Chapter 47

Rachel POV

Alpha Council Chambers

"I have proof Rachel Flores can't provide proof of her claims. Is that sufficient?"

What was Tyler talking about? How could he have proof to prove I didn't have proof? The claim itself was ridiculous! The Council had to see he was trying to sabotage her petition using a ludicrous claim because he had no legitimate protest to make.

Tyler continued, "I have here a letter provided on House Campbell letterhead with the Alpha seal from Richard Campbell stating he has never met Rachel Flores. He has no knowledge of her existence. He further states his wife only had one child, a daughter named Linda, before she died in a car accident two months before Rachel Flores was born."

How had he gotten in touch with Richard Campbell?

Jack had been trying to get in touch with House Campbell on my behalf since we had found Richard Campbell's name on my birth record. I had gotten information together to prove my mother was Elena Campbell. There was no other werewolf female by the same name registered anywhere.

Someone was lying!

I bet John Wright was behind the letter. I knew he would do anything to control his line of succession. Faking a letter from another Alpha House seemed a small thing in comparison to some of the dirty tricks I had heard the man resorted to in order to keep Moonrise Pack in the premiere packs of the world.

"We will examine this letter."

Tyler handed the stately looking envelope to an aide who passed it to the Quartermaster before they brought it to the Councilors themselves.

I held my breath as the letter was passed -sealed- from Council member to Council member for inspection before being surrendered back to the Quartermaster who used an official looking knife to break the seal and open it. He examined it himself for several minutes before placing it before the first Council member to his left.

If it was a fake, I knew it would be a flawless fake because John Wright did nothing by halves.

What if it was real though? Would Richard Campbell really deny my existence without even meeting me or hearing my side of things?

The Council member to the farthest right of the tribunal finished examining the letter before lying it down before himself. He folded his hands as he considered first Tyler and then me.

I had no idea what he was looking for as he looked me over, but he evidently found what he wanted. He nodded at me with a gravity behind the gesture I did not understand.

"I represent House Campbell on this Council. I knew Elena Campbell prior to her death. I held her at her birth. I spoke over her coffin at her remains at her death. You have her looks---much more than Linda though she bears a striking resemblance to the woman herself. I believe this letter to be authentic."

I'd been feeling hopeful until he approved the letter. A wave of sickness passed over me along with a sudden rush of heat which flushed my skin. I could feel tears prickling in my eyes; the very last thing I wanted to do was break down crying before the Alpha Council.

Jack stepped forward and stated firmly, "Objection!"

The Quartermaster looked to the Council who gave him a nod which he passed along in the way of a wave at Jack to continue.

Jack spoke quickly, "We intend to request an inquiry into the death of Elena Campbell. This Council should know whether or not they have been deceived by both Richard Campbell and Patrick Flores as both of these men have provided false death records for the same woman. Our investigation has proven there is no other female wolf by the name Elena Campbell so they must be records directly related to the same individual. Clearly she can't have died twice---if she has died at all given no authentic death record exists for her."

The Alpha Council went eerily silent again as they engaged in another bout of silent communication through their mindlink.

I was glad I couldn't hear them this time. All the doubts I already had regarding my mother, my father, my origins were already making me dizzy. I didn't need any other protests to cloud my thoughts.

"We will began inquiry into the matter of the death of Elena Campbell."

I wasn't sure I heard them right at first.

"In the meantime, the status of Rachel Flores and her unborn child will remain unchanged. This council holds with its decision to allow her application to Moonglow Pack. However! Given the concerns related to Alpha Richard Campbell, we feel no application can be placed forward for review until our inquiry is complete."

Bella reached forward to squeeze my shoulder in support. I nearly buckled under the added weight of her hand though her grip was comforting. I needed her strength as I swayed in place.

"We will hear Nathan Lewis on behalf of Rachel Flores before concluding this petition."

Nathan stepped forward with a proud stride I knew came from his upbringing as the heir to House Lewis. His parents had raised him to be proud, strong, and steadfast. I wanted to hear what he had to say almost as badly as I wanted to beg him not to say anything at all.

"House Lewis of Full Moon Pack wishes to pledge support to Rachel Flores and her child. We extend an offer of marriage to her complete with a bloodright ceremony to take place before the birth of the child in order to allow her child to hold a proper place as heir to our line."

Nathan had no hesitation at all in his voice. I could tell he meant every word he said. If I hadn't just watched the bruises from his hands fade from my skin, I would have beamed with pleasure at the offer, grateful down to my bones for his support.

"A generous offer," a Council member intoned, giving me a look which let me know this one most likely represented House Lewis itself.

I swallowed as Jack stepped back behind me to let me speak. My tongue felt thick in my mouth and words came to me slowly. I didn't know if there was a right thing to say in this moment. I only knew I had to respond somehow.

"At this time, I would like to hold off on announcing an alliance with a new mate. I have only just severed my mate bond with my fated mate. I want to wait before rushing into another mating. Sirs."

How was I supposed to address the Council? Jack hadn't told me to say 'Alphas' or 'Alpha Council' or 'Councilors.'

I was going insane inside this windowless chamber with all these Alphas staring down at me in their severe suits with their serious expressions.

"We recognize the gravity of this decision. You will need to address this council within---"

A silent discussion took place among the Council. I saw them negotiating as their mindlink fired away. For the first time, I could see their expressions changing which made me think they must have very different ideas on how long I should be given to make a decision about a new mate.

"Twelve weeks," the Council member stated decisively, "We will need to hear your decision to either reunite with your prior mate of House Wright, accept the generous offer of mating from House Lewis, or remain unmated. If another offer should come your way, you will need to present it to the Council in writing."

Did all Alpha matings have to be submitted in writing? I wish I had asked Jack so many more questions.

Nathan winked at me as I looked over to try to see how Tyler was responding to all of this. I felt my flesh erupt in goose pimples at the obvious certainty in his expression. He clearly thought we would be announcing our mating soon.

His offer was generous.

I was just tired of being given generous offers as if I were a stray in need of scraps to survive.

I wanted to feel as if I were the prize for a change.

When we had found out my connection to House Campbell, I had started to feel as if maybe I was worthy of being from an Alpha House. I had overpowered Charlotte Wright once though it had only been a brush of arms in a store rather than a real fight. Still---I could be worthy of more than one offer for my future, couldn't I?

I really didn't want to have to take the first offer passed my way just to protect my child from Alpha manipulations.

The Quartermaster exchanged a few more formal statements and we were dismissed with the reminder a death inquiry would be made regarding my mother.

What would they find out when they started to really investigate Elena Campbell? Who was my mother really?