Tension

Alistair's POV

Time passed slowly as I rolled a sharpened piece of kol in my hand before the council door's opened, drawing my attention to the ones entering.

Rada and Eira piled in, followed by Gaelin who was guiding Khinn, but behind Khinn was Noir.

I straightened and stared at my mate, not noticing anyone else and when her eyes met mine, a flame ignited.

"What are you doing here," I asked, annoyance evident in my voice, not expecting or wanting her in this room.

"My faðir was forced out of bed while still healing to come to this location so I followed," she shrugged, taking a place against the wall, arms crossed.

"You need to leave. This is not a place meant for you," I deadpan, watching her.

"He is my father, Alistair. I'm going to be present for his interrogation whether you approve or not."

"This is the war council. You are Freya in title only. You do not have the experience nor the knowledge to be in this room," I retort, much too calm, even to my liking.

I don't need this distraction right now.

"That might be so but regardless, he," Noir pointed to the man on his knees, "is my father and I will be here."

Sighing, I grip the edge of the table.

"Fine but you will not speak. You have no voice here."

With this being said, Noir nodded and leaned back against the wall.

I gave Noir one last glance before directing my attention to the man before me and my council.

"Given the circumstances and evidence, it is clear you are from Moon Rock. Calder's pack. I only have three things I want to know from you: What are the number of warriors Calder has at his disposal? What all is there to know about Moon Rock's village? What are all the weak points to the village's defenses? Keep in mind, this is not me asking you. This me telling you what I want to know and I will get the information one way or another."

The man in front me looked at his daughter before directing his attention back to me.

"My name is Khinn, the last remaining gamma of Moon Rock," Khinn began, pausing at the reality of his current situation.

"The number of warriors in Calder's pack is roughly around 200. Most, if not all, of them are trained for physical combat. The male warriors outnumber the females 7:2. Wolves aside, there is no other race," Khinn wheezed, gripping his left side.

Processing the information, I nodded for him to continue as he did a quick look-over of the council.

"There isn't anything about the village that holds great significance aside from the training grounds. Warriors are trained in both their human and their beast form. Certain warriors are plucked from that group to be trained as the stealth force," pausing, Khinn looked at me. "From what I heard, you already met a few of them."

"As for the village's defense, I'm not entirely sure of how secure it is. Certain groups are heavy in a few areas whereas others are few in numbers. There are sections not guarded at all. Calder has a Beta named Alaric. I managed to dispose of him over Kelifer's Peak but I'm not sure if he died."

Interesting. No other body but the mother's was found.

Leaning back, I rake my fingers through my beard, sizing up Khinn.

"How is it you come by such knowledge? I would not expect any regular gamma to have this much information on hand."

Khinn looked at Noir for a moment.

"I'm not over there, Gamma Khinn."

Directing his attention back to me, Khinn straightened himself and stood, squaring his shoulders the best he could.

"I'm the rightful Alpha of Moon Rock. Calder challenged me 20 or so seasons back, before Noir was born and I accepted. I was defeated when a few from his pack intervened along with a warlock. I haven't seen that warlock since but I lost regardless. He kept me due to my fighting capabilities and knowledge," he said, his voice booming around the room.

"I was ranked as Beta after forceful submission. When I disobeyed a command that consisted of me refusing to kill a fellow pack member, I was severely punished then further demoted to Gamma."

"I see."

Noir, uncrossing her arms, spoke, her tone merely a whisper but filled with an underlined emotion.

"What did you just say?"

We ignored her.

"What do you plan on doing with your newfound freedom?"

"Stop," Noir growled. "What the hell do you mean you were the Alpha before Calder?"

Raising my hand, I put a finger up in a gesture to silence her.

"I said be quiet. If you have questions, you can ask after this meeting has ended. Until then, silence yourself."

Khinn ignored his daughter's outburst, something I'm positive he has mastered over the years, as his orbs flickered between dark brown and honey.

"Calder unrightfully took my pack, has made it a point to torture my daughters, permanently crippling my youngest then murdered my wife. If this is your idea of freedom," Khinn paused, looking down at himself, around the room then back to me.

