Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 513: Celebrate The Double Bond "I think that will be all for now," Elijah said to Alaric. "You may return to your chambers while the Alphas and I discuss important matters." Alaric gave no objection. He bowed his head respectfully and left, the guards shutting the door behind him.

With him gone, the air grew heavier. Whatever the Alphas had held back in his presence now had room to surface.

Zara was the first to speak. "If Asher Nightshade takes the position of Alpha, doesn't that give him an advantage over our children when it comes to fighting for the Alpha King position after graduation?" Irene didn't miss a beat. She said, "Why don't you die as well, so your son can take his rightful place as Alpha?" "What?" Zara reeled, the words striking her like a slap across the face.

Irene said with a cutting tone. "Oh right, you're not the Alpha. Your husband is. But you certainly like to act like one." "Irene!" Zara snapped, her temper finally breaking.

"Alpha Irene," she corrected her coldly, a reminder of her rank and the authority that cwith it.

"Can we not fight right now," Leon said, surprisingly the one to sound like reason. "This is not the court of children, it's the council of leaders. We are already down by one, and our enemy is still out there. So why don't we start thinking about how to get to Patrick before one of us at this table ends up as his next victim?" His words cut through the room and left an uneasy silence behind. Zara looked away, clearly annoyed, while Irene kept her face blank.

Caspian cleared his throat and turned to Elijah, "Do we have any leads on Patrick Vale?" "Elías Turner. That is his real name," Elijah said, his tone edged with disdain. "His family has always been anti- werewolf to the bone. For generations they have lived off the blood of our kind, sas bounty hunters, others as werewolf hunters. Every branch of that line is steeped in hate." He let the words sink in before continuing. "From the tracing of their bloodlines, it turns out they are descended from the Gerald bloodline. And it seems they intend to finish what their ancestors could not do and which is wiping us off the face of the earth." Irene snorted under her breath. "And to think you let our kids under the hands of this manaic." Elijah looked at her. "Are you blamingfor this?" "With all due respect, your majesty. Ten years ago, we had no choice but to hand our kids over to that madman for your research, an experience my son has never recovered from. The least you could have done, if you cared for those boys, was make sure Patrick was legit. You practically handed my son to the enemy." Irene's chest heaved as she spoke, anger and years of frustration breaking through. There was no fear in her eyes.

Every Alpha turned to Elijah, waiting for the explosion. After all, no one spoke to him like that.

But instead of fury, Elijah said. "You're right. This is my fault." Irene blinked. She had not expected that. Neither had the others, thevshock rippling across the room. Elijah never admitted mistakes.

"I am earnestly sorry for that," Elijah went on, his gaze steady on Irene.

For a moment she could only stare at him, speechless. Then she looked away, pushing down the sudden wave of emotion rushing to the surface. After all these years... after all that pain... she was finally hearing the apology her son Griffin deserved.

Years back, Elijah had demanded the heirs be handed over to Patrick for observation. But Irene had always known the truth: the man had been threatened by their powers and sought to suppress them.

She had no choice back then. With Elijah pressing down on them for conducting the ritual that empowered their children, it had been either lose her son completely or hand him over to whatever plan Elijah had laid out. She had chosen the lesser evil.

And now, after all those years, the apology clike this? Irene didn't know what to do with it.

"...All of you," Elijah said, sweeping his gaze across the council. "That is why I am working tirelessly with President Roi to root out that traitor, wherever he hides. We lost Alpha Henry. We will not lose another Alpha, especially not my heirs." "Words are not enough," Leon said flatly. "If you truly mean to protect my child, then helpfind Roman before the enemy reaches him first." Elijah replied. "On that matter, my people are already searching for Roman, Griffin, and their mate, Violet Purple. After all, it is not every day we witness a couple bound twice. The goddess herself must see something remarkable in Violet, to grant her a second bond. I, for one, look forward to meeting her."

Though his tone seemed almost casual, Irene shifted uncomfortably in her seat Elijah was a serpent and nothing good could ever cout from his sudden interest in violet. "I suppose congratulations are in order," Alexa suddenly said to Irene.

"What?" Irene was taken aback.

Alexa smirked. "Your son's mate is now bonded to mine. I guess that makes us in-laws, or however that works. Either way, this is going to be fun." Leon shot his wife a look. "This is not the tfor your jokes." But Alexa only shrugged. "I'm just saying." Zara cut in. "If that will be all, I'll be returning to the North with my son." Elijah raised a brow. "The North? Why?"

"I could have lost my son in that attack. I intend to spend more twith him. So excuseif Fwon't be part of your double bond celebration," she said, her eyes flicking from Alexa to Irene.

Irene said nothing, only letting a small, knowing smile tug at her lips. How sweet it would be to see the look on Zara's face when the prophecy was finally fulfilled. "Fine," Elijah said. "You may leave with Alaric once we are done. Now, let us move to Alpha Henry's burial arrangements....