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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

RIVER

T he armored SUV wound through the roads, each curve bringing them closer to the secret meeting place.

River sat between her mates in the backseat, their warmth enveloping her from both sides.

Dr. Keller monitored her vitals from the front passenger seat while Theo drove, his eyes constantly checking the mirrors for any sign of pursuit.

Cherry reached forward from the third row to squeeze River's shoulder. "Remember, say what you need to say, then we'll bring you home."

"I know," River's voice came out stronger than she felt.

The SUV slowed as a beautiful stone church came into view.

"The Council's emergency meeting place," Apollo explained. "Used only in times of crisis."

Theo pulled the vehicle into an underground deserted parking lot, except for five other cars. A bodyguard stood by each vehicle, watching the SUV approach.

"Pull up to the door," said Dr. Keller.

"Are you ready?" Ares asked as the vehicle came to a stop.

River nodded, steeling herself. "As I'll ever be."

Apollo and Ares exited the vehicle. Ares retrieved the wheelchair as Apollo lifted her out of the back seat.

"You know my legs do still work," she said.

"Don't fight him," said Ares. "This may be one of the only times in his life you actually let us feel like we're the hero."

River looked up at Apollo. "You are my hero."

Apollo kissed her and smiled before setting her in the chair.

She grabbed Ares' hand and kissed his knuckles and then rubbed them on her cheek. "Both of you."

Ares kissed her head. "Good to know."

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"It means," said Strider. "That sometimes Whitetail women are so independent and strong-willed that it leaves us males feeling like they might not need us as much as we need them."

Cherry elbowed him. "That's not true."

Strider shrugged.

"Would you rather I were a damsel in distress who required you for everything? Oh, Strider, I can't open this jar. Oh, Strider, I can't lift this box. Oh, Strider, someone was mean to me. Go kick their ass for me."

"I don't know," he said. "I've never had those things said to me."

Cherry shook her head. "Males. Their egos are so fragile." She strode to the heavy wooden doors and turned back. "Oh, Strider, can you please open these huge doors? I can't manage with my puny little female arms."

River chuckled.

Strider walked to Cherry and said something so softly in her ear that River couldn't hear it, but it made Cherry smile and blush. Blush. What the heck? River didn't even know her mother could blush.

Strider opened the door with a grand flourish, and Cherry shook her head as she strode through. Strider winked at River, and Apollo wheeled her in. She was beyond tempted to ask him what he'd said to her mom, but decided that she probably didn't want to know.

Dr. Keller walked beside River's wheelchair, while Apollo flanked them protectively with Zeke in the rear. The scents of old stone and candle wax filled the air, reminding River of her night at the cathedral with Ares. It felt like they'd done that years ago, rather than mere weeks ago.

The inner chamber of the church formed a perfect circle, with three ornate chairs positioned on a raised dais.

Behind them, ancient Lycan symbols had been carved into the wall as well as the history of their kind.

River had never even known a place like that existed.

But then, she assumed not many Lycans even knew of the place.

The three elders, Osmodius, Mercule, and Nathian, rose as River wheeled to the center of the room. Their usually impassive faces showed concern as they took in her weakened state.

"High Luna." Osmodius greeted her with a formal bow. "We are relieved beyond words to see you alive."

Mercule stepped forward. "Our dear High Luna, what ordeal you must have suffered. Are you well enough to be here?"

"I insisted," River said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "I thank you for your concern."

Nathian, the youngest of the three, but still in his early sixties, studied her with piercing eyes. "What happened to you, Luna?"

Apollo's hand rested supportively on her shoulder.

"Titan kidnapped me, as you are aware. He believes himself to be the rightful heir to the throne. He kept me prisoner, hoping to force a mating bond." She paused, collecting herself. "But that's not why I'm here today."

The elders exchanged glances.

"With respect, Luna," Osmodius began, "your abduction and the subsequent manhunt have thrown our society into chaos. Dozens of Alphas and Betas have abandoned their territories to join the search. Others have called for immediate action against the rogues, blaming them for your disappearance."

"That's precisely what we need to discuss," River said, her voice growing firmer. "The rogues are not to blame. They're victims. At least some of them."

"Victims?" Nathian's brow furrowed. "High Luna, with all due respect,"

"With all due respect," Ares cut in, his voice a low growl, "my mate was held captive for weeks, tortured, and nearly died. She has earned the right to speak without interruption."

An uncomfortable tension fell over the chamber. River reached up to touch Ares' hand.

"What I discovered during my captivity changes everything," she continued.

"Many of the so-called rogues have been exiled, hunted, imprisoned, and even executed for generations because men in power didn't like them.

They're our people, wolves who've been systematically oppressed and driven to desperation.

Many of them for being fated to someone or having a bloodline their Alpha didn't like. "

Mercule leaned forward. "These are serious claims, Luna."

River nodded. "They aren't claims, they are truth. Talk to them. Listen to their stories. Investigate. Titan has been running guns and drugs in and out of Canada, and he didn't act alone. He had support from high-ranking Alphas who've been exploiting rogues for years."

The elders exchanged troubled glances.

"The territory restrictions, the bloodlines, they're all designed to create a permanent underclass of wolves to be exploited."

"These are ancient laws," Osmodius chimed in. "Established to maintain order and purity."

"They're antiquated laws," Cherry spoke up from behind River.