"I don't want it. I would rather join your pack, fight alongside your warriors and eventually shred Calder's throat."

Khinn spoke sharply, his strength and determination radiating through the room as he continued to watch me.

"You are my mate's faðir. I would find no joy in turning you away. I will accept you once Herlief goes and confirms everything that you have conveyed to us. I leave you with this warning however: should your word prove to be false, you will never enter Valhalla."

Just then, Noir pushed off the wall and pointed at me.

"You think he could be lying?! My father would never lie about this, Alistair."

Noir stalked over to me, towering over me in her upright position.

"Do what you need but don't threaten my father with that...," Noir whispered the last bit, deflated.

"I understand your sentiment, mo grá but the safety of the pack comes first. He is not only an outsider but still a member of Moon Rock. Until the information is verified, my decision still stands."

Shaking, Noir grabbed my arm.

"Alistair, please. Trust me. Me. My father isn't lying," she pleaded.

Mo grá, please forgive me.

I jerked my arm out of Noir's grasp and stood, now towering over her. Placing my right hand at the center of her chest, I pushed her back against the wall.

"You have a lot to learn about what it is to be an alpha. You're not only responsible for your mate but you are responsible for the whole pack," I said sharply.

We stayed like that for a minute before I turned, throwing my hand up dismissively.

"Cuyler, escort her out and to my chambers. I will deal with her soon."

"Yes Alpha," Cuyler acknowledged without questioning as he walked over and grabbed Noir by the arm.

"What?! ALISTAIR! — Cuyler, stop— I don't want to leave! I DON'T WANT TO GO!! — Cuyler! Damn it, let go!— ALISTAIR," Noir shouted then brought her free fist up and collided it under Cuyler's chin, knocking him back.

This girl.

I couldn't help feeling slightly amused before annoyance once again reared it's head.

"Nebo, get her out of here," I growled.

Without hesitation, my Beta stood with such force that his chair flew back before he turned to Noir and charged her.

Noir, being Noir, stepped out of Nebo's path at the last second before reaching under the top apart of her tunic, her hand disappearing between the fabric and her breasts.

Flawlessly, she spun and with an extended hand, blew a powder in Nebo's face causing him to stagger backwards rubbing his eyes and collapse.

Well, that is certainly interesting.

Cuyler regained himself and went for Noir, an arm extended as if to grab her but she pivoted, grabbing Cuyler right below the elbow. Shifting her weight, she moved to where she was behind him, her free hand on the back of his neck.

When she felt Cuyler was unable to move, she smacked his head against the table before turning her attention to me.

That's when I saw it. Her eyes. They were most unusual shade of blue, like the vivid cerulean at the heart of the flame.

Ah. Faelen.

"If you're going to force me to leave, you're going to make me do it yourself," Noir shouted, pointing at me as she jumped up and stormed over the tabletop.

In a blur of movement, Noir collided with me, knocking me back a couple feet as her legs wrapped around my waist, hands grabbing my face. At the same time, my hand instinctively came up and wrapped around her throat.

"By the Gods, you are beautiful when you are riled up," I growled, grabbing a fistful of her hair with my free hand before jerking her in, our lips slamming into one another.

This is why I didn't want her here. She is a damn distraction.

"This is frustrating," Hael growled, as I felt the urge to flip her around, slam her down on the table and forcibly take her in front of my council, her father and the Gods above.

Then my irritation crashed into me again forcing me to hit Noir on the back of the neck causing her to unwillingly go limp in my arms.

Shifting, I cradled her tightly against my chest then turned to look at Herlief.

"Herlief, I want you to verify this information. Take Hillevi with you."

Turning a bit, I looked at Valenner.

"Valenner, you are to stay with Khinn at all times. He may go anywhere that's not a restricted area and can roam freely but first return him to Macario and Thyra for further healing."

"With that," I looked over the rest of my council, "all of you, get out of my sight."

Mo grá - My Love

Faðir - Father