Lyra's pov

“I-” I scanned my head for an elaborate lie.

But I couldn't think of anything .

“Be cautious with your words, Aurora.” Karl spoke up for me.

“Are you implying that I, the Alpha, would welcome a spy into my territory?”

The murmurs began to die down though not entirely. I gathered some courage to speak because I could not rely on Karl as a deadweight.

“The truth is that I have been a nightbane…” the mood of the entire room shifted and everyone was staring at me including Karl.

“But that is because I'm a wanderer, after my parents death I've never really had anywhere to call home so I move from pack to pack..” I said and thankfully it seemed to settle most of the doubt but Aurora still looked at me like a vulture wanting to strike and rip off my flesh.

“You have no parents?” She asked as if it was a crime. “And no pack to stand behind you either, so what then do you have as a Luna?” She asked, as she stared at me again, as if trying to assess me and the more she stared at me, the wider she smiled.

“Aurora, your questions are out of line…” Karl warned her.

She propped her elbow on the table in front of her, and placed her cheek on it and eyes filled with wicked amusement.

“Forgive me Alpha, I hope you take this with all due respect but these questions are just to verify if she is worthy enough to be the Luna of this pack. Unless she's not capable of answering these simple questions?”

There was a stir amongst the council, I could see Karl about to defend me but I beat him to it,speaking again.

“I can answer your questions…yes, it's true that I have no family or pack but…” I raked through my memory for at least one good quality about myself.

What was I really good for?

My own pack didn't think I was worth anything even the bloodhound mark didn't help.

And I might be a little naive but I could see that was where Aurora's questions were heading. She was pointing out to everyone that I was incompetent to be Karl's Lina.

I stared at her, she was indeed beautiful… everything I would want in myself.

The fact that she was the only woman seated here spoke of her standing in the pack. How could I dream of competing with that?

“But…” I tried to speak but nothing came out. I couldn't even bear to look at Karl. I'm sure he was ashamed of me.

“That's enough questions, everyone in this room should note that I'm doing this more out of courtesy for the council than anything else, no matter what this woman is my Luna.” He said, defending me once again. And with the way he spoke, I couldn't stop looking at him in awe. I tried to remember the last time anyone had ever stood up for me like this and my mind was blank.

I squeezed his fingers back, a show of appreciation.

Overall it didn't look like the council were dying to do backflips so celebrate my position. Some appeared to be neutral, a good number were still displeased but nobody went out of their way to voice their dissatisfaction.

“Good, since we are all in agreement now. Let's discuss the preparations for her coronation ceremony,” Karl was hardly done speaking when an older member of the council cleared his throat.

It might just be my misconception, but his eyes looked eerily similar to Aurora's.

“Alpha Karl, since we are discussing her coronation ceremony don't you think that there should be somebody who understands how a proper high standing lady should act guiding her through the entire process?”

Karl's entire expression tightened. He looked towards me as if to give a wordless apology and then back to the council member.

“That's true but-”

“Wonderful, I believe my niece would make an excellent choice!” He said clasping his hands together.

I didn't need to rupture a brain cell to figure out who his niece was.

“Alpha Karl, it would be an honor for me if you allowed me to do this, at least I could take it as closure…” she spoke again this time purely for the benefits of the council members,

“... After all there is no one who knows more about the requirements of a Luna than me, considering that I had practiced to be the Luna of this pack all my life”

I know Karl told me not to shrink, gave me this whole pep speech about keeping my head up. But during times like this it was easier said than done.

There she was reminding everyone for the umpteenth time that she was a far better candidate than I could ever dream to be.

Every time she did that it took me to my first fake wedding, I remembered the humiliation of being placed on a pedestal only to be dragged down for someone else more deserving.

“Fine, but remember your role is to guide and teach her, do not exceed your boundaries,” Karl said to her.

“I wouldn't dare,” She promised then looked at me, saying nothing but her smile got under my skin.

After we stepped out of that council room it felt like I could breathe a little easier.

Karl took me back to my room. He didn't say a single word until the door was closed behind us.

“You good?” he said with his hand on the knob still backing me. I collapsed on the bed.

“I've been worse.” I said resignedly then buried my face in my palm.

“I am sorry, I-”

“Don't beat yourself up over it, you've had your head lowered your entire life. It wasn't going to do a complete 180 in just one afternoon,” He spoke with understanding but I could hear the frustration in his voice.

“Just prepare yourself…” he said while pushing the door open, “the road only gets bumpier from here.”