Since the beginning of this universe, a woman has always been segregated. Men have found ways to physically, psychically, emotionally manipulate women. The control they acquired in subduing and withholding a woman from her truth, was a drug. And men got addicted.

Maeve, as a young bright mind, fresh in college always pondered the question since the first occult studies lecture she sat through on the first day; why did the Salem witch trials ever occur? She believed it was benign to even assume it was the women who had power. Every history textbook always described the beauty of a woman but not once had she come across the handsome face of a warrior, but she did see the bright eyes of a Queen.

A woman's place as a Luna in a pack had been decided well at the time of the first pack being formed. Maeve was told that well in the beginning of the time when she first started learning about this part of the world.

She rehearsed every lie she'd told in the last few months, recalling every single moment when she made those lies for the vultures to feast on. She adjusted the shirt she was wearing and entered the building. Onyx was waiting for her in the lobby.

"Here." he said handing her a black suit jacket he had carried with him. "Thought you'd need it."

"Of course, thanks." she said and put the jacket on. Both nervously passed many employees who bowed their heads and wished a quiet morning to both of them.

The elevator dinged and both stepped inside. Onyx glanced at Maeve who was nervously fiddling with her fingers and tapping her left foot.

"Relax. It's going to be fine." He assured her. "If you're going to be this nervous the plan might blow in our faces."

"You think I don't know that?" she snapped at him. Maeve sighed and hung her head low. "It's just...I was expecting at least another week but this is ridiculous."

"Yeah well that's men for you." Onyx spoke sarcastically, "they're just trying to make sure that you have no say in the matter. All they want is to dominate you and put you in your place." Onyx, the Alpha of his pack, was always stern in his words, but he knew the meaning of respect. 

"So, it finally happens, huh? All these months and the final day is here." she said, her eyes wandering to the small screen, on top of the elevator doors which flashed the number thirteen. She knew she was about to get what she wanted but it was bittersweet. She had to make it look real. She had to make sure that she didn't appear too happy. She had to pretend like she had not expected this at all, but she had. The sacrifices she made, the the lies she told, the fake smile she wore, all was about to end. Underneath the cold construct, Maeve had always been the fragile one. She decided that she didn't want to break into a million pieces, instead, break others into a million pieces. 

"Yep. In just a few moments, we reach for the stars." said Onyx. The elevator doors opened introducing them to the top floor of the building. The wide carpeted hallway was empty of people, a weird feeling came over her as they walked through the hallway. The silence was unlike anything she had ever felt. 

"Looks like they are already here." She said aloud. 

Onyx hummed, "Looks like we'll have to wing it."

"Obviously genius, I don't see any other way." said Maeve sternly, under her breath. "Okay. lets do this." with a strong breath, she pushed the door open and walked in. Her office was an open space with a glass paneled wall. The other side of the wall was all glass with a view of the city of New Orleans. The floor was marble and the entire place had an industrial vibe to it. The wood desk was large with a leather chair placed in front of it.

But today, six other leather chairs had been pulled up in front of the desk, all facing her. Her eyes were wide, as much as she didn't want them to be. Seven Alphas that made up the council sat on the chairs, their elbows resting on the arms of the chairs, their eyes fixated on her. She took a deep breath and knelt down on her left knee and folded her right hand in her lap. She looked up at the council, and then down at the floor. She waited for them to speak.

"Rise, my dear." one of the council members said. "You as well, Sir." both stood up on their feet and faced the council. Through her peripheral vision, Maeve noticed five men standing aside in the room. Obviously they were going to be present to witness the meeting. 

"I am honoured Council members that you have chosen to bestow your honor upon me, to host you in this fine city of music and art." she began and offered a welcoming smile to the council.

"Do you know why we were approached by these gentlemen and why we have arrived at your doorstep?" asked the Alpha who sat on the middle chair. High Councilman Zoltan, was the oldest member of the council. He was an elegant figure with a long grey beard and a thin wire framed glasses. He had a calm voice and piercing eyes. He had been on the council for quite a while and had a seat on the council for almost a decade now. He was a calm man and was a formidable opponent. 

"I believe I only might have a faint idea." she spoke out in a soft voice, as if she were a young child. 

"Alphas Santorini, Zucco and Vittori approached the council forty-eight hours ago expressing concerns about the administration of your pack. Their claims were then backed by Yanovich and Atsumori. Their concerns lay in your ability to protect and provide for your packs safety. They claim you lack leadership and direction. You are a threat to them and to your world. They further claim you are unpredictable and undisciplined. What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Kaida, another member of the council. Kaida was the enigmatic and reclusive Alpha of the Amon pack. She had a sharp and penetrating gaze and always wore a mask of mystery. She was an extremely beautiful and elegant woman who seemed to be a perfectly formed puzzle. 

