Page 26 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)
Here we go.
"Son, you expect us to believe there are now demons in the Hunter Organization?" Elder Reeves leaned forward in his wooden chair, his weathered face twisted in disbelief. "You refer to the same organization that have been the heroes of supernatural beings for centuries?"
I joined them. I know that.
Dominic was standing at the center of the pack's council chamber. Seven Elders sat in a semicircle before him, their faces all displaying outright skepticism and guarded concern. The stone walls of the chamber raised the sound of every whisper and shuffle of feet.
"High council, I wouldn’t expect belief without evidence," Dominic answered, meeting each Elder’s eye, one after the other. "But I've witnessed this corruption. The Council leader, Xavier Storm, revealed his true form during a ritual meant to bind Luna Mitchell's powers."
Elder Marissa shook her head. "So this ritual you witnessed revealed demons wearing human skin instead of suppressing the witch’s powers? Convenient, isn't it? One might say the witch did that to save her skin."
Control your temper.
"There was nothing convenient about it." Dominic's voice hardened. "The ritual revealed the truth because Luna and I share a true mate bond. Yes, it should have suppressed her magic, but the ceremony channeled our bond, and washed away the disguise."
Once he mentioned true mate , the chamber hummed with murmurs. The existence of a true mate existed only in myths; they were rare and powerful enough to override even the strongest curses.
His father's oldest friend, Elder Thorne, leaned forward. "You're certain about this mate bond?"
"Yes." No hesitation.
"Can you prove to us that you’re not bewitched by her powers?" Elder Carson asked, his bushy eyebrows drawn together in suspicion. "She could be manipulating you, using this supposed bond to infiltrate our pack."
At the accusation, Dominic’s wolf bristled, and he barely contained his anger and the urge to growl at the Elder.
"Luna Mitchell hasn't bewitched me. If anything, she's the reason I can think clearly for the first time in years.
" He paced deliberately, commanding the space.
"I was under the influence of dark magic for a long time.
Many of us in the organization were. It's why I didn't recognize what was happening until Luna broke through it. "
"And why should we trust her?" Elder Reeves insisted. "A shiftless who suddenly manifests as a powerful witch?"
Dominic stopped pacing and turned to face them fully. "If not for Luna, I would not be standing here."
He pulled down the sleeve of his shirt and exposed the scar on his shoulder.
"While we attempted our escape, I was hit in the shoulder by a silver bullet. I should be dead now." His voice grew quiet, but no less intense. "Luna used her magic to draw out the poison and accelerate my healing, even though it weakened her significantly. She risked everything to save my life."
Even though I don’t deserve it.
"Without her, I would not know about the deception that's had me under their control for years. She had the chance to escape alone, but she stayed to help me and other witches who remain hunted."
Dominic looked each Elder in the eye. "Luna Mitchell has earned my trust. And my respect."
And perhaps more.
All the elders exchanged glances before Elder Thorne addressed Dominic. "If what you've said is true, then we now face a threat unlike any before now. Demons using the Hunter Organization as a cover to gather witches' powers..."
"For what purpose?" Elder Kincaid asked.
"An ancient grimoire Luna found revealed the demons are trying to gather enough magical energy to open a gateway between worlds. The gateway will allow more of their kind into our world."
The council fell silent as the consequence of his words sank in.
"You have given us a lot to think about," Elder Carson said finally. "But for now..."
"We must begin preparations," Elder Thorne finished for him, and tapped his cane against the stone floor.
Elder Reeves still wasn't sure. "And what of this witch? Are we expected to welcome her into our pack? She was never one of us."
Dominic fought for control again. "Luna Mitchell is my mate. That makes this her pack, whether she can shift or not."
The Elders spoke together again in hushed tones, their heads bent. Dominic could barely pick up fragments of their conversation with his enhanced hearing. They were concerned about pack safety and debated his claims.
Finally, Elder Thorne spoke for the group. "We will extend Alpha Harrison’s sanctuary for Luna Mitchell within pack lands while we investigate your claims about the Hunter Organization. As for her status…" He glanced at the other Elders. "We’ll see what the future holds."
It wasn't exactly what Dominic wanted, but it was a start. "Accept my gratitude, Elders."
"This meeting is over now," Elder Reeves finished, getting up from his seat. "But tread carefully, Dominic. The pack's safety must come first."
