How To Lose Your Billionaire Alpha Husband In 365 Days (Or Less)!-Chapter 31: Council Meeting...

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains in pale streaks, casting warm lines across the bed. I stirred beneath the thick blanket, blinking against the light.

Aiden sat on the edge of the bed, already dressed in dark jeans and a black shirt, lacing up his boots. He glanced over his shoulder when he heard me move. "Hey. You sleep okay?"

"Yeah," I lied, though the memory of Elena’s whispered words haunted me. A curse...

He stood, brushing a hand through his damp hair. "There’s a council meeting in an hour. I want you to come with me."

I pushed up on my elbows. "Do I have to?"

"I’d prefer if you did," he said, although there was a hint of hesitation in his voice. "And... they want to meet you."

"I’ll just be in the way." I threw the blanket aside. "You don’t need me hovering while you talk politics."

A knock interrupted us. Before Aiden could answer, the door creaked open, and an older man peered inside. His hair was silver at the temples, and his posture was straight and authoritative. "She’s coming with you, isn’t she?"

Aiden frowned. "Elder Corvin—"

"You’re bringing her, I trust?" He asked Aiden, though his gaze never left mine.

"I was just telling her she didn’t have to—"

"Nonsense." Corvin’s voice brooked no argument. "She’s your mate, isn’t she? The council has every right to meet the one who might be Luna."

Aiden’s jaw tightened. "It’s not official. We’re still figuring things out."

"All the more reason for us to know who she is." The elder gave a thin smile. "Besides, we have questions."

Aiden’s mouth pressed into a thin line. "It’s not mandatory—"

"It is now." Corvin’s tone brooked no argument. "See you downstairs."

The door shut before Aiden could reply. He cursed under his breath. "I didn’t want to drag you into this."

I stood, crossing the room to him. "It’s okay."

"It’s not." His eyes darkened. "They’re going to test you. Push you."

I swallowed. "Then let them."

Aiden’s gaze softened, though a flicker of worry still shadowed his expression. He reached out and pulled me into a brief, protective hug, his arms warm and solid around me. "Stay close to me."

"I will," I murmured, feeling the weight of what lay ahead settle on my chest.

After he left to prepare, I looked in the bathroom mirror. My face was pale and tired, and my hair was messy. I sighed and stepped into the warm shower, letting the water wash away the restless dreams of the night. Elena’s words lingered in my mind, filling me with doubt.

Once clean, I towelled off and brushed my hair into a neat braid, tying it low against my neck. My small suitcase sat in the corner of the room, still barely unpacked.

I hadn’t planned for a council meeting; most of what I’d brought were casual jeans, tank tops, and a single hoodie.

With growing frustration, I sifted through the clothes, tossing aside shorts and tees until my fingers closed on a dark green blouse and a pair of black slacks I’d packed "just in case."

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the fabric.

The blouse wasn’t exactly formal, but it had a tailored fit that flattered my frame. Paired with the slacks and simple flats, it looked... presentable.

The hint of colour brought warmth to my pale complexion, and for the first time since waking, I felt a sliver of composure.

"Better than nothing," I muttered to myself.

My gaze drifted to my phone on the nightstand. Sophia. I hadn’t spoken to her since arriving. I made a mental note to call her after the meeting, hoping she wasn’t worrying—or worse, plotting some crazy rescue plan.

A knock at the door startled me. "Jasmine?" Aiden’s voice filtered through.

"I’m almost ready," I called, grabbing the phone and tucking it into my pocket. I stepped out just as he entered.

He gave me a quick once-over, his lips twitching faintly. "Beautiful as always."

"Don’t sound so surprised," I teased, but the nerves fluttering in my stomach made my voice softer than I intended.

"We’ve got a little time before the council calls us in. Let’s get something to eat."

I nodded gratefully. Despite the tight knot of anxiety, food sounded like a good idea. We made our way downstairs to the dining room, where a simple breakfast of eggs, toast, and fruit had been laid out.

I picked at my plate while Aiden downed his food hungrily.

Halfway through, Kieran entered. Once again, I had no idea when he arrived. "They’re ready for you," he said, his gaze flicking briefly to me, nodding, before settling on Aiden.

I swallowed hard, setting down my fork. "I don’t think I’m ready for this."

"You’ll be fine," Aiden murmured, but his expression said otherwise.

I followed them reluctantly through the halls, my heart thudding harder with every step.

