80 The right to contest a decision…
Lyla D
My head jerked up as I stared at Alpha Renwick hoping he was joking but he didn’t seem to be. Jeremy and Nathan remained quiet, their faces blank without any expression while a few of the Alphas present were as surprised as I was.
“Is that supposed to be a joke, Renwick?” Alpha Calder snorted. “Who are you to go against the words of Alpha Logan? You were all here… you all bore witness to the day he announced Nathan Tanner – son of his Beta Jeremy Tanner as his heir. In our last meeting, three days before he met his death, he still reassured us of his heir and asked that we pressure the Lycan Leader…”
“No need to go into details, Calder,” Renwick interrupted, rolling his eyes with exasperation. “At least hear me out before you make conclusions.”
“It’ll do us good if you learn to say everything at once,” Alpha Grant chirped. “You’re fond of raising our hackles for no reason. Please explain to us now and clearly why Nathan Tanner cannot become Alpha.“”
Alpha Renwick sighed before he began. “It is true that we all bore witnesses to Alpha Logan naming Nathan Tanner as his heir but there is a complication. Someone is challenging Nathan’s claim to the Alpha sceptre. In fact, we received word from the Lycan Leader himself – Alpha Ramsey to conduct another election to determine the new Alpha and to judge fairly.”
“Is that why he sent his Beta to come to our meetings?” Alpha Rowan asked quietly, casting a disdainful gaze towards Lenny, where he was sitting.
Lenny rose to his feet, a blank look on his face too. “I know you’re all displeased with me being
here…”
“And rightly so. This is the council of Werewolves and not some Lycan meeting. Things are not done the way you Lycan’s do it. I’m afraid that will impact the result.”
Alpha Triston hissed. He seemed to be aware of the entire situation before today.
“It is good as the report that would still be sent to the Lycan Leader later on,” Lenny continued, without showing signs of being affected by Alpha Triston’s words. “As soon as my purpose is fulfilled, I will leave and you can continue with your meeting.”
There was silence for a while, each of the Alpha adjusting in their seats, clearly uncomfortable with Lenny’s presence but in the end, it was Alpha Myra who broke the tense silence.
“We don’t have all day. Whoever is opposing the appointment of Nathan Tanner as the Alpha should come forward and give us reasons.”
The rest of the Alpha murmured in agreement.
As if on cue, the heavy iron doors at the end of the hall slowly opened. A figure emerged and started approaching the centre of the hall, where the light was strongest. There was something familiar about the figure but it wasn’t until it drew nearer that I understood why it had seemed so familiar.
18:23
1/3
80 The right to contest a decision…
It was my mother – Luna Vanessa.
She came to stand next to me, putting enough space between us without bothering to glance in my direction. Her chin was held high, her eyes were cold as stone as her gaze travelled the length of the room, particularly lingering on Alpha Myra as if she had a beef with her.
My heart pounded with fear as I stared at my mom. All the times I lived in Blue Ridge, she paid little or no attention to Pack politics. She hated going to meetings with my dad, always complaining about it being boring. Seeing her here… with the expression she wore on her face…
It wasn’t one of grief or humility – it was one of power, authority and a hint of malice.
“Mom?” I managed unable to stop myself and rushed towards her, grabbing her hands.
Just before I could reach for her hand, she turned to me, her piercing gaze meeting mine for a second, freezing my steps. She looked at me with nothing but pure hatred before turning and taking another step forward.
“It is me!” she finally said. “I, Vanessa Tyrion Woodland, daughter of Alpha Tyrion and widow to Alpha Logan stand before this Council, asking for the dismissal of the Alpha Heir appointed by my husband and mate.”
Most of the Alphas didn’t believe their ears, they were too stunned to speak and the silence stretched with my mother still standing, looking regal.
“What did you say, Luna Vanessa?” Alpha Calder whose mouth was open a moment ago suddenly shot from his seat, annoyance visible in his eyes. “You dare go against the wishes of your mate? Have you no respect for him?”
My mom’s eyebrows shot as she directed her gaze slowly towards Calder, a smirk forming on her lips. “It is because I have so much respect for him that I am doing this. If Logan was here today, he would have agreed with me.”
“Agreed with you?” Alpha Grant scoffed shaking his head. “You wanted to contest his selection of an heir, why didn’t you come to us? Why complicate it and invite the White Moon Throne? Haven’t we resolved issues far greater than this before?”
“Well, none of them has ever favoured me,” my mother replied quietly “But that’s not why we’re here. I am here to contest Nathan’s claim to the Alpha seat of the Blue Ridge Pack,” she repeated
for the second time. O
“Mother,” I took a step towards her, as I whispered, “Please don’t do this.”
But she acted like I wasn’t in the room.
“And what claim do you make?” Alpha Myra pressed, gazing at her curiously.
My mother’s gaze swept the room before coming to focus on Nathan and his father. “For years, I’ve watched my husband rule this council and give it the prestige with which it boosts of now…”
“We’re not interested in history, Luna Vanessa,” Alpha Myra interrupted. “Go straight to the point.”
“If you do not want to hear, history, then you can leave, Myra,” my mother fired back. “After all,
15:23
80 The right to contest a decision…
Alpha Myra’s eyes widened with shock as she tried to speak but failed. Calmly, my mother turned to the council and continued speaking.
“Still he governed and brought joy to lots of packs and families by his choices but he never prioritised our family’s best interests. You see, Logan is so selfless and would do anything for anyone even if it cost him.” She lifted her chin, a fierce glint in her eyes.
“Alpha Logan may have chosen an heir, but in his absence, his widow has the right to challenge that decision, particularly when it may destabilize the strength of our pack.”
