Chapter 47

Ryan's POV

I woke up beside Alyson, and tried to remain calm. She had stayed the night, and I wanted to get her away from here as soon as possible. But her peaceful face during sleep was so beautiful I wished to start all days like this once it was safe.

I kissed her cheek gently to rise her. Any tension from yesterday had dissipated over night, but her story was still strong in my mind. I could not believe what this she-wolf had gone through, but I understood her so much better now.

"Alyson, we fell asleep." I said softly. "You should probably get going." Her purple ball gown in the morning would be a terrible thing to wear home. It would be too obvious that she was out all night.

She stirred and her eyes shot open at my words, "Shit!" She exclaimed, throwing her body to the side of the bed, glancing at the sunlight that was streaming through the window.

She ran her hands through her messy hair, looking at the large purple skirt laid out on the chair, the sheets were wrapped around her waist. She looked so graceful and stunning, even in her silent panic. I almost lost my own concerns to pull her back to bed.

"What will I wear to get home? I can't possibly …" She was holding her gown and looking worried.

I called on Michael, and while I did not let him inside my room, I sent him to purchase a plain dress and a dress bag from a shop that morning.

While we waited for him to come back, she asked, "What about that she-wolf, Stephanie? Who is she? She seems to think she's pretty important to you?"

I chuckled with a shake of my head. "She's been very helpful to us for sure. I appreciate her very much, but never like that."

Alyson's eyebrows raised as if she wanted more explanation, and I remembered fondly how she seemed a little jealous when Stephanie congratulated me after the match. "Be careful with her, she seems to like you a lot."

I continued, "I've been clear to her that I've found my mate. In childhood, she seemed to have had a little crush on me, but she was also the closest thing I had to a friend back in those days where no one else would talk to me. She offered to help me watch out for you."

She looked more satisfied by that answer, "I'm glad you tried to be clear with her. She still seems hopeful though. She likes you a lot."

"I can't really know if she does. I was clear with her about my mate. I think she would help me as a friend."

Alyson scoffed, "You have to see that she likes you. It's obvious."

"Maybe, but it wouldn't matter to me anyway," I agreed, reflecting on my conversation with her.

Alyson eyed me slyly from the side.

I smiled at her cute expression. "You're the love of my life, Alyson. And I would tell the world once it is safe to do so."

Michael brought back a simple maid's dress. Alyson put it on, concealing her gown in a bag, and when the coast was clear, headed out swiftly.

We really needed to be more careful. Still, as she left, we held hands till the last possible moment when she lingered with her fingers laced in mine, and finally pulled away to disappear onto the vacant back alleyway.

As if to really reverberate that we needed to be more cautious in the future, within minutes of her leaving, I received a message from the elders. The messenger even insisted to come into the suite to present it, and I couldn't help but think how our secret could have been revealed if Alyson had not left yet.

"You're called to Elder Fritz's mansion this morning. All the Elders are gathered there to announce your verdict."

"Will Jacob be there?" I asked, hoping I could control Rupert if I saw him, but knowing that I must.

"He will be there," the messenger said.

I dressed in my finest suit. Elder Fritz's mansion was neighboring where I stayed, so I was soon entering a large room that was set up for the elder council to meet. It was a library with books filling shelves to the ceiling.

All the Elders were seated in the center of the room around a long ovular table.

Jacob sat at the head of the table, and I was invited to sit on the opposite side.

Elder Fritz had a parrot on his shoulder. I remembered him from my childhood. His bald head reflected the sunlight streaming through the windows that ringed the room.

Elder Fritz rose to his feet to announce the elder's verdict. "Ryan won the match. We cannot deny that he is an Alexander with talents. He has come back and redeemed himself, and we have decided that he may stay and live here like an Alexander if he wishes."

Jacob slammed his fist into the table, and all attention turned to him. He was glaring at me, and I held back wanting to shift and leap across the table to kill him. This meeting was far too important to act like that. Plus, he looked like he struggled with the same instinct, and I refused to be anything like him.

Jacob said, "This ruling seems unjust. Ryan was banished. I am the Alpha, and I want him to be cast away again."

Another elder said, "The Elders decide these things, Alpha. This is the Alexander way."

Elder Fritz remained standing. He said, "Our verdict denies Ryan as an Alpha candidate for now, Jacob, but you'd do well to continue living under the rules of Alexander. We have decided not to condemn Ryan in any way, including that he could earn the status of Alpha candidate if he receives enough support from the elders and Crowalt Pack."

Another elder added, "Yes, by how he won in the match, he should already be an Alpha candidate, but he just doesn't have the support."

The oldest of the Elders had been quiet till now. "Jacob is Alpha with great talents. We chose him, and we should support his wishes. I do believe him that Ryan is a threat to our order, but I was voted down."

"See!" Jacob spat. "I am the Alpha; this is my right." His domineering gaze was dominant and severe, but the elders were unphased and above these postures.

Elder Fritz was shaking his head. "You have support, Jacob. But we still decide together who is Alpha and who will be candidates for becoming the next Alpha. That is our power, and not yours."

"Should I not decide who lives in my Pack?" Jacob's eyes were pulsating like they might pop out of his skull with the frustration.

As much as I hated him, I could not help but enjoy this spectacle. I kept quiet, listening to the elders as was the Alexander way. Alyson had been right to calm me. It looked as if Jacob was digging his own holes. We would have our moment when the time was right.

"We are honoring Ryan for winning by allowing him Alexander status. He must get something for winning." One elder said.

"Why not just allow him to keep living, but far from here?" Jacob argued. "I do not want him here. He's a threat to me."

Elder Fritz asked, "Did you not send wolves to his territory?"

"Yes, but,…" Jacob was fuming.

An elder interrupted, "Then even coming to challenge you was in honor. Your actions brought him here yourself."

I could see the Elder who supported Jacob the most was grumbling and looking off to the side with disapproval.

"We have decided Ryan upholds the Alexander way, and he is not a threat to it. The Alexander way is greater than any one Alpha, it keeps this pack strong." Elder Fritz said as if to a child who could not understand and thought everything was unfair. "You are still Alpha; the pack supports and adores you. Do not cause more problems for yourself, remember the ways of Clan Alexander, and Ryan should be no threat to you."

He was shaking in anger, and looked tempted to continue arguing, but instead, he shouted," Fine!", as he rose to his feet. "I see that we are done here." With one final lethal glare at me where he snarled and showed his canines, he left the room in a frenzied anger.

I sat back fully content to see my enemy lose his mind in front of the Elders. Several were shaking their heads, and throwing up their hands as if there was nothing they could do about his reactions.

Elder Fritz turned to me. "You have heard our verdict, and do you accept it?"

"I accept it, thank you all." I said to the whole group. I was so pleased to be part of Clan Alexander again. The crimes of my parents and my existence were forgiven. This would be a fresh start for me. While I loved Starstream Pack, and I was still Alpha, I would stay here to help Alyson with her revenge.

Elder Fritz looked pleased at my gratitude. "If it's up to me, I think you'd make a fine Alpha Candidate someday. Prove yourself, gain more support in the pack and all the elders."

"I thank you for your wisdoms." I said.

"Go now, and live like the Alexander that you are. There is even a mansion available if you'd like to purchase it. You are free here."