Page 76 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“You sure?” Riley asked.

Troy nodded. “If we had anything like that in the woods, we would have known about it either growing up or because you're the Alpha.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Party a lot, Troy?”

“I just knew where the cool hangout spots were.”

I groaned. “This has been useless.”

“I think you know you only have one option?”

“Which is?”

Troy shrugged. “Going to the council.”

“We’ve done that, and it was little help. I doubt this time will be any different.”

“Do they know about the Cauldron? That you’re looking for it?”

I thought about how it was clear they were hiding something last time. What if they knew? It was wrong to think of, but that’s where my mind traveled.

“I’m just saying,” Troy shrugged. “They think about what’s best for the pack, but they can make bad decisions. If you want to know everything, don’t allow them to lead the way.”

Troy had always been the one to fight against the council growing up. He was respectful, but he always said that if he were Alpha, he didn't want them telling him how to lead. I could see Riley was mulling the words over.

Troy left after a while, and Riley remained seated. He was tapping his hands on the table, his eyes glued to his phone.

“You good?”

He nodded. “It’s just frustrating.”

“I know. What are you thinking?”

“What I should have done to begin with.” He looked at me. “We’re going to have a meeting with them and get it all out in the open.”

The next morning, we went to the council. I wasn’t even sure if Riley had even arranged a meeting. I could see he was tense, and I was trying to remain calm. I had no idea how this was all going to go or what he was even going to say.

We headed inside, and I felt my stomach flip with worry. The council’s door was open, and Riley gripped my hand, taking me straight inside.

They were all sitting together like always, and Riley slammed the door behind us angrily. They all looked up, and Jasmine tilted her head as she took us in. “Riley. Janella. Did we have a meeting?”

“No.” Riley crossed his arms. “We’re here because Janella had another vision about a cauldron, and it seems no matter where we look, there isn’t one to be found.”

They remained quiet, not giving away if they were hiding anything. “And?”

“And we know you're hiding something.” He gripped the chair in front of us tightly. “And I don’t appreciate you lying to me. If there is something you know, I deserve to know it.”

Dean sighed. “There are things that you don’t need to know.”

“When it comes to the safety of my pack, I do!” Riley’s fingers tighten on the chair, his knuckles going white.

I reached out, placing my hand over his, forcing my magic out. I didn’t need him losing his shit while we were here.

Kelly sighed. “Janella, what did your vision entail?”

“The Cauldron. It was bubbling, and a dark force was coming out of it. It was chained in what looked like a basement.” I scowled as I looked at each of them. That fear I’d felt before was gone as I started to wonder if they had been lying. “I have looked everywhere for it, and I’m not finding it. Which leaves me to think you must know and aren’t saying. I know it’s here in the pack.”

They remained quiet for a long moment before they looked at each other. They didn’t give away what they were thinking besides pulling themselves up. “Follow us,” Jasmine said.