CHAPTER 46- Rogue meeting
The rest of the day is spent in preparation for the meeting with the Rogue. Zoe wasn’t too happy when she heard about it either. I convinced her to spend the night here at the pack house, so that way she can know how it turns out. I told Jay, Christian, Ryan and Carlos I wanted them there. They are the strongest male wolves around at the moment, if anything happens I want them there to clear the situation. I know Hunter is only going to be focused on me, but there are going to be humans there too.
As the night draws on I choose a loose blouse and slacks. I put my hair up in an intricate bun, with help from Zoe. As soon as I put on my low heels, Hunter pulls me into a hug. “What can I do to talk you out of this?”
“Hunter, do you trust me?” I don’t even look up at him. I know he is listening to me.
“What kind of a question is that? Yes, I trust you.” He grumbles.
“Then trust that I know what I am doing.”
He growls again. “I trust you. I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t either. I know that he wont start anything in town right now. That isn’t his motisaperandi. He wants something. I want to know what it is. Plus I am sure he is going to give us our deadline tonight.” I hug tighter into Hunter’s chest.
He sighs and takes a deep breath after words. “Alright, if you are sure then we better get going. We don’t want to be late.”
Hunter held my hand all the way to the SUV. We are taking two, Ryan arranged a few extra men just in case. I curl into Hunter’s lap once we are in the back seat and wait there for the ride to be over. Carlos is on guard. He has it in his head that we are going to be ambushed on the road. I don’t think that is the rogue’s plan. He wants me at that restaurant.
When we pull into the restaurant the parking lot is quite full. That gives me some hope that there are quite a few humans. When I step out of the SUV I sniff the air. I smell mostly humans but there are wolves present that are not my own. I smell at least five different scents. I turn to Hunter and Jay who are right behind me. “There are at least five of their wolves here. If I smell too many inside then I will back right out. I will not be outnumbered. It should just be him.”
Jay grabs me up into a hug. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
I laugh. “When was the last time I did something stupid?”
“How about taking this guy as your mate?” Jay laughs.
Hunter slaps his shoulder. “Funny.” He grumbles.
Jay shrugs. “Just trying to lighten the mood.
Hunter grabs my face and kisses me. “You better come back to me.”
“I am. Don’t worry.” I smile at him and turn to the restaurant.
As soon as I walk in the door I am assaulted by the smell of food. It’s american cuisine so there is a lot of meat. I filter through the smells until I find the scent I am looking for. There is one wolf here. The waitress comes up to me. “How many in your party?” She looks behind me, clearly looking at the men watching me come in.
“I am meeting someone. I imagine he is here already.” I smile politely at her.
“Oh, yes, he said you would be coming. Right this way.” She meets my smile. Quickly forgetting all the guys outside in the parking lot. She turns and heads closer to the scent of a wolf. I follow her.
He is in the middle along the wall in a booth. When Gabe sees me coming he stands. He is wearing a long sleeve blue collared button up shirt, with a black tie and black slacks. He puts his hand out, I think he is planning to shake my hand. I put my hand out as well, but he takes my hand and kisses it. I quickly pull it back. “Mr. Smith, let’s get down to business shall we.”
The waitress looks on, clearly confused. “Can I get you anything to drink while you look over the menu?”
I smile at her, “Orange juice would be great.” What I have a craving alright?
“Coming right up.” She skips off. Ok, not skips but she is pretty jaunty.
Gabe motions to the opposite side of the table so that I can have a seat. I take it and he returns to his seat. “I am glad that you agreed to this meeting. Usually the Alphas I meet are quite ready to just fight. I like to do things a little more civilly.”
I glance up at him. “Let’s be honest here Mr. Smith. You are here to run my pack off its lands. I don’t think we are really here for civil reasons.”
He smiles at me. “Oh, I am being very civil. I have not had problems before with just telling packs to leave. However, when I met you this afternoon an idea occurred to me. We can come to a better arrangement.”
