He had to be very careful how he navigated this unraveling of the truth.
She calmed at his touch, his hand remaining there.
Fiona stared at Ronan with unblinking eyes, a guttural sound escaping her as she paced. He could see that she debated everything. Her entire posture changed when she looked at Marcus.
"If I must say it, then I must," Fiona began and Ronan narrowed his eyes at her sudden discomfort. "We want the Silvers underourcontrol..." she kept her glare on Marcus, "to avoid certain males from abusing their Silvers. It's not what the goddess would want. You don't need to be an Elder to know that."
Ronan snickered as he was now witnessing Marcus getting scolded, although he was quick to stifle the rest of his laughter before Marcus could retort.
Ronan replied, "Arrangements can be made to ensure that they aren't abused; you don’t need to take control over them for that. I pity the male that attempts to force himself on a Silver when she finally knows how to use her claws. So that excuse of yours falls on deaf ears.”
“At least let us keep them until that time, to protect them. Whatever you feel, the Silvers need the powers of an Elder to see them through this change,” Fiona challenged.
Ronan’s instincts still gnawed at him, not trusting her.
She had a point—keeping them together for a time might be best for them.
“We can discuss that further in private.”
“As long as we understand each other from that angle, then fine. For now, I will have to consult with the Arch Elder Tania and the sovereigns about yourrequest, but the Silvers will remain housed with us. Over the next six days, they could have reactions to the serum, and we need to monitor it. I willnotbudge on that.”
He nodded. “I also want a member of Warden with my Silver at all times."
A voice Ronan had been waiting for finally spoke up, and he was glad to hear it.
“I, too, want a member of Burning Moon with my Silver. I don't want anything to happen to her, and Ronan is right not to trust you. You've all gone too far with your rules and new traditions," Allard drawled with his rich, raspy voice. His Silver was a tall, dark skinned female, reminding him of Tania.
It was a voice that Ronan imagined a warg would have.Finally, he chimes in.
"If you insist," Fiona conceded with clenched fists.
This confirmed what Ronan had been mulling over all night—the Elders only had power because the Alphas were giving it to them.
A fire brewed in him, fueled by the oncoming full moon. "Glad we had this discussion, Fiona. We will make this a habit."
R E M
Rem hadno idea what just happened.
She stared at the Elders who eyed Ronan with disdain. Whatever heated conversation transpired, he seemed to have won it.
Ronan stood, and the other Alphas did the same. Even Marcus.
"Go ahead, stand up," Fiona grumbled, her mystic tone gone. The Silvers rose, and Ronan wasted no time as he walked forward, the other Alphas following.
"Go," the Elder commanded as her eyes glossed over the Silver. "You're free until the sun sets, to which you will return to the same home we came from. You will stay with us until the end of this ordeal."
"But I don't know my way there," a Silver piped up. "I'm terrible with directions."
"Take it up with your Alpha if they are somighty," Fiona spat, her eyes turning amber.
It felt good to see Fiona so flustered.
Fiona’s glare moved to Rem, who looked ahead with victory. She wouldn’t press the Elder Witch, but she wouldn’t completely bow down to her, either. Not anymore. Not if Ronan would stand up to her. His hand on Rem’s shoulder reminded her she really wasn’t alone in this.
If only I could tell him. I need to find a way.
None of the Silvers objected as they followed their Alphas.
