Chapter 6: Rumors like wildfire

Garrett sat at the long council table, pacing slowly behind his chair, awaiting the outcome of the trap that had been set for Tiara.

A single candle flickered between the elders, casting stretched shadows across their weathered faces.

“This matter with Tiara is growing out of hand,” Elder Leonard muttered. 

"We cannot allow things to continue this way. The alpha is caught between his fated mate, and the pack," 

“If she truly is the Alpha’s fated mate, the pack has a right to—”

"Has a right to do what?"" Garrett flared.

"This is one of the problems I have with you all," he continued.

" The girl in question has none of the qualities required to become the Luna, not even the slightest one!" He half-yelled.

The doors to the chamber suddenly burst open.

Vanessa strode in, her hair, freely flowing over her shoulder, a furious glint in her eyes.

All conversation ceased.

She did not bother to ask for permission before speaking. “She escaped.”

Garrett raised a brow. “Huh?? Who?”

“Tiara,” Vanessa hissed. “She ran. After attacking one of our men."

 "We have allowed her to slink through our walls like a shadow for too long. It is time to finish this,” she confidently reported.

The elders exchanged glances.

“Vanessa,” Leonard began, his tone clipped, “we are still discussing the matter—”

“I am the matter!” she snapped at him. “That weakling omega was never meant to stand beside Edwin. She is not one of us—she never was, and she never will be!

"We should be discussing my installation as Luna, not brooding over some 

lame weakling!" 

Taking a deep breath, "I do not think that this matter is something that needs to be tabled or discussed before a decision is made." 

"The same thing I was just telling them–" Garrett interjected.

“Regardless of your feelings,” another elder interjected, “we were convening to figure things out. If Tiara and Alpha Edwin are fated—”

Vanessa let out a loud, theatrical laugh. “Fated? Or did you mean manipulated?”

"We still need to discuss what is best for the alpha and the pack, regardless of her status." 

The elder continued.

She walked around the table, slow and dramatic, letting the folds of her cloak trail behind her like smoke.

"How about I burst your bubbles? Tell you something shocking, huh?" She evily smirked.

“Do you know what I found out about her? Something so despicable and filthy, something no one here would want to associate with.”

"Tell us whatever it is you want to say and stop teasing us like dogs being teased with a bone!" One of the elders angrily blurted.

"Very well then, since you are so curious,"

"She sleeps with rogues, steals from the pack's supply that is kept in my father's possession," she continued, lying smoothly.

“She’s lying,” one of the younger elders muttered, barely audible.

"We both know how desperate Garrett and his daughter have being, viciously vying for the post of the Luna."

But the damage was done, doubt had already been planted in the heart of most of the elders, they had already fallen for Vanessa's trap.

Vanessa turned to Garrett and tilted her head, eyes gleaming. “Father, if the council will not protect the pack, then we will.”

"And how do you intend to protect the pack alone?" An elder asked.

"By telling the pack the truth that they deserve to know about their so-called "Luna" who is nothing but a despicable, cheap slut!" Vanessa slammed back.

"It is actually no news to the pack, more like they already know what she is and I am sure that they would still not want someone like that to lead them." She smirked, the room filled with heavy silence.

Garrett did not speak. He did not have to, his nod was enough.

-----------------------

Tiara, sprawled on the moist grounds of the woods where she had taken solace for the night, looking so weak and hungry.

She lazily dragged herself from the ground, slowly trying to stand on her feet.

"Will it be safe for me to go back into town with all that has happened?" She rubbed her hand against her arm.

"I doubt uncle Garrett would allow me get off scot-free," she was still mumbling to herself, contemplating what to do when—

"Have you heard about the news spreading like wildfire?" A voice asked. Like lightening, Tiara jumped behind a big tree that was enough to shield her from the intruders. 

"You mean that of the so-called alpha's fated mate?" Another voice scoffed.

She took a peep and saw that they were two women, making their way into the woods.

"Yes, that particular one," the first woman replied, stopping in her tracks.

"Who would have thought that she had not been able to shift into her wolf form?" She mocked.

"One of the servants working for the beta's daughter even mentioned that she is a loose child and that she might be selling the pack's information to rogues and other packs who are our enemies." 

"I heard that she fled after her secret was exposed, but I hope that she is caught and fed with a wolfsbane so her case would serve as deterrent to others who are just like her," the other woman wished.

Tiara's blood froze, tears gushing down her eyes, unable to speak or do anything for herself knowing fully well that the consequences would be dire.

"According to what I heard, a bounty might even be placed on her head, just in case she is still amongst us," one of the women whispered to the other, though loud enough to be heard.

"I will gladly hand her over to the council of elders, I mean, what is the point of being amongst wolves when she is a mere human?" 

" I know, right," her accomplice replied, laughing.

Tiara maintained her position, trying not to give herself away by making the slightest move.

"Why would they go to this extent to destroy my life, all for the Luna's position?" She thought to herself, seeking answers from her insides.

"It is not safe for me here, I need to get out of here for my safety." She concluded and just then—

"Hey, you!" A voice called out, and that moment, everything went still.