Chapter 14

Knox's Point of View

Introducing her

"That's a lie!" Someone suddenly shouted.

The air was thick with tension in the council hall as I surveyed the seated men.

"Who said that?" I snarled.

The weight of the problems seemed to press down on my shoulders, as did the suffocating glares from the council members seated in front of me. I knew today's meeting would be challenging, but I hadn't anticipated just how quickly things would escalate.

Who would dare call me a liar?

Councilman Ebert, the oldest and most outspoken of the group, rose from his seat again.

His voice carried the gravity of his years. "Alpha Knox, I b what that person was trying to say was that things are not actually under your control. Because without a healthy successor, we are seen as weak in the eyes of our enemies," he warned, his eyes boring into mine. "Our pack's future is at stake."

His gut wrenching words hung in the air for far too long before another council member, Edwin, chimed in with a nod. "Ebert's right sir. The lack of a clear heir is exactly why these attackers had the courage to strike us. They see an opportunity to exploit our vulnerability."

Ebert continued to hammer his point home. "There is no future for our pack without a successor, Alpha. If you cannot produce one, you cannot remain as ruler. It's as simple as that."

The crowd murmured their agreement. It was yet another thing that they chose to Unite against me on.

The shock of his words was like a punch to my gut and I had to take a moment to gather myself, "My son is still alive, Ebert. We have a successor," I reminded them firmly. "And he's my onlyheir."

The council members exchanged skeptical glances, to show their doubts.

Councilman Morris got up with an attitude that I immediately hated. "But, Alpha, the boy's survival is uncertain. No doctor has been able to treat him. How can we depend on a fragile and sickly heir?"

The murmurs of agreement spread through the room like wildfire, and I felt the annoyance of their judgment irritate the hell out of me.

Council man Ebert sighed heavily. "Alpha, if your wife cannot bear more children, you must consider taking a concubine to secure another heir. Otherwise, you WILL have to step aside for someone more... capable."

The room fell silent as the audacity of his suggestion polluted the air like a dark cloud.

Hot anger filled my bones and I struggled to maintain my composure. "You want me to cheat on the wife you all insisted I marry?" I asked incredulously. "After all your talk of honor and loyalty, you suggest I betray her?"

Morris shook his head with a tone that sounded like pity. "This isn't about betrayal, Alpha. It's about the survival of the pack. If you cannot produce a healthy heir, you will have to give up your seat as Alpha. That's the reality we face."

As I looked around the room, i could see that the faces of the council members had revealed their true nature—greedy, self-serving men who would rather see their relatives take the throne so they could line their pockets with the pack's wealth and resources.

They weren't concerned about the pack's future at all; they were concerned about their own power. They just wanted to take the power for themselves.

I was the only one who truly cared for our people, the only one who wouldn't agree to corruption. It was a lonely realization, but one that steeled my decision.

"Listen to me," I said, my voice cutting through the room like a blade. "I have found a doctor who can save my son, our successor. You have no reason to worry about our future."

The council members exchanged skeptical looks, and Council man Harper decided to voiced their collective doubt. "You've said that before, Alpha. But the doctors you've brought in have failed. No one can save your son."

"This is different," I insisted. "I've secured the help of the most acclaimed pediatrician in the country. She's practically a miracle worker."

Doubt displayed itself in their eyes, and Morris crossed his armsbefore challenging me. "How do we know that You're not just trying to buy yourself time?."

I shook my head, meeting their eyes with solid as hell confidence. "No, I'm not. I even brought the doctor here today."

The room erupted in a chorus of demands and disbelief, the council members wanted proof. "If you're not lying, show us this doctor right now!" Morris insisted with a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as if daring me to fuck up and embarrass myself.

It was clear they wanted to embarrass me, to prove that I was bluffing. They didn't believe I could deliver on my word. But they had sorely underestimated me.

I turned to Andrew, who had been silently standing by my side, and gave him a curt nod. "Andrew, bring in the doctor."

Andrew nodded and quickly exited the room. The tension in the hall grew even thicker as the council members waited with bated breath. They were all eager to see if I could back up my claims.

The seconds ticked by slowly and the anticipation continued building until Andrew finally returned to whisper discreetly in my ear. "She's here."

A feeling of smug satisfaction rushed through me, and I turned back to face the council with the utmost confidence. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to a woman of unparalleled skill and achievement," I began, projecting my voice across the room. "This doctor has saved countless childrenwho were thought to be untreatable, turning the impossible into reality. Her reputation precedes her, and her methods are mind blowing."

The council members leaned forward as their curiosity piqued.

I continued my introduction. "She's recognized internationally for her work, and her accolades speak for themselves. You'll find no one more qualified to treat my son."

At that moment, the doors swung open, and all eyes turned to the entrance as Melissa confidently walked in.

She wore a stunning dress that commanded everyone's attention, her posture also oozed competence and poise.

I heard the room collectively gasp at her unexpected entrance.

As she approached, my inner wolf, Hector, started moving restlessly inside me, He wanted me to go to her. Melissa's presence was magnetic, and I found myself captivated by her.

I couldn't help but shoot a proud smile at her. But Melissa's gaze was icy cold, and she glared at me before lifting her chin and turning her attention to the elders.

The room was silent and I noticed that the council members were momentarily stunned by her presence. It was practically a life changing moment, and I knew that Melissa's introduction would shift the balance of power in my favor.

But only I knew that there was another reason why they were staring at her with so much shock.