Calla Lily

The Council ⚫️

    Azalea stayed with Calla, who stayed in our bedroom the entirety of the afternoon and into the evening as I left to meet with the elders. This camp out was no mere coincidence I'm sure, but after the events of this morning I figured it would be best to let her be. Jaden went on and on about his golf clubs and I found myself nodding aimlessly not even pretending to listen. Not that it mattered, he was very passionate about this which is something I could appreciate, but with Calla and the impending meeting with the elders I could not find it in me to listen.
I stepped out into the night the cool air greeting me kindly. It sharpened my senses and allowed me to clear my head. I breathed deeply stepping into the tree line. The forest quieted at my presence, and I let my wolf go taking off through the dense trees. Jaden was quick on my heels following me to the pack house. We made quick work of the maintain descending down the jagged terrain quickly. My thoughts strayed to Calla and how she too made quick work of descending the mountain. We reached the outskirts of the forest and were greeted by pack soldiers ready with new clothes. "Good evening Alpha." I shifted and took the clothes changing into them swiftly. I smoothed over the white dress shirt and ran my hands down the dress slacks. I put on the dress shoes and lead the small group of soldiers and my beta.
We walked up the stone stairs and into the large opulent pack house. We made our way into the foyer with high ceilings and marbles. Intricate wolves are carved into the walls with a depiction of the moon goddess, flowing robes and long hair with a crown of three moons. Through a long hallway was the pack court room. The room was also marble with intricate carvings and dark mahogany wood accents. The high table where the elders were sat was up on an elevated bench. The 7 men sat with grayed hair and harsh stares as I stood before them. "Alpha." They all said in unison dipping their heads in respect. "Elders." I greeted bowing my head in respect to them as well.
    My beta and other high status pack members filed in behind me sitting in the dark wooden chairs as I stood before the high table. "We have convened here today to address the discovery of your mate." The leading elder, Magnus, spoke. "A discovery you have shielded from your pack and your  elders." Another elder exclaimed angrily. I interjected "She is my mate I can do with her what I please." I defend my wolf's anger spiking. "Yes." Magnus said "But there are accounts of infidelity. You know that is why you are here." He said eyes narrowed.
    "There was an exchange among the pack members between your mate and a female wolf." Magnus began "A female wolf you used to have relations with." I was quiet as he continued "A nurse has since stepped forward claiming she treated a young woman named Calla. Azalea the pack doctor will be questioned as well, as I understand she is with your mate currently?" I nodded stiffly. "The nurse has records showing internal bleeding on ultra sound scans. This is indicative of one thing. You were unfaithful to your mate, what do you say to this claim?" He asked.
    "It is the truth." I declared honestly. The other elders at the table grumbled "That is not admirable behavior to befit an Alpha!" Magnus boomed. "You are responsible for the stability of this pack! This shows anything but stability!" He continued. "Calla-" Magnus interrupted me "Luna Calla." My fingers twitched "Luna Calla has had a difficult time adjusting. This act was born of anger, and that is not befitting of an Alpha." I agreed "Luna Calla rejected me." Quiet whispers sounded throughout the room.
  "I sought to cope with the pain inappropriately. I wanted her to hurt how she hurt me." Magnus flashed his teeth "Rejection is a difficult thing and perhaps if you were not Alpha we could leave it at that, but you are Alpha." A pause in his scolding before a continuation "We will be questioning Charlotte and are considering exiling her from the pack." My gaze hardened "No." I ground out "If you cannot resist temptation, we will simply remove it. Consider yourself lucky that it is not you who will be exiled. To know about her Luna and still lie with you makes her as guilty as you." An elder said. The others nodded in agreement.
"She did not know." I insisted "If she did she wouldn't have done it." I did honestly believe that. "We hadn't seen or talked to each other in years." I said. An unimpressed glare. "We will question everyone involved to come to a conclusion." Magnus said. "Why did Luna Calla reject you? Do you abuse her?" I couldn't stop myself I took a step forward "No. She is human and does not understand the bond." I swallowed thickly "She fears me. She saw me shift to protect her from Azieal."
All of the elders grumbled "If he was on pack lands we should have been notified!" One exclaimed "I know I should have notified you and I do apologize. Calla ran from me I found her in the next territory. It was then that she rejected me. I have been trying to give her time, time to adjust before making her presence known to the pack, to you. She has been struggling, homesick. My patience has not been as controlled as it should be." I said honestly.
"As said before she will be questioned by us. She will also subsequently begin to attend pack meetings and events as you will. You have been absent for far too long Sorren and neglecting your role as Alpha." Magnus boomed. I clenched my jaw. "She is not acclimated to the way of pack life." I stressed. "She will be." Magnus said standing. I bowed my head in acknowledgment as he and the other elders stood and turned to leave swiftly. I had to get to Calla, to talk to her. The council will not wait to question her. The next pack meeting is in a week. The monthly pack meeting. The questioning would happen between now and then and she must be ready.

Hello lovely readers!

I am so sorry for such a delay in updating! If anyone is still reading...thank you. My personal life has really been a mess and a break up made me want to write about anything but love...well whatever it is that is between Calla and Sorren at this moment in the story. Thank you again for reading...if anyone still is <3

Rosemary