Chapter 3

The Council's Demand

BLACKTHORN PACK

The Alpha stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his black shirt. His expression was unreadable. The council meeting had begun minutes ago, and he had no intention of going early.

He hated the council. It was always filled with old men who believed their years gave them the right to question his decisions. As if their age meant a damn thing to him.

His black trousers were perfectly pressed, paired with a fitted black shirt that hugged his muscular arms. His dark hair was neatly styled, with a few strands falling across his forehead.

He knew exactly what he looked like. Tall, muscular, and effortlessly intimidating, Kieran had never needed anyone to remind him of his effect on people.

A knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

His beta, Derek, stepped into the room.

“The council is waiting for you.”

Kieran glanced at his wristwatch before reaching for his jacket.

“Then they can wait a little longer.”

He walked down the hallway with Derek by his side, his face expressionless. He already knew what they were going to discuss. They had been pestering him about the same thing for ages.

He reached the council hall and stopped by the door. The elders were arguing loudly inside, their voices carrying through the hallway.

He waited a moment before motioning for Derek to open the door.

“He always does this! He comes and then…”

The elder stopped mid-sentence when the door opened and Kieran stepped inside.

The room fell silent.

Kieran walked straight to his seat at the front of the hall, his footsteps echoing through the sudden silence. He pulled out the heavy wooden chair and sat down, leaning back as he crossed one leg over the other.

His gaze moved from one elder to another. One by one, they lowered their eyes, suddenly finding the papers in front of them very interesting.

Kieran rested one arm on the armrest and tapped his fingers against it.

“Well?” he asked. “Mark, you were saying something before I came in. Care to share?”

“No, Alpha…” The elder swallowed hard. “I was just conversing with my fellow elders.”

“Alpha!” Matthew called from across the hall. “We have important things to discuss.”

“And what would that be, Matthew?”

“You know what we have been discussing for a while now, Alpha,” another elder said.

Kieran stared at them. He wasn't ready to have this conversation. The topic always made him angry.

“You have to find your mate, Alpha.” Matthew rose from his seat. “The pack has been without a Luna, and it's becoming a problem. It should never be said that the Blackthorn Pack has no Luna.”

“The Luna is a very important position. It should not be left vacant for too long!” another elder added.

“And it is not vacant,” Kieran said. “We have Valeria.”

“Valeria is no Luna!” Matthew shouted.

“And you don't raise your voice at your Alpha!” Kieran snapped.

“My apologies,” Matthew said quickly. “But Valeria is a mistress. She is just for the bed and nothing else.”

“Valeria has taken up too much power, and that should be changed as soon as possible!” another elder said.

“And you don't teach me what to do!” Kieran fired back.

“Kieran Rodriguez!”

The entire hall went silent.

The Alpha's name had been spoken, and by an elder at that.

Everyone knew what that meant. Only someone with a death wish would dare address the Alpha by his name.

“My apologies, Alpha. I... I didn't mean to.” Matthew quickly lowered his gaze before sitting back down.

Kieran's eyes darkened. His jaw clenched as he stared at Matthew, making the elder shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“This meeting is over,” he declared.

He pushed his chair back and stood, then walked out of the hall without another word.

Kieran stormed down the hallway, Derek quickly catching up with him.

“I'm never attending that damned council meeting again!” Kieran growled, loosening the first two buttons of his shirt.

“You know that's impossible, Alpha,” Derek said, walking beside him.

“He's a few inches shorter than Kieran, but that didn't stop him from keeping up.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Derek.”

“Those elders are awfully relentless. It pisses me off,” Derek said.

“Then give them what they want.”

“I can't, Derek!” Kieran snapped. “I want no visitors.”

Kieran walked away, leaving Derek speechless.

He reached his suite and slammed the door shut behind him. He strode over to the table, grabbed a bottle of wine, and poured himself a glass before gulping it down in one go.

His jaw remained clenched as he poured himself another glass and dropped heavily into the chair.

He was clearly pissed, which wasn't unusual.

The door opened without a knock.

Kieran looked up from his glass as Valeria walked into the room. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her eyes fixed on him.

She wore a fitted black dress that fell just above her knees, revealing her long legs. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were painted a deep red that stood out against her fair skin.

She walked toward him slowly, her heels clicking against the floor.

“You look angry,” she said, stopping in front of him.

Kieran took another sip of his wine.

“I am sure I explicitly told Derek I wanted no visitors.”

“I'm no visitor, Kieran!”

“Kieran?”

“My apologies, Alpha.”

Valeria lowered her head immediately.

“Why are you here?” He stood up from the chair.

“What did you discuss with the elders?”

Kieran walked away from her without saying a word. He stood in front of the mirror and began taking off his shirt.

“I said, what did you…”

“Know your place, Valeria!” Kieran snapped. “It's none of your business.”

“It's my business! Alpha…”

“Get out!”

Valeria stared at him for a moment before storming out. She almost collided with Derek on the way out.

“She didn't look pleased,” Derek remarked, watching the door.

“What do you want, Derek?”

“Well, it's Mrs. Crane…”

Kieran's expression hardened.

“What's wrong with this damn woman? Is she here again?”

“No. Not this time.”

Derek's voice had changed.

Kieran narrowed his eyes. “Then what is it?”

“She’s dead.”