"And they've been that way for longer than any of us have been alive.

I am sorry to say that I've both seen and been a part of these things at the direction of my Alpha.

Don't get me wrong. My Alpha is a good man, but that doesn't mean he's always made the right decisions. "

"What are you asking of us?" Nathian demanded, his composure slipping.

River straightened in her wheelchair, wincing as the movement pulled at her healing wounds. "I'm asking for fairness. For an immediate review of all laws. For a stay of execution for all rogues currently in Titan's compound pending individual case reviews."

"Impossible," Osmodius declared. "Sweeping changes would destabilize our entire society."

"Our society is already destabilizing," Apollo countered. "The question is whether we rebuild it with justice or continue with the corruption that nearly cost the High Luna her life."

Nathian rose from his seat, his eyes flashing with indignation. "What you are suggesting would throw our entire society into chaos. The rogues have operated outside our laws for generations. They cannot simply be pardoned because of one man's actions."

"Indeed," Osmodius added. "The course is clear. The Alphas must enter the compound, eliminate the threat, and restore order. Once the situation is contained, they return to their territories, and we can look into how to ensure this never happens again."

Apollo's golden eyes gleamed with quiet authority. "No."

The single word hung in the air, laden with royal command.

Nathian's face darkened. "You dare refuse the Council's directive? Even you, as royal Alpha, must respect our authority in matters of-"

"What are you?" River interrupted, her voice cutting through the tension.

The elders stared at her.

"I beg your pardon?" Osmodius asked.

"What are you?" River repeated. "Are you the king of the Lycans?"

Osmodius blinked, taken aback. "We are the Elder Council."

"That's right," River said. "You are a council, not a board of directors. Your purpose is to advise the kings, not dictate law."

Nathian's mouth fell open. "Young lady, for centuries we have-"

"First of all, I am not 'young lady'. I am the High Luna. Mate of Apollo and Ares Wolvenguard."

She let her golden gaze fall on Nathian. He stood a moment longer before looking away and backing into his seat.

"For years," River continued, "you have overstepped your authority.

The laws are clear, the Council advises, the king decides.

I understand that in the time since King Titus died, you have been pertinent.

But we have a king again. Two in fact, which is even better in my opinion.

" She reached for Ares' hand. "And my mates, the kings, have decided that there will be no massacre today. "

"The High Luna speaks truth," Apollo said, his voice carrying through the chamber.

"We appreciate your counsel, but the decision is ours.

Each rogue will be evaluated individually.

Those guilty of violent crimes will face justice.

Those who were merely seeking shelter will be offered the opportunity to rejoin our society. "

Ares stood beside his brother. "The compound remains surrounded. No one escapes, but no one dies without a trial either."

Nathian's face flushed with anger. "This is unprecedented-"

"Yes," River agreed. "It is. But so is everything about this situation. These are our people. All of them. Even those who've been cast out and forgotten. It's time we remember that."

Osmodius studied the twins with narrowed eyes. "And if we disagree with this course of action?"

"Then we respectfully acknowledge your disagreement," Apollo said.

"While proceeding as we see fit. Perhaps, as we revisit the laws and everything that has happened, it would be prudent for us to decide if an Elder Council is still necessary.

Or if it might be better to go a different direction moving forward. "

The silence that followed was deafening.

"As soon as the compound and Titan have been taken, we will come together as a group to evaluate the rogues as individuals, not as a collective," said Ares.

Nathian opened his mouth, but Mercule cut him off. "We will await your call, your Highnesses."

Dr. Kendall gripped River's wheelchair. "We should get you back to bed."

"Is she not healing well?" Osmodius asked.

"Our Luna is healing just fine," said Ares.

"However, with her carrying our young, we are being extra careful," Apollo finished.

"The High Luna is expecting?" asked Mercule. "That is most wonderful news."

"Twins," Apollo said.

"And still you won't let justice be merited out to those who kidnapped not only our High Luna but also the heirs to the throne as well?" Nathian sneered. "What kind of-"

"If you care to keep your head, I suggest you don't finish that statement," Apollo growled.

"So you will threaten me for a remark but not do anything to those who killed and maimed guests at your mating ceremony?"

"Trust me," said River. "Everyone who deserves punishment will be. But what kind of rulers are we to be if we punish an entire group of people for the actions of a few?"

"You are quite right, High Luna," Mercule interjected. His soft brown eyes crinkling in the corners. "We must celebrate in honor of our new royal family as soon as this whole mess is dealt with."

"Thank you," said River. "It will be nice to have something happy to celebrate."

Nathian growled and threw himself back in his chair. River had no idea how he'd been appointed to the Council, but he didn't seem to have the temperament for it. Something River decided she would need to look into at a later date.

"Then we wish you a speedy recovery and are here when you need us. As always." Mercule inclined his head and smiled at the group.

Both Osmodius and Nathian opened their mouths, but Mercule cut them off with a small gesture of his hand.

Interesting. She'd always thought Osmodius was the most senior of the three, but clearly she'd been wrong. It was Mercule who held the most power of the three. Good to know.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Mercule asked.

"No," Ares said flatly.

Dr. Kendall turned River's wheelchair toward the exit, but River stopped her and turned back to Mercule.

"Actually," said River. "There is something you can do for us."

Mercule inclined his head and smiled. "I am at the High Luna's service."