The Elders began to walk out of the chamber, and Dominic was soon alone with Elder Thorne, who approached him slowly.
"Dominic, you've changed from the boy you were last I saw," the older man said.
"Luna's magic removed the dark influence," Dominic explained. "I had no clue how much I had been affected until I had her help."
Elder Thorne nodded slowly. "Your father wishes to speak with you. He's in his study."
Hmm.
Dominic wasn’t sure he was ready for more questions and answers. When he first returned with Luna, he had given his father the basic rundown, but they hadn’t had the time for a deep conversation before he had to face the Elders.
"How is he?" Dominic asked.
"Proud," Elder Thorne said simply. "And tired. More than he lets on."
And with that, the Elder walked away.
Dominic didn’t follow immediately; he stayed in the chamber for a while longer, using the moment to gather his thoughts before going in the direction of his father’s study.
***
His father’s study had intimidated Dominic when he was a child. It was a room for a man, a room of weapons and books and a distinct aura of power. As he entered now, he saw the room differently.
It looks smaller.
"I was told you made quite an impression with the council," his father said without looking up as Dominic entered, pointing at the seat across from him.
Dominic sat lightly on the chair. "I only spoke the truth, Father."
Harrison rose from his chair and moved to the window that overlooked the pack grounds. Below, members went about their daily lives—training, tending gardens, children playing.
"I always wondered why you changed so dramatically after joining the Hunter Organization," he said quietly. "You went from a compassionate young wolf to something…harder. Colder."
He turned to face Dominic. "I blamed the nature of your work. On the things you had to do to save the supernatural world from ruin, and the tough decisions you needed to make."
"The tough decisions weren’t what did it. I couldn’t even tell I was being controlled," Dominic admitted. “But it’s over now.”
Harrison nodded slowly. "And Luna Mitchell was the one broke you out of that."
"She did."
Dominic’s father made his way back to his desk, but didn’t sit. The old alpha leaned against the edge, facing his son.
"I'm stepping down as alpha," he announced.
Dominic didn’t hide his surprise. "What? Why now?
"Because the pack needs strength to face what's coming. And because my time is ending." Harrison held up a hand to stop Dominic's protests. "I've led the pack for almost forty years. My wolf is growing tired. The alpha mantle should pass while I can still offer guidance from the shadows."
Dominic's mouth went dry. "You want me to take over."
"The role is yours by right—if you're ready to claim it."
Am I ready?
"How can you trust me to lead, Father? After all I have told you, after all what happened, how will our people trust me?" he asked, giving voice to his doubts.
His father’s expression softened. "Because you're questioning whether you're worthy. A wolf who doesn't question himself is dangerous." He straightened, his bearing suddenly every inch the alpha.
"And if I fail?"
"Then you'll get up and try again." Harrison put a hand on his son’s shoulder. "Not giving up is part of being an alpha."
Dominic stood, the weight of the decision pressing on him. His wolf stirred within, not fighting the prospect, but considering it carefully.
"The pack will need strong leadership in the days ahead," Harrison continued. "The threat you've uncovered…we'll need to prepare. To fight. To protect our own and perhaps others as well."
Dominic moved to the window his father had been looking through moments before. The pack grounds spread before him.
My responsibility.
The years of training. The missions. The hard decisions and the blood on his hands. All of it had shaped him into someone who could protect his pack against what was coming.
Even rejecting Luna had ultimately led them both here, to this moment where they stood the greatest chance of defeating the demonic threat together.
"When?" he asked, turning back to his father.
Harrison gave his son a slight smile proudly. "Tonight. Under the waxing moon."
***
That night, the pack assembled in the ceremonial clearing. Dominic was standing at the edge of the crowd, watching the pack members of all ages, their faces lit by the torches all around them.
Dominic was in his traditional ceremonial garb, all black. Gold cuffs around his biceps, with the pack's symbol—a crescent moon cradling a wolf's silhouette—engraved on it.
At the altar stood Harrison, dressed similarly, but he also had the alpha's ceremonial cloak on, a mantle of midnight fur.
Dominic scanned the crowd.
Where is she?
And then he saw her; she was near the back, slightly apart from the others. He met Luna’s eyes, as blue as the simple dress she wore, her hair pulled back in a braid. Simple yet elegant.
Moon, she’s beautiful.