Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Alpha Council

Leo

The howls of protest from the Alpha Council chambers. I stood unmoving at the center of the storm, arms crossed as I faced down four of the most powerful Alphas in the Northern Territories. Aurora Howlthorne sat opposite me, the picture of maternal grief in her carefully selected black mourning dress, her eyes red-rimmed—though I’d bet my territory those tears were manufactured on demand.

"This is unprecedented!" Alpha Donovan slammed his fist on the ancient oak table, causing ripples in everyone’s water glasses. At eighty-three, he was the oldest member of the council, a traditionalist to his core. "A Luna cannot simply return from the dead and demand control of a territory!"

Aurora dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. "I never died, Elder. I was taken against my will, held captive for years by enemies of our kind. Would you punish me further for my suffering?"

Her performance was flawless—the trembling hands, the broken voice, the strategic pauses for composure. Had I not caught her earlier calculating glances and the too-convenient timing of her return, I might have believed her myself.

"The question isn’t about punishment," I interjected coldly. "It’s about legitimacy. You appear precisely when evidence implicating Shadow Pack in your son’s disappearance is discovered, evidence that forensic analysis already proves was staged."

Aurora’s eyes flashed with genuine anger before she could suppress it. "Are you accusing me of something, Alpha Moretti?"

"I’m stating facts," I replied, meeting her gaze steadily. "Facts that include you having no proof of this alleged captivity, no explanation for your convenient timing, and no legal standing to claim leadership of the Howlthorne Pack."

Alpha Helena Stone, the only female member of the council and a shrewd judge of character, leaned forward. "If I may, Luna Aurora—your return raises questions that must be addressed. Protocol demands a full investigation into both your reappearance and Alpha Enzo’s disappearance before any decisions about pack leadership can be made."

Aurora’s lips thinned. "While you investigate, who will lead the Howlthorne Pack? My son is missing, presumed dead. The pack needs stability now more than ever."

"Convenient how you’ve jumped straight to ’presumed dead,’" I noted, letting a dangerous edge enter my voice. "Most mothers would cling to hope rather than immediately angle for power."

Her mask slipped for just a second—long enough for everyone in the room to catch the flash of cold calculation in her eyes. "How dare you question a mother’s grief! You know nothing of maternal love, Alpha Moretti. All you know is conquering and taking what isn’t yours."

Alpha Marcus Grimwood, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His gravelly voice filled the chamber, commanding attention despite his measured tone. The eyepatch covering his right eye gave him a sinister appearance that had always made me wary.

"Perhaps there is a compromise to be found," he suggested. "Luna Aurora has a legitimate connection to the pack, yes, but no current legal standing. And Alpha Moretti, while you have no blood claim to Howlthorne territory, you do have a... personal interest in its welfare."

The way he emphasized "personal interest" made my wolf bristle. Victoria was not merely an interest—she was mine, my mate, my Luna.

"What are you suggesting, Alpha Grimwood?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral despite the growl building in my chest.

A calculating smile played at the corners of his mouth. "I believe Alpha Dominic Howlthorne left certain provisions in his will regarding his daughter, did he not? Provisions that would come into effect upon her maturity?"

I narrowed my eyes, wondering how Grimwood knew about those provisions. Victoria had only recently learned of them herself.

"He did," I confirmed cautiously. "Victoria Howlthorne is the rightful heir to half the Howlthorne holdings and has equal claim to pack leadership, pending her formal recognition as Luna."

Aurora made a sound of outrage. "That half-breed has no claim! Dominic was manipulated into that will by his human whore of a second wife!"

My control snapped. In an instant, I was across the table, one hand planted firmly on its surface as I leaned into Aurora’s space, my eyes burning amber as my wolf surged forward.

"You will not speak of my mate that way again," I growled, my voice dropping to the Alpha timbre that made lesser wolves submit. "The next insult from your mouth will be taken as a formal challenge between Shadow and what remains of Howlthorne leadership."

"Alpha Moretti!" Alpha Donovan’s shocked voice barely penetrated the red haze of my rage. "Control yourself!"

With supreme effort, I pulled back, straightening to my full height. "My apologies to the Council," I said formally, not sparing Aurora a glance. "But my point stands. Victoria Howlthorne is legitimate heir under pack law, and any disrespect toward her will be answered accordingly."

Alpha Helena cleared her throat. "Perhaps we should examine the exact terms of Alpha Dominic’s will before proceeding further."

I nodded, reaching into my inner jacket pocket for the document I’d brought precisely for this purpose. My lawyers had verified its authenticity multiple times—it was ironclad.

"According to these terms," Alpha Helena read aloud after examining the papers, "Victoria Howlthorne, upon reaching maturity at age eighteen, inherits fifty percent of all Howlthorne holdings and properties. Furthermore, she is granted equal claim to pack leadership alongside any blood heir of Alpha Dominic."

Aurora’s face contorted with fury. "This is absurd! A half-human cannot lead a werewolf pack! It goes against all our traditions!"

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