Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Ellie POV
The tension in the chamber was like a storm ready to break Elder Rowan still stood, his face red with fury, his glare fixed on Nolan as if he’d already delivered judgment.
My words had gotten through to some, but not to him. I wasn’t surprised. I was sure that he couldn’t be moved, but that didn’t mean I shouldn’t try.
I could see how deeply the words had shaken Nolan- the rigid set of his jaw, the way his shoulders refused to ease, the storm that flickered in his eyes even as he fought to keep still.
If I let Rowan keep the floor, if I let him frame the entire conversation, the elders might bend to his poison. I couldn’t let that happen.
So I stepped forward again.
“With respect, Elder Rowan,” I began, my voice even, calm-just like I’d learned to speak with the more stubborn residents at the elder care home in Moonstone. Never confront with rage.
Disarm with patience. Meet passion with reason.
“You speak of Nolan as though his leadership is defined by tragedy. But the truth is, every Alpha in this room has faced bloodshed. Every Alpha has endured loss. The difference is how they rose from it. And I ask you-what Alpha here has risen from worse odds than Nolan p>
A murmur swept the chamber. Rowan stiffened, clearly not expecting me to address the room again.
I pressed on, my voice gaining strength. “When his parents were killed, Nolan was a boy. A boy who should have broken, but instead, he took on the burden of his pack long before he was ready. He endured scrutiny, suspicion, endless whispers-exactly like the ones being cast here today-and still he built Silver Fang into one of the strongest, most stable packs in the kingdom. That is not the mark of a cursed man. That is the mark of a leader p>
Rowan scoffed. “Leader? He rules by fear p>
“No,” I cut in, steady and sharp. “Fear fractures a pack. Nolan leads through careful consideration, through a deep understanding of what his pack needs. Of its strengths and weaknesses. He’s meticulous, calculating, and decisive. You know this. And yet you ignore it because it doesn’t suit the picture you want to paint p>
The room had gone still. Elders leaned forward, watching me as though weighing every word. I could almost see the balance shifting, the tide of opinion Rowan had tried to stir faltering under the weight of reason.
I straightened, lifting my chin. “What you’re really saying, Elder, is that you don’t like Nolan. Not because he’s unfit, but because he threatens the candidate you favor. Your grand nephew.” I let the implication hang there, glancing just briefly at Kieran across the chamber. His face was unreadable, but the stiffness in his posture spoke volumes. “This isn’t about curses or the Goddess. This is about politics. And everyone here knows it p>
A small part of me felt bad for dragging Kieran into the controversy, but his relationship with elder Rowan was well known. It was obvious to me, and I was sure to others, that his harsh words about Nolan didn’t come from a completely objective place.
Gasps echoed softly around the circle of elders. Rowan’s face went purple, his mouth opening, but I pressed before he could spew another venomous word.
“You accuse Nolan of being unworthy because he suffered losses he couldn’t prevent. What person hasn’t? The world isn’t fair. The goddess tests those who she needs to be strong. She has a purpose for Nolan, and he has risen to every challenge p>
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A murmur of agreement went around the circle.
“There is a difference between a test and a punishment,” Rowan spat angrily.
“Do you think that if the goddess aimed to punish Nolan, he would have recovered from these tragedies even stronger than before?” I challenged.
“You speak like a priestess,” Rowan snapped back. “What would you know of the will of the goddess p>
“Nothing,” I replied easily. “But I do know this, Kieran,” I said, deliberately turning toward him, “has never endured such a test. He has never been forced to rebuild his life from ash. He has never stood against the storm and carried the weight of others on his back. So tell me, which of them has proven resilience? Which of them has already shown the strength required to sit on the throne p>
A few elders exchanged meaningful glances. Rowan sputtered.
I felt Nolan’s hand brush mine as he shifted beside me. I looked up at him for a moment, finding those familiar stormy eyes filled with something uncertain. I knew he was surprised by my fierce defense.
I was surprised, too. I couldn’t have pictured myself doing something like this for him
a year ago. A lot had changed since then.
Maybe it was because Rowan had brought up the boys. I couldn’t stomach the thought of our children being used as a weapon to hurt Nolan. I couldn’t stand the idea of my lie being used to hurt him yet again.
I softened my tone, shifting from sharp logic to quiet sincerity, like I used to when soothing an anxious pat This isn’t about punishing a man for the tragedies of his life. This is about choosing a leader for our people by any measure-loyalty, strength, resilience-Nolan has already proven himself p>
Silence hung for a long moment. Rowan stared at me as though he’d like nothing more than to strike me down where I stood. But the other elders-many of them-were nodding. Slowly, cautiously, but undeniably.
I turned back to Nolan. His eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering there. Gratitude. Pride. And something else, softer, almost vulnerable.
Finally, Rowan slammed his cane against the floor. “Words Empty words from a Luna who has been here five minutes. The Goddess herself will decide if he is worthy. Nothing less p>
His stubbornness was infuriating, but I could see the shift. The room no longer leaned entirely in his direction. My words had swayed them, even if Rowan himself would never yield.
Nolan straightened then, his voice deep, commanding, steady in a way it hadn’t been before. “If that is what it takes to silence this once and for all, then so be it. I’ll face the test. I’ll seek the Goddess’s blessing p>
The elders murmured, some pleased, others wary, but Rowan looked almost triumphant.
I, on the other hand, looked only at Nolan. Because I saw what no one else here did-the way his shoulders loosened, just a fraction. The way his gaze softened on me for a heartbeat before he looked back at the room.
He wasn’t comforted by the idea of the test. He was comforted because, for once, he hadn’t had to stand alone.
And I knew, in that moment, that I would defend him like this again and again, no matter what storm came next.
No matter what was between us personally, I knew that Nolan was a good leader, the kind of leader that the kingdom needed if we were going to survive the challenges that were coming our way.
I would stand by Nolan as he took this test, and somehow, despite everything, there
was no doubt in my mind that he would come out victorious.
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Chapter 5