Chapter 20

Eric's POV

The council hall hummed with the low murmur of wolves discussing strategy, but my attention was elsewhere. I couldn’t shake the tension radiating between the Lincoln pack’s Alpha son and Cora. Even from across the room, I could feel it—like a storm barely contained, dangerous and unpredictable.

Anton leaned beside me, his eyes following the subtle interactions I was already tracking. “You saw it too,” he murmured.

I nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“Cain Lincoln,” Anton said, voice low, almost cautious, “he’s clearly… unsettled by her. There’s history there. I saw it when they arrived—the way he looked at her. And he tried to speak to her, but she shut him down.”

I frowned, turning to watch the younger Alpha. He carried himself with a mixture of pride and restraint, trying to maintain control, but his gaze kept flicking toward her. My wolf stirred inside me. Protective. Territorial. She hadn’t fully revealed herself, hadn’t told anyone here about her past or the connection to Lincoln. Yet even with all the unknowns, Cain’s presence made my instincts flare.

I exhaled slowly. “Let me handle her,” I murmured. “Not him.”

Anton raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He trusted me. That was part of why I had kept him close all these years. My beta always understood my moods without a word.

The meeting dragged on. Reports of rogue activity, border disputes, and territorial negotiations filled the room. The Lincoln pack wanted to form an alliance to address the rogue problem that had been plaguing both our territories. I nodded along professionally, but my mind kept drifting back to her.

Cora.

She sat with her back straight, calm, poised, like nothing could touch her. But I could see it, the tension in her jaw, the way her hands clenched subtly when Cain’s gaze lingered. I didn’t need to ask her anything to know that he had seen her. And I didn’t like it.

When the council finally adjourned, the room emptied slowly, members drifting away to their packs or leaving to patrol the borders. Cain lingered, clearly tense, and I noticed him throwing me a quick, calculating glance before retreating to speak with his father. He hadn’t expected me to notice, or perhaps he had.

I waited until the hall was nearly empty before I approached Cora. She glanced up, bright blue eyes meeting mine. There was an almost imperceptible sigh in her posture, a relief that I had come, that it wasn’t just Cain looming over her in judgment.

“Everything okay?” I asked softly, keeping my tone light but firm.

She hesitated. I saw the battle behind her eyes,the weight of her past, the new confidence she had worked so hard to build. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally, she nodded.

“No. Not really,” she admitted quietly. “But I… I can’t hide it from you anymore.”

I raised an eyebrow. “From me?”

Cora looked down at her hands. “Cain… he was here. He saw me. But I… I didn’t let him near. I told him to leave me alone, but…” She trailed off, shaking her head.

I felt my chest tighten, a low growl rising in my throat. My wolf stirred, restless. “But what?” I asked, voice firm, careful.

She looked up at me, her blue eyes steady, and took a deep breath. “He… he was my mate.”

The words hit me like a blade. My stomach twisted, and my heart skipped. Her mate? Cain? The Alpha son of Lincoln pack? I had suspected there was history, tension, some sort of bond… but the truth, her mate, explained everything.

She nodded, as if reading my thoughts. “He rejected me. He… he didn’t accept it. I… I had to let him go. That’s why I left my pack, why I survived out there alone. I didn’t want him interfering with my life here. Not anymore.”

My protective instincts flared, even stronger than before. She had survived rogue attacks, near death, and abandonment by someone who should have protected her. And then Cain, her mate, came back, as if he could just stroll into her life and reclaim her. The thought made my jaw tighten.

“You don’t have to deal with him alone,” I said quietly. “Not ever. I won’t let him.....”

She shook her head. “I can handle it. I just… I don’t want him here. Not after everything.”

I nodded, understanding the weight behind her words. My wolf growled low, curling within me. She had been through so much, rogues, rejection, near death, and now she deserved safety, loyalty, and respect. I would make damn sure nothing threatened her here.

Cain and his father lingered longer than expected. Derek Lincoln’s presence made my muscles tense; the man exuded authority, arrogance, and ruthlessness. Cain didn’t look comfortable either, his posture tight, his jaw set, but his eyes kept flicking to Cora, betraying a storm of emotions he was trying to suppress.

I kept Cora close to my side as we waited. She seemed calm, almost serene, but I could feel the subtle vibrations of her tension, every flicker of her wolf’s awareness, every twitch of muscle, every rapid intake of breath when Cain’s gaze was on her.

Finally, Derek’s voice cut through the quiet. “Eric Williams,” he said, eyes sweeping the room, “we appreciate your willingness to host this council. Our pack’s security is as much a concern as yours. I trust your hospitality extends to my son while we remain here?”

I forced a neutral nod. “Of course. You and your pack are welcome. But my focus is on the well-being of all present, including my guests.” My gaze subtly flicked toward Cora, who stiffened slightly but didn’t look away.

Cain’s father nodded curtly. “Good. We have… business to discuss tomorrow.” He waved a hand at Cain, and they began to leave. But Cain hesitated at the door, looking back at her once more, and I could see the conflict in his face.

Cora noticed it, too. I could feel her restraint, the effort she made to remain composed.

“Stay close to me,” I murmured quietly. “If he tries anything, I’ll handle it.”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing just slightly. That was enough for now.

Once the council hall emptied, I led her to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. She seemed hesitant to speak at first, but the moment we were alone, the dam broke.

“I didn’t know how to tell you,” she admitted, voice soft. “Everything that happened… with Cain… the pack… I didn’t want to burden you.”

I shook my head. “You don’t have to hide anything from me, Cora. Not your fears, not your past, not him. Not even that he’s your… mate?” My voice softened, careful.

She looked at me, blue eyes glistening with emotion. “He was my mate, Eric. My bond… it’s broken now. I accepted it. But he....he didn’t care. My own pack… they didn’t even look for me. I…” Her voice broke slightly, but she steadied herself. “I can’t let him control me. I’m done with him.”

I felt my chest tighten. Protective, yes, but also… impressed. She had endured so much, survived so much, and now she was claiming herself. My wolf hummed in approval, alert, focused, ready to defend her at all costs.

“You’re stronger than you realize,” I said firmly. “Not just in training, but in everything. Don’t let anyone intimidate you. Not him, not his father. Not anyone.”

She looked at me, a hint of gratitude shining in her eyes. “I know, Eric. Thank you for… everything.”

"They'll leave after we finalize the meeting" I say and she nods.

I exhaled slowly. The weight of the day, Cain’s presence, the rogue threats, the politics of pack life, it all pressed on me. But for now, she was safe. And that was all that mattered.

Anton arrived shortly after, knocking lightly on the doorway. “Eric, we should finalize the arrangements. Derek and Cain will stay overnight, as requested.”

I nodded. “Thank you, Anton. Make sure everything is secure.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Anton replied, eyes briefly flicking to Cora. "Are you good"

She nodded and gave a reassuring smile "Yeah I'm good. Thanks Anton "

He gave a small, knowing smile then turned back to me. “I’ll handle it.”

I watch him leave, then turned back to her. “You’re safe here, Cora. With me, with my pack. Not just tonight. Not just during the council. I’ll make sure of it.”

She leaned slightly against me, her wolf pressing close, calm yet alert, aware of everything around us. My own wolf hummed in response, recognizing hers, the protection she allowed, the trust she placed.

For the first time, I felt we were aligned. Not just as alpha and guest, but as allies, as something more. Something unspoken yet powerful.