—like Lady Saraphina. I just hung my head and said nothing.

“It refuses to speak, even when spoken to by nobility. How insolent!" She snapped.

Honestly, I felt there was no need for her to be so salty. My pride was wounded greatly by Alpha Kieran's actions, and now, my peace had to go in for it too.

“Speak, peasant!" Lord Mordecai hissed.

Lord Vance laughed loudly. 

“Peasant? She is even more favoured than Lady Seraphina who sits here. She has found favour in the eyes of Alpha Kieran, that is something you can't play about." 

"I…I have not been honoured in any way, my Lord. I think…I think this was just a misunderstanding. Alpha Kieran would never mean to settle for trash like me—even omegas like myself do not want me,” I tried to plead my cause; particularly to the hearing of Lord Vance.

"Then, how can you redeem yourself?” Lady Seraphina thundered, her anger boiling over.

"I'm irredeemable, but I will never go near the Alpha again. I swear on my life!” I promised, trying to sound convincing enough.

"But we know you will be at his beck and call; do you want to lose your life?” Lord Vance questioned. I raised my eyes, realizing the gravity of my own words.

“We could still sell it off and prevent the unnecessary drama while it's still early," Lord Ulric suggested.

I felt relieved.

If they agreed to that, I'd be better off slaving the rest of my days away at a place where I'm not known for this thing of shame.

“No," Lady Seraphina disagreed in a rather shockingly calm tone. “Let her stay,” she said as she walked towards me, and tilted my chin upward, as if trying to get a good look at my face. 

“You can redeem yourself, pup. Be my stepping stone, and I'll make you my right hand woman. But if you eventually become a stumbling block, then I will have no reason but to do away with you." 

My vision blurred as I stared into hers. 

What did she mean by stepping stone?

She wants me to help her gain Alpha Kieran's favour?

That would surely be easy; perhaps the beast is only interested in me because he can dominate me.

“Do you understand?" She asked, her voice dripping wet with malice.

“I do, my Lady." 

“Good." 

She walked back to her place and took her seat. I looked around at other members of the council. 

Lord Vance looked at me with a certain interest, and I couldn't tell if it was one of clear selfishness. But he hadn't verbalized any ill intents towards me.

The only person I feared now remained Elder Mordecai. The spark in his eyes was one of pure evil.

“Our part, little omega, is to ensure that this Pack is led by a befitting Alpha; not a man of many words, little action, and numerous sentiments. Is that understood?" 

For a while I was lost. Wasn't Alpha Kieran Alpha enough in their eyes?

Lady Seraphina didn't seem too pleased with Elder Mordecai's statement. 

“The Blackfang Pack will not condone weakness on the throne," Lord Vance declared firmly, with emotion gone from his face.

“She'd have been better off being exchanged for a few more pieces of silver for the treasury,” Lord Ulric said, seeming quite eager.

From all that has been said here, I can deduce that Elder Mordecai has a personal vendetta against the Alpha.

Lord Ulric has upheld his greedy reputation.

Lady Seraphina has a one sided love interest in Alpha Kieran, and considers me a rival. 

And there is Lord Vance, who is more concerned about the greater good.

All various motives and motivations, but with one common bond—Alpha Kieran. 

And here I was, the pawn. The tool with which they'll run him down.

His sweet poison.

For one last time, I ran my eyes through the faces present at this meeting, and I made the decision to ask the difficult question.

“I agree to work for the greater good. But what becomes of me should these plans fail; where do I stand?" 

It seemed I had asked too much, because the silence and the hard stares spoke volumes to me.