Council Meeting (Darius POV)
"You've waited long enough, Alpha."
Darius stood at the head of the council chamber, towering, unmoved. His arms were folded behind his back, his jaw tight.
Elder Norrix stepped forward, his voice grave. "A pack without a Luna is a vulnerable one. The people are growing restless."
"Then tell them to focus on training, not gossip."
"They need stability. Leadership. Heirship," Councilwoman Thalia added with a tight smile. "You've had years."
"I've spent years searching for her," Darius said, voice like stone. "You know that."
"And still—no mate."
The words echoed.
Darius's wolf growled beneath his skin, but he kept his expression cold. Blank.
"We're prepared to name a Luna for you by the next full moon," Norrix declared. "Unless you act first."
"Name?" Darius's voice dropped, low and dangerous.
"Ivy of West Ridge is strong. Loyal. Well-respected by the inner circle."
Of course. Ivy. Always Ivy.
Darius's lips curled slightly. Not a smile. A warning. "You'll do no such thing."
"Then choose, Alpha."
The room fell into silence again. Darius looked out at the wolves who sat at the high table—elders, advisors, manipulators.
He'd waited. Hoped. Dreamed.
But dreams didn't rule packs. Power did.
"I'll choose," he said at last, his voice cold as winter.
And with that, the meeting ended
........
Alpha's office
"You going to sit there all night pretending that council meeting didn't just corner your ass?"Theo Darius beta and only friend asked
Darius didn't look up from the reports on his desk. "It's handled."
"Is it?" Theo pushed off the doorframe and walked in, dropping a file on the edge of the desk. "Because from where I stood, it looked like they gave you an ultimatum."
Darius finally met his gaze, eyes cold. "I said I'd choose. That's all they need to know."
Theo tilted his head, watching him. "You're really going to do it then?"
"Do what?"
"Pick a Luna just to shut them up." He gave a humorless laugh. "Not exactly how most wolves dream of finding their mate."
Silence settled between them. Heavy.
"I waited, Theo," Darius said quietly. "I searched for her longer than most alphas would've. I've crossed every territory, sat through more ceremonies than I care to count. She's not coming."
Theo's expression softened. "Maybe she doesn't know who she is yet. Maybe the timing was wrong."
"Timing doesn't matter. The pack does." Darius leaned back in his chair, voice turning to steel. "They want a Luna. They'll get one."
Theo hesitated, then leaned forward. "Then don't give them Ivy."
Darius narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"
"You remember Marcus Blake?"
"The human trader?"
"Yeah. Your father did business with him for years. Blake still owes your family—big time. Old debt. You could call it in."
Darius raised a brow. "And do what, exactly?"
"Ask for one of his daughters."
Darius blinked. "You want me to buy a Luna?"
"Not buy. Settle a debt. Politically clean. No pack drama, no scheming she-wolves, no Ivy."
Darius's jaw clenched. "I don't even know them."
"You don't need to," Theo said. "That's the point. Pick the quiet one. Human. Obedient. It's a marriage on paper, nothing more."
Silence.
"You can give the council what they want," Theo added carefully. "And still keep your heart locked away, like you always do."
That earned him a glare.
Theo grinned. "Just saying."
Darius stood slowly, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. Set the meeting. Tell Marcus Blake to bring one of his daughters."
"Which one?"
Darius shrugged. "Whichever he's willing to part with"