"I can only say that their claims and concerns for my pack and my abilities stem from the a very superficial view of who I am and what I have to offer," said Maeve, "I think it's important to understand that I am not a power-hungry Alpha male. In fact, my first priority is to make sure my pack is safe and secure and thriving, the ambition my father, Jared Kalon held for my pack, my family." 

"Maeve...their concern is also with the fact that you and your brother, the two eligible heirs to the Alpha position, have decided to take the oath together." Zoltan said, "It has not happened, ever in history that a pack has had two Alphas. Its either been a forfeit, or a fight...why should we allow such a thing to happen in your case?"

Maeve paused for a moment, collecting all her thoughts together, "Because we both bring significant abilities and strengths to the table High Council Zoltan. We both have seen two parts of this world that we reside in and have knowledge which combined, have the potential to lead my pack to soar skies."

"Alpha Vittori, would you like to make a statement about this?" another council members spoke, addressing the said Alpha.

"Yes." he said and approached the centre of the room, right next to Maeve. "Councilman, the first rule we as Alphas are taught, is that the pack always comes first. Now Ms Maeve, could go on about the many things she believes she could bring to the table and to her pack, but the underlaying fact will always remain the same...she is not a true Lycan. We all are quite aware of the union of a witch and a Lycan that produced this half breed that stands before us and in a pretentious manner is excusing herself to gain all the benefits an Alpha earns." Vittori put up a dramatic performance to set the stage for himself, as he attempted to prove a point. He eyed every council members, one by one before he continued again,

"She was not even raised in the pack. Are we really hoping to give, one of the well respected packs in our world in the hands of an outsider? She is nothing but a vicious hungry half breed who is going to doom her pack.  She already is. Since the day she was born." Vittori gave her a side eye following his words making Maeve scowl in response. 

"I would like to take this moment to quickly announce that the witches responsible for the loss we suffered the day I was born have been killed and their bodies are being transported to Georgia as we speak so that the families who suffered the loss can decide how they wish to deal with them. Their leader, a witch named Agnes, was murdered by me. I know my duties as an Alpha, Alpha Vittori." Maeve was fuming at him, attempting too strongly to hold herself from lashing out on the man,

"I may have spent nineteen years of my life, away from my pack, my family, but that in no way means that I do not know the responsibilities, the duties of being the Alpha."

"If so, then why have you been in such close contact with the vampires? You think no one knows just how close you are to the original vampire?" asked Vittori, his voice was raised. 

"Alpha Vittori..." it was Kaida and Barett, the two council members sitting to the extreme left of the seven warningly raised their voice at Vittori, "personal relationships have always been kept out of the discussions of this council. Need I remind you of the limits of this discussion?"

"My apologies, Council." he bowed his head low to show his apology, "You have to admit, are we really believing that she has what it takes to become the Alpha? She left the pack at the first chance she got." said Vittori. Maeve's ears burnt in anger as she realised exactly at what Vittori was hinting. "The witches have hunted her down ever since she was born. Two years ago, she left the pack because of whatever reason she thought was strong enough. This is the candidate for the position of an Alpha."

Kaida looked hopefully at Maeve. The councilwoman held hopes for Maeve, seeing a resilient woman in her. "I was threatened. The witches who killed many of this packs own on the day I was born, tracked me down to the home where I grew up and threatened the life of the two incredible human beings who raised me. I knew that sooner they would arrive at the doorstep of the doorstep of the pack and would harm them. I decided to leave until I had better hold of myself and I was capable of providing my strengths and capabilities as an asset for this pack."

"If I may.." interrupted Onyx. He had his left hand raised to prompt that he wished to speak. 

"Yes, Mr Onyx." said Barett, "you have permission to speak."

"I have not had the pleasure to be in Maeve's position for long but I have known her for almost half a year now. I have seen her do everything in her power for her pack. These last four months we spent side by side and I have not seen another this devoted to their duties." Onyx advocated for Maeve.

"Could you provide this council with any proof, Mr Onyx?"

"I believe I can, If I may."

The council, in unison leaned back in their chairs and waited in anticipation to see what would now unfold before them. "You may proceed." said Zoltan.

Maeve stepped back, letting Onyx step forward to the centre of the room, where Maeve previously stood, and cleared his throat before beginning, "Kalon, as many of us present in this room are well aware of, is the largest pack in this country, as well as one of the old world packs. As much strength this pack possesses, like every pack, even this pack needs more. Maeve gave that. Alliance, security, stability, resources, built, everything a pack deserves." He walked across the room, on his left, towards a metal cupboard. Onyx pulled out three large files and walked back to the table. "These are Maeve's accomplishment of the last four months." 

