Chapter 432
“I hope I’m not late,” Luke said with a casual smirk as he stepped into the hall.
Zilia froze. The hand she had been gripping around Casaio’s palm slipped; her eyes widened, blinking rapidly as fear washed over her. She had served her former master once and the sight of him unmoored her.
“Luke Hunter?” Dominick murmured, rising from his seat. A faint smile touched his lips, a spark of hope kindled in him at the sight. Right beside him, Juniper’s brow furrowed; she watched Luke warily, wary of whatever purpose Gabriel had for bringing him.
Gabriel and Luke walked to the center of the council hall and paused. Gabriel inclined his head first to the Alpha King, then swept his gaze over the assembled council.
“Your Majesty, council members,” he began, his voice measured, “I brought the Alpha of Blood Dominion so you may hear, directly from him, the information Zilia provided. Remember: Alpha Luke and our King have signed a peace treaty to end the enmity p>
He turned to Luke, who returned a slight, solemn nod.
Luke’s expression hardened as he addressed the room. “Zilia was a spy I forced into service. I held her two-year-old brother captive to ensure her obedience, and one of the King’s own close officials aided her entry into the capital p>
Then, a chuckle escaped his mouth. “But she found a mate in Prince Casaio, which she never told me until I found it myself p>
Zilia gulped, wondering if he would again use her for his schemes.
“For ten years she revealed nothing of the royal family,” Luke continued. “She played the part of the obedient informant, biding her time and keeping herself alive by the only means she had. My intention was to use her against the throne when the moment arrived. Yet when she was finally exposed, she chose prison over confession, to rot rather than betray his love. If you all keep Zilia alive, it will be seen as the gesture of peace only p>
He turned his attention to Raidan, who offered a small, knowing smile. But Council Head Evander was not finished.
“Of course she’ll be kept alive,” Evander said coldly. “That’s why the rejection is happening. Alpha Luke can take her and her brother back to his domain p>
Gabriel’s eyes flashed. “Aren’t you being a little disrespectful toward the wife of the future king?” he snapped, stepping forward until he stood inches from Evander. He laid a hand on the older man’s shoulder and leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t force me to open my mouth in council about your… private affairs, old man p>
Evander’s brow knitted as he tilted his head, trying to read Gabriel’s expression, who only smirked.
“I am nothing like Casaio or Nick or even my father,” Gabriel warned in a menacing tone, “You know exactly what I could do p>
Gabriel took a step back and addressed the hall. “I was the one who uncovered Zilia as a spy. Today, in this council, I accept full responsibility for her presence. If anything goes wrong because of Zilia or her brother in this Kingdom, I will accept whatever punishment the people decree. I was the one to whom Zilia revealed the truth of the Blood Dominion. Basically, she helped us instead of helping her former master. Because of Zilia only we could come onto the same table and bring peace between our kingdom and his pack p>
“Moreover,” he continued, “returning Zilia and Idris to their former fate would only sow doubt in Luke’s mind, doubt that would unravel the fragile peace he chose to trust. You all know what our people did to Luke and his family. Yet none of you, Evander, have ever spoken for those powerless victims of our actions.” His gaze locked on the elder council head.
“Zilia never once harmed us,” Raidan finally spoke through the rising tension. “She had countless chances when she could have poisoned us, or betrayed us in ways no one would have ever suspected. Yet she never did. I cannot agree with the Council’s decision today. I will not be the one to shatter the peace we’ve worked so hard to build p>
Rissa’s eyes narrowed, but her voice rang out louder than before. “The Council will now vote,” she declared. “Whether Lady Zilia’s past shall be forgiven or not. Those in favor, raise your hands p>
One by one, the members lifted their hands. Even Evander, after a long pause and a disapproving frown, finally raised his hand, reluctantly, but decisively out of Gabriel’s fear.
“So, it’s decided then, isn’t it?” Gabriel said firmly, his voice echoing through the hall. “Zilia and Idris will remain here. And if anything goes wrong in the future, I will take full responsibility p>
Juniper’s hands curled into tight fists. Rage simmered in her chest as she realized Gabriel had single-handedly overturned the council’s plans.
“Lester,” Raidan commanded, “please escort Alpha Luke to the royal drawing room p>
Once Luke Hunter departed, Raidan exhaled softly and began to close the session. But before he could speak, Gabriel stepped forward.
“Your Majesty,” he interrupted, “before we adjourn, I have something to say regarding the person who spread false information about Zilia and Idris p>
A hush fell over the council. All eyes instinctively turned toward Juniper. She froze in fear as Gabriel’s piercing gaze met hers.
“You may speak,” Raidan allowed, leaning back in his chair.
Gabriel inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “Your Majesty, Lady Juniper must be held accountable for inciting unrest among the people. She knew how delicate our peace with the Blood Dominion was, and yet she chose to spread lies that nearly reignited conflict. She never considered what her actions would do to a child who only recently began living a free life after years of isolation p>
His eyes swept over the council members. “Perhaps each of you should imagine what it means to grow up in darkness, to live caged away from the world. Idris endured that. I know, because it was my own men who rescued him from that damp, forgotten house. They witnessed the condition he was in p>
Juniper suddenly rose from her seat, her voice trembling. “Don’t-don’t blame me for this. And I never spread lies, I swear p>
Gabriel’s expression hardened. “No, Juniper. Your messeges to the group were clearly lies. You mentioned there Zilia sold the Kingdom’s information as a spy to Blood Dominion” he said coldly.
“It was no mistake. You acted out of spite because you cannot stomach the truth that Casaio is to be the next Alpha King. You’ve lost your sense of loyalty. And tomorrow, who’s to say you won’t betray us all? Perhaps even expose the secret missions that Dominick leads, and throw this kingdom into chaos p>
The council fell silent, bringing the eyes full of suspicions on Juniper.