Chapter 4

"Word on the street is Kaelan almost led his team right into enemy territory? If his little girlfriend hadn't tipped him off, the whole hunting party could've been toast."

"A real Alpha doesn't need a woman calling the shots. He should be able to sniff out danger all on his own."

These whispers were rippling through the pack. I was walking down the hall when I heard two Beta warriors suddenly clam up. They shot me an awkward nod and then pretty much bolted.

Victor's counter-offensive was underway. He couldn't deny Kaelan's success, so he attacked how it was achieved—insinuating Kaelan relied on me, that he wasn't Alpha enough.

I marched straight to Dad's office. When I pushed the door open, Victor was standing right there, a file in his hand.

"Alpha, the northern border negotiations are all wrapped up," he announced, puffing his chest out. "Just like you instructed, I snagged us an extra five miles of territory, completely bloodless."

Dad looked thoroughly pleased. "Well done, Victor. Your diplomatic skills are truly top-notch."

I cleared my throat. Both of them looked over at me.

"Elara," Dad said with a smile, "is there something you need?"

"May I ask when exactly these northern negotiations began?" I inquired, keeping my voice level.

Victor answered, "Three months ago."

"Interesting," I said, walking into the room. "Three months ago, Kaelan was the one who led the hunting party to set up the first outpost up north, putting the fear into the northern wolf pack. He even saved the northern Alpha's cub, earning their goodwill. All of that is documented in the pack archives."

Dad looked at me, curious, then shifted his gaze to Victor.

Victor’s composure wavered a bit. "Sure, Kaelan’s groundwork was a huge help. I just handled the final negotiations."

"So, the weird thing is," I went on, "why is the whole pack buzzing about how this was all your doing? Some folks are even saying that if you were in charge, we’d have scored more territory."

Dad frowned. "People are actually saying that?"

Victor scrambled to explain, "It’s just baseless gossip, Alpha. I’ve never encouraged that kind of talk."

"Oh, sure," I said, playing along. "Just like you didn't encourage those rumors about Kaelan ‘depending on his girlfriend’ during the Full Moon Hunt."

A dangerous glint flashed in Victor's eyes. "Elara, are you accusing me of trying to stir up trouble?"

"I'm just stating the facts," I smiled. "Dad, you might want to take a look at this."

I handed him a file. "This is a detailed record of the three community conflicts Kaelan resolved last year, along with all the contributions he's made to the community in various ways."

"I figure you've probably already seen it, but sometimes, it's really worthwhile to revisit past accomplishments."

Dad took the file and started flipping through it, a glimmer of approval flashing in his eyes.

Victor looked a bit uneasy. "Alpha, about tomorrow's council meeting..."

"Hold on, Victor," Dad said, holding up a hand to stop him, and kept reading the file. "These achievements... I knew Kaelan was exceptional, but there are some details here even I didn't know."

"Did he really stop that border dispute all by himself?"

"Yes," I said confidently. "But he's not one to show off."

"Besides, he believes a good leader should share the credit, not hog it all for themselves."

That made Victor turn pale.

Dad thought for a moment, then said, "I think we should recognize Kaelan for these accomplishments at tomorrow's council meeting."

"Victor, you handle the arrangements."

"But Alpha, tomorrow's meeting agenda is already..."

"We're changing that," Father said, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "My heir has done so much, the pack deserves to know."

Victor could only nod. "As you command, Alpha."

That night, I ran into Kaelan in the garden. He looked even more gorgeous under the moonlight.

"You stuck up for me with father today?" he asked, a hint of a smile in his voice.

I shrugged. "I was just telling it like it is."

"Thanks," he said, moving closer. "But Victor really has been acting strange lately. He's started calling out my flaws in front of the pack, which just isn't like him."

"Power has a way of showing people's true colors," I said softly. "Especially when they think they can get their hands on it."

Kaelan frowned. "Are you really convinced Victor wants to take his place?"

"Yes." I looked him straight in the eye. "The real question is, do you believe me?"

He was quiet for a moment, then said seriously, "I believe you, Elara. Not just because you're my Mate, but because every single warning you've given lately has been spot on. I don't know how you find these things out, but I trust your judgment."

His words warmed my heart. Kaelan in my past life had trusted me just like this, too, right up until the very end.I can't let that tragedy happen all over again.

"Tomorrow's Elder Council meeting is critical," I told him. "Victor will try to downplay your achievements, or change the subject. You need to stand firm and show your determination as the future Alpha."

He nodded gravely. "I will."

As I left the garden, a shiver ran down my spine.

Turning around, I saw Selena standing in the distant shadows, her icy gaze fixed on us.

When she realized I'd spotted her, she didn't even flinch; instead, a challenging smirk played on her lips.

She was more confident, more dangerous, than she'd been in my past life.