Chapter 70
LIZA
Istood before the angry and confused pack members, allowing them to see the outwardly calm and collected mate of their alpha.
On the inside, though, I was a fucking bundle of nerves.
My heart raced, but that didn’t matter. I had to push through my anxiety.
I locked my knees so no one would know I was trembling like a leaf.
This was something I had to do. There was no way I could let Ty speak up for me, not this time.
If I did, I would lose any respect the pack had for me.
I was the queen of this castle now, and this was my opportunity to show them I was not only a dependable mate to their alpha, but also someone who wouldn’t take shit from any of them.
“If I can have your attention.” I stood, staring out at the crowd staring back at me and tried to find the courage to address their concerns. “I understand that there is much confusion and anger among you, and I want you all to know that I hear you.”
My mind raced as I desperately searched for the perfect words.
I wanted to strike a delicate balance between honesty and diplomacy.
It was quite a challenge. I’d never actively sought Castro’s attention, but his unwavering fixation on me had completely disrupted our once-harmonious pack, causing division and chaos.
I had to remind myself that his actions were beyond my control.
I just needed to find the right way to express this without shifting blame.
What I sought was genuine understanding and resolution.
“Castro has caused all of us great pain. He aided in the murder of my family, my pack, and, though I’ve been blessed—adopted into a wonderful family, accepted by you all into the Keller pack—the wound still cuts deep within me.
” I paused for a moment, my voice cracking slightly when I thought of my lost loved ones.
“His obsession with me has nothing to do with who I am or what I have done. It’s important for us all to remember that I am not the enemy here. Castro is the enemy.”
Their eyes bored into me, searching for any hint of weakness or insincerity, but I stood tall and refused to back down.
I kept my head up, willing them to hear the truth in my words.
“I can’t control another person’s actions any more than any of you can.
And though I understand your frustrations and the need to point fingers, the only one to blame is Castro. ”
I gathered my thoughts, looking into the eyes of my fellow pack members.
The gravity of the situation was a heavy weight in the air as I reminded them of the impending danger.
“It’s common knowledge that Castro is a force to be reckoned with and a man with evil intentions.
He has already proven he can turn one of our own against us without setting foot in town.
Then once he had no more need for her, he callously killed her in a horrible, painful manner.
Let us not allow him to succeed anymore.
The strength of our pack’s unity is of paramount importance at this critical moment.
We need to rise above the chaos he has unleashed, stand shoulder to shoulder, and defend one another.
Our collective resilience will be the shield against which Castro’s evil cannot prevail. ”
The murmurs among the crowd seemed to die down a little, but I wasn’t na?ve. They were still skeptical. I couldn’t blame them. If I struggled to believe that everything happening was because of one man’s twisted obsession with me, how could I expect them to?
“Please,” I implored. “Please try to understand that my only goal is the safety and wellbeing of our pack. I want nothing more than to stand beside Ty and help lead us all into a better future, but we can only do that if we stay united and focus on the real threat: Castro. He’s a dangerous man, and we need to protect one another from him. ”
When I finished my speech, relief washed over me.
I had spoken my truth, and now it was up to them to decide whether or not they would accept it.
In their eyes, there was a multitude of emotions.
Some still held on to their anger, while others seemed to be weighing my words carefully.
My hands trembled from the rush of adrenaline, but I was convinced I had done the right thing by speaking up for myself.
“Thank you all for listening,” I murmured, nodding at them before stepping back and allowing Ty to take center stage once more. I sensed his pride in me as he kissed my cheek, grabbing my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. His support gave me strength.
“We have listened to your concerns, and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep this pack safe from harm.” Ty’s words were strong and commanding. “Now, let’s move forward together and show Castro that he cannot break our bond.”
The meeting dispersed, and I mingled with the pack, wanting to make sure they were seen and heard, but also to allow them to see I would not be cowed.
It was strange being in a position of power when I was so used to staying under the radar, but I didn’t want to let Ty down, or let the Keller family name down.
“Your speech was very brave,” one of the younger pack members told me, her eyes full of admiration. “I don’t think I’d ever be able to stand in front of all these people and speak as candidly as you did. I’m glad you’re our alpha’s mate.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks flushed with pride and a bit of embarrassment. “I just want what’s best for all of us, and I hope that came across in my words.”
I continued to make my way through the crowd, making myself available, answering questions when asked, and the tension in the air slowly dissipated. While not everyone was won over by my speech, many seemed more open to accepting me as their leader.
But that acceptance was short-lived when one of the elder pack members approached, red-faced and fists clenched at his sides.
His eyes locked on mine, and he carried an air of violence like he intended to strike me and do physical harm.
He stopped just inches from my face, his breath hot on my skin as he practically spat his words at me.
“I’m not one who will be so easily swayed by your charms,” he growled, disdain dripping from every word.
I held my hands up in a placating gesture. “I wasn’t trying to charm anyone. I was just speaking the truth.”
He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You’re nothing but an opportunist. Despite what you say, actions carry more weight than words in my book. No matter what you say, I’ll never see you as the lady of this pack. You’re just a little girl playing dress up, nothing more.”
My stomach clenched, but I managed to keep my composure. It was a heavy blow to my ego, though I refused to let him see how much that had affected me. I wouldn’t give him the damn satisfaction, fucking asshole.
I looked around, wondering if anyone else had overheard the elder’s disparaging comments.
He stood with his arms crossed, waiting for whatever response I might give him.
I was positive he’d just take my words, twist them, and then regurgitate his nonsense back at me.
How had Persephone dealt with this old geezer all those years?
As if summoned by my internal plea for help, Persephone appeared, gracefully crossing the room.
She wore a stunning emerald-green gown that clung to her curves, her dark hair cascading down her back in soft waves.
She held her head high, exuding confidence and authority.
I really did feel like a little girl playing dress up as she approached.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever pull off being the First Lady of the Keller pack the way Persephone did. She’d set the bench high.
Damn. The woman knew how to own a room. From the moment she entered with an air of confidence, her presence commanded attention.
Not that I was jealous of Persephone, but observing her effortlessly captivate everyone around her was a reminder of the standards I aspired to meet.
She inspired me to strive for greater self-assurance, which wouldn’t be an easy goal to reach with backlash from elders and pack members alike.
“Excuse me,” she said, her voice smooth as silk.
“But I couldn’t help overhear your concerns, Elder.
” She turned her gaze toward me, giving me a quick reassuring smile before turning her intense gaze back to the man.
“However, must I remind you that questioning our alpha and offending his mate is not acceptable behavior?”
The elder’s expression faltered, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his eyes, but he remained stubbornly silent, his lips a tight line.
Persephone, sensing the tension, took my arm and guided me away from the disgruntled old man before he found his voice again to choke out a response that may escalate the situation further.
“Liza, let me give you some advice on how to deal with grumpy old people like him. My mother-in-law gave me the same advice when I married Dominic,” she said as we walked toward the refreshments table.
“Be polite, or they’ll use it against you.
Remind them of their importance—it plays into their ego.
But most importantly, never let them have the last word or allow them to feel like they have the upper hand.
They’ll use it against you and simply walk all over you. ”
Before I had the time to question her further, another pack member hollered Persephone’s name, interrupting our fleeting connection.
She gave my cheek a gentle pat, her touch warm and comforting, letting me know everything was okay.
The depth of her understanding shone from her eyes, instilling me with a sense of hope and courage.
“You’re doing great, Liza,” she said. Then I watched as Persephone joined one of the council members and his wife.