The Lunas Second Chance Mate
Chapter 66

Dylan and I stood before the elder council. We'd called on them with a complaint against the Alpha. I understood how Ryan had felt all those times he'd come to this large room with walls covered with books. The large table held all the elders. At the head of the table, stood elder Fritz his parrot on his shoulder. All twenty or so elders were staring at us. Elder Fritz brought the meeting to concession with a little announcement. "We gather here, called by Dylan Harris and his trade associate Alyson with complaints against Alpha Jacob."

There was one elder in particular who looked very put out. He spat, "These foreigners making complaints against our Alpha! This is wrong."

"The complaint is for your people," I retorted to the man. He glowered at me.

"Well, what is it?" Another elder urged us to continue.

Dylan gestured for me to speak for us.

"We met with Alpha Jacob today, and he's very sick."

'That's not a crime," an elder interrupted.

"I know," I said. "But it became clear after a few minutes that he wanted me as a blood provider, and that he was angry that Diana's blood wasn't good enough. I'm not sure if his wife provides blood, but it seems he has at least one additional provider." There was silence.

Dylan added, "I was there as well, and I fully agree with this. Jacob slapped his mate and called her worthless. He also seemed keen on making Alyson a blood provider. He seemed to think his mate should get him blood from more she-wolves." "This is..." Elder Fritz stared at the table in front of him. "Could this be true?"

"Of course, it's not true," The elder who apparently supported Jacob said with disdain. "I don't know what game they play to accuse our Alpha of such a crime."

"It's no game," I said as sincerely as I could muster. "Alpha Jacob is dangerous, and he's abusing your pact. He has been taking blood from the Clan Clark she-wolf Diana outside of honoring her as a mate since he already has one. At least look into it if you don't believe us."

Elder Fritz looked distraught. He called for a servant. "Bring Diana Clark to us. Go replace her and bring her to us." The servant ran from the room.

"This is preposterous. Jacob has been the best Alpha," the supporter said. " How should we punish them if these accusations prove false. I do not think we should do business with Clan Harris if they taint the Alpha's name." Several were nodding agreement.

"That's for the Alpha and his Luna to decide ultimately." Elder Fritz said, stroking the parrot on his shoulder.

The servant returned with fragile Diana following him. Without Jennifer there, she looked nervous. She fidgeted with the tips of her ashy brown long hair; her limp waves hung over most of her face as she tried to hide. She kept clamping her hand over her left wrist. "Welcome, my child," Elder Fritz said warmly. "Diana, please stand here in front of our council, we have questions for you."

"Anything for the elders." She said.

Elder Fritz spoke gently, "We have heard some accusations, so we do not intend to shock you, but please be honest with us. Are you providing blood to anyone?"

Her face, which already lacked a healthy hue, it flushed to white. She gazed around the room till she locked on me for a moment. I wanted her to confess so badly, but tried not to look to eager.

She shook her head.

"Look at her wrist," I said, pointing to how she was hiding it.

She held the sleeve of her dress tightly around her wrist. A tear fell down her cheek, and I felt bad for her.

"Leave the poor girl alone. She said did not," one elder said.

"My child, can we see your wrist?" Elder Fritz asked.

She shook her head and sniffled a little.

"Is there something to hide? You can tell us. It isn't your fault," Elder Fritz said. He approached her softly, and reached for her arm as if asking for permission.

She stared out at everyone with wide, shifting eyes. Her nostrils were expanding with each heavy breath. Finally, she let the Elder take her arm. He pulled back the sleeve of her dress and revealed several cuts and wounds where she had been bled. He blinked several times as if disbelieving, peering closer to verify the nature of the wounds.

The room gasped.

"Who did this?" One elder said.

"Perhaps this explains why she is sick and Ryan refused her," another said.

Everyone was talking at once, and she seemed to shrink away from it all. Elder Fritz returned to his place at the head of the table, and pounded a fist on the wood and quieted the room. He beckoned for Diana, and repeated his question, "Who did this?" She cleared her throat, "The Luna said I could become the next Luna. And this was ok to help the current Alpha." Her voice came out so small and high-pitched that everyone leaned in to hear her.

"Who?" An elder shouted as if he couldn't believe his ears.

"The Luna," she said. "My blood went to Alpha Jacob."

"Could this be true? Or is this a setup?" One skeptical elder said.

The entire room erupted with fury. The elders were all speaking over each other, so I wasn't even sure what they were saying. Even though it was a terrible situation for Diana, I could not help my excitement. Did this prove that Alpha Jacob was unfit? Had we taken him off the throne at last by his own wrong-doings? After Elder Fritz was able to quiet everyone, Diana said, "Did I do wrong? Am I in trouble now?"

"You are not in trouble, dear. We need to protect you better. You will have your protector from amongst the Alexanders, but first, let's get you to full health. You will not be the companion to the Luna any longer. Please, excuse us. Please go to my granddaughter, she will take care of you."

She pouted, looking like she wanted to cry more as a servant led her from the room.

I held my composure so I would not look excited. I wanted my shock and horror to look genuine, even if I was not shocked by this revelation. I had known since my death that Jacob and Jennifer were evil, conniving rulers.

"This changes everything," one elder said.

"What can we do? He is the Alpha." The supporter said.

"We're the Elders! And he has broken the most sacred pact!" Another shouted.

"This is not the way of Alexanders!" Someone else shouted.

"Only one outcome can come from this," Elder fritz said. "Jacob can no longer be Alpha."

"He should be imprisoned!" Another elder said. "He can die there for all I care!"

"Yes, perhaps." Elder Fritz said. He turned to us. "We must deliberate to know how to handle this, and put it to a vote." He turned to Dylan and I, "In private now. Thank you for your complaint as it seems valid, and we need to deal with this."

The room erupted with arguments on how to handle this as we were escorted from the room.

I didn't want to leave. I wanted to hear everything that might happen to Jacob. But Dylan, guided me from the room, politely thanking and bowing to all the Elders as he did. I felt triumphant. Jacob was finished.

"What a day," Dylan let out a breath as we entered the open air of outside.

"Yes," I said, trying not to jump with joy. "We must go tell Ryan."