Ellie Richards
The morning sun was rising and even though there was anxiety lingering in my chest, generally I felt well settled and rested. My evening with my ex-mate's father was something that surprised me. I was expecting him to be forceful, to be annoyed at my actions however he was the opposite. He was still the kind man I remembered from my teenage years. He showed me nothing but respect that was easily returned. Other than the physical traits, I couldn't see the relation between Henry and Thomas. They both seemed worlds apart in their mannerisms.
I couldn't help but find myself being extremely honest with Henry. I didn't want to be accused of manipulating him or being untruth. If I was honest, I didn't see the point of lying. It only caused misunderstandings which would enviably lead to emotional distress. Of course, I had told the occasional white lie, but I avoided them. I never lied to my grandparents, I had omitted the truth.
Today was the day when the Council would attend the Lotus Pack, they would be here very soon. I understood that they had power that intimidated others but I wouldn't wither and shy away. Even though I was a lone wolf, I knew how to stand my ground. My job caused me to place myself in some dangerous situations, ones that were challenging but allowed me to develop a back bone.
Uncle James tried to encourage me to come down for breakfast with the pack but I wasn't quite ready to mingle with people, knowing that there would be a lot of rumours floating about. Clare had brought me up some food while I was in my room and encouraged me to eat, explaining that I needed the strength to deal with council. She tried to joke around, telling me they were a bunch of old men that lacked people skills but all I could do was shrug her off, knowing that I wasn't in the mood to interact.
I had already showered and got dressed in a black pencil skirt and silk emerald blouse that I paired with some ballerina flat shoes. I didn't want to be overdressed, but the occasion required me to be in professional attire. I was brushing my hair back into a tight high ponytail when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I shouted.
The door squeaked open and in popped Uncle Jame's head. He looked at the bed and then saw me standing by the mirror as I pulled the band in my hair with a pop. "Hey Ellie Belly." He sighed. "There here."
"How many of them are there?" I questioned as I turned my head in his direction.
"Three. Elder Barren and Elder Herring who you already met." His jaw clenched and I could he was unsettled by the third guest. "Elder Thorne is also here. He is also known as the Chancellor. He is head of the Council. So I would refer to him as Chancellor Thorn, he is not one to be messed with." He explained as he slipped in my room and closed the door.
"You seem unsettled by Chancellor Thorn. Why?" I questioned.
Once again my uncle's jaw ticked. I could see him gritted his teeth. "Chancellor Thorn was the Alpha at Grandmother's old pack. He became an Elder shortly after his retirement. Your grandmother and him have history. He is very close to the maternal side of our family. Unfortunately his opinion may be biased. We don't have time to get into the details, that is a story for Ma to tell you." He explains.
I give him a clipped nod of the head. I take a deep breath and sigh loudly. "I'm ready, let's go."
My uncle makes his way to my door and I follow his steps out of my room and to the main pack hall. I know from what James had said that the whole pack would be in attendance. It was a public matter because I was a rejected Luna. It was something that was frowned upon from what he said and according to James to be reject a pack's true and rightful Luna was a crime. I knew James did not want to worry me but his anxiety was rolling off him in waves. I could see that the attendance of the Chancellor was unsettling.
As much as I loved my uncle, I knew he wanted to protect me. He would always see me as the little girl who needed to be sheltered, however he had no idea the force that would reckon and shake this pack to it's core. I was highly educated and worked with some of the most difficult and challenged people you could imagine. It didn't matter that they were humans, some of the people I had to go against were narcissistic and there were some that were even psychotic.
I grabbed my uncle's hand and gave it a tight squeeze and a reassuring smile as we reached the pack hall. Clare was standing outside waiting for us. She heaved in relief as she watched us approach. "Oh thank god your on time." She stated.
"Everything alright Clare?" James rushed to her side, pulling my hand along with him. I could see him worried. I couldn't help the internal smirk at the small interactions between the two. It was so clear that they held a certain level of affection for each other. I could see that there was chemistry between them both, you could almost cut it with a knife.
I sighed thinking about how I thought my uncle was a smart man, however he was completely oblivious to well established feelings for the pretty Omega who seemed to have a heart as large as her bubbly personality. Clare too seemed smitten by my uncle and all I could do was hope that they would recognise the feelings they reciprocated before I could intervene.
"Yes, yes." She waved her hands in the air. "The pack is unsettled by the Chancellors appearance, they don't like that he is here." She whispers. I wonder if that was why James' anxiety was heightened, I wonder if he was channelling the pack's emotions.
He nods his head at Clare and grabs the top of her arms in a reassuring gesture. "Go in, we're follow in after you." With that Clare scuttles off into the main entrance of what I presume is the main pack hall.
"Listen Ellie, don't back down but equally don't underestimate their power. The Chancellor is someone to be weary of. Do not underestimate him." James warns.
"I won't trust me. Don't underestimate me either James. I know what I am doing. I know their intentions. You may not realise it Uncle, but I am a lot more savvy than you realise. Please trust in me. I can do this." I respond. He simply gives me a nod and loops his arm through mine and escorts me into the pack hall.
The hall is bare, there is nothing exciting about it. The room is filled with chairs that have been segregated into two columns. My footsteps are heavy as my heels tap against the wooden floor. The whispers that echoed through the walls quieten down until there is nothing but silence. My smile doesn't waver but my uncle's grip around my arms tighten as we make our way to the empty chairs in the front row.
There at the front stands the two elders that I met in my apartment and in the middle is a stout and chubby man. His hair is white as snow, with a matching goatee. His eyes covered behind a circular framed glasses. His lips are pursed and his eyes are harden and cold. Automatically, I can see why people were anxious, there is an aura around him that unsettles me. I can't help but keep my eyes on the man that is looking at me and my uncle in disgust. The reasons for it, is something that I don't understand or comprehend. I presume it is in connection to what James said about our grandparents.
I couldn't help but feel the many eyes fall on my back as we sat patiently waiting for the Chancellor to speak. I didn't dare tear my eyes away from him. For I knew that somewhere in the mass of the people was my mate and I didn't want to look at him. This scent was wafting through the air, the intricate and delicate smell of mint and strawberries sent tingles through my nose.
"Good afternoon everyone. My name is Elder Thorn and I am the residing Chancellor of the Elder's Council" He bellowed through the hall. "You have been all gathered here today to discuss the illegal acts committed by your current Alpha, Thomas Samuels and the lone wolf, Eleanor Richards. The crime that has been reported is that the current Alpha claimed a wolf who was not his and rejected the pack's rightful and true Luna Eleanor Richards."
Again, no one spoke a word, not even a whisper. All that could be heard were the deep breaths that mingled together. I could feel my heart thump as my wolf growled in the back of my mind. I could feel her irritation at his words because from our perspective we were not responsible for the illegal acts. Hell, I didn't know it was illegal to reject your mate. I couldn't help but want to scoff at the Chancellor's behaviour, I didn't even need to know him long even to see that he was a narcissistic, pompous and arrogant man.
"Due to the nature of the crimes committed. It is only fair..." He says, the word fair seems to twist around his mouth like he is savouring a fine wine. "... that we provide the Lotus' pack with a transparent investigation. For this does not only affect both Eleanor and Thomas but the members within this pack." He righteously explains.
"Therefore, I would like to invite Eleanor Richards to take to the stand and answer questions as part of the inquiry."