Chapter 111: Hidden truth

Alyssa sat beside Dorian inside the Rolls Royce as Alec drove them toward the court council.

Outwardly, she maintained a calm, impassive composure, but inside, her heart was hammering against her ribs.

Apart from the brief, formal introductions rushed through during the wedding, she hadn’t actually been properly introduced to the Elders of Wintercrest.

Now, as Alec brought the car to a smooth stop in front of the enormous building, her breath hitched.

Her fingers tightened nervously around the soft fabric of her pink dress. It was dainty, refined, and elegant, clinging seamlessly to her curves while sweeping down to her ankles.

Her hair cascaded down her back in dark and red loose waves, and a thin diamond necklace nestled delicately against her collarbone.

Dorian reached across the seat and took her hand in his. He had traded his usual leather jackets for a tailored black button-down shirt and sharp black trousers. The top section of his hair was secured back into a sleek ponytail, while the rest flowed silkily down his neck and shoulders.

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a warm kiss against her knuckles.

"Are you nervous, my love?"

Alyssa mustered a soft smile and shook her head. Then, letting out a long, shaky exhale, she confessed the truth. "I am. The Elders sound terrifying."

Dorian chuckled low, the deep rumble vibrating against her palm as he drew her against his chest. He gently cupped her chin, his thumb reaching out to brush along the delicate contour of her bottom lip.

"Remember who you are. You are their Queen. Hold your head high, keep your shoulders straight, and let your eyes burn with confidence. The moment they look at you, they will bow."

Easier said than done, Alyssa thought, her stomach twisting into knots. But looking into his intense golden eyes, she smiled and nodded.

"Hold my head high. Got it."

Dorian’s lips curved into a devilish grin. He closed the remaining space between them, capturing her mouth in a soft, reassuring kiss. He lingered until he felt the tension drain from her shoulders. Slowly, he pulled back.

"Are you ready?"

She drew in a sharp breath and nodded firmly. "I’m ready."

He locked his fingers securely through hers just as Alec stepped around to open the rear passenger door.

Alyssa gripped his hand tightly as she stepped onto the stone floor, her balance wobbling slightly in the diamond-studded heels Pandora had stubbornly insisted she wear.

They make you look regal and intimidating, Pandora had argued.

Dorian slipped one arm around her waist, holding her close as his own expression transformed; the affectionate husband vanishing, replaced by the hard, stoic, and lethal Alpha King.

"Do I wait out here in the car, Alpha?" Alec asked quietly, shutting the car door behind them.

"Come with us. I’ll need your presence in there."

Dorian led Alyssa up the steps, deliberately slowing his long stride to match hers. As they approached the summit, two guards hauled open the arched doors of the court hall.

Alyssa was instantly breathless as they crossed the threshold. She had anticipated a bland stone fortress, but the sheer magnificence of the courtroom took the air right out of her lungs.

The high vaulted ceilings and massive crystal chandeliers gave the place a serene, sacred atmosphere. Every double door they passed through was absurdly massive, leaving her wondering if the court had been built by giants.

When they finally stepped into the main council chamber, where the Elders sat assembled around a rectangular mahogany table, Alyssa took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and raised her head to meet their imposing gazes.

The moment Dorian and Alyssa stepped through the threshold, all twelve Elders rose to their feet as one.

"Long live the Alpha and Luna," they chanted in unison, bowing their heads deeply.

Dorian guided Alyssa to the head of the table, gently helping her into the seat. He took the seat beside her, resting one reassuring hand on her thigh before lifting his eyes to address the room.

"You may sit," he commanded.

The Elders slowly lowered themselves back into their seats. Behind Alyssa, Alec stepped into position, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Silence ensued for several seconds. Alyssa tried not to fidget under the unblinking stares of the council members. One elder in particular stared at her with hostile contempt, making it obvious that he despised her presence.

