Book To Read
Chapter 483
Chapter 0483
The Council members seemed to glance at each other curiously at that. It seemed our mention of a vote was somewhat unexpected, but it was true. Noah and had discussed it before. Many times.
But then Drake suddenly rose, clearing his throat. "I have a question for you two. A more personal one."
Noah and I turned to face him, silently willing him to ask anything.
Drake paused, glancing at the others on the Council before continuing. "What about Melody? When she comes of age, will she be required to marry in order to lead the pack?"
The question hit me harder than I thought it would. Drake had phrased it as part of the interview, but I knew it was more personal than that. He cared for Melody-he would have protected her with his life if the need arose.. He was asking about her future now. About her emotional wellbeing. Because he had seen both of her parents suffer with their own for far too long.
"Melody... has many years ahead of her before we even need to think about that," I began carefully. "We hope to have plenty of open discussions with her over the years, and when the time comes, the choice will be entirely hers."
Drake seemed to deflate a little at that, and Noah added, "If she wants to rule as sole Alpha of Silvercrest, she can do that. If she wants to marry-man or woman-and name them as her co-Alpha, then that will be her decision."
"Being a female Alpha is... not easy." I glanced at the other Alphas, throwing them all meaningful looks. "And if she decides she doesn't want to rule at all, or if she wants to establish a council to help her lead, that will be her right as well. We won't force her into a role she doesn't want, just as we wouldn't force anyone in our pack."
"No more arranged marriages," Noah finished quietly.
At that, Drake snapped his eyes to Noah's and held his gaze, silent but steady. Something fierce and protective flickered in my friend's eyes for the briefest of moments before he nodded and sat back down in his chair.
"That was all I had to ask," Drake murmured.
Finally, Alpha George set hit pen down. He looked at his fellow Council members, a silent conversation passing between them. After what felt like an eternity, he closed his notebook and folded his hands neatly in his lap.
"If you wouldn't mind," he said, gesturing to the door, "we'd like the room to discuss our decision."
Noah and I obliged and made our way to the door. As soon as we stepped into the hallway and the door was shut behind us once again, Noah turned to me and pulled me into his arms. He pressed a kiss to my temple as he tangled his fingers into my hair. "It's going to be okay," he whispered. "No matter what happens, we'll figure it out together."
I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent "Promise?"
"Promise," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.
We stood like that, wrapped in each other, as we waited for the final verdict. It felt like hours, although it could only have been a handful of minutes before the study door creaked open again. Drake stood in the doorway. His face was still impassive, but I could see a flicker of something new in his eyes this time.
Excitement.
"We're ready for you now."
With our collective breaths held, we walked back into the study. The Council had arranged themselves in a semicircle, their faces still carefully neutral, giving nothing away.
Alpha George gestured to Drake with one hand. "Alpha Drake, since you are... close with Alpha Hannah and Alpha Noah, perhaps you should share the news."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Drake nodded and took a step back, clearing his throat as if preparing to read a script. "After careful consideration of everything we have seen today, as well as your answers to our questions, we have reached a decision."
He paused, and his face slowly, too slowly, split into a grin.
"Silvermoon and Nightcrest are now one pack. Silvercrest... is official."
The relief hit me like a tidal wave, and before I could stop myself, I let out a cry of joy and threw myself
into Noah's arms.