MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 179: Used

Chapter 179: Used

She won’t," Reana interrupted smoothly. "The mine has been dormant for decades. Even Alpha Killian knows nothing about it, and that’s because it has no purpose to us. Yet.

"The goddess gave us that crystal not to hoard it, but to wield its power wisely. The humans can help us refine it. In turn, they will protect it as their own."

Elder Thomas folded his arms, unconvinced. "And what happens when they want more? When their greed outweighs their gratitude?"

"They won’t get more than we give," Reana said firmly. "This alliance will be bound by a sacred pact... and human greed, while it’s real, is predictable. What’s not predictable is the enemy watching from the shadows. The more eyes we have on our borders - be it the humans or wolves - the better."

"You’re gambling with our traditions," muttered Elder Beth.

"I’m protecting our future," Reana replied. "Traditions change. They have to, or we die clinging to them while the world moves on."

"And merging packs? With West Wood? You want to absorb a dying pack that can barely hold its own territory? Isn’t that dangerous?" Elder Thomas frowned.

The West Wood Pack was his mate’s pack. He didn’t know how she’d feel about it merging with the Black Moon Pack.

"I want to absorb their people before they become corpses," Reana answered without missing a beat. "They are our kin, our blood. Altogether they betrayed our forefathers and separated from us, our blood still runs in their veins.

"They’re not entirely useless. With structure, they can thrive. With our guidance, they can fight. Right now, they are a broken blade. I intend to reforge them."

A hush fell over the room.

Elder Maaya spoke, quieter this time. "But what of leadership? Two packs mean two chains of command."

Reana nodded. "We will restructure. Their Alpha will surrender his title, but retain his honor. He will serve under Black Moon’s banner as a regional commander. Their warriors will become part of our war council. We’ll maintain their traditions where possible... enough to keep peace, not division."

Elder Jaxson exhaled slowly. "And if they refuse?"

Reana’s voice dropped, calm and cold. "Then they die on their land, alone."

Silence.

It was not a threat. It was a reality.

For a long moment, the elders stared at her. Some nodding, others with reluctant curiosity.

Then Elder Maaya spoke again. "And if this fails?"

Reana met her eyes. "Then I’ll abide by the council’s decree."

Finally, Elder Beth leaned back, arms crossed but thoughtful. "And what of worship? If you leave... who leads us in prayer?"

Reana gave a faint, knowing smile. "If you’d stop wasting time and decide now, perhaps, I could return before the next full moon."

One by one, the elders looked at each other. Small doubts remained in a few hearts, but they were no longer loud. The fire in Reana’s words had melted their resistance, reshaped their fear into cautious hope.

Elder Maaya stood first, nodding slowly. "Then go, Luna. Represent us. Shake the Alpha council to its roots."

"Make them remember the Black Moon Pack," Elder Jaxson added.

Elder Beth straightened her shoulders. "And come back victorious. We’ll prepare for integration."

Reana inclined her head in gratitude, the flicker of a warm smile touching her lips.

"I will not fail." Not when she had the terrorific Alpha Snow lying on her bed.

"We know you won’t," Elder Benjamin smiled. It was an honor for him to live till this day, where a woman had been such a blessing to their pack. If only he could live a little more, to see her become a force that could unite the packs in the Southern Region, and maybe, just maybe, she could send them all back home.

The old man sighed with regret.

"What about Kael?" Elder Collins finally asked what everyone had been avoiding.

All eyes turned to Reana.

Her gaze was steady as they shifted to stare at him. "He killed dozens of our warriors. There is no denying the blood on his hands. By our law, the sentence should be death." She paused, her fingers curling around the edge of the table. "But he was not himself. He was possessed. Twisted into something monstrous."

A murmur of agreement swept through the council chamber.

"He cannot be found," she continued. "He vanished after the battle, and every tracker we’ve sent has returned empty-handed. Perhaps, he’d already left the pack.

"For now, he is neither a prisoner nor a corpse. Henceforth, I declare Kael, a rogue. He is no longer one of us. He’s banished from the pack."

A heavy silence settled like fog. Then Elder Collins sighed. It was already good enough that she didn’t order his head. As a rogue, if he could redeem himself in the future, perhaps, the pack’s gates might be opened for him again.

The elder rose from his seat and bowed. "Thank you for your benevolence, Luna!"

....

Meanwhile, deep in the woods...

Kael staggered to his feet, his breath ragged, chest heaving, and eyes red.

"You used me!" he snarled, "You fucking possessed me!"

Bang!

He slammed a fist into the masked man’s face, knocking off his mask.

The hit echoed in the tent, sharp and final. Blood trickled from his bottom lips. The beautiful face turned, pinning Kael in place, but there was no anger in his blue eyes.

Instead, he looked amused. He laughed softly, unfazed as he wound on his lips closed up in a flash. "I tested her."

Kael’s eyes narrowed, glowing faintly with leftover rage. "Tested who?"

"Luna Reana." The name came out like a prayer. "She didn’t break. She fought through your fury and the darkness. She proved she’s worthy."

"Worthy of what?" Kael snapped, voice hoarse.

The masked man tilted his head, a smile on his lips but he didn’t respond.

For a moment, silence reigned between them, broken only by the hiss of wind through the leaves outside.

"You destroyed everything," Kael growled, voice shaking with fury. "I had control. I had a plan!"

"No, Kael. You had a fantasy," the beautiful said, a little annoyed now. "A fantasy built on lies and hesitation. You had plenty of chances to kill her, yet you took none of them." He clicked his tongue, a look of disgust flashing in his eyes. "I can’t believe you’re a smart idiot."

Kael growled and lunged at him, but stopped himself halfway. Remembering the kind of psychopath this man was, his breath caught.

Then, without warning, he turned and drove his claws into the throat of a female rogue who just walked into the tent with a basin of water.