Onyx looked back at Maeve who smiled lopsidedly at him. He set the files on the table, facing them to the council. A council member pulled them closer to him, as he addressed Onyx "Mr Onyx, considering you are not of Maeve's pack, I believe this council can presume that you will provide an unbiased narrative of what these particular files contain?"

"Yes, Councilman."

"This is ridiculous." shouted Santorini in an disorderly fashion. "He is going to side with her, those two have been conspiring together for months."

"Mr Santorini, should I be making you aware again on how to conduct yourself in the presence of the Council?" asked Kaida, clearly having dealt with the man before. Santorini bowed his head and stepped into a corner of the office. She then turned to Onyx, "I presume you know the repercussions of lying to the council and providing with biased evidence and testimony, yes?"

"Yes Council member Kaida, I am aware of the repercussions."

"Very well, proceed." Onyx stood in front of them holding himself straight and began, 

"Over the course of the last four Months, I entailed Maeve. She has built an alliance with Barthalomew, Gideon and Midas. Each of the three Alphas packs have one dominant resource that would benefit the pack both financially and politically. The alliance with Barthalomew gives a terrotorial grasp, to both the packs. Through the alliance, Maeve secures access to these resources, ensuring the prosperity and growth of her pack. This expansion contributes to the overall strength of Maeve's territory. Gideon, Othello, and Midas bring seasoned warriors to the alliance. This military support enhances Maeve's pack's defensive capabilities. In times of conflict, having skilled fighters from allied packs bolsters Maeve's defense against external threats."

"If I may," interjected Maeve, "In times of conflict, the allied packs commit to mutual defense. This ensures that if one pack faces an external threat, the others will come to its aid. Maeve's pack, in turn, gains a network of support, significantly increasing its resilience against adversaries. In matters of monetary functions, the companies, industries and stock market indulgence has also been discussed and confronted as a issue with a unanimously agreed upon terms of segregation and benefits." 

"I see nothing of fault in here."

"This is absurd!" shouted Vittori again. "This means nothing given the true state of Kalons." he said enraged. He exasperated sighs and deep breaths before he addressed Maeve exclusively, "I know Maeve, the truth about your pack."

"Please enlighten me of this truth as well then."

"Your pack is divided. Its divided in two sections. Those siding with you and those siding with Ezekiel." a tense silence fell over them. Maeve met his eyes evenly,

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I just said, the pack has no issues with there being two Alphas."

Vittori's eyes widened, "But he..."

"He whom?"

"Ezekiel told us the pack was dividing itself. Some favoured him and the rest her. The pack had not been the same since she arrived at the pack house."

"I don't remember anything like that happen." said Maeve looking as if the news shocked her as well. "Although I have heard rumours and whispers myself..." her words held conviction as she retorted. "I've heard whispers too, Vittori. Whispers of a mutiny brewing within your pack. Of Omegas and Gammas leaving to become rogues rather than be part of a pack that doesn't value them. The same whispers have reached me about Santorini and Zucco's packs. And then, there's the matter of your business, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy."

A gasp sounded in the room. Vittori stared at her, a dangerous glint in his eyes. But Maeve remained unflinching, her gaze steady. "But...but he said that you were..." Vittori kept mumbling incoherently unable to make coherent words, let alone sentences.

"Is it true?"

"He might deny it, Council member Rashida. I know it. I have had almost a dozen requests of Lycans who wished to join my pack who were born and raised in either Vittori or Zucco's pack." she stopped herself from grinning by biting her inner cheek. "Are we really going to listen to these men, who cannot even stop their own pack from turning on them, stop a mutiny and handle their businesses? Should I really listen to these men's opinions about my duties to my pack? My family?" asked Maeve. This time it was her chance to put on a performance.

"This is a setup!" for the first time since the meeting began , Zucco spoke up. "Her brother, Ezekiel told us himself that there are two teams now in the pack, one in favor of Maeve and one in favor of him." The council, collectively looked at Maeve. She shrugged her shoulders in response.

"I mean, there are these small set of five segment of our warriors that each one of us trained with and given that trust, we are picking one of those five as our respective Betas." she informed the Council, "But I mean, that's given, right?"

"You...how dare you?"

"Careful Mr Vittori, you should not speak more than you already have or else it might not reflect well upon your own self." Maeve warned with a warm smile which only angered him further.

