Chapter 32: Council of Alphas
The clock tower struck midnight. Dawn was only hours away. In the war room, Kael paced like a caged animal while Liana studied plans with Rowan. "Calling the Council of Alphas is risky," Elder Patricia warned. "Some might side with the Moonless." "We need allies," Kael said firmly. "The neighboring packs must know what Celeste's really planning." Through their bond, Liana felt his despair. Half their own pack wanted to surrender her. Without help, they'd lose everything. "I'll send the summons," Rowan grabbed holy scrolls. "Emergency measures. They'll have to come." "And when they see me?" Liana asked softly. "An alpha Luna? They'll laugh." Jace's hand found her shoulder. "They'll see strength. Or I'll make them." His fierce defense warmed her, but doubt still gnawed. The shadow creature's whispers echoed: They'll choose life. They always do. Within an hour, replies arrived. Thunder Mountain Pack would come. Silver Ridge agreed. Storm Valley sent word. Even the proud Iron Claw Pack accepted. "Dawn meeting," Kael announced. "The Old Treaty fields. Neutral area." "That's cutting it close to Celeste's deadline," Marcus noted. He'd been strangely quiet since the ultimatum. "Scared?" Jace mocked. Marcus's eyes narrowed. "Practical. Unlike some." The tension between them crackled. Through their bond, Liana felt Jace's desire to tear Marcus apart. Only Kael's mental order held him back. They worked through the night. Warriors took places. Scouts watched for Moonless action. Liana tried to rest but felt the shadow creature lurking at the edge of awareness. As pink touched the eastern sky, they left. The Treaty grounds lay between territories—a circular area where no blood could be spilled. Ancient magic imposed the peace. Alpha Dimitri of Thunder Mountain arrived first.
The massive fighter studied Liana with calculating eyes. "So. The omega Luna. Smaller than expected." "Size isn't everything," Liana responded, keeping her voice steady. His laugh boomed. "We'll see." Alpha Sasha of Silver Ridge emerged next—a sleek female with silver-streaked hair. Her eyes dissected Liana like a specimen. "Interesting. The power signature is... odd." More Alphas gathered. Storm Valley's twins, Iron Claw's ancient boss, others from smaller packs. Fifteen total, all radiating power. All skeptical. "Brothers. Sisters." Kael stood in the circle's center. "The Moonless Pack threatens us all. Celeste and Darius promise freedom, but give slavery to dark magic." "Your former Beta?" Alpha Viktor of Iron Claw laughed. "You couldn't control one female, and now she leads thousands?" "She's using shadow magic—" Rowan started. "Excuses." Viktor waved dismissively. "The real question is her." He pointed at Liana. "An omega as Luna? Have you lost your mind, boy?" "The Goddess chose her," Kael's voice hardened. "Did she?" Sasha circled Liana slowly. "Or did you simply fall prey to a pretty face?" Rage flared through the triplets' bond. Liana touched Kael's arm before he could explode. "May I demonstrate?" "Demonstrate what?" Dimitri asked. Instead of answering, Liana closed her eyes. She reached for the warm light inside—not the violent golden power, but something softer. Her mother's songs. Safety. Home. The feeling poured out.
Every wolf in the clearing relaxed automatically. Shoulders dropped. Breathing slowed. Even Viktor's constant scowl softened. "What... was that?" Sasha whispered. "Peace," Liana said simply. "Alphas lead through strength. Lunas lead through heart." Dimitri nodded slowly. "Impressive. But can heart stop an army?" "Working together can," Kael maintained. "United packs against the Moonless threat." "United behind an omega?" Viktor's scowl returned. "My pack would revolt." "Like yours already has?" Sasha pointed toward Marcus and several Shadowfang warriors. "We hear whispers. Your own Betas question her." Marcus stepped forward. "With good reason. She's brought nothing but chaos—" "Enough!" Kael's Alpha order silenced him. But the damage was done. The other Alphas exchanged looks. "Perhaps we should hear Celeste's offer," Viktor offered. "The Moonless accept any dog. No restrictions. No outdated customs." "No honor either," Jace spat. "Honor doesn't feed cubs," Viktor replied. The council fell into arguments. Some leaned toward cooperation, others toward neutrality.
