Chapter 10 - The Alpha Who Came to Claim Her|
Preston entered the watchtower first, followed by Genevieve and a line of armed wolves. His face was set in a confident expression that did not quite conceal his fear.
“Hazel,” he said. “Come with me.”
She stared at him.
“Why?”
“Your safety is at risk. I can protect you.”
“You slapped me in front of an entire ballroom.”
“That was a mistake.”
“No. It was a choice.”
Preston's eyes flashed gold.
“You don't understand what's happening. The king is using you to challenge the council. Your father is a traitor. Your bloodline is a threat to every pack in the kingdom.”
Rowan stepped forward.
“Don't speak about my daughter as if she's a disease.”
Preston looked startled by the man's resemblance to Hazel.
“Rowan Ashford.”
“Preston Hale.”
Genevieve moved closer to Preston.
“Hazel, listen to me. My father can arrange protection if you cooperate. The council doesn't want to hurt you.”
“Then why did you bring twelve armed wolves?”
Genevieve's smile faltered.
Adrian stepped between them.
“Leave the tower.”
Preston straightened.
“You don't have jurisdiction here.”
“I am the Alpha King.”
“And the council has called for your authority to be reviewed. You cannot keep using royal power to interfere in private pack affairs.”
Adrian's expression did not change.
“Your pack affair was striking a woman who refused to kneel. You have already demonstrated what you do when no one stops you.”
Preston's face burned.
Genevieve spoke quickly.
“We aren't here to fight. We have a document proving Hazel's bloodline is subject to council supervision.”
She held out a sealed paper.
Eleanor took it and examined the signature.
“It's invalid. The council never approved this order.”
Genevieve looked toward her father, who had remained outside the tower.
“Then perhaps the council should approve it now.”
A new voice sounded from the doorway.
“An excellent suggestion.”
Richard Sinclair entered, carrying an official seal. Elder Thomas Vale followed him.
Hazel felt the room tighten around her.
Richard addressed Adrian.
“The council has voted to place the Moonveil heir under temporary custody until her abilities can be assessed.”
“You cannot place a person in custody simply because of her ancestry,” Adrian replied.
“Under emergency royal succession law, we can.”
Adrian's gaze turned to Elder Vale.
“Did you authorize this?”
The old man did not answer.
Hazel understood then that the hearing had never been about her alleged influence. Preston's complaint had been a distraction while the council prepared to seize control of the one person who could challenge their authority.
Richard held out the order.
“Hazel Montgomery, you will come with us.”
“No,” Hazel said.
Preston stepped forward.
“You don't have a choice.”
Hazel felt the strange pulse beneath her ribs. Her senses sharpened, and the wolves around her shifted uneasily.
She did not command them.
She simply stood her ground.
“I said no.”
The nearest guards lowered their weapons without understanding why.
Richard's face twisted with fury.
“Then we will take you by force.”
Adrian's aura filled the tower, powerful enough to make the windows tremble.
“Touch her, and you answer to me.”
For a moment, two forces pressed against each other—the Alpha King's authority and Hazel's emerging resistance.
Then Elder Vale smiled.
“Wonderful,” he murmured. “The bloodline has awakened.”
He pulled a small device from his pocket and activated it.
A high, piercing tone filled the room.
May you like
Hazel collapsed to her knees, pain tearing through her chest.
And as Adrian lunged toward her, Richard Sinclair ordered his men to seize the king.