Barett set a file on the table, and faced the three men in the room bunched together in unity. "Do either of the three of you have any proof that can disprove what Maeve has just informed this council?" the three remained silent. How could they have any proof, when she was right. The council members murmured among themselves for a few moments before they addressed them all again,

"Alright, given that this council is aware that you three have travelled with a respectable amount of members of your respective packs, this council deems it fit to interview at least three Gammas and two omegas alongside the Beta of each of the three packs, as well as the Lunas, as we understand. These interviews will be conducted in an private session while you all will be waiting in the other room, whichever Ms Kalon believes should be enough to accomodate you all comfortably. Ms Maeve, I would request you too, to as well present individuals of the list as mentioned for interviewing. They will be placed under the Council's oath and therefore will temporarily be out of your alligence to you. Do not attempt to contact them through the mind link or the council will hold you in contempt. While, seated in the other room, you are to behave in an orderly fashion and no aggravated assaults, fights or even something as small as an argument will not be tolerated. Understood?"

Everyone nodded their heads. "very well. We will begin with Vittori's pack."

Everyone exited the room one after another. While Maeve buzzed alongside Onyx at how the events were turning out to be, the Alpha males were fuming.

Maeve glanced at the alphas, and gestured towards the other end of the hallway on the left. The conference room of comfortably large enough to accommodate then all.

"Gentleman..." Maeve began with a sly smile on her face, "would you like something to drink? Tea, coffee, alcohol?"

"Cut the crap. You think we don't know what you did?" asked Zucco. "You set this all up."

"How did I do that?" asked Maeve and folded her arms and met his eyes evenly.

"You spread rumours about the divide in your pack on purpose...the information was all fake. You disceived us all with those lies for this particular day to come. You planned it all to take everything away from us."

"Are you trying to say that the sole reason for building those alliances with Bartholomew, Gideon and Midas was always to get you cornered because they hate your assess just as much as me? Or that I befriended Bloodcrest's Alpha so I could illegally manipulate your stocks, persuade your employees to turn on you, pack members to shed some Intel to us? Or that I may or may not have spread a fake rumor about the way this pack is working to get you to get close to Ezekiel so he could persuade your pack to start a Mutiny or join our pack?

"Are you trying to say that I...a woman conspired to spread lies, disceive you, all just to gain some leverage over you? All of this was just an elaborate plan to trick you? Come on now, I'm only a woman. I couldn't possibly have come up with something like that." while the Alphas who brought the council to Maeve's doorstep were dumbfounded to say anything more, Maeve and Onyx were trying really hard to hold back their laughs.

"Oh and don't bother saying I confessed to everything...this is the only other room, other than my office without any cctv cameras and I know you all are too old to think about using the phone smartly enough to use the recorder...so," she shrugged her shoulders and dropped them down.

The sun cast long shadows inside Maeve's office, as the clock struck two, signaling the end of lunchtime.

The air was thick with tension and the scent of brewing conflict. After endless hours of heated private interviews, the council members finally emerged to call the assembly back into Maeve's office.

"With thorough deliberation and after carefully considering testimonies and evidence, this esteemed council has come to a conclusion," proclaimed Zoltan sternly, his voice echoed off the walls. "Mr Barett, please read out our decision."

Mr Barett, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a no-nonsense air about him, rose from his seat to address the gathering. "By attempting to undermine Alpha Maeve's competence based on misguided gender notions," he began in a thunderous voice that commanded respect and attention. "You three men—Vittori, Santorini, and Zucco—have been found guilty of contempt."

Before Vittori could interrupt with a defiant retort, Zoltan stopped him cold with an unyielding glare that sliced through his ego like a well-honed blade. "Remember where you stand, Mr Vittori," he warned mockingly.

Unwavering despite hindrances, Mr Barett continued the proclamation. He gave them a month to restore peace within their respective Packs or face grave consequences under council discretion, including potential loss of their Alpha positions.

In response to this stern verdict, Maeve couldn't help but beam with pride and a sense of triumph. Her accusers, on the other hand, could do nothing but brace themselves for the impending humiliation.

"Also," Mr Barett added in a measured tone. "Should any more members of your Packs choose to go rogue within this month's duration, you will relinquish your Alpha positions immediately. Subsequently, those packs will decide by unanimous consent to which new Pack they will pledge."

"They won't suffer for long," interjected Rashida, the council's only other female member whose sharp eyes pierced Vittori like icy daggers. She continued, "In our subsequent conversations with your Packs, we will recommend that they join the thriving Kalon Pack under Maeve's capable leadership."