The council chamber was a high-ceilinged circular room with walls lined with banners and old weapons. A long table stretched in the centre, filled with men and women of varying ages, their faces solemn as we entered.

They all turned to look at me.

"She’s smaller than I expected," one murmured.

"Human, though," another said, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

Aiden shot them a warning glare as he guided me to a chair beside him. "Let’s get this over with."

The eldest among them—a silver-haired woman with piercing eyes—leaned forward. "We’ve reviewed the reports from last night’s attack. We need tighter patrols along the western border. The rogues tested us. Next time, they won’t pull back so easily."

Aiden nodded. "I’ve already doubled the guards and posted two new scout teams."

One of the elders, a wiry woman named Mara, spoke up. "And the rogues who got through?"

"Tracked and eliminated," Aiden replied grimly.

"There’s also the matter of supplies," another added. "Our healers nearly ran out of stock treating last night’s injuries."

"We’ll fix it," Aiden promised.

The discussion continued, touching on security measures, resource allocations, and shifting alliances with neighbouring packs. I tried to follow, but it was like eavesdropping on a conversation in another language—half the terms meant nothing to me.

Another elder shifted forward. "Then there’s the matter of... her." His gaze settled on me, sharp and assessing. "The human."

I stiffened.

Corvin nodded slowly. "We’ve welcomed outsiders before. But never as Luna."

"I never said—" I began, but Corvin cut me off.

"You bear the mark. The mate bond is undeniable."

"She’s not Luna," Aiden interrupted firmly. "She’s my mate. That’s all. We’re not making any announcements. She’s here as my guest. That’s it."

"But the bond changes things," another elder protested. "Even if you don’t claim her officially, she’s already tied to the pack."

Elena’s voice slid silkily into the conversation. "And a human Luna weakens us politically. The other Alphas won’t take you seriously with a mortal beside you."

I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning.

"She’s not Luna," Aiden repeated, steel threading his voice. "And frankly, whether she ever is—that’s between me and her. Not this council."

"You’re Alpha," Corvin said mildly. "But the council advises for the good of the pack. We’d be failing our duty if we didn’t question her." His gaze pinned me. "What do you know of our world, girl? What does being mated to an Alpha mean to you?"

I met his stare, my hands tightening in my lap. "I know I didn’t ask for any of this. But I’m not walking away."

Mara leaned forward. "And what about your loyalty? You’re still human. You’ve no ties here except a bond you barely understand. Could you betray us? Even accidentally?"

"I would never—"

"She doesn’t know enough to betray us," Elena cut in, voice dripping disdain. "She’s ignorant. She doesn’t understand the weight of Luna’s duties, the responsibilities of standing beside an Alpha. She’s not one of us. She’ll crack the moment things get hard."

I opened my mouth, but Aiden spoke over me, his voice ringing clear. "That’s enough, Elena."

She raised an elegant brow. "I’m speaking the truth."

"You’re speaking your opinion." He stood, towering over the table. "She’s my mate. My choice. I don’t need permission." His gaze swept the room. "Anyone who’s got a problem with it—you’re free to leave."

Silence stretched long and tense. No one moved.

Aiden sat again slowly, his hand brushing my knee beneath the table. "We’re done questioning her. Next topic."

But the tension lingered, an unspoken fracture beneath the surface.

When the meeting adjourned an hour later, I stood stiffly, my head buzzing. As the elders filed out, murmuring among themselves, I turned to Aiden.

"You brought me here so that they could humiliate me?"

His brows furrowed. "No—I didn’t know they’d do that."

"Really?" I snapped, stepping back. "Because it sure felt like a setup. I told you I didn’t want to go, but you pushed anyway."

"I thought they’d be civil—"

"Civil?" I laughed bitterly. "They tore me apart."

"I’m sorry." He stepped closer, but I backed away.

"Jasmine—"

"I need some air." I pushed past him before he could stop me.

The gardens outside were peaceful, with the sun casting a warm glow over the stone paths and wild rose bushes. I walked without really paying attention, feeling a tightness in my chest.

"You’re not just fighting tradition, girl."

The voice came from behind me, breaking the silence.

I turned to find Elena standing beneath a stone arch, her arms crossed, her expression cool.

"You’re fighting fate," she said softly. "And fate already marked him for death."

I stared at her, ice crawling down my spine. "What are you talking about?"

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. "You’ll find out soon enough."