The Alpha's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 440

Chapter 440: JOURNEY

The fire in the council chamber crackled low, casting long, flickering shadows across the stone walls.

It was late, too late for a formal meeting, but Uther hadn’t summoned them for official business.

The three older guards who sat around the table had once served Xaden’s father. They were loyal to the pack, but loyalty could bend when fed enough fear, uncertainty, and ambition.

Uther poured himself a drink from the glass decanter and then gestured at the others. "Drink, brothers. The night is long and heavy."

One of the elders, Bryn, took a cautious sip. He was gray-bearded and slow-moving these days, but still sharp when it counted.

"You said this wasn’t official business, Uther. So, why the secrecy?"

Uther leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid. "Because these are uncertain times, old friend. Our Alpha is missing. His blood on the trail, no word for days. The people are beginning to ask questions."

The men shifted, uneasy. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Merek, the broad-shouldered warrior with a scar running down his cheek, frowned. "We don’t give up on our Alpha so quickly. Search parties are still out-"

"And yet they return empty handed," Uther interrupted smoothly. "And in the meantime, the pack grows restless.The Luna-to-be is isolated, frightened. A pregnant whore threatens to take her place. The inner circle is scattered. And the question no one wants to ask lingers in every shadow, what happens if Xaden does not return?"

A cold silence settled over the table.

The third elder, Callen, rubbed a hand over his mouth.

"He’s a strong wolf. He’s survived worse."

Uther nodded solemnly. "I pray that you’re right. But leadership demands we plan for every outcome. We cannot let this pack fall into chaos. The rivals circling our borders will smell weakness like blood."

Bryn narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"

Uther set his glass down with a gentle clink. "A temporary council. Only until Xaden returns, if he returns. The people need visible strength. We give them that. Reassurance. Order."

Merek’s jaw tightened. "And who would lead this council, Uther?"

He gave a modest shrug. "I would not presume. But I am of Alpha blood. I’ve led men. I’ve kept our borders intact while the young Alpha ran wild through forests."

Callen looked unconvinced. "The pack never questioned Xaden’s leadership. Until now."

"Not openly," Uther said quietly. "But don’t mistake silence for loyalty. People are scared. Especially now with Jasmine here, the rumors swirling... about accidents, curses, her blood line..."

His words trailed off like smoke, deliberately leaving space for suspicion to take root.

Merek slammed his palm on the table. "That girl carries the Alpha’s heir!"

"And what if the Alpha is dead?" Uther asked, almost gently. "What future does this pack have under a frightened, unshifted girl who doesn’t even know our laws? We are protectors of legacy. We are not led by sentiment."

Bryn stared at Uther for a long moment. "You’ve thought about this for a while." Uther didn’t deny it. "I’ve only thought about what’s best for the pack. Xaden is my blood, and I would die before I betrayed him. But if he’s truly gone, someone has to be ready to carry the weight."

Silence stretched thin again.

Callen finally spoke, voice low. "Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that."

Uther stood and adjusted his dark coat, the firelight catching in his eyes like twin embers. "Hope is a poor plan, Callen. But you’re right. Let’s hope."

He left them there, unsure, divided, but thinking.

That was enough.

Later that night, Uther walked slowly through the hallway of the Alpha’s pack, his boots echoing softly on the stone.

The torchlight made his profile appear carved from shadow and pride.

He passed the locked door of the council records and paused briefly, fingertips grazing the cold handle.

Soon, the doors would open for him without question.

He continued on, nodding at a young guard who snapped to attention.

The man was barely of age, eager-eyed and green with ambition.

Uther’s kind of recruit.

Easy to shape.

Back in his quarters, Uther poured himself another drink and sat at his writing desk. He scribbled a few notes onto parchment—names, positions, loyalties.

He circled one:Erik.

The warrior was a problem. Too close to Jasmine.

Too vocal. Too bold.

And lately, far too curious.

Uther leaned back and stared at the flickering flame of the candle.

If Jasmine started asking the right questions, and Erik started giving her the right answers, it could unravel everything before he was ready.

That couldn’t happen.

He would need to distract them both. Divide them, if possible.

And if Xaden returned... well, plans could change.

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