TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 12

Twelve

Cameron POV

Nadia cleared her throat from where she stood against the wall.

“We’ll need to run additional tests on Lisa. Just to be safe. Then proceed with your muting so you don’t get hurt.”

I turned toward my sister.

Lisa stiffened in the chair. Confusion crossed her face, followed by something quieter that looked a lot like hurt.

“We need to confirm there was no fraud in the selection process,” Nadia continued.” Bloodline verification. Health markers beyond what Crescent Falls provided. Standard procedure for arrangements like this.”

“My mother chose Lisa herself,” Evangeline said at once. “Are you suggesting she made a mistake?”

“Oh no, Eva. I’m not saying that.” Nadia shook her head. “But the pack elders will demand verification. Better to handle it now than let them weaponize it later.”

She shifted her attention to Lisa.

“This protects you too. You understand.”

Lisa nodded, though she looked anything but reassured.

The room felt too small.

Too full.

“I have a council meeting,” I said. “I need to go.

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to Evangeline’s forehead.

“I’ll be back tonight,”

I turned toward the door.

“Cameron.”

Evangeline’s voice stopped me,

I looked back.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For doing this. For us.”

I didn’t trust myself to answer.

I gave a short nod and walked out.

The Council Meeting

The council gathered in the pack government house, inside the main conference chamber.

Twelve elders sat around the long table. Each one held influence through bloodline, alliances, or the ability to sway public opinion.

None of them were here to make my life easier.

I took the seat at the head of the table.

The room settled.

Then the knives came out.

Elder Richmond began with a routine report on border security.

The Seventy–three year old fool was dangerously on my cousin’s side.

“The rogue activity has increased along the northern ridges,” he said. “Though, of course, your father never needed patrols this extensive. The rogues knew better than to test him.”

The message landed exactly where he intended.

Your father ruled through fear.

You require reinforcements.

I ignored the bait,

“Rogue activity has increased across all territories,” I replied. “Silver Creek isn’t unique. Adjusting patrol strength reflects regional trends, not leadership weakness.”

Richmond inclined his head, but the faint smile on his face said the conversation had only begun.

Elder Vance picked up the thread.

“Oh, it doesn’t differ,” Richmond agreed quickly Too quickly. “One simply wonders whether the Oracle’s choice-”

“Are you questioning the Oracle?”

My voice dropped.

The temperature in the room shifted.

Richmond raised both hands in a calm gesture.

“Of course not, Alpha. The Oracle’s wisdom stands beyond doubt. I only meant that even the Oracle could not have predicted your mate’s illness. Had circumstances been different…”

“But they aren’t different.‘

I leaned forward.

“This is the reality we have. And this is how it will be handled.”

“Certainly. We support your decision.” His smile returned, thin as paper. “We only want the process handled correctly. For the pack’s future.

The meeting continued another hour.

Careful criticism.

Quiet pressure.

Questions that sounded respectful but carried accusations underneath.

By the time it ended my patience had worn thin.

I left the chamber with my wolf pacing under my skin.

Six years of proving myself worthy of the throne

Six years of victories that somehow never counted.

And now this.

Sleeping with a stranger to produce the heir that would finally silence them.