I sigh, “And what is that?”
The waitress returns with my orange juice before he answers. “Do you folks need a few more minutes?”
I look up at her. “Yes, please. We will call you over when we are ready.”
She nods and heads off to her other tables. I am sure she is busy tonight.
I look back at Gabe. “Well?”
“Impatient aren’t we? We have plenty of time to talk about this. How about we order first? I hear that the country fried steak is an excellent choice.” He isn’t looking at me any more, he is skimming the menu.
“Mr. Smith, I didn’t really come here to eat. I am here to have a meeting with you. If you do not wish to talk then I will be going.” I place my hands on the table to push myself up, when his hand snaps out and lays on mine. His hand feels warm and comforting on mine. I don’t like it.
“Stay. You can eat with me. We will talk and eat. Like I said, civil. I fully intend on letting you know about my proposal.” He is doing this thing with his eyes that makes him look hooded, secretive. Maybe a little seductive.
“Fine, but if you don’t start talking soon, then I am leaving. This is a meeting, not a date.”
He smirks. “How come it can’t be both?”
“I am spoken for.” I remove my hands from the table.
He looks out the front window. “Which is it, the tall blonde, or the one with dark hair? They both look pretty pissed?”
“I really don’t think that is any of your business. This is not a date.” I don’t turn and look. I know both men are pissed to even be here.
“I am guessing the one with dark hair, he was the one growling at me this afternoon. The other one wasn’t there. So then who is blondie to you?”
“Mr. Smith, you are completely off topic. Can we please come back to the matter at hand?” He seems too distracted. Like he would rather have a friendly conversation than to work out a deal with me.
“I am getting there.” He chuckles. Gabe raises his hand to motion the waitress over. When she arrives at the table he orders for the both of us. “Two orders of country fried steak and another orange juice for the lady.”
She got that down. “Coming right up. Let me know if you need anything else.” She winks at Gabe. He waits until she leaves before giving an eye roll.
“As if I would ever be interested in a human. She has been flaunting at me since I walked in. Even after I said I was waiting for a woman. Pathetic.” He sneers at her retreating body.
“Humans aren’t as bad as you are making them out to be.” I point out, taking a sip of my juice.
He laughs. “Come on, if they knew what we were they would be running for the hills with their proverbial tails between their legs. We are far superior to them and they know it. That is what scares them.”
“Not all humans are scared.” I smile sweetly. In no way am I giving away my plan to him. He needs to think this is just banter. “But that is what you count on isn’t it. That’s how you drive the packs off their land. You threaten to expose them to the humans so that they run. You know this isn’t medieval times. Things are far more cultured now.”
He shrugs. “Well, that isn’t my plan with your pack.”
“And what pray tell is your plan for my pack?” I set my juice down and fold my hands on the table. Finally he is getting to the point.
“To marry their Alpha. Combine our packs and become unstoppable.” He gets that evil smile again.
I chuckle. “Alpha’s better than you have tried. What makes you think that I am going to accept your offer?”
“My charm and wit.” He winks at me.
Now it is my turn to roll my eyes. “I find you lack both. I am sure there is someone else that can scratch your itch.”
He sighs, “Well, actually there isn’t, I have very high standards. I’m afraid there is only one female Alpha in the area.”
“So that is what you are interested in, my status.” I shake my head.
“Not really. That is a plus. You look absolutely delicious. If I would have met you before I probably wouldn’t have had to move so many packs. The sight of you alone seems to satiate the wolf.” Again he licks his lips.
“You are getting the total wrong idea here. I am not on the table.”
He smirks. “Not yet.” The look in his eyes clearly indicates that he means literally.
Thankfully the waitress comes back with the food. I am not really hungry, but I will play with my food. She hangs around for a minute more asking if we need anything. Then winks again at Gabe. She saunters off.
He starts digging into the food. After he is satisfied that he has eaten enough he starts talking again. “So, what do you say? Marry me and I leave the pack intact. Don’t and we have to resort to more drastic measures.”
