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"This is an outrage!" Jerry hissed, anger glinted in his eyes as he stood up, his body shaking with fury. "You cannot be SERIOUS about this, council!"
The four ancient-looking and yet, intimidating Four Council Members sat on their places, high on a raised platform. The vast room looked like a justice court except that there were number of howling wolves growling at the back, protesting the council's decisions.
"SILENCE!" Joseph Alecathan-Hynes Thorn boomed from his seat on the four councils' high table.
"Peace, my dear ones," Harrison Andashman said, "War doesn't bring much good to us, listen to your hearts,"
The crowd grumbled but gradually muted to a silent wave. Jerry glared at James who was sitting comfortably on his place. The four packs gathered in the Council Chamber in the Thorn Manor. Each pack has assigned a chamber for this purpose in their estate.
The news of my unsanctioned mating with James burnt through the air so fast that I could barely think when Dad yanked me up to my feet from my bedchamber and practically dragged me to the Council Chamber. I didn't dare to look around my surrounding but kept my gaze to the four council members. The ones with real authority before the alphas. Dad had sat me down on my knees in front of them; I could feel my kneecaps burning in pain but I ignored it steadfastly.
Just like I had expected, many of the pack members growled in disapproval but the rest had thought that this was just a minor thing. Unsanctioned mating shouldn't be dragged down into a bigger scandal like crime. Love was all that matter.
It will soon be over love, James thought to me, trying to comfort me.
I closed my eyes; I didn't want to think the possibilities. There was still a chance that Jerry might win his argument and I would be severely punished and my fate would rest entirely in his hand. I saw the mad domineering glint in his eyes when he looked at me, a sudden comprehension dawned upon me when I realized that he could make me his Alpha Female's Mistress.
That was worse than death itself -- in my opinion anyway.
I realized that there was a high chance that he was calculating it that way. Fiorelle would still be the Alpha Female, the queen beside the king. The one respected by the pack members. A mistress, on the other hand, was just good enough in bed.
I shook my head.
He couldn't do it, even if he even thought about it.
I thanked my lucky stars that James had bit me, making me his.
I touched the scar on my neck gingerly; at least if I was to be punished, I would be spared the fate of becoming his mistress since I was technically an alpha's mate.
"Gracielle, child," Grayson Erickana Ruben called at me; he was sitting next to the Andashman Councilman and Nyca Councilman. I looked at him. He was, above all of the four councilmen, much stricter to protocol. "When did you mated with James Ruben?"
I couldn't help but to blush. "After the Grand Feast," I said weakly.
"I see," Grayson murmured. "James," he called to his alpha.
"Yes, Great Uncle Ruben," James answered as he walked and stood beside me. Jerry growled in protest but knew that he couldn't do anything but to wait for the Four Council's verdict.
"I believe that you had expressed a desire to mate with Gracielle Trina Thorn to the Andashman Councilman on the first day of your arrival here with your pack, is that so?" he looked at him intently.
"Yes," James nodded. "I haven't got the chance to come and express my intention since the Thorn-Andashman Mating Ceremony took all of our time. I admit that it was my mistake to not follow protocol but how can I refuse my wolf in claiming her? Surely the Four Council and the other packs' members would understand," he paused for an effect, "My wolf yearned for her as do I,"
"Nonetheless," Marcus Ryne Nyca interjected, "You should have better control on your wolf. I believe you have caused Alexander Trina Thorn a major grieve in not asking for his blessing in the first place. He only has one daughter whom he loved endearingly. I knew that he would have wanted a sanctioned and respected Mating Ceremony for her,"
My Dad harrumphed in agreement as my Mom touched his hand gingerly to support and to calm his burning nerves.
"It is my mistake but I do not regret upon it," James noted. "As you all may have notice, the Thorn Alpha seemed to be eager with the idea of having a mistress despite of just being a newly mated couple," I looked at him. James must have read Jerry's mind.
Jerry snarled. "It is well in my power to decide if I want a mistress, Ruben,"
Fiorelle growled in disagreement; she didn't like to share. She tossed me a hateful look towards me, finally realizing why her mate was initially cold towards her. I knew that she would do something to hurt me, if Jerry got his way with the Four Council.
"She has already been claimed, Thorn," James hissed. "SHE IS MINE."
The two alphas seemed to be mere seconds from pouncing into one another. "Indeed she is already been claimed," Grayson agreed. That stopped them from pouncing to one another.
"Although I hate to have rule-breakers in this council," Grayson noted to all of us, "It is extremely silly to go into great lengths about this unsanctioned mating,"
"True," Marcus nodded, "Now, if it were Gracielle mated with her Thorn Alpha, that would be a VERY different matter since he is already betrothed to Fiorelle Andashman,"
"I do not agree Marcus, Grayson," Harrison interjected, "They broke the law, they should be punished,"
Joseph on the other hand snorted, "Is it another war that you wish upon, Harrison?"
"No," Harrison exclaimed, "I don't like rule-breakers,"
"So do I, dear brother but look at them, certain circumstances sometimes need special exceptions," Marcus pointed at us. James smiled.
"It is decided then," Grayson boomed, "We acknowledged the mating between James Erickana Ruben and Gracielle Trina Ruben,"
Jerry snarled as he turned and yanked his mate with him. He stomped out from the council chamber in sheer anger.
The others nodded in acknowledgement. The rebels earlier finally growled in willing acceptance. Once the Four Council has decided upon a matter, they just followed of what it was like good wolves.
"Alexander," Grayson smiled, "Would you like a chance to give your blessing to your daughter?"
I looked at my father grimly. Knowing him, he would probably say no. That brought tears into my eyes.
My father approached me; I was still sitting on my knees. I didn't dare to look at his face. "You could do worse than James," he started, "thank heavens that you have enough sense to pick an eligible wolf,"
"Dad?" I was shocked.
He touched my head with his left hand and murmured, "I, Alexander Trina Thorn, give my blessings to you, my dear daughter," he then looked at James and took his hand and put it on my head, "Will you, James Erickana Ruben, cherish, love and take excellent care of my dear daughter, Gracielle? To love and to hold till time ends?"
"I do...father," James said seriously.
"Then, I give thee, my blessings," Dad ended.
That was it. My mating was finally acknowledged. I wouldn't have a luxurious mating ceremony like Fiorelle and Jerry did since I was already mated and the idea of having sex in front of the hundreds of watching eyes didn't appeal me. It might turn James on though but then again, I'm such a weird little shy wolf to begin with.
Mom went to me and embraced me in happy tears, "You've outdone yourself, honey," she murmured, "I can never ask a better mate for you," great, she's approved of James. I thought lamely.