Liora’s POV

The air in the council room where we gathered for the meeting was choking. Everyone in the room was staring at Kelsey. I could sense him pee in his pants as the tension increased. Kelsey was a suspect. They considered him a traitor until proven otherwise. He was speechless, unable to defend himself as all evidence seems to point at him. How did we arrive at this stage? I glanced in Kelsey's direction, and I noticed his eyes darting. He was pleading for someone to come to his rescue, anyone at all, to believe him. Right from time, he had invariably been a jester, repeatedly displaying funny gestures, smiles not ceasing from his face, and constant demonstration of playful remark, but today was different. He was as quiet and cold as ice. Now, he was before the council, defending himself, and trying to regain his reputation and integrity. He was alleged, and it was a heavy accusation. Could he be a betrayal? Did he actually gang up against this pack, against me? Elder Clatus was the first to speak. His voice alone was enough to weaken the accused, and he would remain speechless, shaking to the point of not defending himself. 'You have been fascinated about Liora, haven't you?" he asked Kelsey, his tone strict and unwavering. 'The fondness did not start today. It has been there, long before the moon ceremony, right?" I froze at the revelation. My breath ceased, and for some seconds, I thought I wouldn't survive without suffocating. The elder's words carried a heavy weight. Kelsey, of all pack members liked me? I glanced again at his direction, expecting for him to stand up for himself. The accusations were becoming too much, and seeing him as the soft type, he might harm himself if it continues. I stared at him, and I waited to hear him deny it, or laugh at it, calling it the joke of the century. But no, I was disappointed. He never denied it. He didn't intend and won't. Instead, he turned to a person who stammered, trying to get himself together. At first, I thought they overwhelmed him with everything, and was nervous about how to vindicate himself. I still had my hope for him, so I kept waiting for him to finish stammering. "Yes…it was my fault. I mean, she's... she's stunning, and I couldn't help but like…like her deeply." My mind ceased functioning. No, this isn't happening. This could be another of his jokes. Kelsey had always earned a spot in my heart as a brother. He made himself accessible so that I could trust him for many things. We shared a siblings' kind of bond before he went to work as Jaxon's right-hand man. He became distant from Mira and me because of the nature of his job. But even at that, he constantly makes out last little time to come and cheer us up. Now, it seemed like I was living a lie. I felt the betrayal that the Silver Moon Pack fished for me on the night of the moon ceremony. It seemed Elder Clatus had it all examined. He didn't look like someone that would let go soon. He was bent on fishing out the friendly enemies and protecting the pack. 'You had this all calculated, didn't you? Your plan was to set up Jaxon and Rhys against each other, distracted by who would claim Liora. By doing so, you would have more time to weave the web of destruction." I wanted to defend him so badly, at least for the sake of the years we spent having each other's back, but my voice was caught up in my throat. Could it be possible that Kelsey would do something of this nature just to get my attention? Did I ever get a clue that he might have feelings for me? And then the worst of it all. Just when I thought I had seen it all, Mira's case surfaced. Mira just sat by my side, looking pale and absent-minded. 'For the longest time, you've been Liora's closest ally," Clatus said, turning the arrow of accusations in her direction. I didn't see this coming. I never expected it. The council of elders wasn't having it until they get answers. 'Will it be wise to say that you are no exception in this investigation. There are every (odds) that you might be harboring grudges deep in your heart against her. You could be envious of all the attention that she's getting." Envious, why? Mira had always had my back, my greatest confidant, my all. I couldn't agree with him. Mira can't possibly hurt me. Or could she? I didn't want to even imagine the possibility. When did we arrive at this deadly point? Kelsey stood suddenly, his voice cracking with desperation. 'Please, I plead not guilty. More investigations can be carried out to determine my innocence. Declaring me convicted without more efforts to prove my innocence would be unfair. Believe me, I didn't do more than I explained! I never had bad intentions. Yes, I informed Rhys of the constant gifts, but that was all. I can swear to that!" He stared at me, pleading. 