Chapter forty-one

EMILY'S POVThe council chamber felt smaller than usual. I sat at the head of the table, Ralph beside me, his hand resting lightly on my knee. The elders surrounded us, their faces old and serious, their eyes weighing every breath I took.Elder Moretti cleared his throat. "Alpha, there is something we must discuss."I kept my face calm. "Speak." I ordered coldly.He slid a document across the table, it was old paper with an official seal and the Cortez crest pressed into wax. "A clause in our pack laws." He said. "One that has existed for centuries it’s rarely invoked, but present."I looked at the document but didn't touch it. "What clause?"Elder Selena spoke, her voice softer than Moretti's. "It's a protection, Emily. For the Alpha and for the pack.""A protection." I repeated."If an Alpha shows signs of instability……fatigue, confusion, emotional volatility…..power may be temporarily delegated to their bonded mate." She paused. "Until clarity returns."The words hung in the air li

Chapter forty- two

EMILY'S POVThe hallway stretched before me, long and endless, lined with portraits of Cortez ancestors who had ruled before me. I felt like their eyes were following and judging me as I walked.I kept my head high, my steps steady and my hands still, but I still heard them. Whispers trailed behind me like smoke, curling around the corners, seeping through the cracks of the grand estate. The walls had ears, and the ears had mouths, and the mouths would not stop talking.“She should focus on producing an heir.” The words drifted from the sitting room as I passed. Elder Selena's voice was low but clear.“Stability comes through legacy,” another voice added, it was Elder Moretti. “A strong husband should lead during pregnancy, It's only natural.”“Of course.” Selena agreed. “The Othon line is powerful, an heir would solidify everything. The alliance, the future and even her place.”The word her place made me stop walking. I pressed my hands flat against the cold stone wall. My heart poun

Chapter Forty-three

EMILY'S POVThe next morning, the whispers were louder. I walked through the halls toward the council chamber, and they followed me like shadows, low voices that fell silent when I approached, eyes that slid away when I turned."..it should have happened by now…""..it's been months without news…""....if she can't provide an heir, what good is she…."I stopped walking and looked around, the hallway was empty, those voices where were they from? The voices had been in my head? I held my head and squatted down feeling terrified and absolutely empty."Alpha?" Marco appeared beside me. "Are you alright?" He asked with concern evident in his eyes."I'm fine Marco." I took his stretched hand, he drew me up, and we started walking again. "The summit briefing is at nine?""Yes. But Alpha..." He hesitated. "The elders are having a private meeting."My stomach dropped, with both rage, fury and fear. "They are meeting about what?"He didn't answer, he just stared at the ground silently. I looked

Chapter Forty-Four

EMILY'S POVThe council chamber was colder than usual. I sat at the head of the long oak table, my hands wrapped around a cup of tea I hadn't touched. The elders filed in slowly, their voices low, their eyes avoiding mine. Ralph sat beside me, his hand on my knee, warm and steady.I hadn't wanted him here, but he insisted. "I'm here for support." He said.I didn't have the strength to argue, so I let him do as he wished.Elder Moretti cleared his throat. "The first item on the agenda is the allocation of summit resources. The treasury committee has requested a review of the Cortez pack's contribution."I set down my cup. "The contribution was finalized last month. Three million euros for security, two million for hospitality, one million for incidentals."Moretti nodded slowly. "Yes, Alpha. However, the committee has noted that the hospitality budget has increased by forty percent since the original proposal. They're questioning whether the additional funds are necessary."I stared at

Chapter forty-Five

EMILY'S POVThe great hall was packed. Every elder, every council member, every pack leader of standing had been summoned. I stood at the entrance, Ralph's hand warm holding mine, looking out at the sea of faces turned toward us.I squeezed his fingers. "I'm nervous."He squeezed back. "Don't be, I'm right here." I smiled up at him, he was so steady and so sure, exactly everything I needed him to be.The whispers started as we walked toward the front. I heard fragments, words caught in the current of murmurs."...It's time to invoke the clause...""...she is unstable...""...she should step aside..." My steps faltered. Ralph's arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer."Look at me." He murmured. "Just don't stop looking at me."I did as he instructed. His grey eyes were soft, warm, full of something that made my chest ache. "I love you my princess." He said. "And that is what matters, nothing else matters."“I love you too…my love.” I purred and kissed him on the lips…in front of ev

Chapter forty-six

EMILY'S POVThe bedroom was warm, candlelight flickering across the walls.Ralph had drawn a bath earlier, rose petals floated on the surface, steam rising in soft curls. He had poured wine, set out fruit and dimmed the lights until the room glowed amber and goldI stood in the doorway, watching him move around the room, and felt something loosen in my chest. A tension I hadn't realized I was carrying. A weight I hadn't named."You planned all this?" I asked.He turned, that slow smile spreading across his face. The candlelight caught the gold flecks in his grey eyes and made them shimmer."I wanted tonight to be perfect." He crossed to me, took my hand, raised it to his lips. "You deserve perfection."His mouth brushed my knuckles, with a soft lingering kiss.It was such a small thing, just a kiss on the hand. But the way he looked at me while he did it made my knees weak."Ralph...""Shh." He pulled me closer, his hands sliding up my arms, over my shoulders, to the tie of my robe. "L