~Kade~
The guards moved in, following the cars that drove up the gravel pathway to the house. Behind the last SUV, the gates closed with a loud smack.
They got in a half-moon-shaped formation behind the vehicles, and one by one, the doors opened up. The Beta from each pack went to open the door for their Alpha, and then they all got out. Each pack had their Beta and an advisor with them. Three highly ranked members from four different packs were all somehow supposed to get along. This would be really interesting, especially considering their not-so-friendly approach to one another.
‘Alpha Malik,’ I said and shook his hand as he stepped up. He bowed his head and stepped around me as I greeted the others. They used to do business with my father back in the day and still held the titles of their packs. I knew that Malik had a son who was gunning for the title, but the old man wasn’t ready to give it up just yet.One after the other, I shook their hands, and they walked after my parents into the house. The guards knew what their job was while the Alphas were here—to keep a lookout for anything beyond the ordinary and to protect the house. Having this many Alphas in one place also meant a greater threat for attacks, but we had some of the strongest Alphas on our territory right now, so if there were a fight, I’m positive it wouldn’t be a fair one.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Mason asked when he walked up to me with a raised brow and an indifferent look.
‘Yes, but only because we don’t have another choice.’
‘Do you really think Sebastian is staying with one of them?’ He asked.
‘Either that, or they at least know where he is,’ I said.
We walked into the house, and the guards closed the doors behind us. They were all seated in the conference room, and when Mason and I walked in, the atmosphere shifted, and their wolves came to the forefront. People were always nervous to come here. It didn’t matter if it was a rogue or an Alpha; they preferred to stay away, and we preferred it as well. However, difficult circumstances called for difficult decisions, and I had just invited a war to my doorstep.
‘Alpha Kade, what exactly is the point of this meeting?’ Alpha Matthias asked with an exaggerated tone.
That’s right; they had no idea why they were here. As soon as I called, they got in their cars and came. I looked at each of them, getting a read on how prepared they were, how worried they were, and to make sure that I saw each little shift in their eyes and on their face when I told them the news. A person’s eyes were always what gave them away when they lied or tried to conceal a truth.
‘I believe you all have heard rumors and stories about the Emberclaws, yes?’ I said. They leaned back against the chairs, creating space between us. Their eyes grew dim with fear and worry, and though they were all strong, they were also wise enough not to think they were stronger than the Emberclaws.
‘They are abominations who should never have been bred,’ Alpha Malik snarled, oblivious to the fact that he was talking about my mate.
‘Nevertheless, you have heard of them, but I do wonder if you know what they are planning at this exact moment,’ I said and scanned their faces. Alpha Tristan furrowed his brows and leaned forward on his arms.
‘I’m sorry, but what are Emberclaws?’ Alpha Tristan’s Beta asked. He was a younger guy, just like his Alpha, but clearly hadn’t been informed of everything just yet. Was it because he wasn’t trusted or because they thought the information was irrelevant?
I know that a lot of leaders in packs don’t see the Emberclaws as a threat, considering the fact that they haven’t been seen or heard of in decades. I was about to burst their safe little bubble.
‘The Emberclaws are a superior race of werewolves; they have powers and strength that we can only dream of. One of them alone is stronger than five of our very best warriors, and that is not all; they are a pack, a pack full of Emberclaw wolves with their leader at the very top,’ I said and saw as the Beta’s face shifted in disbelief mixed with fear. If the fear hadn’t been there, I would’ve been worried. ‘You’re joking, he’s joking right?’ The Beta asked and looked at Alpha Tristan. His Alpha didn’t respond but rather leaned back and cockily crossed his arms. ‘Continue,’ he said. A devious smirk grew on Mason’s face. His eyes narrowed, and his wolf stepped up because everyone now understood why they were here. It wasn’t your regular meeting; this meeting was to unravel everyone’s hidden secrets. They all knew, all Alpha families did, but they all chose to bury it with the next successor, and it was time to dig it up.
‘I want to hear what everyone knows about the Emberclaws. Each story that your parents or grandparents have told you. Everything that you have sworn to keep secret from the world, all of it.’ The Alphas looked at their confidants, but they didn’t so much as glance at the other Alphas around the table. The oval oak conference table had been used by generations of Alphas for this very reason: meetings about something bigger than one pack alone.
‘Alpha Kade, why did you call this meeting?’ Alpha Malik asked. The others were silently sitting back and looking between me and my brother. The door to the conference room opened, and my head turned to the side to see who stepped in. I made it clear to everyone that we were not to be bothered. Danielle stepped in; her hips swayed from side to side, and her baby-blue dress hung to her ankles. ‘Alphas,’ she greeted with a slight bow. ‘Your mate is back?’ Alpha Malik asked, with furrowed brows and a smile tugging on his lips when he saw her. I wanted to close my eyes and sink through the floor. They knew Danielle was my mate but didn’t know anything of what happened after she left.
‘Because you never told anyone about Layla,’
I know, and I feel bad enough about that as it is; I don’t need you coming after me for it.
They all looked at her in awe, and I understood why. Danielle always had a way of owning the room she stepped into. She didn’t need to do much; her aura spoke volumes for her, but it was nothing compared to Layla’s presence. I was brought back by the touch of her hand against my arm.