A few seemed tempted by the Moonless claims. Through their bond, Liana felt the triplets' frustration rising. They were losing ground. Dawn grew brighter. Celeste's deadline neared. Suddenly, birds burst from the trees. Liana's danger sense screamed. "Get down!" She tackled Kael as a silver blade whistled past. It struck where his heart had been. Chaos occurred. "Assassins!" Dimitri roared. Figures in black dropped from trees. Not random attackers—trained killers moving with pack coordination. They targeted Kael and Liana directly. The Treaty grounds' peace magic should have stopped bloodshed. But these blades carried dark runes. Dark magic overrode ancient defenses. "Protect the Alphas!" Kael ordered. The area became a battlefield. Liana's golden power flared, dropping two attackers. But more kept coming. Too many. "They knew!" Rowan achieved. "Someone told them about the council!"
Through the chaos, Liana saw Viktor hanging back. His troops fought, but he watched with calculating eyes. When an attacker neared her, he moved too slowly to help. Traitor, she thought. Celeste has spies among the Alphas. Jace fought like a whirlwind, covering their escape. "There!" He pointed to a running figure. "The leader!" Without waiting, he gave chase. "Jace, no!" Kael shouted. But his brother disappeared into the forest. The remaining assassins retreated, mission incomplete but harm done. Several Alphas bled from shadow-touched wounds. Trust lay broken. "This is your fault!" Viktor accused Liana. "You brought their attention!" "They're my responsibility," Kael said firmly. "We'll track them—" A scream cut him off. Not just any scream—Jace's voice, carrying pain and rage. Through their bond, pain flashed bright. Then... nothing. "Jace!" Liana ran toward the trees. Kael and Rowan flanked her, their shared fear driving them faster. They found the trap's remains. Silver wires covered in shadow poison. Blood spilled everywhere. Jace's torn clothes. But no body. "They took him." Rowan's voice cracked. "They actually took him." Kael's howl of rage shook the trees. Through their bond, his rage crashed into Liana like a wave. She'd never felt such raw hate. "Alpha Kael!" A scout ran up, holding a small box. "This was left at our gate. With a message." Inside lay Jace's pendant—the Alpha heir marking each triplet wore. Blood covered the silver. Still warm. The message was simple: "One brother down. Return the omega, or lose them all. You have three hours. - C" The other Alphas arrived, seeing the proof. Several backed away immediately. "I want no part of this," Viktor stated. "Iron Claw stays neutral." "Coward," Dimitri growled.
But doubt filled his eyes too. "Three hours." Sasha studied the bloody pendant. "That's not much time." "We're not negotiating with terrorists," Kael snarled. "Even for your brother's life?" Marcus asked. "How brave. How stupid." Kael lunged. Only Rowan's grip stopped him from tearing Marcus apart. "Think!" Marcus pressed. "She's one wolf. He's your blood!" "She's my mate!" Kael roared. "And he's your brother!" Marcus shot back. "Which matters more?" The question hung heavy. Through their bond, Liana felt Kael's soul tearing in half. Rowan's pain echoed alongside—save their brother or protect their mate? "We'll find another way," Rowan said desperately. "Track them. Rescue task. Something!" "In three hours?" Sasha shook her head. "Impossible." More Alphas claimed neutrality. The alliance collapsed before it started. Soon only Dimitri remained. "I'm sorry," the Thunder Mountain Alpha said finally. "But I can't risk my pack for..." He looked at Liana. "For this." They stood alone.
The Treaty grounds, meant for togetherness, now showed only isolation. In the distance, Moonless howls celebrated their win. "We need to go," Elder Patricia pushed. "Plan. Regroup." But Liana looked at the bloody pendant. Jace—wild, passionate, protective Jace—was hurting because of her. His pain echoed through their severed link like a missing limb. "What if—" she started. "Don't." Kael's voice cut sharp. "Whatever you're thinking, don't." "But Jace—" "Would kill me if I let you surrender." His eyes blazed. "We'll find another way." But as they headed back, Liana felt the shadow creature's pleasure. It whispered: Three hours. Tick. Tock. Choose the pack... or choose him. The council had failed. Their friends abandoned them. Jace was caught. The Moonless grew stronger. And dawn's date crept closer. At the border, another letter waited. This time, a piece of Jace's ear. Still bleeding. Still warm. The note read: "Every hour you wait, he loses something. Choose wisely, omega. His blood is on your hands." Liana's golden power flickered. The shadow thing laughed. Time was running out.