chapter 7

EAMON POV

The council meeting was in full swing, discussions echoing off the chamber walls as my pack members shared updates and strategies on retrieving Isadora. I sat at the head of the table, my mind divided between the matters at hand and the ever-present ache in my heart for Isadora. The search for her had consumed my thoughts, driving my decisions and fueling my determination.

"Alpha Eamon," Victor's voice cut through the chatter, bringing my attention back to the meeting. His expression was grave, and his eyes locked onto mine with a seriousness that made my pulse quicken.

I leaned forward, the tension in the room obvious. "What is it, Victor?"

He cleared his throat, his gaze unwavering. "We've received reliable information about Isadora's whereabouts, but I'm afraid I don't have good news."

My heart skipped a beat, a rush of adrenaline surging through me. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Victor's words hit me like a punch to the gut. "She's in the custody of Alpha Jack, leader of the Blood Moon Pack."

Anger, frustration, and fear churned within me, a tempest of emotions that threatened to consume me. Isadora was mine; how dare he touch her?

My fists clenched involuntarily, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to contain the rage that threatened to erupt. "That bloody fucker, how did this happen? How did he get to her?"

Victor's gaze never wavered, and his voice was steady. "I'm not exactly sure, my Alpha."

A growl rumbled in my throat, a primal sound of frustration and fury.

"We need to rescue her," I declared, my voice low and dangerous. "My child is in her womb; we can't let Alpha Jack's schemes come to fruition. I know for a fact he wouldn't stop coming up with ideas to ruin me."

Victor nodded in agreement. "I've already assembled a team of our strongest warriors. We're ready to move when you give the word."

I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as I paced the room. Isadora's face flashed before my eyes.

"Prepare our forces," I ordered, my voice a command that brooked no opposition. "We're going to storm Alpha Jack's territory and bring Isadora back."

"Alpha Eamon," a voice interrupted, and I turned to see one of the council elders, Elder Thorne, rising from his seat. His age-lined face was etched with experience, and his eyes carried a weight of caution and strategy.

"Speak, Elder Thorne," I said, my tone respectful as I leaned forward, ready to consider his counsel.

He cleared his throat, his gaze meeting mine with a calm resolve. "While I understand your desire to confront Alpha Jack head-on, I must caution against rushing into a battle that could have dire consequences."

I exchanged a glance with Victor, my second-in-command, who wasn't buying the idea. Still, Elder Thorne's words held weight, and I was willing to hear him out.

Elder Thorne continued. "Alpha Jack might be expecting a direct confrontation. Instead, we should consider a stealthier approach, one that would allow us to sneak into his territory unnoticed and retrieve Isadora without alerting him and putting your baby in danger."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber, and I found myself considering the wisdom in Elder Thorne's words. Isadora's safety was paramount, and if a covert operation could ensure her rescue while minimising the risk of an all-out war, it was an avenue worth exploring.

"Elder Thorne, how do you propose we execute this plan?" I inquired, my voice measured.

Elder Thorne's eyes gleamed with a glint of strategy. "We have pack warriors skilled in infiltration and espionage. With their assistance, we could breach Alpha Jack's territory under the cover of darkness. Our objective would be to locate and retrieve Isadora without engaging in direct combat."

I nodded, the plan taking shape in my mind. It was a risky endeavor, but it held promise. "And if we're discovered?"

Elder Thorne's expression remained steady. "We must be prepared for that possibility. Our operatives would be trained to escape and evade capture, ensuring that the mission's success is not compromised."

As the council chamber buzzed with tense energy, Elder Thorne's plan for a covert rescue of Isadora hung in the air like a fragile promise. The discussion continued, and Victor's impatience and frustration became increasingly palpable. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his eyes blazing with a fire that threatened to consume reason.

"That plan sounds to me like bullshit. Enough of these games," Victor's voice sliced through the room like a dagger. "We shouldn't be skulking around like thieves in the night. We are strong, and we should show that strength!"

His words reverberated through the chamber, igniting a spark of dissent in the air. Murmurs of agreement rippled through the council members, each echoing Victor's sentiment in their own way.

I felt my temper rise like a tempest, my jaw clenching in response to Victor's defiance. How could he so recklessly disregard the carefully crafted plan that Elder Thorne had proposed? The safety of Isadora was paramount, and I wouldn't let ego and bravado jeopardize that.

I strode forward, my footsteps echoing like a drumbeat of authority. "Victor." My voice was a low, dangerous growl. "I will not tolerate this recklessness."

His gaze met mine, a challenge lurking in his eyes. "Eamon, we can't afford to be passive. We have the strength and the numbers. Let's use them!"

My restraint was unraveling thread by thread, and my patience was fraying to the point of breaking. And then, in a moment of volcanic fury, I let my instincts take over. My hand shot out, my palm connecting with Victor's cheek in a resounding slap that echoed like a thunderclap.

The room fell into stunned silence, the impact of the slap reverberating like a shockwave through the air. Victor's head snapped to the side, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still, the weight of my anger and his defiance colliding in that single gesture.

"You will show respect for the council's decisions, for the safety of our pack, and for Isadora." My voice was a low, dangerous hiss. "Or you will be removed from this chamber."

The tension in the room was suffocating, creating a charged atmosphere that crackled like lightning. And then, with a nod of reluctant submission, Victor took a step back, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"Understood," his voice was subdued, a quiet acknowledgment of his overstep.

Turning away from him, I addressed the council once more. "Elder Thorne's plan is the course we will take. Isadora's safety is our priority, and we will execute this mission with precision."

As I spoke, the energy in the room shifted, the focus returning to the task at hand. Amidst the uncertainty and urgency, there was a shared determination to see Isadora safely returned to our pack.

"Alpha Eamon," a voice broke through the charged silence. I turned to find Luka, his eyes steady and resolute. "I have experience in stealth operations. I request to lead the rescue team."

His request was a glimmer of hope, a promise that Isadora's rescue was within our grasp. I nodded, my gratitude and trust unspoken but understood.

"You have my trust, Luka," I said, my voice carrying the weight of our shared commitment. "Lead the team and bring Isadora home; get ready with the men; you leave by sunset."