As a hushed murmur of disbelief swept through the room, the defeated Alphas squirmed on their feet, their bruised egos painfully visible. Their outbursts of anger only served to bring a gratifying twinge of satisfaction to Rashida, her coiled confidence radiating as she sat amongst her fellow council members.

"Enough!" Zoltan roared with impressive authority, he stood tall as he brought order to the chaos. "Your regressive mindset is an affront to our community and tarnishes our once-proud name. It is time for change." Pausing for effect, Zoltan continued, his deep voice charged with crystallized emotion. "As a father, I have witnessed firsthand the damage our negative image has wrought in the human world – particularly on my beloved daughter. Authoritarian, disrespectful, demanding, controlling, and toxic... Is that truly how we wish to be remembered?"

The room trembled under his resounding declaration as shock rippled across each Alpha's face. Zoltan cast his eyes downward solemnly and then proclaimed with unequivocal finality: "The meeting is over. There will be no further debates on this matter."

From there, Zoltan laid down the dire consequences for those who dared defy the council's ruling, "Maeve Kalon you now have the right to seek compensation for defamation by either pursuing legal action or seizing control of their coveted stocks. You are also well within the rights of your own to buy their companies."

Seeing their world crumbling before them, The Alphas exchanged trepidatious glances while Maeve blinked back tears which glistened under her long lashes as she looked to Zoltan for confirmation.

"Yes, my dear," the proud leader reassured her. "A woman of your undeniable strength and grace must take her rightful place at the top."

Once the council members had collected their belongings, they stood by Zoltan as he glanced around with a half-smirk before addressing the defeated Alphas. "I say this off the record—"

"—As do we all," Barett, Kaida, and Rashida chimed in with subtle nods. Kaida took charge, leveling a steely gaze at each Alpha. "You three are the epitome of disgrace. And Mr. Yanovich and Mr. Atsomuri, I implore you to reconsider your alliances in future endeavors."

The air in the council chamber was charged with a mix of triumph and disdain as Rashida's words cut through the lingering tension. "You three are the very reason a character like Jacob Black exists," she pronounced, her tone laced with a perfect blend of disdain and pity. "Now slink away with your tails between your legs."

The Alphas, utterly extinguished by this deserved ridicule, mustered what little dignity remained as they bowed to the council. Silently, they left the room, their arrogance shattered in the face of Rashida's scathing words.

Kaida, Barett, and the youngest council member approached Maeve with pleasant smiles on their faces. Each of their expressions conveyed a mix of approval and amusement.

"We know you tricked them. It was quite obvious from the start," Kaida said, her eyes gleaming with a hint of admiration. Maeve looked at them in mild shock, a cold shiver running down her spine.

"Relax," Barett added, "we are not going to hurt you or punish you. Actually, we are proud of you."

"Proud?" Maeve questioned, still slightly taken aback.

"Yes. Those three were always the idiots we couldn't get through to," the youngest council member explained.

"When they approached the table saying that you were incompetent, we knew we had them."

Maeve, trying to grasp the unexpected turn of events, asked, "I don't understand."

Zoltan, the wise council member, spoke up. "It's quite simple. All of them are the reason we are so hated. We need more like you to build something great. We have been watching you, Maeve, for a long time. That's why we knew even before coming here that we could trust you and that there was nothing concrete here to stop you. Also, great brains in the whole operation. Where did you learn how to do that?"

Maeve couldn't help but giggle. "My friend, Niklaus Mikaelson, helped me with the plan. At least the rumor part of it. Building the alliance, mutiny, bankruptcy—that was all me," she confessed, pride evident in her voice.

"Whatever it is, good luck in your future. We hope to see you do great things," Kaida said with a nod.

Maeve, overwhelmed by this unexpected show of support, knelt down, mirroring the humility she had displayed when she first entered her office that morning.

"Thank you, council, for trusting and having faith in me," she expressed sincerely. "I will do my best to protect this pack, to be a good Alpha."

Rashida, ever the pragmatic leader, shifted the conversation. "Now, what is this festival of Casket Girls that I hear about?"

Maeve, seizing the opportunity to share her knowledge, informed them, "I think it's a festival celebrating the freedom of women forced here from Europe to marry white men. Niklaus's sister, Rebekah, is likely the one who saved them from those assailants."

Rashida nodded thoughtfully. "Well then, it looks like we are staying in New Orleans for a couple of days," she declared, a unanimous agreement echoing among the council members.

************************************
Wow. That was a long long long chapter.

Anyways, we go back to our originals storyline from the next update.

How do you guys like Maeve? Her storyline? What is it something that you would love to see happen to her, with her. Do let me know what your opinions, guys!

Until the next update!

Take care everyone!

Raven :)