Chapter 9
614words
"We should go," I said reluctantly. "They're waiting."
Derek nodded, but before we left, he pressed something into my palm. A small silver pendant in the shape of a wolf. "It was my mother's," he explained. "For luck."
I fastened it around my neck, touched by the gesture. Together, we walked through the mansion toward the council chamber, our footsteps echoing in the quiet morning.
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The council chamber was a circular room with high windows that let in streams of early sunlight. Seven chairs formed a semicircle at the far end, occupied by the pack's elders—five men and two women, all with the weathered faces of wolves who had seen many moons. Victor sat in the center, his silver-streaked hair gleaming in the light.
Derek took his place at the head of the room, the Alpha's chair slightly elevated above the others. I stood before them all, feeling exposed under their scrutiny.
"This emergency council has been called to address a matter of grave concern," Victor began, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "It has come to my attention that we harbor a deceiver in our midst."
His cold eyes fixed on me. "Lena Grey has hidden her true nature from this pack for three years. She is not the Omega she pretended to be, but possesses a silver wolf spirit—a dangerous anomaly that threatens our very existence."
Murmurs rippled through the room. The other elders leaned forward, studying me with new interest.
"Is this true?" asked an elderly woman with sharp eyes. "Do you possess a silver wolf?"
I lifted my chin. "I do. But I am no threat to this pack."
"Silver wolves are harbingers of chaos," Victor declared. "Throughout our history, they have brought nothing but destruction. Their power is unnatural, an aberration of the Moon Goddess's design."
"That's not true," I countered, my voice stronger than I expected. "My father had the same gift. He used it to heal, to help others."
Victor's lip curled. "And where is your father now? Dead—because the silver wolf's power always consumes its host."
Anger flared inside me. "My father was murdered. You know that better than anyone, Victor."
The chamber fell silent at my accusation. Victor's face darkened, but before he could respond, Derek spoke.
"These are serious allegations on both sides," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Let's address them one at a time. First, the matter of Lena's silver wolf."
He turned to me. "The council requests a demonstration."
My heart pounded. I hadn't shifted in front of anyone except Derek since my father died. To reveal myself to the entire council—to Victor—felt like surrendering my last defense.
But I had no choice. I stepped into the center of the room and closed my eyes, calling to Silver. The shift came easily now, my body flowing from human to wolf in one smooth motion. When I opened my eyes, I stood on four paws, my silver fur catching the sunlight and reflecting it around the room like scattered diamonds.
Gasps echoed through the chamber. Even Victor couldn't hide his shock at the intensity of my silver coat. I turned slowly, letting them all see what I truly was.
"Extraordinary," whispered one of the male elders.
"Dangerous," countered Victor. "Look at that power—uncontrolled, unpredictable."
"Beautiful," said a quiet voice from the doorway.
All heads turned. Eirina, the old healer who had helped me hide my nature for years, stood at the entrance. She walked slowly into the chamber, her ancient eyes fixed on my wolf form.