"Well, get on with it," Dorian spoke finally, his tone dripping with bored impatience. "You demanded an audience with your Luna. Here she is."

Kane sat up straighter and cleared his throat. He was the very elder who had been glaring at Alyssa with such venom since she entered.

"Luna Alyssa," he began, bowing his head stiffly. "I am Kane Pendragon, Head of the High Council and First Advisor to the Alpha King."

He extended a hand toward the man seated to his right. "This is Connor, my second-in-command. On behalf of the entire council of elders, we welcome you as Luna Queen to Wintercrest."

Alyssa knew this was her moment. She swallowed the lump in her throat, squared her shoulders, and stared Kane straight in his eyes.

"Thank you, Elder Kane," she responded in a steady voice. "It is an honor to be accepted as your Luna, and an even greater honor to serve as Queen to such a grand kingdom."

Beside her, Dorian gently squeezed her thigh. This was a battle he could not fight for her; she had to establish her own sovereignty. She had to speak, command the room, and prove she possessed the strength to wear the crown.

"The honor is entirely ours," Kane continued smoothly, though his eyes remained sharp. "However, the council as a collective body has a series of necessary questions regarding your... errh, background."

Alyssa didn’t waver. She kept her gaze locked onto Kane’s face. "Ask away."

"Normally, when a Queen is brought forth to rule Wintercrest alongside the Alpha King, strict and non-negotiable criterias are evaluated," Kane explained, leaning forward on his elbows. "Criterias such as education, social standing, family lineage, to name but a few. These are what we use to judge a candidate’s readiness."

Alyssa’s brows drew together into a sharp frown. "Are you implying, Elder Kane, that a person is entirely unfit to rule as Queen simply because they do not align with your specific list of criteria?"

Kane blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her question. He clearly hadn’t expected her to bite back.

"That is not precisely what I meant, Your Majesty," Kane tried to pivot, but Alyssa cut him off before he could reframe his words.

"Do you judge the worth of a Queen solely on what you just listed? Education, wealth, and family lineage?" Alyssa challenged, her voice ringing clear through the silence of the court. "What about character? What about empathy? What about an unwavering willingness to sacrifice oneself for the safety of the people? I would think those are the true, essential criteria a council should look for in a leader, Elder Kane."

Kane was left completely speechless, his mouth opening slightly before snapping shut.

To his right, Connor sat frozen in stunned silence. Not a single elder in the room had anticipated the Luna taking absolute control of the dialogue so effortlessly.

"Well, you raise a fair point," Kane muttered grudgingly, shifting in his seat. "I apologize if my words were clumsy, Your Majesty. Both your criteria and mine are relevant before a Luna is officially crowned. But as you are already crowned, we shall proceed to the core matter."

"Very well," Alyssa nodded once. "As you all know, I am Alyssa Storm Hellborne. Orphaned, wolfless, and raised without formal education. I do not come from a high-standing lineage, nor does my family hold any prestigious titles."

She paused, letting the weight of her words hang in the silent room before continuing. "However, what I lack in noble titles and formal schooling, I make up for with a just heart and unyielding loyalty. I do not tolerate evil. I bear the burdens of my people, and I will do everything within my power to protect them. And if the moment demands it, I will sacrifice everything I hold dear to keep this kingdom safe."

Kane remained silent, utterly stripped of his pre-planned attack. Alyssa had effortlessly dismantled every trap he had prepared.

Beside her, Dorian practically glowed with immense pride. His face remained a mask of stone, but his golden eyes burned with fascination as he watched his wife command the room.

"That is... undeniably impressive," Kane finally managed to state, retrieving his composure with a tight smile. "I do not require a genius to see that you possess the true qualities of a Queen, Luna Alyssa. However, a grave matter has recently been brought to the attention of this high court, a matter concerning the hidden truth of your bloodline."

Dorian slowly sat up, his shoulders tensing up, his eyes bleeding into black coals. This was what he had been dreading.