Chapter 62: The trial
Eloise’s eyes became bright with hope. "Alpha," she said. Her voice was clear and strong. "I believe there is something we can do."
Killian could not keep quiet anymore. His mind could not accept that anyone could break a fated mate bond. He leaned forward. His stormy eyes looked straight at her. "What exactly are you talking about?" he asked. His low voice was sharp like cold metal.
Eloise turned slowly to face the three brothers. Her face looked calm. It seemed like her words made complete sense. The room felt heavier. The smell of cold coffee mixed with whiskey lingered in the air.
"When the impossible is removed, the possible becomes real," she said. Her tone was steady with clear certainty.
Kieran put his cup down on the table. The soft sound broke the silence.
Eloise kept looking at them. "What is the least likely way a mate bond can form?" she asked.
Before Kieran could stop, the words came out. "Witchcraft," he said quietly. He sounded surprised by his own words. The whole room became silent. Only the low sound of the air conditioner could be heard.
It sounded like a crazy idea. Forcing a mate bond on strong Alphas with witchcraft seemed impossible. But it was not completely impossible. It had happened before in old stories.
The idea felt like a lifeline. The brothers could not easily accept Yuki as their perfect mate. If their strong feelings were forced, it would explain everything. Kaden lowered his head. A small hope grew in his chest. His shoulders relaxed a bit.
Alexander and Killian still looked unsure. Killian stayed quiet with a cold face. For the first time, Alexander showed clear worry since Eloise entered the room. His fingers held the chair arms tightly.
"Are you saying Yuki used witchcraft to trap my sons?" Alexander asked. His Alpha aura suddenly filled the room like a heavy storm. The air became thick and hard to breathe. Eloise stepped back from the strong pressure. Alexander stayed seated behind his big desk, but his face showed anger. Yuki was Aevia’s sister. He could not allow any witchcraft scandal around his future Luna. Especially with Estelle sniffing around for trouble.
"You know that is a very serious claim," he added. His deep voice was full of warning.
Eloise pressed her fingers into her palms to stay calm. She did not step back. "Alpha Alexander, I did not say Yuki did it herself," she replied. Her voice stayed confident even when Alexander’s face became darker. "It could be someone else working behind the scenes. The main point is that a mate bond can be forced. I believe there were strange things about what happened yesterday."
"Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?" Alexander asked. He crossed his fingers on the smooth wooden desk. His voice showed clear doubt.
"It is a real possibility, Alpha," Eloise said. She kept her back straight.
"But it is completely ridiculous," Alexander replied. He moved forward in his chair. "I know you are in shock, but you cannot create excuses." He stood up. His tall body made the room feel smaller. "This meeting is over. You can leave."
That was when Killian spoke again. "You seem in a hurry to end this, Father," he said calmly. His voice was smooth and cold with no warmth. "Is it because the idea is ridiculous? Or are you scared your new wife is connected to witchcraft? The pack would not like that news."
Alexander’s fist closed hard on the table. Of all his sons, Killian scared him the most. Kieran was sharp but still had feelings. Killian on the other hand had a heart like a cold stone. For his goals, right and wrong did not matter much. The only reason he hadn’t been threatened in the past was because he knew they needed a Luna who could give them children for the throne. Killian wasn’t to be trifled with.
"Don’t tell me you believe this nonsense she made up," Alexander said with a dry laugh. His voice tried to sound light but showed tension.
"But it is not impossible, Father," Kieran said. He picked up his coffee cup again, but it was cold now. "You have no reason to be scared," he added calmly. His tone stayed even.
Alexander’s eyes became cold. The heavy pressure from his power slowly went away. Kaden smiled at his father’s reaction.
"Of course he is scared," Kaden said. He shrugged and leaned back in his seat. His voice had dark amusement. "Just think of the scandal. The mistress he chose over his true mate, her sister, is involved in witchcraft. It would raise many questions. Those questions would not look good for our dear father."
Kaden never missed a chance to attack Aevia. At that moment, Alexander saw that his sons were not only his successors. They could also cause his fall. But Alexander had been Alpha for more than twenty years. He was not easy to trap.
A slow smile came to his lips. He looked at Eloise. "Since you believe this so strongly, what proof do you have?" he asked. His voice was steady and challenging. "You cannot just tell them to reject Yuki and hope for their real mate to show up. She could be their true mate. The chance of a second chance mate is not high."
Eloise felt a small shake inside, but she had thought about this carefully. She was sure Yuki was not their true mate. "There is a way to know if she is their real mate," she said. She let the words sink in.
The brothers watched her closely. The air felt full of energy.
"From the texts I read, a mate from a forced bond cannot pass the Trial," Eloise said with confidence. "All we have to do is make Yuki take the Trial."
"You know what that means," Alexander said quietly. His voice was low and serious. "If the Trial happens and Yuki is confirmed as their mate, there will be no more excuses." He explained it clearly and looked around the room.
"I understand, Alpha," Eloise replied. Her voice stayed firm. "As long as the Alphas and Yuki agree, I see no reason not to do the Trial."
Alexander knew it was not so simple. The Trial would bring in the full pack council. But this matter was too big to ignore. The Ravencourt curse made it impossible for them to have children without a true fated mate. This was about the future of the whole pack.
Alexander finally looked at his sons. They had been mostly quiet. "Do you want to take this Trial?" he asked. "It will involve the council, and you will need Yuki to agree."
Kaden opened his mouth to speak, but Alexander raised his hand to stop him. "I advise you to think carefully," he said. His voice carried a clear warning. "If the Trial happens and Yuki turns out to be your true mate, it will not look good for you."
