Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Avery’s POV
At breakfast a messenger arrived with a package for me.
I retreated into my room and tore open the paper. A small glass vial fell into my hand and a note.
With trembling fingers, I opened it and read,
“ To your future happiness.
~ R”
This was it then. Events were in motion.
I held the vial up to the light streaming through my bedroom window. Such a small amount of liquid to hold so much promise. The potion sparkled, crystal clear.
I had expected it to be dark, sinister. Instead, it looked deceptively innocuous. With this teaspoonful of deception, I would forge a new future for myself…
…and for Gideon.
I dressed for the Council Meeting carefully, slipping the vial into the pocket sewn into the seam of my dress I had bought for the occasion on my trip with Camila where I had ‘run into‘ Reynaud. An encounter that I was now increasingly certain had been intentional and calculated.
The hours ticked by as I waited for the opportune moment. I needed to give him the potion right before the council meeting, for maximum effect. I assumed there would be some sort of refreshment available, but what if there wasn’t?
Finally the time came.
I entered into the grand Council Chambers on Gideon’s arm, barely registering the throngs of beautiful men and women dressed in stunning finery that mixed and mingled throughout the space. I scanned the room furtively as we joined a couple Gideon seemed familiar with and began to make small talk.
The Council Chambers were fairly similar to the large, formal ballroom I had been in previously. This was a columned, vast space of elegant proportions. The walls had wide desks lining the perimeter that seemed to be assigned to various packs, but it appeared most of the attendees preferred to mingle in a common area in the middle.
At one end of the room, a raised, semi–circular bench dominated. That was where the High Council would sit when the formal business began.
From the little I had gleaned, there was a vast agenda of business that could be addressed during these conventions of the packs. Everything from contract mediation, to sentencing of criminals, to the airing of grievances, the allotment of pack resources, and the announcement of community news like births, deaths, and weddings could all land on the agenda.
1/2
Chapter 200
+25 Bonus
In fact, the only restriction on the type of business that could be raised was that only Alphas and Lunas were permitted to speak in these chambers. All other wolves were typically denied entry, or if an exception was made, they were mandated to be silent.
There was indeed a buffet of refreshments and drinks set up at the opposite end of the room from the dais. I felt my muscles loosen slightly as I breathed out some of the tension I had been holding. I had all the materials I needed to enact our plan.
“Alpha Gideon, Luna…?” a pleasant looking man had joined our social circle as we waited for the proceedings to begin. His expression was bland as he looked me over, clearly awaiting an introduction.
“Avery,” I dipped my head in greeting. The man raised his glass in salute.
“Apologies, I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said politely, “I don’t often make it to these functions. My pack is one of the more… remote. It seems as though we miss all the excitement,” he smiled and winked conspiratorially, “Apparently at the ball a few months back there was a pair of women who were vying for the same Alpha, and it caused quite the scandal! I wish I had been here to see it p>
Next to me, I felt Gideon stiffen. Oh, how awkward! This man was trying to gossip about the scene Dierdra had caused, not knowing that I was the ‘other woman p>
“Shocking,” I said, weakly, “Your champagne looks delicious, sir. I must get a glass for myself.” I turned and began to head towards the refreshment table, excusing myself from the awkward conversation.
“Avery, wait,” Gideon snagged my elbow, “I would be happy to get you a drink,” his eyes squinted at me in concern, perhaps worried that I was trying to run away to cry or some other embarrassing display.
“No need,” I flashed him a brilliant smile, “Shall I get you one as well p>
The concern didn’t fade from Gideon’s handsome face, but he nodded and released me.
“Was it something I said?” I heard his friend ask as I wandered off. I heard the rumble of my husband’s response, but not the words, and was grateful I didn’t need to listen to whatever excuse he came up with to cover my departure.
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