A Fractured Council
The council chamber was quieter than usual, the air thick with unease. Tobias stood at the center of the room, his expression triumphant as he gestured toward a servant carrying a covered tray. With a dramatic flourish, he removed the cloth, revealing a charred relic marked with ominous runes.
“This,” Tobias announced, his voice rich with theatrics, “was found near the Crimson Fang border.” He held it aloft, turning so every Alpha could see the dark carvings etched into the twisted metal. “A fragment of forbidden magic—proof that dark forces linger within Draven’s pack.”
Gasps rippled through the room. Alphas whispered to one another, their expressions a mix of shock and suspicion. Isla’s stomach twisted as she watched the tide of opinion shift.
Draven rose from his seat, his voice a low growl. “That’s a lie.” His amber eyes blazed as he fixed Tobias with a withering stare. “Whatever you’ve brought here is fabricated, another one of your pathetic attempts to weaken Crimson Fang.”
Tobias smirked, tilting his head. “Fabricated? That’s a bold claim.” He gestured toward the artifact. “The council’s seers can confirm the authenticity of the markings. They align with ancient texts describing dark magic—magic we all swore to purge from our territories.”
One of the elder Alphas leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “Draven,” he said gravely, “this is not a matter to be dismissed lightly. If Tobias’s claims hold weight, your entire pack could face eradication.”
Isla’s hands curled into fists, but she stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “And if Tobias’s claims are baseless? Will the council condemn an entire pack on nothing but suspicion and staged evidence?”
A younger Alpha to the right scoffed. “You expect us to believe you have nothing to do with this? You, whose bloodline is tied to the Moon Goddess herself? Powerful forces cling to power—and where there is power, there is corruption.”
The accusation made Isla’s heart pound, but she kept her composure. “If we were corrupted, why would we be here? Why not use that so-called magic to destroy our enemies outright?”
Tobias’s smirk widened, and he stepped closer, addressing the council. “Desperation makes people clever, doesn’t it? Draven knows he’s losing control of his pack. Isla knows the council doubts her leadership. Perhaps they’ve turned to forbidden methods to maintain their power.”
Draven slammed his hands on the table, his voice reverberating through the chamber. “Enough!” The council stilled as his presence filled the room. “Tobias wants you to believe his lies because he’s too weak to challenge me outright. Ask yourselves—what does he gain if you destroy Crimson Fang? And what does the rest of the region lose when you let his ambition go unchecked?”
An elder Alpha stood, his expression unreadable as he addressed Draven. “If the artifact is proven authentic, the council will have no choice but to act. The eradication of Crimson Fang would be a tragedy, but we cannot allow dark magic to take root in the region.”
“Then test it,” Isla said sharply, stepping forward again. “Have your seers examine it. If it’s real, we’ll accept the consequences. But if it’s false, you’ll see Tobias for the liar he is.”
The chamber fell silent as the council considered her words. Tobias’s smirk faltered, just slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
“Very well,” the elder said. “The artifact will be tested. But until we have answers, Crimson Fang is under scrutiny. One wrong move, and the council will not hesitate to act.”
The weight of the ultimatum settled over the room as Draven and Isla exchanged a tense glance. Tobias sat down, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he muttered under his breath, “You won’t survive this, Draven.”
