Chapter 9: A Dilemma

Kieran's POV 

The night was quieter than I expected it to be. I had hoped that the council would summon me to be questioned, or perhaps advised, about my actions.

Was I too rash? I tossed once more in bed, sleep evading my heavy eyelids. But I'm the Alpha, and she is my fated mate. I don't know why she can't sense our mate bond. 

Are all omegas usually this clueless? How, then, could they find their mates? Did they have their own ways of knowing?

I sucked my teeth in frustration and exhaled deeply. There had to be some way.

I can already feel the tension radiating from all corners of this palace, and I know it.

I can't play safe anymore. I can't keep hiding what I feel for Lyra; it will tarnish her image before the whole Pack. But at the same time, making my interest in her public will put her in the eyes of those who want to harm me.

Harming her means only one thing—attacking me. I have to meet with Elder Moonshadow. He'll definitely have something to say to me.

I reached for my coat and headed out, giving my guard orders not to admit anyone into my court until I had returned and settled in.

If there was anyone I could trust at this point, it is Elder Thorian Moonshadow. He has been around for a while, a good historian, accurately taking note of major historical events in our Pack. It was from his scrolls that I first read about the perversion of justice in the Blackfang Pack.

The night air washed over my face as I stepped out of the palace. 

Elder Thorian should be out in the woods. He lived on the outskirts of town, close to the cliffs. It's understandable why he chose such scenery; especially regarding the new members of the council, and how crooky they are.

My father exiled him, but his loyalty and connection to the Pack wouldn't let him go away completely. Yet, he never came back, no matter how much I pleaded with him.

The freedom the night gave me excites me more than anything. Observing the nightlife of members of the Pack without the burden of formalities. 

As soon as I was out of the heart of town, I shifted and raced on all fours till I approached the lone log cabin just on the edge of the woods.

I stood upright, my eyes glowing in the darkness. “Elder Thorian?" I called as I rapped softly on the door.

There was silence within.

I peeped through the front window. The fireplace had burning coals, and there was an open book on a low table right in front of it. But no sign of Elder Thorian.

As I turned to leave, a massive wolf with a scar running from his right brow over his eyelid and down his right cheek, pounced on me, his weight almost forcing me to the ground. His cautious eyes scanned me before he shifted and took his hand off my neck.

“What are you doing out here this late, Kieran? I rarely have visitors," Elder Thorian said in a low growl and stood tall, opening the front door to his cabin.

Even age didn't take out of his height. I smiled and coughed a little to clear my throat.

“I need some advice, Elder Thorian." 

We went into his living room. It was much warmer than it appeared. He lit all the lamps and soon joined me after taking off his leather cloak.

“You've run into some trouble with the council?" He asked. “I've seen Mordecai in passing lately. He doesn't look too pleased." 

How was he out of town, but yet so aware of all recent happenings? I cleared my throat and swallowed the lump in my throat.

“So it seems. I've found my mate, and marked her." 

Elder Thorian paused and scanned my face. "Why wasn't there an elaborate ceremony? You're the Alpha.”

"It didn't require one. Our Pack’s customs do not support such bonds,” I explained. "But what use is it, rejecting my fated mate, and going for someone who's just after the title of Luna?”

Elder Thorian’s eyes seemed worried. "And this mate is an Omega?”

I nodded as if a death sentence had been pronounced. Elder Thorian got up and paced in front of the fireplace.

"Who are those you're up against for this very decision?” He asked with the concern of a father.

"Lady Seraphina, Lord Vance, Elder Mordecai, and Lord Ulric. They seem quite upset. Prior to this, I had relieved Mordecai of his position as head of the council because he tried to sell my mate off, along with some other omegas without my consent.”

"Reinstate him. That would be a head start for you. I know that Vance will keep his eyes open for any signs of ‘weakness’ on your part, and if Ulric doesn't get his pockets filled soon, he might get cranky. Lady Seraphina should be easy to handle.” 

He stopped as if in deep thought and then continued. "But you have to protect your mate by keeping her under your watch, without being too involved with her. I don't know how you'll go about that.”

I felt a weight of guilt for bringing so much trouble to the poor girl. She had known nothing but survival all her life, coming from the lowest level of the food chain.

"I will do my best to protect her.” I gave my word.

Elder Thorian nodded in acknowledgment and resumed his seat.

“You told me you marked her. If that was done discretely, how could anyone else have found out? What went wrong?" 

"Lady Seraphina walked in on us in the heat of the moment. She was in my room, doing her duties. I crept up on her straight out of the bathroom, half naked. In that moment, I moved on impulse and marked her,” I narrated, suddenly feeling a wave of shame wash over me.

Elder Thorian picked up the book that had been open earlier and flipped through the pages absentmindedly.

"What have been her whereabouts since then?”

I scoffed. She could probably be in the palace, going about her life or hiding in shame. I gave her the rest of the day off.

‘Kieran, the council could have gotten on to her.’

Only then did it dawn on me why Elder Thorian advised that a close eye be kept on her at all times.