I Forgot I Loved You Alpha (Ellie and Nolan) novel Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Nolan POV

The meeting was called to order before I had the chance to question Ellie about Kieran. The alphas took their places around the table, facing the elders. Ellie stood by my side, her presence offering some comfort as the weight of the kingdom’s judgement was leveled at us.

One by one, each alpha was called to speak. They each offered their vision for the future of the kingdom. It was a formality that felt outdated to me, but it was unavoidable.

Many of the alphas gathered here had no chance of getting on the ballot. It was simply a chance for them to put in face time with the elders and offer an account of their victories and accomplishments to the other alphas present.

There were only five or six of us who actually stood a serious chance of being included.

When my name was called, I lifted my head and gave my prepared statement. My vision for the kingdom was to streamline trade between the packs to ensure economic stability. I had made great strides on that front in Silver Fang.

I also spoke on the need to secure the border with the roguelands. There was no avoiding mentioning the attack on Ellie, so I addressed the topic indirectly. We needed greater communication between the packs. Strengthening our alliances could only make us all stronger.

I made sure to give Moonstone credit for their assistance in handling the situation with the traitors we’d discovered.

By the time I had stopped talking, the chamber had grown restless. The elders’ murmurs, usually dignified and restrained, rose in volume as my name lingered in the air longer than the others.

I stood tall before them, but inside my wolf paced restlessly sensing the weight of what was coming. It was too soon after everything had gone wrong in Silver Fang for me to be in this position.

And then Elder Rowan pushed himself to his feet.

The old man’s voice cracked like thunder against the stone walls. “Nolan of Silver Fang,” he said, his eyes burning holes into me, “you dare stand here and ask for the kingdom’s trust, when you could not even protect your own blood?”

The words landed like blows, and I felt the room shift. Whispers spread like wildfire, heads turning, eyes narrowing.

Rowan didn’t stop there. “Your wife attacked while standing beside you, your heirs lost, your own parents slaughtered because of your actions. You have failed repeatedly. You failed your pack as an heir. You bring with you nothing but death, betrayal, and misfortune. You are cursed, boy.”

My fists curled at my sides. I’d heard these words before-spoken in drunken corners of taverns, whispered behind doors I walked past as a teenager. But never like this Never publicly, with the full weight of the elders pressing down on me.

I ground my teeth and forced my voice level. “I was fifteen years old when my parents were killed.”

“A cursed child,” Rowan spat back. “Don’t you dare excuse yourself. The Goddess turned her face from your family long ago. And now you expect us to bless you as a candidate for king?” His gaze swept the room, his voice rising. “I say no. I say if you are to be permitted to run, you must prove you are not abandoned by the Goddess. Prove her blessing rests upon you.”

A stunned silence followed his words. The elders exchanged uneasy glances. Some nodded, others frowned, but no one immediately objected.

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My wolf snarled, furious, but beneath the anger was something colder. Fear.

I didn’t believe in the Goddess. Not the way Rowan did. Not the way most of them did. I’d rejected all of that a long time ago. I only followed religious practices at all for the sake of tradition and keeping the pack happy.

And yet, the thought of submitting to her so-called test…

What if Rowan was right? What if she had turned her face from me?

What if I failed?

I stood rooted to the spot, my breath heavy, my throat tight The air felt too thin, like the walls of the chamber were closing in on me.

“Do you hesitate?” Rowan sneered, seizing the moment. “Of course you do. Because deep down, you know. You know you carry death in your shadow. You know no divine favor rests on you. You are unworthy.”

The words echoed through me, dragging me back into memories I didn’t want-blood on the dirt, my father’s body at my feet, the crushing silence that followed. The shame of surviving.

The shame of being left behind.

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

And then Ellie stepped forward.

Her voice was steady, sharp enough to slice through the tension like a blade. “That’s enough.”

Every head in the chamber turned. Even Rowan faltered, his mouth hanging open as though he hadn’t expected anyone to oppose him, least of all my wife.

Ellie’s chin lifted, her eyes blazing as she met Rowan’s glare without flinching. “You speak of curses and shadows, but you forget who you’re talking to. Nolan is my mate. Chosen by the Goddess herself. Do you dare call her choice a curse?”

A ripple moved through the chamber-murmurs, nods, a few gasps. Rowan’s face darkened.

Ellie pressed on, her voice unwavering. “The Goddess does not make mistakes. If Nolan were truly forsaken, then explain why she bound us together. Why she returned me to him. Why she continues to give him strength when every trial should have broken him. He is no curse. He is proof of her will.”

Her words struck something in me I hadn’t expected-heat rising in my chest, loosening the icy grip that had taken hold of me. She believed, even if I didn’t.

I didn’t know what to feel. We didn’t talk about religion. Didn’t talk about anything deep, really. She knew my beliefs, but I had never asked about hers. To hear her speak how, it was either proof that she’s a skilled liar or that her faith burned brighter than I could have guessed.

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