Free Web NovelChapter 21: It’s A Family Matter
The Grand Council Chamber felt smaller than usual.
Not because of its size. The circular hall was massive. Stone pillars lined the perimeter, each bearing the crest of an ancient bloodline. Above them, torches burned with blue wolf-fire, casting long shadows across the polished black floor.
Yet somehow, the room felt suffocating.
The Grand Council Chamber had witnessed declarations of war, blood feuds, and the downfall of Alpha Kings. Tonight, it felt as though it was preparing for another.
A massive circular table dominated the center of the stone hall, carved from a single slab of black granite. Ancient wolf sigils glowed faintly along its edges, their silver markings pulsing beneath the torchlight.
The air was heavy. Not with conversation, with expectation.
Six Elder Alphas occupied their seats around the table, their expressions ranging from curiosity to irritation. Each commanded enough power to level entire packs, and yet none of them seemed particularly pleased to have been dragged from their territories on such short notice.
At the far end sat High Elder Magnus, his weathered hands folded before him as he surveyed the room with sharp, calculating eyes.
To his right sat Kaleb, his jaw was locked so tightly that a muscle pulsed visibly beneath his skin. Beside him sat Kat, one hand resting protectively over her swollen stomach. Beta Daniel stood behind Kaleb’s chair, silent and watchful.
The seat reserved for Adam remained empty. And the longer it stayed empty, the more the tension grew.
Finally, Kaleb leaned back in his chair and exhaled sharply through his nose. "How much longer are we expected to wait?"
Several heads turned toward him.
The irritation he had been suppressing since arriving finally bled into his voice. "This meeting was summoned hours ago." His gaze swept toward the vacant chair. "Adam’s absence is intentional."
A few elders exchanged glances.
Kaleb continued before anyone could interrupt. "He knows why he was called here." His fingers drummed once against the table. "And his refusal to appear on time is further proof of his contempt for this Council."
The chamber fell silent. freēwebnovel.com
Then a low chuckle broke through the tension. Elder Viktor leaned back in his seat, swirling the dark liquid inside a crystal glass. The wealthy northern Alpha wore amusement like a second skin.
"Well," Viktor drawled, "for once, I find myself agreeing with the boy."
Several brows lifted.
Viktor rarely agreed with anyone. "If Adam wishes to keep us waiting, let him," he said, spreading his hands lazily. "We are all busy wolves." His predatory eyes slid toward Kaleb, gleaming with dark interest. "Present your case."
A low murmur of agreement rippled through parts of the chamber. freewebnσvel.cøm
Kat immediately straightened in her chair. "Exactly," she said, seizing the moment before an Elder could object. "My Alpha did not summon the Grand Council for entertainment." Her sharp gaze swept over the table. "There has been a serious breach of territorial law."
Kaleb leaned forward, his broad shoulders blocking out the blue torchlight. "And I have the evidence."
The room went dead quiet.
High Elder Magnus remained motionless for a long moment before he inclined his head once. "You may proceed."
A slow, vicious smile touched Kaleb’s lips. He reached into his coat and pulled out the torn piece of fabric. The crimson cloth landed against the black granite with a soft slap.
Every eye in the room dropped to it.
"This," Kaleb said, his voice cold and lethal, "was recovered from deep within Ironfang territory. It was found right after an intruder breached my private vault and stole classified war strategies."
A wave of sharp gasps and low growls spread through the Elders. The scent of shock filled the air.
Kaleb rose slowly to his feet, his golden eyes blazing. "And I believe Alpha King Adam Thorne is responsible."
"We must hear from Alpha Thorne before we can act," Elder Seraphina countered, looking around the table at the others.
"Is his absence not enough reason to act?" Kaleb shot back, his wolf pushing against his chest with frustrated pride.
"This is his uncle we are talking about," Elder Rowan said, his voice a low growl. "We all know Adam. he might erratic, but he never does anything without reason. He deserves a chance to defend himself."
Kaleb’s jaw tightened. "The only thing that should be done is for this Council to sanction BloodVeil. But before that, I want him to return the strategies he stole and tender a public apology. It’s the least this council can do for me."
The air was quiet for a moment and then the chamber erupted into immediate chaos. Arguments, questions, and harsh accusations bounced off the stone walls. The noise rose higher and higher, threatening to tear the room apart, until the massive iron council doors suddenly blew open.
The loud bang echoed through the hall like a thunderclap.
Every voice died instantly. Every head turned.
Standing in the doorway was Adam Thorne. He looked massive, his towering frame completely blocking out the hallway light, bringing the intense, freezing scent of cedarwood, pine smoke and rain-soaked earth into the suffocating room.
He looked at each face, exhaled a slow, casual breath, and stepped inside. "I travelled all this way expecting a crisis. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered my nephew decided to call the Grand Council over a simple family matter," Adam said, his tone completely relaxed.
"Family matter indeed," Kat scoffed under her breath, her fingers clutching her bump.
"Stealing from me is not what family does!" Kaleb’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He slammed his hands onto the table and stood up. "You deserve to be—"
The words died instantly in his throat as Adam smoothly stepped aside. For a moment, no one understood why.
Then Rhea walked into the room.
The blood drained from the faces of every single person in the chamber. The silence that followed was terrifying, so heavy that the blue wolf-fire above seemed to freeze.
Kat’s hand flew to her stomach, the color drained from her face. Her breath caught in her chest. No. No, no.
Kaleb’s knees buckled, and he sank involuntarily back into his seat, his eyes wide and completely hollow as he stared at the ghost of the wife he had murdered.
Rhea met his gaze calmly. Then she smiled.
And for the first time since the night he buried her, Alpha King Kaleb Duskbane looked afraid.
