Chapter 6

The meeting consisted of ten people; the six members of the council, my beta, my delta, Father Matteo, and myself. I took one look around the room, looking at the faces that were trained on mine. The expression on each person's face was the same. Resolution.

“No, there's no way. I won't do that. That child is not fit enough to be my mate, much less the Luna of Moretti Brun,” I said, my anger slowly rising. I was very temperamental but I always tried to keep my anger in check. At that very moment, I was losing it.

I felt Silas trying to break through my mind link.

“You either speak out or don't speak at all,” one of the elders said gruffly, looking between Silas and I making him huff.

“It's what the moon goddess has planned for you both so you better accept it. She is your mate, Alpha. Your partner. And while you reserve the right to reject or accept a mate, it's quite clear that the universe wants this bond sealed. Father Matteo has told us that already.” The man said, looking up at me from the rim of his glasses m

Father Matteo's explanation that he had given some minutes before, played around in my head.

“Some bonds cannot fight what the universe decides. Yours is one of such, Alpha. I wouldn't be here trying to manipulate your decisions if I didn't have a valid reason why. I had a vision and I saw your mate, a brown haired young lady. She walked across the lands and with each step she took, life returned to that portion of the land. The message was clear, Alpha Moretti. We must reverse the damage,” he had said.

I wanted to argue. To reveal the prophecy that had been foretold about my mate when I was younger, but I knew there was no use. The universe had decided for the good of the pack and the council stood for whatever was in favour of the pack.

“I'll find her,” I said as I returned back to sit down. “I'll find her and I'll seal our bond.”

A round of murmur went around the table as they all nodded in approval.

I sat quietly and watched while they rounded up the meeting. They talked about something else to which my only contribution was nodding my head. I walked them to the door wordlessly, barely acknowledging them as they bowed before leaving.

Silas followed me back to my office. I knew what he wanted to say, and I also knew I didn't want to hear it.

“I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you,” he started when we were behind closed doors.

“No, you don't. I mean, you got lucky with your mate but I am about to take a child as my mate,” I burst out, exasperated.

Silas scoffed. “It's not about luck, Alessandro, you know it's not.”

Before I could respond, he spoke again. “You always do things for the good of Moretti Brun, so here... Do this for us. For your people.”

Elara's POV

For the weeks before this day, I had been feeling like lady luck herself.

Little did I know, my life was about to change completely.

I couldn't get any money but somehow, Grannie Alba’s health improved greatly. She was doing a lot better and I was glad. Also, I had somehow managed to get through most days without feeling like I was getting swallowed by pain. It was a win for me on both sides.

I did some research on the guy, man rather, because he was quite older than me. Alpha Moretti was a forty one year old man. He was ruthless, feared, quiet but loud, dominating. His pack was…let's just say his pack would swallow mine alive. To cut it short, he sounded scary. Definitely not the kind of guy I wanted to be with.

I couldn't tell Grannie that I met my mate and he rejected me. Although I was sure she could sense something was wrong, she just didn't know what.

The door to my room creaked open, making me look up from the work out book I was holding.

“Grannie Alba! Are you alright?” I asked in worry, jumping up to my feet and rushing towards her.

She waved me off, pulling me along with her so we both sat on my bed. “I'm alright child, I'm stronger than I look.”

Still wary, I nodded. She pulled me into her arms for a side hug which I gladly took. “Why don't you go into town and get some popcorn so we can see one of those movies you like?” She said, dropping some change in my palm.

A wide smile formed on my face. These were the moments I cherished deeply. Grannie Alba did her best to make sure the void left by my parents were filled in the ways she could.

I wasn't doing anything so I eagerly rushed into town. From the moment I got into town, I could feel the hairs at my neck stand in attention. With great difficulty, I weaved through the crowd, got what I needed and hurried home.

I felt a pair of eyes watching me so I picked up my pace.

Maybe I should have been more vigilant. If my senses weren't so heightened from my walk through town, maybe I would have sensed something before entering the house. But I didn't.

“Grannie Alba, I'm back,” I called out as I crossed the doorway.

I paused in my tracks. The sight before me was one I couldn't have ever prepared myself for.