"It's about Xavier killing my mate."
The words hit like a strike of lightning. Gasps rippled through the chamber, whispers rising like smoke.
Athena's heart slammed against her ribs… she didn't know if she should mirror their shock, or hold herself as calm as Xavier did beside her. He stood tall, unbothered, as though Kraven's words were nothing but noise.
An Elder leaned forward, voice low, demanding. "Alpha Xavier, what do you have to say about this accusation your own brother has made against you?"
Xavier didn't flinch.
His tone was smooth, even… dangerous. "Kraven is my half brother. Though we were born of different mothers, I've never treated him as anything less than my own blood. So why he believes I would harm his mate… our Luna, baffles me. In fact, I would be the happiest to welcome her."
His silver eyes narrowed, sharp as blades. "I am deeply offended by his accusation."
Kraven scoffed, bitterness dripping from his voice. "Don't act so noble, Xavier. Everyone here knows what your mother did to mine. From the moment the prophecy revealed my mate would be born of the fox clan, she despised it. She hated that the Elders would prefer me for the throne. She hated the fact that I was bonded with a special mate instead of his son."
"That does not mean I had anything to do with killing your mate," Xavier replied coldly. "Throne or not, I'll still be the Alpha this kingdom needs with my Luna."
Kraven's hands curled into fists. "Of course you did! You're finishing what your mother started. Ending the fox clan, once and for all. She just couldn't handle that I am fated to such a special mate instead of you."
"Bullshit!" Xavier's voice finally cracked like a whip across the table. "You have no proof of this shameless act against my mother. She loved you too, Kraven. Have you forgotten those days?"
Kraven's jaw clenched, his eyes blazing. "She killed my mother. Nothing matters beyond that."
He turned sharply to the Elders, his voice rising. "Ask him…what was he doing in Greenwich three weeks ago? Why was that town full of werewolves suddenly burned and slaughtered?"
Murmurs erupted throughout the hall.
Xavier, unshaken by Kraven's words, spoke first. "I was there because I received a message asking for my help. It was an anonymous call."
Kraven let out a bitter laugh. "And you didn't think it could be a trap?"
"I did. But no trap can hold me. My men and I… we put saving others above saving ourselves. That's what being an Alpha means. But when we arrived, it was too late. They were already gone. Everyone was slaughtered."
Kraven clicked his tongue. Then his lips curved into a sinister smile. "No, brother. You're wrong. Not everyone was dead."
The chamber grew colder as Kraven stepped away from the table, his boots echoing against the stone floor. He stopped before Athena. She stiffened, every muscle locking as his hand closed tightly around her arm.
"There's still one survivor," Kraven said, his voice low and dangerous. He tugged her forward like a prize, his eyes burning into hers. "Am I wrong, sweetheart?"
Athena's breath caught. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Dozens of piercing eyes turned toward her, waiting.
Demanding.
Her gaze darted helplessly to Xavier, silently pleading…say something.
Do something.
The chamber was thick with silence after Kraven's accusation. All eyes shifted to Athena, burning into her like fire.
"Who are you, girl?" one of the Elders demanded. "And how did you meet Alpha Xavier?"
Athena opened her mouth, but before a word could escape, Xavier stepped forward, placing himself between her and the council. His presence filled the space, commanding.
"Her name is Athena Taylor," he said firmly. "I found her when she was barely breathing. She needed immediate healing assistance or she would have died."
Kraven's voice cut through his explanation like a blade. "But that doesn't explain why you recruited her. Any hospital in the human world could have patched her up. Why bring her here?"
Xavier's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady, sharp with authority. "I brought her here because she was the only one left in that pack. Alone, she wouldn't have survived. And…" his gaze swept the table, unyielding, "she is a top notch surgeon. That adds value to her existence in our world."
"Bullshit." Kraven's snarl echoed, his eyes blazing as he took a step closer. "You know what? I'll tell you why she's the only survivor from that attack."
Xavier's eyes glinted like steel. "Enlighten me, Kraven."
Kraven's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Because she's the one who helped you in the slaughter."
The words hung like poison in the air. Gasps broke out across the table. Athena's head shot up, eyes locking onto Kraven's. The look she had was something he didn't expect from her.
But she didn't look shocked. She didn't look terrified.
She looked… betrayed.
Her steady gaze faltered only when she looked away, her chest tight. She should have known… Kraven had been circling her like a predator, not because he cared, but because he wanted something.
Information… and now that she hadn't given him the chance, he pinned it all on her. On her and Xavier.
"You're crossing your limits, Kraven." Xavier's voice was sharp enough to cut stone. He moved closer to Athena, shielding her without hesitation. "Athena is as innocent here as I am. You force us into the role of villains because you are a failed Alpha who still hasn't found his mate."
Kraven's eyes darkened, fury flashing but before he could retort, one of the Elders raised a hand.
"Alpha Kraven," the Elder said, voice like gravel, "why do you think Alpha Xavier killed your mate? Did you feel your bond broken?"
Kraven stiffened, chest heaving. "No. The bond isn't broken. But I don't feel it either. It's as if her entire existence has vanished from this earth."
The Elder leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Then it is still not certain whether your mate is dead. In that case, Alpha Xavier cannot be accused of anything."
The verdict struck like a gavel. Athena finally released the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, her shoulders sagging in relief.
But it was short lived.
Kraven's laugh cut through the chamber, low and humorless. He straightened, fixing Xavier with a venomous smirk. "Don't get too comfortable, brother. This isn't over."
Wait, what? He still has something up his sleeves?