Chapter 18
599words
"There's an ancient ritual," Derek explained. "When a matter of grave importance comes before the council, they can request a memory-sharing. With our bond, we can provide it together."
The door creaked open, revealing a narrow passage into the mansion grounds. Derek took my hand, his touch sending warmth through our connection.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
I squeezed his hand. "With you? Always."
We slipped through the door and made our way across the moonlit gardens toward the main building. The mansion loomed ahead, lights blazing from the council chamber windows. Through our bond, we coordinated our movements, avoiding the patrols Victor had stationed around the grounds.
As we neared the main entrance, Derek suddenly pulled me into the shadows. A moment later, two guards walked past, their conversation drifting to us on the night breeze.
"...still no sign of them. Victor says if they don't show up soon, he'll have the council declare them traitors."
"Can he do that?"
"He's acting Alpha while Sterling is missing. He can do whatever he wants."
When they had passed, Derek's jaw tightened. "He's making his move. We need to hurry."
We entered the mansion through a servant's door, then made our way through the quiet corridors. Most of the pack would be at the council meeting, leaving the rest of the building largely deserted.
As we approached the council chamber, the sound of raised voices reached us. Through the massive oak doors, I could hear Victor addressing the assembly.
"...clearly fled rather than face these accusations. Their absence only confirms their guilt. I move that Derek Sterling be stripped of his Alpha status and that the girl be declared an enemy of the pack—"
Derek pushed the doors open with both hands. "I believe you're sitting in my chair, Victor."
A collective gasp went through the assembled wolves as we walked in side by side. Victor, who had indeed taken Derek's Alpha seat at the head of the council table, froze mid-sentence.
"This is a closed council meeting," he recovered quickly. "Guards!"
"Stand down," Derek commanded, his Alpha voice resonating with power. The guards hesitated, caught between conflicting orders.
I scanned the room. The council elders sat around the table, their expressions ranging from shock to relief at our appearance. Marcus stood to one side, a barely concealed smile on his face. And at the back, Eirina watched with knowing eyes.
"You have no authority here anymore," Victor snarled. "You abandoned your post, left the pack undefended—"
"While we gathered evidence of your crimes," Derek interrupted, his voice steady. He removed the documents from his backpack and placed them on the table. "Murder. Embezzlement. Forbidden experiments on pack members."
Victor's face contorted with rage. "Lies! Fabrications!"
"The truth," I countered, stepping forward. "Just as it was true that you murdered my father to steal his research."
"And mine," Derek added. "Both of them tried to stop you, and you killed them for it."
Victor's eyes darted around the room, calculating his options. "You have no proof that would stand before this council."
"Actually," Derek said, "we do." He turned to the elders. "I request a memory-sharing."
Another gasp rippled through the assembly. One of the female elders leaned forward. "A memory-sharing is sacred, Alpha. It cannot be used lightly."
"I understand," Derek replied. "But these accusations demand the highest form of truth."
"And how do you propose to share these memories?" Victor sneered. "The ritual requires a bond of blood or—" He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he looked between us. "No," he whispered.
