Chapter 64

Asher's Point Of View

I woke up to the sun hitting my face through the window with tingles and currents dancing across my chest as Cirilla nestled into my body in her sleep, her silken blonde hair sprayed over my chest.

I sighed in contentment, a slow smile displayed as I thought about last night. It was the best night of my life. I couldn't possibly begin to describe the ecstasy that drowned me while claiming her. It was the best feeling ever.

She was the epitome of beauty.

I couldn't help but admire the way the golden rays of the sun wandered appreciatively over her body as I ran the pad of my fingers on her smooth and delicate skin, watching her stir again in my arms. She looked so angelic in the sunlight and I leaned down to kiss her forehead.

“Princess, it's morning,” I murmured, placing a kiss on her cheek softly and she groaned, pulling the sheets up to cover her face. “Wake up baby,” My hand went up to the ruby necklace on her neck. My fingers slowly trailed the small moon amidst the gemstones, and I smiled.

She groaned again, burying her face in the crook of my neck. “Just a little more time,”

“We have so much to do today, remember,” I chuckled, shaking her a bit to wake up but when she didn't respond, I pulled off the sheets, leaning down to take one of her hardened nipples in my mouth, my teeth grazing it.

She jerked in my arms, releasing a sweet moan before her eyes fluttered open.

“Good morning beautiful,”

“What a nice way to wake your mate up,” She mumbled with a smile, and closed her eyes once again, nuzzling up against my chest.

I showered her with kisses until she finally woke up. I climbed out of bed, my body instantly missing her warmth as I dressed up, combing my hair with my fingers. When I was done, I leaned against a wooden pillar as I watched her dress quickly, turning to give me a smirk.

“So are you ready for today?” I roved her, taking her in my arms.

We spent the remaining hours of last night coming up with a plan to uncover the mole within the Council. Even though it was my idea, I didn't like it one bit. It was dangerous and frankly, I doubt if either the Alpha King or Luna would be ecstatic about it.

But Cirilla was right. We had to find out who was working with that bastard and get rid of them.

I felt her arms around my waist, and she stood on the sole of her boots, kissing me. “Do you trust me?”

I nodded without a doubt in my heart. “Always,” I trusted her, I knew my mate was capable of taking care of herself, and I would be right by her side if she needed me.

“Then have no fear, I can do it,” She smiled evilly.

I kissed her one last time before I held onto both of my hands and instantly, opened up a portal that led to the front of the King’s mansion of the Crescent Moon Pack.

With our hands linked to one another chatting as we walked into the mansion, heading to the dining hall. It was breakfast time by now, and the king and queen would most likely be there.

Cirilla and I both stopped in our tracks as we entered the dining hall, finding a full table consisting of almost the entirety of our large family.

*****

Cameron's Point Of View

It was a full table with everyone present when the doors opened and strolled in what anyone could clearly see as a young couple in love. Asher was smiling broadly, looking at my beautiful girl at his side who was laughing at probably something funny he must have said.

They both froze instantly as they saw everyone seated around the table with eyes on them. And that was when I sniffed it. The sight changed in Cirilla's scent, they must have mated and I could tell everyone could smell the same as well.

‘Well, that was expected,’ Vittorio stifled a chuckle, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his obvious childishness. He was right though, we were expecting that. And I knew for a fact it was only a matter of time before they marked each other, frankly, I was surprised it hadn't happened yet.

“Ah, finally, the love birds!” Lizzy chirped, breaking the silence immediately. “We've been waiting for ages for you both,”

“You two sure took your sweet time, didn't you!” Theo whistled, his comment instantly causing a bright shade of pink to appear on his sister's cheeks as they reached the table and sat on the two empty seats left.

I cleared my throat, glancing at my mate as her hand reached out to squeeze mine under the table, her lips smiling broadly as we began our breakfast.

By the time we were done with our breakfast, Cirilla and Asher gained Davina and my attention. They had something important to discuss and the serious look on their faces meant it was serious.

As soon as we entered my office, I turned around, my amber eyes twitching from both Cirilla and Asher, eager to hear what they had to say.

“We are all ears, what do you want to tell us?” Davina settled on the edge of the table, and I stood next to her, my arms going around her waist.

“It's about the Council,” Cirilla started, looking between Davina and me as I felt the hairs on my skin stand, knowing I probably wouldn't like what she was about to say. “I don't want you both to freak out…” She stressed, shooting us a warning look. “...but I think I should go there,”

I knew I wouldn't like it. I pulled away from my mate, moving to the open window, pinching the bridge of my nose. “What do you mean, ‘go there'?”

