Page 38 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

As we work tirelessly to erase any trace of Grace’s rampage, the forest seems to hold its breath, as if waiting for the next inevitable eruption of violence. The tension is palpable, thickening the air with a suffocating pressure that threatens to crush us all.

And yet, amidst the chaos and destruction, there is one undeniable truth that hangs over us like a shroud. Grace’s power, her primal essence, looms over us all. It fills the very air we breathe, a potent reminder of the untamed beast that lies within her. She teeters on the edge of oblivion, her very existence a precarious balance between control and chaos.

But for now, we press on, determined to conceal the horrors of what has transpired. The forest may bear the scars of Grace’s fury, but we will not let her face the consequences of her actions alone. As long as her beast roams free, we are all in danger. And so, we will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means hiding the truth from her and from ourselves.

As I stand among my pack, the air crackles with tension, thick with the scent of uncertainty. Grace’s presence looms over us like a shadow, her inner turmoil palpable, a tempest brewing beneath her skin. I feel the heat emanating from her, a fierce blaze fueled by the primal instincts of her wolf, simmering just beneath the surface.

I glance around at my companions, their expressions mirroring my apprehension. Ethan, Griffin, and Conrad stand at my side, stalwart guardians in the face of the unknown. The weight of responsibility hangs heavy in the air, pressing down on us all.

The flickering light of the fire casts dancing shadows across the room, casting an eerie glow on the faces of the healers and elders gathered with us. Their presence is a testament to the gravity of the situation, their wisdom and experience a beacon of hope in the darkness.

“I have never called a council meeting,” I begin, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within me. “But with all things considered, I felt it’s needed.” My words hang in the air, heavy with significance, as I search the eyes of those assembled before me.

“What do you mean?” Ethan’s rage is barely contained.

“Can’t you smell the fire from our mate? The smell of fire, of burning woods. A wolf of ember, a phoenix given paws and fur.” I search the faces of everyone gathered.

Ethan’s eyes flair and then Griffin nods slowly as he looks between Ethan and me. “It almost makes sense.” Griffin says as he looks down at the tabletop to who knows what.

Conrad’s voice breaks the tense silence, his gaze fixed on his brother. “What do you mean?”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of my words as I speak. “Grace was as good as dead. Probably a heartbeat or two away from oblivion.” My voice trembles with regret. “You created her, Ethan, when your rage was at its peak. But so was your love for her.”

A heavy sigh escapes me as I shake my head, unable to meet their eyes. Instead, I fixate on the ground beneath my feet. Its earthy scent mingles with the tang of dried leaves, grounding me momentarily.

An elder steps forward, his presence commanding attention. His eyes, weathered with wisdom, bore into each of us. “Ember wolves are put down the minute they reach for the power they can wield,” he states firmly, his words echoing in the stillness. His hands disappear into the folds of his robes, a gesture of solemnity.

“No one will touch my mate,” I growl, my voice a low rumble that seems to echo off the ancient trees surrounding us. I fix my gaze on the elders, my eyes narrowing into slits of molten determination.

“You know ember wolves cannot contain the power they have,” the elder counters, his words heavy with the weight of experience. His eyes bore into mine, daring me to challenge his authority.

I feel the memories stir within me, memories of a time when I was just a child, when the world was engulfed in the flames of the blood wars. I remember the chaos, the destruction wrought by the Ember wolf’s uncontrollable power.

I was only four when the wars subsided, but the images are etched into my mind like scars. I remember the desperate struggle, the valiant effort of five alphas to bring down the Ember wolf. Three of them fell, their lives snuffed out by the fiery rage of the beast. It was only through the final, decisive act of beheading that the Ember wolf was finally silenced.

“If my mate is an Ember wolf, we will teach her to contain it,” I snarl, my words laced with defiance. I hold the elder’s gaze, unwavering. My senses sharpen, honing in on the rapid thud of his pulse, a primal rhythm that stirs the predator within me.

“She has four alphas to help contain the power,” I declare, my voice tinged with a dangerous edge. Beneath the surface, my wolf prowls, a primal force fueled by the instinct to protect what is ours. The mere thought of someone daring to come for my mate ignites a feral fury within me, a blaze that threatens to consume everything in its path.

“That may make the difference,” he says, his voice carrying a subtle edge of defiance. He raises his chin, the gesture almost a challenge, inviting confrontation.

“But if it doesn’t?” His head tilts slightly, his gaze sweeping over us as if expecting an answer, as if we would offer to sacrifice our own kin. The weight of his stare lingers, demanding a response.

“You know her death is directly linked to ours.” Griffin’s fist slams down on the table with a sharp thud, the force reverberating through the room. His words are punctuated by the sound, each syllable heavy with urgency. “Are you willing to set the valley into chaos, killing the four of us?” A low snarl escapes from between his lips as he leans closer, his body tense with restrained aggression. A more primal aspect of Griffin emerges, a raw intensity that I’ve never witnessed before, sending a shiver down my spine.

The elders back away, their murmurs barely audible as they huddle together, forming a tight circle. I stand tall, my gaze fixed on their every move, every subtle gesture. A shiver runs down my spine as I realize the weight of their discussions. We understand, slowly but surely, that trust in most of the elders is a delicate thread, easily frayed.

Their intentions become apparent as they discuss controlling the destinies of the alpha generations, dictating whom we should bond with, whom we should breed. I feel a surge of defiance rise within me. They had already chosen a mate for me, a predetermined path I was meant to follow until Grace came into my life.

Grace, with her wild spirit and untamed heart, she’s my unexpected salvation, a deviation from their carefully orchestrated plans. “If she is an ember wolf, we will bind her power to preserve your lives.” The elder, I believe his name is Donnelly, says. The threat hangs heavy in the air, suffocating, a reminder of the power they wield over our lives.

“Have you ever bound an ember wolf successfully?” Ethan’s voice slices through the tension like a blade, and I swear he grows taller before my eyes. His presence fills the room, his muscles coiled like springs, radiating barely contained rage. In his eyes, a fire burns with an intensity that threatens to consume everything in its path as he fixes his gaze on the elders. It’s as if he would tear the world asunder to safeguard Grace, and I know without a doubt that I would stand by his side every step of the way.

As the elders exchange glances, a ripple of unease shivers through the air. My stomach churns with a prescient dread, anticipating their response before they even utter a word. “Contain, no. Kill... Barely,” they finally admit, their voices weighted with solemnity, echoing in the tense silence that envelops us.

I sense the simmering anger emanating from Ethan and Griffin, like waves of heat rolling off their bodies. Before I can even react, Griffin’s fury erupts into action. I feel the tension in the air as he swiftly lifts the elder off his feet, his grip tightening around the man’s throat.

The raw power in Griffin’s stance sends a shiver down my spine. I can almost feel the elder’s panic as he struggles against Griffin’s iron hold. Each strained breath echoes in the charged atmosphere around us.

---