Chapter 8 Pack Politics and Poisoned Words

At sunrise, Arthur led me into the large council hall inside Castle Dome. A long wooden table filled the center of the room, and several pack members already sat around it, definitely those with higher ranks. I kept my facial expression calm as I took the seat beside Arthur. This was my first pack council meeting, and I could feel the weight of every stare at me. 

Arthur then sat at the head of the table like the king he was. On his right sat a broad-shouldered man with short brown hair and eyes looking steady. That was Beta Peter, his second in command. Peter gave me a small nod of respect. On the other side sat an older man with gray hair who had sharp features by name Elder Albert. His eyes narrowed when he looked at me. 

"Alpha," Elder Albert began as soon as the meeting started. "We need to discuss this human alliance you are pushing. Bringing an outsider into our pack is dangerous and you know that. The syndicates are already hunting us and humans who come to know who we truly are, see us as predatory and have by all means want us gone. What if she becomes a weakness?"

Arthur's voice stayed firm. "Charlotte saved my life and even when she knows who I am, she wasn't afraid. She has agreed to the contract. This alliance will give us protection and legitimacy, not just to our rivals and the government but to the general public. We need it if we want to survive."

Beta Peter leaned forward. "I support the Alpha. We have lost too many good wolves already. If this marriage brings safety to the pack, then we should move forward with it regardless of whatever we think."

Alice who sat further down the table, crossed her arms and spoke up clearly. "With all respect, Alpha, I question her role in pack security. She claims she helped during the syndicate attack the other night, but none of us saw her fight. How do we know she is not just another pretty face hiding behind you and trying to spy on us or possibly get herself something in return?"

"Something like?" Beta Peter responded. 

"I'm just saying. She knows herself. I'm only asking Alpha to get him to see our reasons for not wanting her here." 

Her words stung, but I kept my face neutral. I needed information more than I needed to argue or proof my innocent despite not being innocent in my ambitions. While the others spoke, I focused my attention and whispered a tiny illusion under my breath. A faint shimmer only I could see passed over each speaker. It helped me sense when someone twisted the truth.

Peter spoke honestly. His loyalty to Arthur was real. Elder Albert, however, had ambition in his eyes. He wanted more power for himself and clearly did not trust outsiders. I feel he senses I am not good for the position I'm about to fully step into. Alice's words carried heavy jealousy. She believed I did not belong and wanted me gone. If I were a cockroach at her mercy, I'm sure she'll crush me this very moment. 

I stored every detail in my mind. These were the people I needed to watch.

The meeting continued for another hour with talks about border patrols and supply routes. I stayed quiet and observed. When it ended, Arthur placed his hand lightly on my lower back as we left the hall. The touch made me feel more loved than I've felt by anyone I've ever known, but I reminded myself it was only for show.

Later that afternoon, a servant brought lunch to our chambers. I ate alone while Arthur handled pack business. The food tasted fine at first, roasted chicken with vegetables and rice. But after a few bites, my stomach started to twist. Pain spread through my belly making me to feel dizzy and nauseous.

I pushed the plate away. Someone had tampered with it. I knew the signs of poison as a witch I am. I waited until I was sure no one was around watching, then placed my hands over my stomach and whispered a quiet healing spell. Warm magic flowed through me and eased the sickness. The pain faded slowly.

That very moment my mind raced. Who would do this? Alice's jealous face from the council meeting came to mind first. She had the motive from all I can say and also the access.

A short while later, Arthur burst into the room leaving the door wide open. His golden eyes burned with anger when he saw me pale and holding my stomach. "What happened?"

"The food," I said weakly. "It made me sick, I feel so weak."

His face darkened. Without another word to me, he stormed out. I heard him shouting orders down the hall. Minutes later, loud noises came from the kitchen area. Pots were crashing and voices raised. Arthur tore the place apart looking for the person responsible. Warriors searched every corner. Servants trembled as he demanded answers to know who prepared it. I knew the chefs won't say they prepared it because they were scared; not that they were responsible. 

He returned later, still breathing hard. "No one has confessed yet, but I will find who did this. Whoever did this will pay."

I nodded, touched by his rage on my behalf. He really meant his vow to protect me. And I can't help but think he doesn't trust everyone in the pack to be harmless. 

That evening, Arthur took me to his private training ground behind the castle. The area was open, with soft sand underfoot and weapons lined up neatly along one wall. The sun had set, leaving the sky dark in orange.

"You need to know how to defend yourself," he said. "Just the basics for now."

"Why the need?" I asked trying to find answers. 

"Just trust me." He said.

"You don't trust everyone in your pack. Why should I trust you?" I asked again, showing my reason for asking at first. 

"We don't consider trust to be a major reason why we should live together and protect our race. Some of the people you see here came to join this pack when their pack was weakened. The ongoing syndicate attack is really serious. You need to be able to defend yourself." 

He started with simple moves, showing me how to break free from a grab and how to strike vulnerable spots. We practiced close together. His hands guided my arms and waist as he corrected my stance each time. Every touch sent sparks through my body. Our faces came close more than once and I could feel his breath on my skin and smell that wild scent that always made my magic stir.

"Like this," he murmured, standing behind me with his chest against my back. His arms wrapped around me to demonstrate a hold. Heat pooled low in my stomach. I tried to focus on the lesson, but the tension between us made it hard for me to concentrate. 

After the training, we sat on a wooden bench to rest. Arthur wiped sweat from his forehead and looked out into the darkening forest. His voice grew quieter.

"My parents were killed by syndicates when I was young," he said. "They came at night, too many of our enemies. My father fought to give my mother time to run with me, but they caught them both. It was brutal. I still remember the blood and the screams."

He paused, his jaw now tight. "Protecting this pack is everything to me, Charlotte. But some days I fear the price will be more than I can bear. More painful days are coming, I can feel it."

I looked at him in the fading light. He seemed so strong on the outside, yet he carried deep pain. His gentleness with me, and the way he protected me without asking for anything in return surprised me again. Unlike the men I had known before.

I so wanted to reach out and comfort him, but I held back. "I am sorry you went through that," I said softly.

He turned to me, his golden eyes searching my face. For a moment, the pull between us felt stronger than ever. But I looked away first. I could not let myself get closer. Especially when my real purpose still hung over us like a snake waiting to bite. 

We walked back to the chambers in silence, and when I lay in bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, Arthur's story kept replaying in my mind.

I was supposed to sacrifice him, yet every day, he made it harder for me to remember why I should. The mission felt heavier now, and this growing thing I feel for him scared me more than any syndicate or coven threat. I closed my eyes to push back the emotional tears from my worries. Again, how much longer could I keep lying to both of us?