Killian nodded coldly in concurrence. He couldn't agree any less.

"It is to our knowledge that you have found your mate, Alpha Killian," Elder Zed began.

Killian paused for a moment. The mention of the word "mate" had never dwelt well with him. He clenched his jaw, his hand curling into a ball. Something in his chest tightened. But Killian kept an expressionless face, keeping his demeanor neutral. Killian scanned the elders one by one.

"I see you're a little too interested in my pack business; may I remind you that whatever happens in my pack is none of your business, as long as we don't break the rules of the Council?" Killian reminded them, just in case they had forgotten their place. Even though they were the old wolves, they had no right to get involved in his pack business.

"You are correct, Alpha Killian, and trust us, we don't want to meddle in the Crescent North Pack, but this matter is important to us." Alpha Silas spoke up, his voice echoing off the corner walls. "And as the old wolves, we have an obligation to perform."

Killian creased his brows in confusion, placing a hand on the wooden table before him. "And what is that?"

"The Luna's coronation," Elder Walter, who had been quiet, spoke up. Killian felt Allen and Mason twitch beside him but didn't say a word.

"In every pack, it has been our duty to coronate the Lunas, and in this case, you have found your mate," Elder Walter added.

Killian tilted his head coldly, his eyes falling on Elder Nell. "That is fine by me, but..." Killian paused. "You will only be crowning Thea Chrysler as my Luna."

Killian watched the elders' faces color with rage. But he managed to keep his demeanor neutral. Thea was the woman who had been etched in his destiny, and the one who deserved to be the Luna of his pack, not the other woman, not the enemy's daughter, not the woman the moon goddess had carelessly tossed in his path to be a weakness that he couldn't afford. At least not now that he was finally a step closer to breaking the curse inflicted on him and his pack by his own father.

Killian has made this clear to the elders several times already. When he had found Thea after so many years of searching for the one blessed by the moon goddess to save him and put an end to his curse, Killian informed the Elders to coronate her as his Luna at once, but they declined, saying she was not his destined mate. And now they were here, trying to have the enemy's daughter as his Luna. That will never be possible.

"She isn't your mate, Alpha Killian." Elder Nell said. Killian could tell the older man struggled to contain his rage. But Killian could hardly care.

"She is the one I have chosen as my Luna," Killian said, keeping his ground. It didn't matter what they said; Thea was the one Killian wanted and the one his pack needed.

"And what about your destined mate? What about her?" Elder Zed asked, "If you've already made your choice on Thea, why haven't you rejected her yet?"

At Elder Zed's question, Killian's wolf, Ryker, stretched at the back of his mind. But before he could mutter a word, Killian shut him out. He knew he had to think clearly with his head and not be influenced by the silliness of the supposed mate bond.

"Don't delude yourself, Alpha Killian; even you can't be immune to the mate bond. If you don't want your mate, do the needful; otherwise, she will be crowned your Luna in a few days." Elder Philip declared, and Killian's gaze widened.