“They want to see me, right? To question me and determine if I am working for Mason or not, and if I can prove that I have nothing to do with Mason finding out about Ria, then there's one less problem on our hands. We need all the help we can get in finding and stopping Mason, including the Council's,”

“Oh, bloody hell!” I sighed, turning around to find her hands folded against her chest and her determined blue eyes still darting from me to Davina who I was finding it hard to believe that she might as well be considering this. “You don't have to prove yourself to anybody, sweetheart”

“Dad I know. I'm not going there because of them. I'm not going because they have requested it. They can think whatever they want about me. That I am the source of whatever darkness. I don't care. But we should think smartly here because there's no point fighting each other when there's a dangerous threat on the loose,”

I shook my head and started pacing back and forth. “Okay, I heard what you had to say but it's a NO from me. You are not appearing before the Council,”

“Would you just stop pacing for a second and think carefully about this,” She took a few steps forward, her hands now on her waist.

I stopped pacing, “I have and It's still a No, sweetheart,” I said, sighing in exhaustion. “You don't understand. All the Council wants to find someone to blame for their shit ass mistakes,”

“And we will find that person for them, whoever is working with Mason within the Council,” Asher’s words caught both Davina and me by surprise. For a second I forgot he was in the room.

“What do you mean?” Davina asked as we both exchanged glances.

“There's a high possibility that Mason found out about Ria from someone who knew about her and her location,” My daughter explained, folding her hands once again against her chest. “We think that someone is within the Council, now could you please sit down and listen,”

I instantly hide the shock and surprise threatening to stalk my features. I didn't expect that from either of them.

Davina shot me a look, and we both sat down on the chair. I was eager to hear how they came up with this theory.

Well, it wasn't exactly a theory. It was the truth. That was precisely one of the reasons I was hellbent on ensuring my daughter didn't appear before the Council. Davina, Benjamin, and I suspected someone was working with Mason within the Council, that was the only way he could know things he shouldn't and until we figured out exactly who it was, the Council couldn't be trusted, not in the slightest.

“Do you understand the implication of what you are saying? A mole within the Council?” As Davina spoke, Cirilla nodded her head.

“That's why I didn't want to say anything at first, but then again, if we can find whoever Mason has within the Council, then they'll see I'm not a threat to anyone and we will be able to find Mason, and figure out his next plans,”

“I do suppose you both have thought about this carefully and have come up with some kind of plan,” I said and a silent conversation passed between the couple.

“We have and it'll work,” A small smile touched Cirilla's lips, making her look more and more like Davina.

“Stop smiling. We haven't agreed to anything yet,” I said, stifling my smile.

“But I know you will, once you hear about Asher's plan. It's slightly dangerous, but it'll work,” She added, taking a step back to interlock her hand with her mate, her eyes smirking wickedly.

“Dangerous?” Davina raised a concerned brow with an amused smile.

“Slightly,” Asher replied. “But you don't have anything to worry about, although the Council should,”

I leaned back into my chair and I could only imagine what they had come up with, but regardless, I couldn't deny it, it made my heart swell to see my little girl happy. Her confidence had grown and she had adjusted to her new life.

*****

After the conversation about the Council, Davina and I listened to their plans, and to be honest, I was both impressed and insanely proud of both of them.

They were right. Their plan was ‘slightly’ dangerous but the Council was the one that should be worried instead.

As I finished with my shoes, I grabbed the leather brown jacket on the bed and strolled over to Davina who was standing already dressed in her black jacket, black tank top, and jeans. I snaked an arm around her waist, and pulled her against my chest, kissing her until I felt her completely away from her thoughts and melted against me.

“Don’t tell me you are nervous?” I asked with a cocky smile, teasing her and she hit my shoulder playfully.

“No, I'm not. I am going to be there. You are going to be there. Asher is going to be there. And Cirilla is more powerful than both of us and capable of defending herself, I think the Council should be more worried,” She leaned her forehead against my chest, and her hands wrapped around me.

“And do not forget she has a brother who is definitely not going to agree to sit this one out,” I said and she released the sweetest laugh, relaxing into my hold. But I can still sense her worry. “Then what's the problem?” I kissed my mark on the crook of her neck, an electrifying sensation spreading through our contact.

“I just hope we can get valuable information from whoever's working with Mason within the Council,” She said.

I kissed the top of her hair. I knew exactly what was making her worried and it had to do with the more deaths that had tripled. More and more elders and leaders were getting killed by whatever sick ritual that darkness was anchoring. It could be anyone at any time.

I cupped her face, bringing those perfect, mesmerizing blue eyes to mine. “Now listen my little witch, our daughter is going to find this mole and we'll find him,”

I gave her another kiss, before grabbing her hand and joining Mitch and Blake downstairs. Together, we made our way to the witches’ quarters and it was easy to spot the small group of the Elite warriors standing outside, chatting, together with Xanax's grandson, Niko, Theo, and Asher who had his arms draped around Cirilla's shoulder and she was looking up at him lovingly.

“Ready to go?” I interrupted their laughter and just then, Benjamin, Neela, Rhona, and Cole stepped out from one of the quarters.

“I guess we are,” Benjamin replied, and my eyes shifted to Asher, Theo, and Cirilla whose eyes were sparkling with excitement instead.

She didn't seem nervous in the slightest, and my chest swelled with pride.

