A MEETING

Chapter 8

Meeting with the Elders

Kaius POV

“Has the King arrived yet?”

The council chamber was already full when I stepped in.

The hall went silent at once, my gaze swept the whole hall, staring at each of their faces.

Meetings like this don't hold if there's no hidden agenda, but I was ready for them. I was ready for whatever phase they bring out.

I kept a straight face, and walked directly to the chair meant for me, it was at the head of the long table.

“Welcome the alpha…” one of the elders called and I could see the grudge on their faces, the reluctance!

What exactly were they feeling?!

Some faked smiles, while some kept a straight face and didn't care.

I nodded and immediately, the maids came to serve drinks.

“Get me coffee instead..” one of the elders said, leaning back on his seat.

He was one of those that resented me, one of those who didn't care about my well-being, but doesn't fail to judge.

I stopped the maid before she got to the door, the guards blocking the door at my command.

“Serve him what you serve others..” I commanded with a strict face.

He didn't dare talk or ask questions. I saw how his fist tightened by his sides.

“So, shall we begin the meeting?!” I said, looking at them, their expressions.

They exchanged glances and nodded.

Something seemed to be missing in the meeting, but I couldn't tell what. I was feeling restless inside and Magnus wasn't helping matters.

I tightened my grip on the glass of wine, and shut my eyes tightly, as though that would help.

“Kaius… Kaius.” I heard my name and I opened my eyes.

I saw a blurry figure in front of me, smiling and calling my name.

“Adelaide?!” I called and in a moment the illusion was off.

“Luna isn't here.” One of the elders said, staring around.

That was it.

It was Adelaide that was missing.

But, why was I thinking about her and not something else?!

This could be Magnus' handiwork. He was trying to pull her forth.

“I'm going to kill you Magnus!” I murmured, tightening my grip.

Magnus laughed in my head, “I'm your wolf, you can't kill me..”

That was true. I can't do Magnus anything, but I can deny him the one thing he has always desired.

Adelaide.

I smirked.

“We both need her!!” He yelled and I almost jerked, but it stopped and calmed down.

It was better she didn't come, after all it's only true Lunas that sits with the council. Who knows if she's a true Luna?!

I leaned back, folding my arms. Magnus stirred faintly again inside me, restless and irritated.

Christine cleared her throat.

She sat three seats down on my right, dressed in a shiny blue dress.

She was the kind of woman who smiled gently while sharpening knives behind her back. She clasped her hands together, her eyes glistening.

“Your Majesty,” she began softly, “we are relieved to see you well enough to attend.”

I said nothing, I just looked.

She blinked as though she was seeking opinions.

“We’ve all been… worried. The palace has been tense lately. Change does that.”

Change. Humph.

She tilted her head slightly, as if thinking aloud. “The Luna is still adjusting, of course. She comes from a… simpler background. This life must be overwhelming for her.”

Magnus growled low in my head. I shut him down immediately.

Christine smiled faintly, encouraged by my silence. “Which is why,” she continued, “the council believes stability is more important now than ever.”

An elder across the table nodded. “The people are watching and waiting.”

Another added, “A kingdom without an heir is a kingdom standing on thin ice.”

It looked like they had rehearsed it before I came, because they were all speaking from the same script, I could hear it in their voices.

I didn’t react to their words yet, I just watched them solely, my hands clasped together in front of me.

They took my silence as permission to continue speaking and I let them.

Christine folded her hands tighter. “A child would solidify the throne. Reassure the packs. We need to solidify our claim to the throne through our bloodline.”

“Reduce the doubts,” someone else chimed in.

“Especially given the Luna’s… origins,” an older man muttered, not bothering to lower his voice.

They all agreed, exchanging glances and nodding.

My jaw tightened and Magnus surged. Saying the word, he snarled. I’ll tear this room apart.

It wasn't time to react, so I calmed it down again, my eyes sweeping through the whole hall, studying their words and reactions.

Christine sighed, shaking her head as if burdened by responsibility. “We mean no disrespect to the Luna,” she said smoothly. “But she was not raised for this. Producing an heir would… secure her place.”

There it was. She is spilling what she has always felt, or maybe something she was influenced to say.

The queen mother doesn't attend council meetings anymore, but anytime Christine spoke, she sounded like her in every way.

I stared at the table, my fingers slowly tightening against the chair.

“His majesty hasn't said a thing yet…” one of the elders said, staring straight at me.

“It's about the Luna, he has to think about it..” One whispered but my ear was too down not to hear.

They continued their whisper, glancing at each other and staring away.

Finally, I lifted my head and hit my fist on the table, making it jerk.

Every eye snapped to me at once, some shifting away calmly as though I was going to hurt them.

“I find it interesting,” I said calmly, “how comfortable you all feel discussing my bed.”

The others shifted in their seats.

Christine blinked. “Your Majesty, that is not…”

“I wasn’t finished!” I yelled. She was always quick to answer, but I wasn't going to give her room anymore.

There was a sudden silence, some turning their gaze away in fear.

I stood up, and the scrape of my chair against the stone echoed like a warning bell. I walked slowly around the table, my gaze sweeping over each elder, each noble, each face.

“You will not ask me where I go,” I said evenly. “You will not ask me what I do. And you will not,” I paused, stopping directly behind Christine’s chair, “decide when I lie with my wife.”

Christine’s spine stiffened and she swallowed hard, her heart almost jumping out of her mouth.

Magnus smiled, I could feel the joy from within as I stood up for Adelaide.

I leaned forward slightly, my voice dropping. “But since you’re all so concerned.”

I straightened.

“The marriage will be consummated when I decide it is time.”

A murmur broke out in the room.

I raised a hand and it died instantly.

“This discussion ends here,” I added coldly. “Any further questions will be taken as a challenge to my authority.”

No one dared challenge me.

Christine slowly relaxed back into her seat. Her lips parted, as if to speak, then closed again. She nodded faintly.

“Of course, Your Majesty. We only wish for the good of the kingdom.”

Liar!

I turned away, returning to my seat. As I sat, something tugged at the edge of my nose.

A scent. It was a very familiar one.

Magnus stiffened. She’s close.

I masked my reaction instantly, but my eyes went toward the far wall and then I sensed her standing behind the pillars of the wall.

She was there and I knew she was listening to everything, but that didn't matter to me.

I kept my face blank as the council resumed murmuring about borders and grain stores, but my focus wasn’t on them anymore.

I could feel her presence like a bruise under my skin. Hear her breathing if I strained.

She heard enough.

Enough to know what they thought of her.

Enough to know what I had just claimed.

Magnus growled softly. She smells hurt.

Shut up!

“I have a present for you all… sit tight and receive it.” I said, leaning back on my chair, distracting myself a bit from the scent.

I could see how surprised they all looked. What present?! I could hear them whisper.

Immediately, I called in the guards.

They pulled out something wrapped with foil and kept it in the middle of the table.

“Unwrap it.” I said, staring at each of them.

They looked more confused than ever as the guards unwrapped it.

It was a dagger, designed with crystals and had the mark of the moon and the god of wisdom.

They all grasped, each shifting away.

I stood up, hitting my fist on the table to stop them, it was louder this time.

“This is a warning, you know what the crystal moon does?!! It searches the soul!”

They froze and I smiled.

I ended the meeting that instant and walked away, their murmurs growing behind me.

This was just a warning, next time, it'll be brutal.