The whole room was waiting for a feminine voice to answer the call that Abner was making right then and there. At first, it was hardly believable that he would risk calling his hostage, but when the line didn’t answer they figured out that he had tricked them once again.
Abner used Alexia’s number, so it didn’t matter how many times he called her. He was sure there would be no answer since her phone was locked up in his suite’s secret safe.
“You see? Too tired to answer,” he stated with finality, his cynical smile twisting his audience’s stomachs.
The elders knew, even before the start of the meeting that there was something off with his request. And despite them knowing, they didn’t have much proof to counter the lying Alpha’s allegations.
Of course, the Silvercrest Gamma will still insist on his demands, and everyone expected that…
“She is my mate and was marked by me. And I have her mark as well. If she can’t tell me that she is where she wants to be, then she has to be returned to me, as she is MINE, whether you like it or not, Abner.” “Well, of course, Ma’He. I will return her to you, safe and sound. The moment you WIN the challenge.”
That bastard! He’s openly lying, M, TO OUR FACES!
I know he is, Lyon, but we can’t do much. For now, we just try to get as much information as we can. He is too overconfident. And overconfidence always, with no exception, will cause one to lose.
“Gamma, you know wolf law. You’re a lawyer! We can’t make him give her back while she’s in his territory, but if you win the challenge, you will be in all the right to go in there and take your mate, even by force. It doesn’t matter whatever he decides to do. And with regards to our law, it is very clear that she is your mate,” Jenna said, still slightly nauseous after the exchange she just heard.
“I know the law as well, and I know that if I win, I’m not only getting the wife I was arranged to keep three years ago, but a new one too,” he said, running his eyes up and down Siel’s body. Once again, disgust started to spread to those who were present.
V, what is wrong with you?! Did you lose your voice? Are you deaf? Did you just die and didn’t tell me?
Roth, it’s his intention to do this. He’s having fun, and if we as much as blink angrily at him, he wins.
“Abner, I knew your parents, they were good people. They left too soon, and you had plenty to take care of from a young age, but that is werewolf life. We do that and live by that. What is it that you want to get from all this circus? You know the law, and you know you’re breaking it. Even if we’re bound by the same law when it comes to your territory, and your pack, we will not allow you to do whatever you please.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Stephen,” Abner chuckled.
“I believe I talk on behalf of the four of us, as Elders. We will be in the challenge, along with other willing elders, and we will make sure that the law is fulfilled after the result. We will not allow cheating and will not allow running away. You have agreed to surrender your title and Alexia to Silvercrest if you’re defeated, and you will have to abide by your own word,” Elder Melo snapped, trying to keep his emotions under control after all that they’ve seen.
“Vince, is this challenge to death?” Elder Stephen asked.
“It is until unconscious, with a choice to kill,” was V’s response.
“And the date?” asked Elder Jenna.
“We want to submit for approval February the 12th,” Vince said.
“Tomorrow?” Abner was taken by surprise.
The Elders looked at each other for a moment and nodded.
“We agree on the date. The challenge will be tomorrow, first thing in the morning, on Silvercrest grounds. No objections, Abner,” Damien firmly stated.
“I actually think it’s perfect. That way I can get a better view of everything that I’ll be owning after I win.”
Another uncomfortable silence.
“If there is nothing else to discuss, we have other commitments to attend,” Melo said with finality.
“Abner, do you have anything to add?” Vince asked.
“Nothing to you, but to your beautiful mate, yes. Elena, I’ll be waiting for the moment at which I can take you. You’ll leave your mate and come to me with your own feet, I know that.”
V held in the growl that had been building within his chest, but he could no longer hold back his thoughts, “She is not part of the pack, Abner. And I have not marked her, so don’t even go there.”
The future Luna of Silvercrest felt a warm thrill pass through her as she heard her mate go protective of her. She smiled at Vince as she felt his arm go around her waist.
“Don’t be so sure of yourself, Alpha Abner. You might be surprised,” she countered with a sly smile.
The Elders glanced at each other with troubled looks, unable to do anything else at the moment. They got up from their seats and prepared to leave, and so did Abner, who approached the Silvercrest people, with a smile on his face and a hand extended.
