CHAPTER 278: _LUNA QUEEN JANELLE

"Alpha King Mwansa." Kaelos cleared his throat, addressing the African Alpha King with a smooth tone. "While I understand your concern, I think you’re being a bit too... Uptight."

I widened my eyes, glancing at Kaelos again. His face was calm but I could see the storm brewing in the corner of his eyes already.

"Uptight?" Alpha King Mwansa repeated, clasping his hands in front of himself. "I have things to attend to, Kaelos. We all do and—"

"Alpha King Kaelos." Kaelos interrupted with a sharp tone, tilting his head only slightly. "I would like it if you refer to me by my title, sir. Trial or not, I still remain the sovereign of the packs of North America."

’What are you doing?’ I couldn’t help but ask through the mind link. ’I thought we’re supposed to be—’

’Silent? Calm?’ Kaelos asked with a mental scoff. ’Odessa, do you really think any of these men gathered care about what’s happening here? All they really care about is their own tails. The safety of their own territories. Because of the enemy I have here who killed one of their own not too long ago.’

My mind flashed back to when Lord Ryker broadcast his killing of the South American Alpha King and then threatened all the other Alpha Kings.

Alpha King Leonardo’s son was the one on the throne of his father now... But the damage had already been done on the continent.

’Do you think they’re trying to buy some kind of leverage from the Lord of the North by forcing you to step down or worse?’ I queried, my jaw clenching as I stared at the television screen.

We were having our conversation within milliseconds through the mind link so we didn’t have to worry about delaying them.

’I don’t know. Let’s just go with the flow.’ Kaelos said but then quickly added. ’And don’t let anyone walk over you. Trust me... Sooner or later someone’s going to bring up the fact that you’re a—’

"Why is your... Luna Queen here?" The youngest face on the screen asked, staring at me with disdain.

His eyes glowed with a hatred I knew all too well:

The hatred directed at someone who took everything from you.

’That’s the new South American Alpha King. Soren.’ Kaelos introduced him before clearing his throat. "Well, Alpha King Soren, she’s my mate and my wife. And as you said... This continent’s Luna Queen."

The Australian Alpha king sniggered just then, leaning back and drumming his fingers. "Please! Do you see any of us with our wives here? I know the game you’re trying to play."

Something stirred in Kaelos like a storm that was literally holding itself back from consuming everything.

"Game?" Kaelos repeated with a cold tone. "You call this a game? Luna Queen Odessa is here because this concerns her too. Not to mention I’d love it if she gets used to our politics."

A Mongolian man who seemed to be in his late sixties spoke up with a sneer. "You’re using your trial to introduce us to your Luna Queen? Your audacity is astounding, boy."

I’m guessing that’s the Asian Alpha King...

"Again... It’s ALPHA KING Kaelos to you, Alpha King Arakida. Not ’boy’." Kaelos’ tone was calm, but I was the only one who could feel the agitation underneath it.

"Luna Queen Odessa." An enchanting female voice spoke up from the TV screen just then.

I swerved my head only to see Luna Queen Janelle’s emerald eyes fixed on me. She dropped her cup of tea and I couldn’t help but notice the instant silence that fell among the Alpha Kings.

Even Kaelos’ storm subsided, making me wonder.

Who exactly was this woman?

’Luna Queen Janelle is well respected even among Alpha Kings.’ Kaelos explained. ’Not to mention she and her husband are the oldest among the current Alpha Kings and Luna Queens. Don’t let her looks deceive you... That woman became queen before the war.’

"Aren’t you going to make any contributions or at least... Introduce yourself properly?" Luna Queen Janelle continued while I was still trying to process everything Kaelos just told me.

I swallowed hard, taking in a deep breath before speaking. "I... I don’t really have much to say. Everyone here knows me after the Charity Ball incident. I just know that Kaelos didn’t do what he did thirteen years ago out of any selfish motives."

Janelle parted her lips, clearly about to say something but Alpha King Maddox of Australia barked like a raving dog.

"Can you hear yourself speak, woman?! We’re talking about the murder of an Alpha King and you’re telling us—"

"I wasn’t done talking, Alpha King Maddox," Janelle spoke with a deadpan, bringing instant silence once again. "If you have to yell to speak then your words carry little weight."

I stiffened, my grip on the armrest of my throne tightening a bit.

Gods, even I was shaken.

Maddox was clearly pissed off but he didn’t dare say anything in rebuttal.

After a drawn-out silence, Janelle adjusted her sitting position, placing her right hand on her forehead, her sapphire ring glistening brightly on her finger.

"Alpha King Balthazar has been dead for thirteen years. THIRTEEN. If any of you cared enough, you would’ve pooled resources in researching his death." She continued with a stern expression, pausing for only a beat.

"I’m not excusing patricide. Kaelos will answer to that at the end of this, rest assured. But let’s be honest here... We all watched his father destroy peace one alliance at a time. Not just with the witches but werewolves of other continents. You call him a murderer, yet you benefit from the silence that murder brought. Let’s not play pretend."

Silence.

Pin drop level silence.

’I told you we would like her.’ Sirena said with a little excitement in her voice but all I could do was stare at Luna Queen Janelle with awe.

The power she commanded didn’t come from fear. It came from over a century of respect.

I wanted that as a Luna Queen...

"With all due respect, Luna Queen Janelle... Are you suggesting this meeting is a waste of time?" Alpha King Soren asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

Janelle smirked for a few seconds before shaking her head. "You said that. Not me. What I’m saying is... We let Alpha King Kaelos defend himself and share his side of the story."

She paused, grabbing her cup of tea and taking a sip before adding:

"Then we pass judgment."