The Alpha's Stolen Luna - Chapter 161: Chapter 161

: Sutton
Tarvyn and Amos escorted Motty and me down to the conference hall not long before the session was due to start. We seemed to be the last ones down. Except for Lucas, who I didn’t see anywhere. We moved to the atrium to wait for him. I was trying not to start pacing when Anders and Mason came down the hall, Hannah in tow with the rest of their entourage.
Apparently, we weren’t the last to arrive.
Anders didn’t even bother to look in my direction, but Mason wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to flash me that smug sneer of his. Honestly, it was almost laughable at this point. They entered the conference room and the moment the door closed behind them, Lucas and Max came around the corner. Lucas came directly to me, grabbing my face and kissing me firmly.
“You ready?” he asked when he pulled away.
I nodded. “Ready.”
He took my hand and led me inside. The Council began to file into the conference hall just as we made it to our seats. Lucas kept a hold of my hand throughout the entire greeting, not even letting go as we sat down. He had blocked our connection, so I couldn’t sense what he was feeling. I wasn’t surprised. He always did that when he was stressed but didn’t want me to worry.
I would have to have a talk with him about that once we got home.
“The Royal Council would like to thank you all again for being here,” Councilman Erhardt stated. “After yesterday’s closing session, we understand this Alpha’s Summit has taken an unexpected turn. While we heard the testimony of several parties involved with the concerning inter-pack conflict here in this room, there were those who took the suggested opportunity to reach out to the Council with further information.” Erhardt shuffled through the papers in front of him. “These parties have chosen to decline to share their part here with us today, as is their right at this time. As such, while the Council is currently taking these new complaints into consideration, we have determined that they do not provide enough doubt or support to be disclosed during this session. However, there was one voice that we agreed to hear today prior to calling the accused for their testimony.” He turned toward the Council members sitting behind him. “Councilman Soloman Avenwood, you are welcome to take the podium.”
I glanced toward Lucas in surprise as the other packs began to whisper among themselves. Soloman stepped down from the risers that held his colleagues and went to the podium where the others had addressed the room just the day before. I knew he would speak in our favor yet I still found myself holding my breath.
“Thank you, Councilman Erhardt,” he spoke respectfully. “And thank you to the rest of my fellow council members.” He rested his hands on the podium, standing tall and with authority. “It is no secret that I was assigned as the Ironpaw Pack Ambassador after Alpha Lucas took on the role ten years ago. Having a Pack Ambassador is a standard tradition as everyone here knows. It gives each pack a guaranteed ear in the Royal Council. An ear to hear their concerns and a voice to support their positions. However, I won’t come up here and pretend that the only reason I was assigned to this task was to simply act as a conduit between pack and council.
“Instead, I was sent to ensure the viability of Alpha Lucas’ leadership,” Soloman continued. “I was sent to watch him. To gauge his ambition. To determine if there was any threat to our way of life. And to keep him in line if necessary. For a decade, I have done just that. And in that time, I have watched a strong, compassionate young leader turn into a great one.”
I squeezed Lucas’ hand. He never would have expected to hear those words, but he needed to know they were deserved.
“The actions of Alpha Lucas during the Ironpaw rebellion created an understandable fear among both the Royal Council and wolf packs,” Soloman continued. “Now we see that fear coming to a head. To that, I say — we were not blind to the corruption and mistreatment of the Ironpaw pack members at the hands of Alpha Morgan. The Royal Council had been debating interference for years. And when a devastated young boy came to our door demanding an audience, demanding justice, we dismissed him. We failed him. Just as we failed the rest of the Ironpaw wolves.” Soloman turned to the pack leaders. “That young boy was the man you all know now as Alpha. Alpha Lucas of the Ironpaw Pack.
“His rebellion wasn’t an act of ambition. It wasn’t an act motivated by avarice or the extreme desire for power. It was an act of love and devotion to his people and to justice,” Soloman stated. “You have heard the testimony of those who have worked closely with him over these past years. You cannot deny that their words held mutual respect and camaraderie.
“As for these complaints — I have seen no evidence that such actions were ever performed by Alpha Lucas. It is my belief that an old fear — one created from our own failure to act — is being used to prejudice this room against Alpha Lucas. So, when we hear from the accused today, I urge you all to listen to his testimony with the open mind and the wisdom of the leaders you are. Thank you.”
Soloman bowed to the room before stepping back from the podium. The room was filled with hushed conversation as he returned to his seat among his fellow council members. Speaker Erhardt once again took control of the room.
“Thank you, Councilman Avenwood, for your contribution to this issue,” he stated. “I, too, hope we all give your words the consideration they are due. As such, I want to remind everyone that the goal of these summits — this coming together of noble leaders — is to ensure the safety and progress of our nation. I encourage you to remember that whatever outcome results from our decision will affect the lives of thousands of citizens.” He paused to scan the room. “Now, if Alpha Lucas of the Ironpaw Pack will please come forward to address the room.”