V took his hand and looked him in the eye, “We’ll see you at the challenge, Abner.”
“I can barely wait, Alpha. Damien, Melo, Stephen, and Jenna, it was nice to see you again.” Abner stated as he shook hands with the elders, while obviously ignoring Ma’Heron and dramatically opened the door then exited the room.
“Please excuse me a moment,” M mumbled then left the crowd in a rush, trying hard not to show his eagerness at what he was about to do.
After stepping out into the meeting room’s balcony, it took him only a few seconds to reach her…
Alexia! Are you awake?
Ma’Heron! Beloved, I miss you so much!
In his mind, the grieving Gamma extremely hated the fact there was no way to record a mindlink conversation and use it as evidence. If only he could, then the meeting with the Elders could have ended differently…
I miss you too, Alex… I’m just glad I can hear you. We can talk for a moment since that asshole has just left the meeting room, making an effort to be hated by everyone… But the Elders approved that we have the challenge tomorrow, wife! It’s just a few more hours, and I promise to take you out of that place. By my life, I swear it!
He could feel her crying, quietly, in the way she usually did, so he wouldn’t notice that she was, and his heart broke even more but didn’t acknowledge it. What for? It would hurt her even more to know the hell he was going through. Besides, he felt he deserved this punishment for all the wrongs he had done to her in the past.
But not her… she doesn’t deserve all this… Not. Any. Of. This.
I know you will win, husband. I’m sure you’ll show him how good you are in a fight. And I need to tell you something… he intends to cheat again! And not just with his serums this time…
What the hell?! I knew he was too confident a while ago. That FUCKING BASTARD! I’ll make him pay…
Please, husband, pay attention! He might come back any moment. He intends to use rogue wolves! There will be a great number of them with strong armor, technological enhancements, and even weaponry. While the challenge is happening, they will attack the packhouse like Abner and my father did before!
Ma’Heron felt his heart twist painfully again. Their mindlink conversation should be filled with words of love, support, and assurance just so he can comfort and strengthen her in her darkest hour…
But here she was, ignoring her own needs and focusing on helping him and the pack.
Thank you, Alexia. You are such a wonder, dear wife. Oh goddess, I can’t imagine my life without you… Ma’Heron, I feel the same way but please listen… he has stronger drugs now and he… wait… he’s here…
That was the last he heard from her that day.
Back inside the room, the meeting was wrapping up.
“Vincent, we wish you the best and hope your Gamma wins that challenge. We’re bound by the law, but we’re not blind,” Melo said.
“Thank you all. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“And Miss Siel, I have to say, it was a real pleasure to meet you. You’re all we thought you’d be, being a mate of someone as peculiar and special as Alpha Vince,” Elder Jenna said in a slightly mysterious tone.
“Jenna, I don’t think this is the right moment to introduce my mate to our people’s legends,” V said, trying to shift the conversation.
“Of course not. But I hope I can see you another time soon, Elena. Maybe under more relaxed circumstances.” “It will be my pleasure, Elder Jenna.”
“You can call me Jenna, no worries. Visit us for tea someday. Alpha Vince knows where to find us.” “I will! Thank you, Jenna.”
And with that, the elders left the room, and only Myron, Vince, and a very curious Siel were left standing there.
“Alpha, what was all that? I thought Abner was typically collected and serious…” Myron remarked; as he placed his laptop inside his high-end backpack.
“He is; when he wants to be. He knows what he’s done and was not looking for approval. He came here to send a message, and clearly, it was to M.”
“Talking about M, he’s still somewhere in here. I think we should let him know that we’re leaving,” suggested Siel.
Meanwhile, the Gamma remained in the spacious white balcony, silently looking away – towards the night and the city – thinking that somewhere out there, his mate was enduring torture, in silence, just so he wasn’t worried.
There was no option for him, he MUST win, or die trying. There was no life, no way of truly living, without his mate.
I still have so much to make up for, Lyon…
I know. They are strong, Alexia and Margay. And we will have them back with us soon, M. Just a few more hours. I know… A very difficult set of hours. It already feels like forever…