'Liora, say something, please. I would never harbor the thoughts of hurting you. I allowed my emotions to get the best of me." I wanted to stand up for him, to believe him. But doubt had taken a greater part of my heart. I was consumed by doing right by my pack. If Kelsey was guilty, and I stepped in for him, forgetting that people change within a short period, I would jeopardize the safety of our pack. It's best I sit back and allow the council of elders to decide his fate. Anything that would bring us solutions would be great. Jaxon's voice interrupted my thoughts. 'We can't just make a shallow investigation, or accuse others wrongly. We need to get to the root of this," he said firmly. His eyes landed on Kelsey and then on Mira. 'Until we dictate the culprit for sure, we would expect no one from being a suspect." The council of elders agreed on the Alpha's contribution, and on that note, the meeting ended. I couldn't believe what my ears just heard in the meeting. We need to dig more. There is no smoke without fire. As I left for my quarters, the minutes of the meeting formed a greater part of my thoughts. I was confused, I can't possibly stand on the way to the council and stop them from investigating more because they are my friends, that would be unfair. Kelsey and Mira, how did we get here? Was I really blind to the truth as elder Clatus said, or I was too carefree with them? Silver Moon Pack could crumble any moment if we don't get to the root of this problem. The conspiracy has to stop. Unknown POV There were shadows as I moved toward the forest, shadows of sinister energy. I was making another move to the hidden cavern to meet Seraphina, and she would convey our plans to Morgath to effect it immediately. The dark magic seemed to get stronger each day, as if feeding off the chaos dangerously brewing in the Silver Moon Pack. I knew the pack would never remain the same again. To think they were busy fighting each other instead of finding a solution. The investigation would be pointless, as it would only bring more rivalry to the pack. Seraphina couldn't contain as she was already at the mouth of the cave waiting for me before I arrived, her arms crossed as she awaited my message. I could see a wicked smirk playing on her lips from a distance. 'Is it a done deal?" she asked, her eyes expectant. I nodded in affirmation, on getting closer. 'The pack is disorganized as we speak now. Jaxon has the worst council members. They are only focused on hunting down the traitor. They are the lowest set of elders in history. And to think that their investigations were baseless with no evidence, only accusations. This is the best time to strengthen the magic on them." Her smiles broadened, a sign of a job well done. 'Good one. Morgath has been longing to unleash his full power. We perform effectively whenever they're distracted. Keep doing your best to bring more information whenever they're not in order. As for now, we would unleash the real banger on them." Right behind her, I could feel Morgath's presence, but I chose to stay low and not work directly with Morgath, because of personal reasons. I could perceive his dark magic hovering around, heavy and oppressive. 'There's no more time to waste. We would strike tonight. Their division is our strength." I wanted to pity the pack, but no, they must all pay. I can't stop until I get all I want for myself. More reason I would rather not work under Morgath, I don't wish my loyalty to be with him. I can do it by myself, being my boss. Seraphina turned to face Morgath, and her smiles were no longer there. Her voice was venomous as she opened her mouth to speak. 'Spare no one, make them pay. Concentrate more on her. She must grant." I knew that very minute that she was talking about Liora. She was the major target for Seraphina, but she seems to escape her web each time. Darius and Morgath might have issues with Jaxon, but not so with Seraphina. Liora was everything she craved to be eliminated from the surface of earth. She was in her personal fight. Morgath's eyes darkened as he raised his hands with a mean expression. He was not ready to spare anyone. He preferred nothing but destruction to befall the whole pack. Likewise, he summoned dark tendrils of wizardry around him. He started his incantations, summoning even more magic from different places, ancient and deadly magics. I didn't move too far from the cavern when the ground beneath me shook. I knew at that instant that the deed had been done. Silver Moon Pack would be in trouble soon. A black cloud was gathering over the pack, a great force had been unleashed. It would crush every bone and even eat deep into the spirit. I smiled in triumph. Stage one activated. The Silver Moon Pack would soon be on their knees, begging for mercy, but I doubt there would be any. The funny thing is how they were busy pointing accusing fingers at each other, when the enemy was right under their nose. Morgath had sent his magic on an errand. Soon, very soon, they would deliver his message to the appropriate audience