Chapter 180

Ava's POV

A pin could have dropped, and everyone would have heard it. That's how quiet the hall became after the accusation.

I stared at the man who had spoken, speechless. I didn't know him—just another face among the many high-ranking members I'd never met. Yet, he stood firm, his expression a blend of anger and defiance. Time stretched unbearably until Grayson finally broke the silence.

"How long did it take you to think of that," Grayson began, his voice dripping with boredom, "to fuel your attention-seeking agenda, Charles? Is therapy not helping you overcome being ignored growing up?"

Charles turned bright red, but surprisingly, he didn't back down. "I just said what everyone else is too afraid to say, Your Highness," he retorted, spitting out the title with contempt. "Everyone remained silent when you brought her here unexpectedly and made her your Luna without consulting us, the high-ranking members of the pack, because we're all terrified of you. But given how things have turned out, I will not be silent any longer."

"You will not be silent?" Grayson repeated, his voice colder than I'd ever heard. It was a tone that could freeze fire.

Charles hesitated, his confidence wavering, but he nodded. "Yes. We've all been talking, and we've reached a conclusion. She's the problem. Everything went wrong the moment she arrived. Isn't it obvious? She's the mole. She was sent here to distract you, to learn your weaknesses, and to betray you."

Grayson's eyes swept to the five other high-ranking members seated near Charles. His tone was calm—too calm—as he asked, "And you all agree with him?"

The air grew heavy. Their silence condemned them. Grayson's expression didn't change, but the atmosphere shifted—the feeling of prey being stalked.

He finally addressed the rest of the hall. "If anyone else here thinks Ava is the problem, or has anything to say about her, speak now. You have my word that no harm will come to you."

A suffocating silence followed. I felt a thousand eyes on me, assessing, judging, questioning. My heart pounded, and I fought the urge to cower.

After what felt like an eternity, Brianna, among the Omegas, hesitantly raised her hand. Grayson nodded, and she stood, glancing nervously around before looking at me.

"I think I speak for all the Omegas when I say that I think our Luna is wonderful," Brianna said with a small, encouraging smile.

"Our Luna."

The words hit me like a tidal wave. A warm, grounding feeling stirred within me—a quiet assurance I hadn't realized I needed.

A ripple of agreement followed Brianna's words, spreading among the Omegas and through the room. A warrior raised his hand. "The warriors agree with the Omegas," he said firmly, without standing.

This time, the murmurs of agreement were louder, circulating throughout the hall. The overwhelming support washed over me, and the warmth I'd felt intensified into a sense of belonging. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to appear weak.

One of the high-ranking members stood, his movements stiff and formal. "Your Highness," he began, bowing slightly, "I apologize for Charles' outburst." He shot Charles an irritated glance. "Yes, there were discussions about your Luna among the high-ranking members, but I assure you, there was no ill intent. With all due respect, however, you did bring her here without a proper introduction. It is your pack, and no one would dare challenge your authority, but a formal presentation was expected."

He turned to me, his tone softening. "It's easy to judge people we don't know. But from what's just happened, she seems to have won over the entire pack. That speaks volumes."

"Oh, will you just shut up, Jacob?" Charles snapped, interrupting him. "Stop trying to—"

"If anyone needs to stop, it's you," Grayson interrupted, his voice sharp as steel.

Everyone stilled.

Grayson approached the high-ranking members, his eyes fixed on Charles. The man flinched, instinctively stepping back.

"Do you know your problem, Charles?" Grayson asked, his tone deceptively calm. "It's the same problem you've always had: you don't know when to shut up."

Charles opened his mouth, but Grayson held up a hand. "Do not speak. I'm not finished."

Charles' mouth snapped shut, visibly trembling as Grayson approached.

"I don't like you," Grayson said bluntly. "I've never liked you, and everyone here knows the only reason I allowed you to remain a high-ranking member was because of your father. But you—" Grayson's voice dropped, colder. "You just had to keep pushing, didn't you?"

Charles said nothing, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable. Grayson sighed, as if tired of dealing with him.

"I've learned to embrace change over the past few months," Grayson continued, his voice softer but no less deadly. "And do you know why? Because of her." His gaze flicked to me before returning to Charles. "And if I asked her right now what I should do to you for the insult, she'd tell me to let it go. So I will."

Charles exhaled, relieved.

"But on second thought," Grayson added, his voice hardening, "you know what they say about the first person to point fingers." He paused. "Then again, you're too incompetent to have orchestrated this. Get out."

Charles' eyes widened, but he didn't argue. He left, his hateful gaze meeting mine before he stormed out.

No one moved. No one dared to breathe.

But Grayson wasn't finished. "You seem to have misunderstood me," he said, addressing the remaining high-ranking members. "When I said 'get out,' I didn't just mean Charles."

Jacob, who had spoken earlier, rose, clearly confused. "Your Highness, I don't—"

"Don't," Grayson interrupted, his voice sharper than a whip. "Charles may be a fool, but at least he isn't a coward. If you think your attempt to appease me will work, you're an even bigger fool. You went behind my back to discuss something that was, and always will be, off-limits. From this moment on, I have no use for any of you."

Grayson's eyes darkened. "When I say 'get out,' I don't just mean leave this meeting. I mean leave my pack."

My eyes widened as Jacob and the other high-ranking members paled. The weight of Grayson's command settled like a suffocating fog, leaving no room for resistance.

"Grayson."

I hadn't realized I'd spoken until the entire hall turned to me. I felt their gazes—some curious, some judgmental, others cautious—but my eyes remained on him. His shoulders were squared, his face unreadable except for the cold fury simmering beneath the surface.

"Can I talk to you outside?"

He didn't move.

"Please," I added softly.

That word seemed to cut through his anger. He slowly turned to me. His expression softened slightly as his eyes met mine. The hall remained silent.

Grayson took a step forward, extending his hand. I took it, and he led me out of the tense room. I could feel everyone's stares, but I ignored them, focusing on his touch—warm, steady, and commanding.

Once outside, I pulled my hand away.

"You can't ask them to leave the pack," I said firmly.

"I already did," he replied, remorseless.

"Grayson."

"Ava."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. His gaze remained fixed on me, unyielding, but I saw a flicker of emotion beneath his icy exterior.

"They are high-ranking members for a reason," I argued. "This isn't the time to shake alliances, and you know they're right. You never officially introduced me to the pack. I understand why—you didn't see this as anything more than a contract at first. But things are different now."

I hesitated, stepping closer. "Especially with… what's happening to you. Please, reconsider. And stop frowning like that. I don't like the scary version of you."

His lips twitched, a small smile breaking through the cold mask. His shoulders relaxed, and I felt relief.

"Well, I already asked them to leave," he said, almost playfully. "I don't take back my words."

I thought carefully about my next words. Finally, I took a deep breath. "Then you don't go back in. I'll take over the meeting."