It was 9 p.m.
Buttoning my shirt, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My mother had informed me ten minutes ago that the elders had arrived.
I'd been expecting them. I'd even watched them pull in through my balcony window.....four sleek black cars gliding into the driveway one after another, their headlights cutting through the darkness.
The sight alone was enough to sour my mood. I hated dealing with them...their smug expressions, their patronizing tone, the way they carried centuries of judgment in their eyes, always trying to find ways to make me seem like a child in front of them. I almost sense my wolf growling in irritation.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my collar, rolled my shoulders, and made my way downstairs. The air grew heavier with every step, thick with the scent of old power and aged authority.
The mansion was quiet except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock. I passed the living room and headed straight for my study. Normally, these meetings would take place in my father's office, but since he was away and I was the Alpha in charge, the duty fell on me.
As I turned the corner, my mother appeared from the hallway, her calm expression not doing much to hide the tension behind her eyes.
"I called your father again," she said softly. "He's on his way."
I gave a short nod and continued to the study.
When I pushed the door open, five figures turned to look at me, their conversation halting immediately.
Inside were four men and one woman—each carrying the weight of their years and their titles. Among them sat Dante Everhart, my father's trusted advisor and my uncle. And also the man who'd discovered my secret earlier that day.
I strode across the room and took my seat at the head of the table. "Good evening, everyone," I greeted, keeping my tone neutral.
"Good evening, Alpha Cole," Elder Gage replied first. He was the oldest of them all, his gray hair slicked back neatly. His eyes, though aged, held clarity and reason. And he's the most reasonable one if you ask me.
"You know why we've come, I suppose."
"I do," I said, glancing briefly at Dante. "Since Dante is here, I assume he's already informed you of today's… occurrence."
Elder Ophelia, the only woman among them, leaned forward slightly. Her eyes—sharp as a hawk's—never wavered. "The advisor tells us you've imprinted," she said smoothly. "I suppose congratulations are in order. It's a blessing worth celebrating."
Her words sounded polite, but her eyes were sharp. I knew better than to mistake her tone for warmth.
"Thank you," I said simply, resting my elbow on the armrest and my chin on my hand.
My mother slipped quietly into the room then, standing beside me in silent support.
Elder Albert, a broad man with a deep voice, spoke next. "We heard she's human, Alpha Cole. This… hasn't happened before." He gripped the head of his cane tightly. "That is the main reason we've come."
"I figured as much," I said, my tone clipped. "But tell me—what exactly do you all expect me to do about it? The imprint is done. You all know there's no going back once it's sealed. Human or not, she's my mate."
A murmur rippled through the table.
Elder Hendrick leaned forward, his wrinkled hands clasped together. "We understand that the matter of mates is delicate and not to be taken lightly. But our concern, Alpha, lies in the fact that you are not just a wolf. You're a Lycan—and a pure-blooded one at that. A Lycan imprinting on a human is unheard of in our history."
He paused, glancing at the others. "We asked Dante if his report was accurate. He confirmed it. So here we are, in a dilemma we've never faced before."
"There's nothing to do about it," I said firmly. "The bond and the pull I feel toward her are as strong as any other imprint, maybe even stronger. Since the moment I met her, I've spent every waking second fighting my wolf's urge to claim her. I'm currently still fighting it."
My voice dropped, the growl beneath it hard to suppress. "So if any of you came here thinking I'd let her go and reject her, save your breath. It's not happening."
The air thickened, tension simmering like a storm waiting to break. My wolf stirred at the thought, growling deep inside my chest, possessive and volatile.
Ophelia sighed softly. "We know it's not something you can undo, but we needed to confirm that the bond is genuine—that it's as strong as it should be, given her humanity."
"It is," I said without hesitation. "Stronger than anything I've ever felt."
"Another question is alpha Cole....will she be able to handle your curse?" Elder Hendrick asked me.
The problem is....even I do not know the answer to that question.
"I do not know.." I answered honestly, knowing that there was no point in trying to hide it.
"Yes..you don't. Even us elders don't know the answer to that as well." Elder Ophelia said. "Alpha Cole, having a human as a fated mate is uncharted territory even for us elders. So we're left at an impasse on what to do about it."
"There's nothing else left to do. We only just need to take it one step at a time. To find out what would happen. Who knows....we might be surprised at what we might find." I told them, trying to shift the conversation or thought of me rejecting her aside.
Elder Gage studied me for a long moment. "Then that brings us to the next concern. The Blood Moon."
I met his gaze, my stomach tightening.
"Then what are your plans moving forward? The Blood Moon is four weeks away, Alpha Cole. You know what that means. With your bloodline… with your power… she could be in danger. What will you do to protect her?"
I clenched my jaw, my mind already cycling through the possibilities. Before I could answer, Elder Albert spoke up again.
"He could turn her," he said quietly. "Make her one of us. It will only take one bite to do that."
The words hit me like a blow. My pulse quickened. I had thought about it—goddess knew I had—but hearing it out loud made the choice feel heavier.
"I could," I admitted. "But only if she wants me to. That decision has to be hers."
Ophelia's gaze sharpened. "Is she even aware of our existence?"
"No," I replied, looking briefly toward the window before turning back to them. "After the imprint, when Dante confirmed she was human, I came straight home, knowing you'd show up soon enough."
Gage sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Alpha, you know what happens on the Blood Moon. If you hadn't imprinted, we wouldn't be this concerned. But now… this bond complicates everything. The power that runs through your veins cannot be underestimated, and the bond will amplify it. If you lose control—"
"I know," I said sharply.
He nodded gravely. "Then you also know we need a plan—something in place before the Blood Moon rises. For her safety. And yours."
I dragged a hand through my hair, exhaling in frustration. "I know what you're saying, Elder Gage. You think I haven't thought of that? Every second I spend away from her, my wolf's pacing like a caged animal. The thought of her being hurt—by me, or anyone—" I clenched my fists. "It's killing me."
Silence filled the room, thick and suffocating. The only sound was the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. My mother's hand brushed my shoulder—a silent reminder that I wasn't alone in this, even if it felt that way.
I took a steadying breath, forcing my voice to stay calm. "I'll find a way to keep her safe," I said finally. "Whatever it takes."
The elders exchanged uncertain glances. None of them argued, but the unease in the room lingered like smoke.
My jaw tightened, the weight of it all pressing down on me. Because I knew that they were right.
If I didn't find a way to handle this… it wouldn't just be dangerous.
It could destroy us both....