🐺 CHAPTER ELEVEN - The Council's Verdict
The knock came again, louder this time, rattling the wooden door.
Kael's posture shifted instantly-injury forgotten, exhaustion hidden. His Alpha presence filled the room like a storm gathering strength.
"Stay behind me," he murmured without looking back.
His voice was low, dangerous.
Lyra swallowed and nodded, stepping slightly behind him just as the door opened.
Three figures entered.
The Council.
Elder Rowan-tall, cold, with frost-grey eyes that missed nothing.
Elder Maera-sharp, calculating, wrapped in dark green robes that smelled of herbs and old secrets.
And Elder Varrik-broad-shouldered, scarred, carrying a walking staff carved with ancient runes.
Their presence sucked the air from the room.
Rowan spoke first.
"Alpha Kael. We sensed a surge of uncontrolled Seer power. Explain yourself."
Kael's eyes narrowed, silver flickering dangerously.
"It was controlled. And necessary."
Maera's gaze slid to Lyra, assessing, dissecting, judging.
"A Seer draws Darkfangs like blood draws sharks," she said coolly. "Her presence puts the pack at risk."
Lyra's heart stung at her tone.
She opened her mouth, but Kael stepped in front of her, shielding her from their stare.
"She is under my protection," he said, voice like steel. "And under the Oath."
Varrik thumped his staff on the ground.
"That is exactly why we are here."
The three Elders formed a half circle around them.
Rowan spoke.
"The Oath bond between Seer and Alpha has awakened far too quickly. It is stronger than any we have recorded in centuries. Strong enough to warp the prophecy."
Lyra felt her stomach twist.
"What does that mean?"
Maera studied the silver glow faintly pulsing on Lyra's arm.
"It means you are not just a Seer, child. You are the Moonbound Seer."
Kael stiffened.
"That title hasn't existed for generations."
Varrik nodded grimly.
"Exactly. And the last Moonbound Seer... destroyed her pack."
Lyra felt all the blood drain from her face.
"That's not me. I'm not-"
"You don't know what you are," Rowan cut in sharply. "Your power is unstable. Your visions are catastrophic. You nearly tore the forest apart tonight."
Kael growled, the sound low and warning.
"She saved my life. The venom would have killed me."
"That," Maera replied, "is precisely why she's dangerous."
Lyra felt the words like a slap.
She struggled to breathe, but Kael stepped backward, placing a steadying hand on her waist.
"Say what you came to say," he commanded.
Rowan exhaled slowly, as if delivering a sentence.
"The Council has decided.
The Seer must be taken to the High Keep for containment-until we determine if she is a threat."
Lyra froze.
"Containment? You mean prison."
Maera tilted her head.
"A safe place. For us... and for you."
Kael stepped forward, fury simmering beneath his skin.
"You want to take her away from me?"
His voice trembled-not with fear, but with something deeper.
Something possessive.
Rowan lifted his chin.
"Your attachment clouds your judgment."
"She's mine."
Kael's voice was a growl now.
"Bound by the Oath. If she leaves my territory, the bond destabilizes. You risk killing us both."
"Better two deaths," Varrik said, "than the fall of an entire pack."
The room erupted with tension.
Lyra grabbed Kael's arm.
"Kael. Stop. Please."
His wolf eyes met hers, softer for a heartbeat.
But Rowan's next words shattered the air:
"Lyra, daughter of the Moonbound line-by decree of the Council, you are to be removed from the Alpha's care at dawn."
Kael's body went rigid.
Lyra's breath caught.
"Dawn...? That's-"
"Only hours away," Maera finished.
Kael stepped in front of her again, voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
"If you try to take her... you will have a war."
Rowan's expression darkened.
"We are not requesting your permission, Alpha."
Varrik raised his staff.
"You have until dawn to comply."
The Elders turned and left, the door closing sharply behind them.
Silence.
Lyra's heart pounded.
"Kael... what are we going to do?"
Kael turned to her-eyes fierce, jaw clenched, chest rising with violent breaths.
Then he said something she never expected.
"We run."
Lyra's breath caught.
"Run... where?"
Kael stepped closer, gripping her waist, forehead almost touching hers.
"Anywhere they can't find you. Anywhere you're safe. I'll take you beyond the pack lines-past the mountain, beyond their reach."
Her voice trembled.
"But the prophecy... the vision of you-"
He tightened his hold, eyes blazing with determination and something dangerously close to fear.
"I would rather die running with you," he whispered,
"than live in a world where they take you from me."
Lyra felt her knees weaken.
The Oath pulsed-slow, powerful, intimate.
And dawn was only hours away.
