Chapter 622 Ace Of Manipulation

I followed Selena silently toward the council courtroom, my eyes fixed on her back. It was as though I were trying to see through her, to reach the depths of her soul-but it was a futile attempt.

Lyon was just as restless as I was and the uncertainty of what Selena would announce as her decision before the council made both of us anxious.

Selena entered the courtroom first, her steps graceful yet determined. I followed a few paces behind, watching as she moved with quiet confidence and grace. She took her seat beside the High Priestess, while I settled into a row just behind her. Despite the physical distance between us, I could sense her awareness of my presence. Her subtle shifts in posture and the faint tension in her shoulders told me she knew I was there.

The council head entered the courtroom, and everyone rose in respect. He was an elder of the werewolf community, a figure of immense authority and wisdom, with over two centuries of experience. Known for his unparalleled powers and impartiality, he had earned his position as the inter-realm council head through merit and the unanimous votes of the council members.

The inter-realm council was composed of elected representatives from all the realms, and Elder Celestra served as the representative of the Lunar Realm.

"So, Queen Selena," the council head began, his voice steady and commanding. "What is your decision?" My heart pounded loudly in my chest as Selena rose from her seat. For a brief moment, her head turned slightly backward, and her eyes locked with mine. Then, she turned back to face the council head. I held my breath, unsure of what was about to happen next. But before Selena could say anything, a voice echoed down the hallway. "Dad!"

Austin came running toward me. I stood up from my seat just as he leaped into my arms, clinging to me like he'd finally found something familiar in a sea of strangers.

I realized my prayers had been answered when Selena's head snapped toward Austin, her expression giving everything away.

She'd said we were married, and if I chose to believe her, then Austin was our son. Determined to keep her here, I decided to play my ace card. I had asked Maddox and Blair to bring Austin to the council, and they showed up right on time.

From the way her gaze darted anxiously to the High Priestess, I knew her resolve was faltering.

I wasn't playing fair-I knew that. But I was desperate. Desperate to make her stay. Desperate to keep her and Austin close, no matter the cost. If she truly was my wife and the mother of my son, then using this moment, however wrong it felt, was worth it.

*Selena* Austin?!

What was he doing here? My eyes were glued to my son, seeing him after so many days. The mother in me wanted to run to him, scoop him into my arms, hug him tightly, kiss his head, and pour out all the love I'd been holding back. But the sharp glare from Mother froze me in place.

Then, in the next moment, I watched my son run straight to Zander without sparing me a single glance. My heart shattered, the realization sinking in-he had forgotten me, just like everyone else.

Maddox and Blair appeared behind Austin, walking into the room. Their expressions were distant, their eyes meeting mine without a flicker of recognition. I knew they had forgotten me, but experiencing it firsthand was far more painful than I'd imagined.

"Alpha Zander, please respect the council's court," Elder Thalmos said in his stern voice.

Zander nodded immediately, "I apologize, Elder Thalmos. My son was overwhelmed."

Elder Thalmos directed his piercing gaze at Austin, who clung to Zander even tighter. My heart clenched

at the sight, but I quickly cleared my throat, preparing to announce my decision.

"Yes, Queen Selena," Elder Thalmos prompted, his curious eyes now fixed on me.

"I have made my decision," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest. I could feel my

mother's firm gaze locked on me, silently urging me to choose wisely.

Taking a deep breath, I lifted my head high and looked directly at the council head. "I want to give Alpha Zander a chance," I declared, my voice clear and resolute. "I want to see what he can do to convince me to stay here with him forever."

My declaration caused an uproar in

the hall, whispers and murmurs erupting as everyone discussed it among themselves. My eyes

instinctively found Zander, and net

noticed the joyful, arrogant smile tugging at the corners of his

lips-like he had already known my decision.

Conceited jerk.

But the frustration in my mother's eyes, coupled with the annoyed expression on her face, told me she had something to say.

"Silence, please," the council head commanded. And just like that, the room fell into quiet.

"So, Queen Selena has agreed tonoveldrama

stay with her mate, Alpha Zander, and give him a chance to prove that he is more worthy of her. He is now given the opportunity to convince Queen Selena that she should not marry the God of Destruction, but instead, choose Alpha Zander," Elder Thalmos continued. "The council grants Queen Selena the right to reside in the Moon Glow Pack until she decides whether she wants to leave or remain here forever as Luna Queen of the Alpha King of the North."

With that, the trial was over. He rose, signaling the end of the meeting, and swiftly left the room.

As I expected, Mother grabbed my hand and quickly pulled me to a corner. "What have you done, Selena? How could you agree to stay here?" she demanded, her voice low but urgent. "What about the prophecy? What about the Lunar Realm?"

"Mother, I did it for the Lunar Realm. I chose to stay here because I need to find a few answers, and I need to know who the Dark Alpha is," I replied calmly.

"Dark Alpha? What does he have to do with the Lunar Realm?" my mother asked, her expression turning confused.

I couldn't tell her that I saw Zander

els

as the Dark Alpha in my vision, but I could explain the rest of what I felt. "Mother, first I saw the destruction of the Lunar Realm, and then I saw the Dark Alpha in my vision," I reasoned. "I think they're somehow connected, and I need to uncover the identity of the Dark Alpha. Maybe then I'll find the key to saving the Lunar Realm without marrying the God of Destruction."