The conference room is great but plain, with white walls,walnut frames and matching hardwood floors. A large, empty brick fireplace sits on the far wall, behind the long and far too corporate rectangular table.
But it’s not the décor that has me dreary.
Gathered around the table are two members of the council. I don’t know exactly how many members there are and up until recently, I have never bothered to learn their names before now.
Ezra is a younger male wolf, appearing to be in his mid- to late-thirties, but his line goes back generations predating any history book. His mother was a shapeshifter while his father had the power of invisibility. He and his twin, Alexa, were born at the same time by C-section. It’s an anomaly that puzzled not only the doctors, but even the Moon Goddess. With their DNA completely split, they carry both parents’ powers, making them the only family able to keep a power alive if one twin dies.
What I don’t see here are any members of the crown. More specifically, I was hoping to see Alaina. If I were to tell anyone about what’s happening, it’d be her. She might be the only one who would try to understand and care enough to be sensitive to my situation. Whereas the council doesn’t care about anything if it doesn’t benefit them. Which is also the reason I’m surprised they’d bother to make the trip here. Their corrupt nature is a plague on this realm.
I have a better chance at negotiating terms with Alaina’s presence and more importantly, her support. More than anybody, she’d understand my predicament.
If she shows, my wolf says.
Right, there’s that. I couldn’t blame her if she didn’t. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most.
Ezra and Alexa stand to greet us. We shake hands before Tyler and I take a seat across from them.
“Where’s Luna Kathy?”
My mother has missed so many social invitations, meetings and leadership engagements that I’ve become a master at making up reasons for her absence. I make up some excuse that would appease them—a fake business deal that would benefit them—and they somewhat buy it. Although I think their belief is driven by wishful thinking.
Technically, imperial law says I’m not allowed to lead yet, but I’ve been doing it for months. But the work-arounds make things ten times more tedious. And I’ll keep doing it if it means protecting my family’s legacy.
“Will the queen be joining us?” I ask.
“No. Why?” Ezra asks, folding his hands in his lap.
His lips form a hard line.
Yikes. This guy is defensive. Best to be professional, delicate and pretend I don’t know why he’s ready to challenge me.
“This is an important matter. I figured they’d want to be here is all,” I explain calmly.
“Do you have a problem with the way the council conducts business, Mr. Waller?” Alexa asks.
“I don’t understand what would possibly give you that impression, sir.” I pretend I’m uncomfortable with his outburst and have no idea where it’s coming from.
“I hear things... Whispers about the fall of the council,” Ezra slithers his head back and forth like a snake and wiggles his fingers like he’s telling a ghost story with theatrical commitment. “Yeah... yeah. You think I didn’t know, did you?”
The look in his eyes is wild, and his movements are obscure. Something is off about him, like he hasn’t slept in days, and it’s starting to catch up with him. Something I’m sure Tyler, and I will laugh at him for later... ornowif we’re not careful.
Tyler’s hand subtly covers his mouth, and I know he’s hiding his emerging grin. For now, I’m able to keep a straight face, but if he looks at me, it’s all over. I’ll bust out laughing.
“Don’t,”I warn him in the mindlink.
“Sir, I assure you, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was only asking if the queen would be joining us.”
Just then, the door creaks as it swings open, and in comes a blonde-haired cocky son of a bitch. Sam stands to the side, allowing his mate, Taya, to enter first. Then he smacks her ass as she passes him, biting his lip. With razor sharp hearing, he responds, “The queen is busy running two kingdoms.” Sam grins. “Gentleman...” He nods as he regards the council before he looks at my beta and me and says, “Mutts.”
“Fuck my life,” Tyler mutters. He slumps in his chair, probably wishing he could disappear.
The chair squeaks against the floorboards as he pulls it out for Taya, the queen’s royal beta. Despite his chivalrous act, I’ve heard he’sanythingbut a gentleman—or at least he wasn’t before he met Taya.
Taya belonged to this pack prior to meeting Sam, so I’m familiar with her. With Alaina’s best friend in attendance, maybe there’s still some hope.
“Sorry we’re late. We were...” Sam’s gaze flits to Taya, who blushes. He chuckles softly, with a half-smile, then focuses his eyes back on his audience. “Tied up.”
Ezra’s brows furrow as he narrows his eyes, seemingly unhappy with the crown’s arrival. “I wasn’t aware you would be joining us.”
