Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 176

EZRA'S POV

I summoned the Council of Elders to the Silver Moon Tower's executive conference room, observing their uneasy expressions with satisfaction as they filed in. Their discomfort was palpable—exactly as I'd intended. Let them squirm.

*They must be wondering why I called this sudden meeting,* I thought, watching them take their seats around the massive obsidian table. *The news I'm about to deliver won't be pleasant for most of them, especially considering their antiquated beliefs.*

*Fuck those beliefs.*

The elders exchanged nervous glances, their scents betraying their anxiety. Good. I preferred them off-balance.

"Thank you all for attending this meeting," I began, my voice commanding immediate attention. "I've gathered you here to announce an important decision."

The entire conference room fell silent. Even the air seemed to solidify. I let the tension build for a moment, savoring the power I held over these supposed "wise men" of our kind.

"Several months ago, we reactivated the Moon Alliance Program," I continued, my gaze sweeping across their faces. "The primary purpose was for me to find a mate among the selected females. Is that correct?"

The elders nodded in unison. Elder Nash, the head of the council, cleared his throat. "You are absolutely correct, sir. That was indeed the primary purpose of the program."

I leaned forward slightly. "Very well. I've called this meeting to inform you all that I have fulfilled your wish and chosen a mate from among those women—one you're already acquainted with. Her name is Isolde Blackwood. She's from the Emerald Valley District, and you'll be pleased to know her father, Alaric, was once the pack leader in that region."

I watched their reactions carefully. Most showed surprise, but Elder Nash's expression darkened with disapproval. I felt the urge to silence him immediately, but decided against it. I should hear what he had to say.

"Isn't she the girl whose sister was arrested and is awaiting trial for murdering an innocent group employee?" Elder Nash asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "The sister of the girl who attempted to poison visiting Alphas invited to watch the fighting matches?"

He straightened in his chair, emboldened by the murmurs of agreement from several other elders. "Sir, with all due respect, accepting a girl whose sister is involved in such a scandal seems unwise. She comes from a disgraced family, and worse still, she's merely an ordinary werewolf. Having an ordinary werewolf rule over Lycans is sacrilege."

*Now I understand why the Moon Goddess paired both Orion and me with ordinary werewolves,* I thought. *She wanted to teach these self-important fools a valuable lesson.*

*If I weren't in such a good mood after reconciling with Isolde this morning and hearing Orion had found his mate, I would have immediately expelled this old man from the meeting and removed him from the Council.*

*Instead, I'll just put this old fool in his place.*

"Elder Nash," I said, my voice deceptively calm, "wasn't your brother executed by hanging just days before your appointment to the Council for murdering his wife and eldest son? Simply because he suspected and accused her of infidelity? An accusation later proven false."

He fell silent, his scent souring with fear.

"Was anyone asking you to resign and give your position to someone else because of your brother's crime?" I pressed.

"No, sir," he answered, first in a whisper, then louder when I raised an eyebrow. "No, sir."

"Then what gives you the right to say what you just did about my chosen mate?"

Elder Nash's face paled. "I was wrong, sir. I didn't think it through. I made a mistake. Please forgive me."

"This is your second warning," I stated coldly. "The third will see you kicked out of the Council. So watch your words."

"Thank you for your mercy, sir," he mumbled.

I rolled my eyes and looked away from him. The other elders looked like they might piss themselves. I'd bet every single one who had planned to object to my union with Isolde had swallowed their words.

"This applies to everyone else present," I announced, my gaze sweeping the room. "You dare speak ill of my mate, and I will make you regret it. Isolde is the chosen one. I will marry her, and all of you will crown her, acknowledging her as this group's Luna. She will rule alongside me. She will rule over all of you, and you will give her the respect she deserves. If this reality is so repulsive to you, you're free to pack your bags and leave this group. Or better yet, die."

They all maintained their silence, which was answer enough.

"We will hold a grand ceremony to announce my decision to the public," I continued. "For now, what we've discussed should not leave this room. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," they replied in unison.

"Meeting adjourned."

They all bowed their heads as I stood to leave, with my Beta, Nathaniel, and my Gamma, Orion, following close behind.

I'd never felt better after a meeting. The mixture of asserting my authority and publicly claiming Isolde as mine had left me in an exceptional mood.

Back in my office, Nathaniel chuckled. "Those elders will definitely be cursing your name behind your back tonight."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Yeah, they didn't look happy at all," Orion added with a grin. "Elder Nash nearly shit himself when you brought up his brother's case. You put him in his place."

"That guy has always been difficult," I remarked, settling into my chair.

"I'm glad you've finally decided to choose a mate," Nathaniel said. "The group can finally rest easy."

"Indeed," I agreed.

Orion shifted slightly, clearly preparing to share his own news. "Before Sybilla's trial, there's something I want you to know. I wasn't going to say anything, but I figured you'd be even more pissed if you found out later from someone else."

Nathaniel smirked. "What's up? Did you get some girl pregnant?"

Orion and I burst into laughter, nearly unable to catch our breath.

*Nathaniel was the funniest among the three of us. Such a joker!*

"No, idiot!" Orion finally managed. "I found my mate."

Nathaniel's jaw literally dropped. The shocked expression on his face was priceless.