Chapter 6 - The Council of Hungry Wolves|
The council chamber was older than the city surrounding it.
Stone pillars rose toward a vaulted ceiling, and banners representing the major wolf territories hung between them. At the far end sat the High Council, twelve elders who had advised Alpha Kings for generations.
Preston stood before them in a dark suit. Genevieve sat behind him beside her father, Alpha Richard Sinclair.
When Hazel entered beside Adrian, the room stirred.
Some wolves bowed. Others remained rigid, unwilling to show deference to a woman they still believed powerless.
The council's oldest member, Elder Thomas Vale, struck his staff against the floor.
“This hearing concerns allegations of forbidden influence and disruption of pack authority.”
Adrian took his seat but did not speak for Hazel.
That surprised her.
Elder Vale turned toward Preston.
“State your complaint.”
Preston stepped forward.
“Hazel Montgomery has repeatedly defied my authority. At the Pierre, she refused a direct Alpha command, provoked a confrontation, and used an unknown force that caused several wolves to lose control.”
Hazel stood.
“You left out the part where you slapped me.”
Preston's jaw tightened.
“The physical contact was regrettable.”
“Regrettable?”
Adrian's voice cut across the chamber.
“Choose your words carefully.”
Elder Vale raised a hand.
“The king will allow the accused to answer.”
Hazel looked at the council.
“I was hired to organize the event. I completed my work. Preston and Genevieve confronted me, insulted me, and demanded that I leave. When I refused to be humiliated, Preston ordered me to kneel. I did not. Then he hit me.”
She touched the fading bruise on her cheek.
“The cameras recorded it. You can watch the footage instead of asking me to prove that I deserved not to be struck.”
Several elders exchanged glances.
Preston's face darkened.
“She is twisting the matter.”
“Then show us the footage,” Hazel replied.
Eleanor handed a tablet to the council clerk. The video played across the chamber's display.
No one spoke when Preston's hand struck Hazel.
No one spoke when she fell.
And no one spoke when Adrian's voice demanded to know who had given Preston permission to touch her.
When the recording ended, Elder Vale removed his glasses.
“The physical assault is clear. The allegation of forbidden influence remains unproven.”
Preston stepped forward.
“Her bloodline must be examined. She may be a threat to every pack in this room.”
The words caused a wave of whispers.
Adrian rose.
“Her ancestry is not evidence of wrongdoing.”
Alpha Richard Sinclair spoke for the first time.
“Your Majesty, with respect, if the woman possesses the ability to resist Alpha commands, the council has a duty to investigate. Such a power could destabilize the entire hierarchy.”
Hazel looked at him.
“Is the hierarchy so fragile that a woman refusing to kneel can destroy it?”
A few elders hid smiles.
Richard's expression hardened.
“You should remember where you stand.”
“I do. On my own feet.”
The chamber erupted in murmurs.
Elder Vale struck his staff again.
“Enough. We will suspend judgment until the royal archive verifies Miss Montgomery's lineage.”
Adrian accepted the ruling, though his eyes remained on Richard.
As the hearing ended, Preston approached Hazel.
“You think the king will protect you forever?”
Hazel met his gaze.
“I don't need him to protect me forever. I need you to stop believing you own me.”
Preston leaned closer.
“You have no idea what your mother did.”
Hazel went still.
“What do you know about my mother?”
His expression revealed too much.
Before he could answer, two guards escorted him away.
Outside, Adrian asked what Preston had said.
Hazel repeated the words.
Adrian's face darkened.
“Your mother was involved in a royal investigation shortly before she died.”
“What investigation?”
He hesitated.
May you like
Then he gave her an answer that made the world feel suddenly unfamiliar.
“The disappearance of the previous Alpha King.”