Benjamin held unto Blake and Theo. Davina grabbed Cirilla's hand, and I held onto Asher's as only the three of us had been to the Council and could transport the others.

I nodded at Mitch, Cole, and Rhona before we all disappeared.

******

Asher and I appear in the middle of the large hallways and soon, Davina and Benjamin appear with the others. At the far end of the lone hallways were the large doors that led to the Courtroom.

Davina breathed in, turning to all of us. “Are we all good?” She asked, and Cirilla nodded her head immediately and my beautiful mate smiled proudly as her eyes moved to Benjamin, Theo, and Blake.

“We are right here, just in case things get ugly,” Blake spoke up eagerly as Benjamin leaned against one of the tall golden pillars.

“Hopefully, no one has to die today,” He said and a smile peeked out.

I returned a smile of my own and muttered ‘hopefully’ before we headed down the hall and right on cue, the large double doors opened and Vittorio mentally groaned at the line of faces seated around the round oaken table.

At once, Zeriyah was up on her feet, walking around the table to meet us in the middle of the large court.

“The Council have been expecting you all,” Her eyes move skillfully from Davina and I, before finding Cirilla who was in the middle, and Asher who was right behind her, standing like a bodyguard.

Elder Philip spoke from his seat addressing us all but his eyes solely on Cirilla. All their eyes were. “Thank you all for coming at our requests,”

“And thank you for allowing me to come before the Council,” Cirilla replied sweetly and I took the opportunity to scan the line of faces around the round table. Only ranking members of the Council were present here today, including the Council heads. Daemon and a few had a welcoming face while the others didn't look so welcoming.

“Shall we get this over with?” I started to move to the large table when the Mer-King decided he should voice out his thoughts.

“If I may,” He started and gained everyone's attention. Elder Alex nodded for him to continue, and he did. “With all due respect, I don't think the King and his queen should be present for her hearing,”

My blood had boiled a hundred degrees as I swerved to face the mutt squarely, but before I could speak, Davina's calm voice sounded.

“Her hearing? I am sorry, I didn't know this was a trial,” Her eyes moved from Zeriyah to Mirabel.

“No, it isn't,” Zeriyah clarified immediately, glancing back at Cirilla.

“And as members of the courts, you are allowed to be present so long you don't interfere,” Elder Noah added.

I felt my mate's stare on me, and I nodded silently, taking a seat around the table and Davina sat next to me.

Zeriyah led Cirilla to the lone chair that was in the middle of the court, and Asher was closely behind her, on high alert for any sign they were about to do something stupid and I fought my amusement.

The witch raised a brow of confusion, her eyes moving from the intimidating male figure behind my daughter and I could feel everyone's curiosity grow.

“I am sorry, but why are you—” Before Zeriyah could finish her sentence, Asher's hand came to rest on Cirilla's shoulder.

“We are mates, please carry on, don't mind me at all,” Asher said, and I shut my eyes to stop the elation and pride that had Vittorio chuckling.

The shock and surprise that shot through the court at Asher's words didn't die quickly.

“They are fated mates?” Sofia, the Fae queen, asked again, shuffling on her seat, and as usual, her daughter was standing next to her.

Davina nodded once.

“Oh, I see,” Zeriyah was the first to recover, her warm eyes moving from Asher to Cirilla who was seated already. “Do you know why you are here?”

“The Council doesn't trust me,” She said without mincing words. “You all think I am working with Mason. And I leaked the information about Ria and her location to him. And that being responsible for awakening that monster, I am equally as evil as him,” Silence flooded the court as Cirilla continued. “And trust me, I understand your fears and doubts,” Her eyes scanned over everyone at the table. “I would question myself if the tables were turned, but I assure you, none of your doubts and suspicions are indeed true. Yes, I grew up far away from here and you all have no idea who I truly am, and frankly, I'm still trying to figure that out. But I can tell you this, I love my new life. I have people who genuinely care about me and will always have my back no matter what. And I am willing and capable of doing the extreme to keep them safe. So I don't blame you for doing what you think is right, but you are barking up the wrong tree. I do not work with or for Mason,”

As she finished, silence stalked the court for another second, and Zeriyah's expressionless face broke as she showed how impressed she was with my daughter, but she composed herself quickly. She turned and exchanged glances with members of the Council heads.

“This is just for formalities. I will have to place a spell on you, it will let us be certain everything you say onwards is nothing but the truth. Is that okay with you?”

“Like I said, I have nothing to hide. So do what you must,” Cirilla replied coolly.

“Brace yourself, it's going to hurt a little,” Zeriyah warned, Davina instantly straightened in her seat. I placed my hand on hers, squeezing it.

Asher moved impossibly closer so he could watch exactly what was going on as worry contorted his features.

The witch placed two fingers on Cirilla's temples, gently muttering some words and my daughter's face creased for a second in pain and my heart began to race. Asher looked completely restless.

Soon, a harrowing scream tore from my daughter's lips.