h4Chapter 76: Chapter 76: GET MARRIED/h4

    strongIVAN’S POV/strong

    My eyes snapped to Francis. Maeve? Why would he think that?

    Nina gasped, indignant. "No! I kept this from Lady Maeve. I did not want to worsen her burden with the Alpha. She has already been stressed about many things—I’ve had to lie to her about that night, and I’ve been gutted with guilt since then. I only nned to advise her to keep Asha indoors more."

    Too believable. Too practiced. Even the Goddess’ own stone couldn’t expose her.

    But I knew now. She was lying. And she was damn good at it.

    Good enough to fool everyone.

    Even me.

    But why? Who was she really? She imed Maeve had picked her up, but did that mean Maeve had unknowingly invited the devil herself into her home? Was Maeve in danger, keeping such a creature so close? Was Asha in danger?

    My thoughts tangled until I barely noticed when she stepped away from the stand after the elders were satisfied with her intensive grilling.

    It was Halden’s voice that snapped me back.

    "The Alpha is unsafe. Dangerous. We cannot leave him free. He should be locked away—"

    "Hold your tongue." Vance’s bored voice silenced Halden. "The ruling cannot be fair if one order is weighed heavier than the other. Ivan Cross appeased two orders out of three. Yes, the Order of Sight poses a problem. That shows imperfection, yes—but also... we must not erase the previous two orders in favor of one. He has promised stronger temperance. What kind of council would strip its Alpha without fairness?"

    "What are you suggesting?" Halden snarled.

    "A probationary period," Vance said simply. "Strike one. He is watched. If there is a second, then harsher action."

    "Strike two?" Halden screeched. "By then, someone could be dead!"

    "I doubt it," Vance said coolly. "I trust Ivan to make the right call."

    Ilyas nodded. "The Cross family has served us for generations. Though the rumors unsettled me, I am not eager to strip him of the crown."

    Mara followed. "Nor I."

    Even Barty puffed up. "Yes. Ivan is the crucible of coronation. This may well be a conspiracy to dethrone him."

    Halden screeched. "A conspiracy? From a girl who spoke nothing but truth? The stone stayed blue! Have you all lost your minds?"

    Francis’s voice was ice. "Let’s put it to a vote, then. All in favor of a probationary seat for Ivan Cross?"

    Hands rose, one by one. The council’s eyes turned to me. My heart swelled with heat. Though their hesitation lingered, there was trust—strong, undeniable trust—in me. Every hand raised, except Halden’s.

    Francis smirked. "I think it’s safe to say the majority have it."

    Halden’s face went scarlet. With a snap of his robes, he stormed out, stomping like a child.

    Ilyas stood. "It is concluded. Here are the council’s terms: Ivan Cross will be carefully watched. Weekly reports from Revierre on your temperance. And, on a day of your choosing, you will be tried once more by the Order of Fury to prove that your wolf does not pose a danger. I believe that is all. Until the next verdict, he is the next Alpha King of Ash Creek—"

    "May I suggest something?" Vance Montrose smiled in that slow, calcted way of his.

    "By all means."

    Vance turned to me, lowering his voice to a deliberate hush.

    "I think you need to get married soon, Ivan. You may have appeased the Orders, to some extent, but you still have your people to appease. Yourte father and his mate yed their cards wisely to win the people’s love. And nothing stills the masses more than an Alpha who is a loving husband and father. Think about it—a public engagement with your chosen Luna, a reunited son at your side, and a pack that believes in their king."

    The elders nodded one by one. Even Francis seemed to like the idea. But it left a bad taste in my mouth, because I knew exactly who Vance wanted by my side. Serena.

    I forced a smile. "Your thoughts are always appreciated. I’ll make a statement soon."

    "You’ll make a great Alpha King."

    "Then this hearing is adjourned," Ilyas dered, striking the stone. Its chime sang through the chamber.

    Barty cheered, lunging to hug Francis, who shoved him off.

    I chuckled under my breath. The elders bowed one by one and filed out.

    Only Vance stayed behind. He caught my eye and chuckled too, stepping closer as I rose to leave.

    "Do not mind Halden—he has always been a foolish old man with loyalties to a different lineage."

    "What lineage?" Curiosity pulled my brows together.

    "They were exiled," Vance waved a dismissive hand. "But that’s unimportant. Let’s talk family business, my boy. I’ve missed seeing that grumpy face of yours."

    I cringed. But somehow, I managed a smile—because that’s what respectable Alphas do when standing before men like Vance Montrose.

    "Thank you for your support back there, Vance. I hear you’ll be chief of the council."

    "In a week precisely." He leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "Then I finally get to kick out Halden and his bald head."

    He burst into loud, boisterousughter that didn’t quitend with me.

    I only shook my head. "I’m d to see you’re enthusiastic."

    "Someone has to be, around here. And from what I’ve heard from my daughter, you’re having cold feet about your marriage—and you confirmed this during the Order of Fury." His calcting gaze narrowed the slightest bit. "Is this about your ex-wife?"

    I chuckled. "Why does everyone bring Maeve into this?"

    "Because I hear things have been... different since she arrived."

    "The only difference I see is that I have an heir now. My arrangement with Serena was born only out of necessity. Our marriage was meant to ensure my wolf epted her. But with my son’s appearance—"

    "There is no need for my daughter anymore." Vancepleted the thought for me, that disturbing smile still stered across his face.

    "There is no need to keep trying for a child with another woman," I corrected firmly.

    "Does that mean Maeve will be your Luna?"