VIKTOR.
Stepping into the room is like entering into another place entirely.
I mean, the difference in style from it and the other part of the house is so jarring it takes me a few seconds to recenter myself.
While the rest of the settlement has that rustic, elegant warm style going for it, not shabby or poor but not flashy either this place feels… cold.
Impersonal.
Detached
Definitely a place to revive people if you don’t want them to feel comfortable.
And don’t get me wrong, it is beautifully furnished, there is just no… warmth here.
Expected really, for a place used to pass judgment.
The room is lit up by fixed ceiling lights that bear down on a person with such focus, it is uncomfortable.
The light gray walls don’t exactly lift the mood, in fact the only thing warm and fuzzy is the plush carpet that cushions my step as I walk in.
The centerpiece is a meticulously crafted wooden table with intricate grain and subtle sheen with just four straight high backed chairs, three of which are occupied and one at my end of the table.
On the other end is Rowan, whose cold green eyes have not left mine since I entered the room.
“Alpha Viktor,” she greets, her voice hard and cold it literally makes me wince. “To what do we owe your visit?”
“Rowan…” I start as I move towards her but I am cut to the quick by her.
“That is Guia or Chief to you,” she says, cutting me off.
I consider doing as I am told, for a good few seconds, I consider it.
But no.
If I accept it, if I agree to call her that, it will only serve to put more distance between us and that is the last thing I want.
“Rowan,” I repeat as I stare her dead in the eyes. She doesn’t respond, not even a twitch at my audacity and I don’t know whether to take that as a good sign or a bad one.
Lisa and Rina exchange looks between each other and glances at Rowan before Lisa gestures for me to continue at her continued silence.
“The packs, well some of them have been rallied by Dominik to attack you,” I say. “They see the disappearance of their fellow alphas and wolves as well as the lack of information as reason enough to hold you responsible.”
“And you?” She asks. “Why didn’t you tell them what happend?”
“I said some of the packs. I contacted the alphas of others, especially three who are well renowned and respected and told them what really happened. I also told them that neither you nor any of the wolves here have any desire to fight with them but that you will if push comes to shove.”
“And?”
“While they were willing to take my word for the first point, they were a little hesitant about believing the second. They have the image that the wolves here are rogues because they deserved it, that you all are the worst of the worst. And while they were willing to listen to me, they claim to need more proof to see that for themselves.”
“You want me to open my territory to pack wolves?” She demands coldly, but her eyes blazes hotter than possible, warning me to tread carefully. “Alpha wolves? Are you insane?!”
“I know how it sounds, but you really don’t have a choice. Yes, you are all good fighters, but can you possibly think that you can take on eighteen packs of vapid, cruel, blood thirsty wolves who believe they are justified and righteous in their attack of you? You need allies, Rowan. I am offering that.”
“I am not letting any of you into my pack!”
“Settlement,” I cheekily correct her before becoming serious again. “You let me in today,” I remind her.
“That is just you and that was only after we had made sure there were no other wolves with you. Do you expect me to believe your fellow Alphas will take that chance?”
“They are willing to! They are willing to trust me on that, and now I need you to.”
“Trust you?! Are you for real?!”
“Yes, I am for real. I know I lied. But what would you have done in my shoes?!” I snap back. “The only thing I knew about the Winter Wolf Coalition was that you were all rogues and here I was waking up in their midst. You know my reputation, you know how I felt about and treated wolves. Do you think with that reputation, it would have been the smartest thing to tell you who I was?!”
“You could have told me after!” She roars as she rises to her feet, eyes shooting arrows from them.
“When?!” I snap back. “When you were still wary of other outside wolves? Or when you were having Alden sneaking around trying to find out more about me? You never really let me in and all I wanted was to be sure of my pace in your heart before I risked losing it. I know it doesn’t justify that but I was scared okay. Scared of losing you. Scared of you kicking me out because the truth is you never let me in.
“Oh, you humored me but you always had that walk there, standing between us. And I am sorry. I would have taken time to woo you back but right we don’t have time. You don’t have time. So, I am begging you, urging you to put away your pride and your hurt and think about the others, about Jhenelle. You need allies and I am offering that. Can you please trust that at the very least I want the best for you? That I want you safe?!”
She stares at me stunned for a few seconds before she drops to her seat.
She exchanges a silent conversation with the two ladies for a full good minute before finally heaving a sigh.
“Fine. When do we meet.”