Chapter 163

The next morning, as I redress in yesterday’s clothes, prepared to head back to my chambers, Caleb stops me with a soft touch to my arm.

“I will be speaking with the Alpha Council today about Samuel,” he says. “I would like for you to be there.”

I’m not totally sure in what capacity he means. He could simply want me there to help corroborate his story as someone who was also there to witness Samuel’s claims and his assault. Alternatively, Caleb would want me there for moral support, to keep him from falling victim to the paranoia that has so easily been overtaking him lately.

As the reason does not matter much, I will support him either way, I do not ask for clarification. I simply reply, “I will be there.” Then, I hurry to my chambers where I quickly shower and dress for the day. When I reemerge, the Council is being summoned to the Hall. After joining them, I search out Caleb and approach him at his throne.

When he seems me coming, there is a small hint of relief on his face.

Did he think I would abandon him? Now? After everything I’ve said and done?

No… that can’t be it.

Perhaps the paranoia was just fighting him again, and my presence made that battle easier, as it always seems to do.

That seems more likely.

The Alpha Council files into the room, alongside Caleb’s advisors. Tristan has been absent from these meetings now for a time, but his presence feels even more fully missed in this moment, knowing he is not to ever return.

My heart feels heavy. Tristan and I were never the closest of friends, as his first loyalty was always to his king, but we were more than acquaintances. In time, perhaps we could have been close friends, united by our dedication to Caleb if nothing else. Now that’s not possible.

War is messy and unpleasant, I understand that. But I find I cannot forgive Samuel for this particular death. Tristan was a good man. Capable and smart. Even now, I’m having a hard time believing that he would fall to a group of rebels.

That he did speaks to their power. It seems unlikely that anyone could have matched Tristan for his cunning. Perhaps he was simply outnumbered.

When the room fills, Caleb stands up from his throne. The murmurs quiet in the room, allowing Caleb to speak.

“The rebel leader reached out through a thwarted attempt to kidnap my consort,” Caleb says, gesturing to me. “I recognized him and can now tell you his identity.”

The entire room seems to hold its breath.

“Samuel, former Alpha of the Riverwood pack,” Caleb says.

Everyone is very still and quiet. From my position on the ground, I can see as the Alphas start to look at each other in question.

“Not to question you,” says one of the older Alphas. “But are you certain you were not deceived, my King.”

“You doubt my sincerity?” Caleb says, irked.

“Not at all, my King,” the man says, bowing low. “But Samuel has always been the weakest and most unassuming of us. It is difficult to believe that he would alter himself so much as to lead an entire rebellion as powerful and strong as the one we face.”

“While I can understand your doubts,” Caleb says, “I assure you that this man has revealed himself to be a treacherous snake. I have no idea why, but people have chosen to place their faith in him.”

I can see the doubts remain in the eyes of the Alphas. They still do not believe.

“This man has slain my Beta,” Caleb continues. “He has attempted to kidnap my favored consort. He has sent spies and infiltrators within our walls. We can no longer tolerate this threat.”

“What are you suggesting, my King?” asks one of the advisors.

“We gather our own armies and send them in to crush this rebellion into dust, once and for all,” Caleb says.

“My King,” says one of the older, wiser Alphas. “If we pull our soldiers away from our own pack lands, we leave ourselves exposed. Do we even know where the army is?”

“We will find them,” Caleb says.

That was no the reassurance that the Alphas want to hear. Many of their faces twist with dislike and uncertainty.

Caleb could force them to comply with his wishes. That is his right as Alpha King. But if he chooses to do so, he would only create more rifts between him and the Alpha Council. He must know that.

“With continued respect, Alpha King,” says another of the Alphas – this one is younger, more direct. “We are all hesitant to send our warriors into a battle against an unknown enemy. We don’t know for sure that Samuel is there leader, or how many strong his army even is. Is the rebellion even a real threat? Or is this a result of your… condition…?”

Murmurs and whispers begin to pick up among the Council, as everyone speculates the nature of Caleb’s condition, and what this could mean.

Annoyed by their discontent, I step forward and raise my own voice, “Samuel is the rebel leader. I have seen this myself first hand.”

“With apologies,” says one of the advisors to me. “You are but a member of the harem, Harper. You are not a reliable source.” Softer, only to me, he says, “If they do not believe their King, why would they believe his mistress?”

“We want to stop the spread of this rebellion as much as anyone,” says one of the Alphas. “But we need hard proof before we can commit the lives of our warriors and endanger the safety of our own lands to do so.”

Caleb is quiet for a moment, glaring at everyone. The room holds its breath again. Even I’m unsure how Caleb will act. If he attempts to force the situation, he might have a riot on his hands.

I’m surprised when he looks at me. I meet his gaze, trying to push as much calm as I can into my eyes, to help keep him from diving off the deep end and possibly maiming or killing someone.

He closes his eyes. “If you want proof, I will deliver your proof.”

Later, after the meeting, Caleb escorts me back to my room. He’s holding himself tensely, though his eyes seem clear with determination. He must be plotting the best way to deliver proof to the Council.

As Caleb destroyed the cell phone that Samuel used to reach us, I have been wondering myself how he would provide such proof. Obviously our words were not enough. Perhaps he would summon back some of the scouts? They might have enough evidence to corroborate our story.

If any of them are even still alive…

Tristan’s death does not give me much hope of this solution. If he had been discovered, likely the others were as well.

“How will you prove to the Council that Samuel is the rebel leader?” I ask Caleb, deciding to just ask him straightforwardly. I can’t think of any good way on my own.

“With Tristan gone, there is no one I can trust with this task,” Caleb says. He meets my eyes. “So I will have to go and get the proof myself.”