A Call From The Council

~Alaric

The atmosphere in the study is tense. My elbows rest on the table, fingers crossed, as the envoy of the Werewolf Council on screen, concludes his report.

"Two are dead."

The words hang between us, weighty, impossibly so.

I breathe in carefully, my eyes narrow as I absorb this information. One of the top ten alphas ranked in the element games had been discovered with his throat ripped apart, his corpse dumped in the river like refuse. 

Another, also ranked top ten in the element games was discovered in his own bed, with his heart removed from his chest and left, respectfully, by his side on the bed.

A message. A threat.

The element games have always been a brutal display of power and a fight for survival, but this...this was different.

Assassinations. And whoever was carrying them out was accurate.

"You think this is targeted," I state, my voice even, but there is an edge to it, a storm brewing beneath the surface.

The envoy nodded. "The pattern suggests that they're killing the strongest. The strongest ranked Alphas. It's not a contest of power, it's execution."

I settle back in my chair, the wood groaning beneath my weight. I understand why they have come to me.

"And you're asking me to play bodyguard?"

"The Council seeks your assistance in ensuring the safety of the two strongest competitors in your vicinity. If this continues, it would develop into war between packs."

"Who?"

The envoy hesitates, just for a moment. "Alpha Mikos of Everdale and Alpha Havel of Stoneborn."

A muscle twitches in my jaw.

Mikos.

I knew it the moment they said "top competitors." The bastard had always been strong... ruthless. It isn't his strength that bothers me. It's the history.

Kyra.

His mate. The mate who he had rejected. Who he had abandoned, choosing to bond her cousin instead. Who he had sent enforcers to hunt down, treating her like a criminal for something beyond her control.

My fingers curl against the armrest.

"You’re asking me to offer sanctuary to a man who hunted my woman like an animal."

I know there's no need to hide it. The council knows most things better than anyone else does, they have spies everywhere and access to information. Since the games, I am certain they've already looked into Kyra's background.

The envoy meets my gaze. "I am aware of the history, Alpha Supreme. But this is politics, not personal affairs."

I let the silence stretch. The air in the room suddenly feels heavier, thicker. Cedric also sits in shocked silence at his seat, waiting.

I could say no. Refuse flat out. But that would send a message, a dangerous one.

The Silver Tower is neutral territory, a sanctuary in times of conflict. If I decline, it will not be a refusal of the offer of the Council, it will be an act of alienation. And division breeds war.

"Fine," I finally respond in a curt tone. "They can stay. But their safety is on my terms. If either of them step out of line, I won't think twice about reminding them whose house they're in."

The envoy nods. "Understood. They will arrive tomorrow."

Tomorrow.

I dismiss the envoy, but I remain sitting for a long time after the call ends.

Mikos, under my roof.

My eyes flashed to the far window, where sunset already gave way for the night hours.

Tomorrow will be a catastrophe.

But for today, there are more important things to be done. Particularly one thing.

"Where is Kyra?" I ask Cedric who still sits at the couch, contemplating the news we just received.

"She returned to her room." Cedric supplied.

Nodding, I get to my feet and head out in search of Kyra. If nothing else, she has to be the first to know, that Mikos will be coming to stay here in the Silver Tower for an indefinite amount of time.

I dread the conversation, knowing what this means for her already. Everything in me still wants to put a call through to the envoy and tell him to shove his politics, I don't want Mikos anywhere near my home.

But I understand the urgency of the situation. And the vow to offer sanctuary goes back ages long before I was born. It is the responsibility of the Lycans and the royal pack to ensure peace and the safety of all life... even one as undeserving as Mikos.

I soon arrive at Kyra's quarters. Even after days of trying to reason with her to move up to the Alpha's floor, she insists on retaining the room she had been given when Cedric first brought her in.

I even explained we would not be sharing the same room and she could have the one at the very end of my hall but Kyra is adamant. I understand she does not want to feel like things between us are getting too intense, but the truth is...they have been for a while already.

Kyra has been keeping her distance from me, I have promised not to push and I do not intend to. Though it is not very easy to stay away.

I knock on the door and Kyra's quiet voice says to come in. Turning the knob, I step in to see Kyra sitting cross legged on the floor.

"What...are you doing?" I ask, slightly amused.

Her brows furrow into a cute frown. "My back hurts..." She murmurs.

My eyes widen in concern and I hurry over to crouch beside her. "Where? For how long?"

Kyra rolls her eyes at my concern. "Oh, it's nothing."

"Are you done speaking to the council?" She asked with a raised brow.

I nod grimly, also lowering myself to a sit on the floor. "Due to recent deaths of the top ranked Alphas, the council seeks my assistance. Kyra... Mikos will arrive at the tower tomorrow." I reveal hesitantly.

I watch her expression shift to something akin to deep contemplation.

"I... I understand." She finally says after a while of silence.

"I can turn down the council." I say firmly. "I will do so..."

"Don't." Kyra cuts me off. "The situation is indeed concerning and this is your duty. The silver tower is big enough, I won't have to cross paths with him often."

"If everything is resolved quickly...he will leave." She added, more to herself than me.

It hurts me to see her hide her true feelings from me, but I nod.

"I'll make sure of that "