“There are some things about me that might change your mind.” I smirk.
He cockes his head. “I doubt it. Shoot.”
“I have a mate, who I have marked.” Using my fork I push around the mashed potatoes. Occasionally taking a small bite.
“Don’t care. I also know that the pack isn’t yours yet. How is your father by the way? I got him pretty good this afternoon, I would hate to see my father in law die before the wedding.” His face is completely serious. Like he has no regrets whatsoever for attacking my father.
My claws extend digging into the table. “You were the one that attacked my father?”
“Like anyone else could have gotten close to that man.” He scoffs.
“He is going to live.” I am trying to do what my father wants. Keep it together.
“Good. Drink up your juice. You need that folic acid. I heard it is very good for the baby.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “How did you even know about that? The pack doesn’t even know yet.”
“I have my ways Darlin’. As you can see I am a resourceful man. I tend to get what I want. I also know your plan with the humans. I am sad to say, I don’t think it will work. Come on, they are humans. Scared shitless, the lot of them. There is no way you are going to get the humans to accept you.” He sweeps his gaze around the restaurant to make a point. He doesn’t see a single person that could make him change his mind.
I take a drink of my juice. “I think differently.”
The light in his eyes scares me for a minute. “I’ll make a deal with you. If you can get the humans on your side by Christmas, then I will leave your pack alone.”
“And what do you get in return?” I pull back from the table. I don’t like where this is going.
He doesn’t even miss a beat. “If you don’t, then you marry me.”
“You are that sure that the humans are not going to be on my side?”
“The question is, are you that sure that they will?” He sits back satisfied.
I take a minute to think. “You know what I am. You got a deal.”
His satisfaction doesn’t diminish. “Be sure to pick out a nice dress.”
“Not on your life. If you will excuse me, I need to go to the restroom.” I stand and head to the back of the restaurant where the sign indicates its direction.
When I am done in the restroom I head out the door. As soon as I come to the alcove that shields the restrooms from the rest of the restaurant, I am pushed against a wall. I grunt as my back makes contact with the wall. After the initial shock I look and see Gabe. His strong muscular form lifts me up along the wall.
“Mr. Smith. I thought we had a deal.” I growl at him. “If you don’t back off now then I will link my pack and have someone here before you can blink.”
“I imagine you are talking about the vamp. I wouldn’t do that if I was you. You do and I shift, right here in this restaurant. A couple of humans might die. Wouldn’t that be a shame for your alliance.” He is smirking. Almost like he is internally laughing at me.
“What are you doing?” I struggle against his arms. Being in the air is taking away my leverage. I could kick him but that might land us in a fight.
“I am taking a little something as a signature of the deal.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.” I shake my head.
“You calm my beast. The best way to give you the time that we agreed on is to give me a little something.” He purrs as he sniffs me.
“You still aren’t making sense.” I keep pulling my arms away from him. The pressure he is using hurts a little.
“You are going to kiss me.” He pushes his body closer to me.
“I could just kick you in the balls.” I point out.
“Then as a reflex I am sure I would punch you in the gut. That wouldn’t be so good for junior in there now would it. I told you I am used to getting what I want.” He slams his lips into mine. I clinch my mouth shut. There is no way I am kissing this man.
He pulls back and growls at me. “You kiss me or the deal is off and I attack your pack tonight. Then when you are weak I will expose you to the humans. How many of your pack will die? It wouldn’t just be daddy.”
I growl at him. “You son of a bitch.”
He cuts me off. “I said kiss me.” His lips slam into mine again. This time I kissed him back just to save the pack. I want to gag. He pushes further. Hands roaming as he pushes his body further into mine. Who knows what would have happened if there wasn’t someone there who cleared their throat.
“Sorry, but you can’t do that here.” I have never been more happy to see this waitress in my life.
Gabe turns and growls at her. “Mind your own business.”
Since now he has put me down I push his chest back. “It’s fine we were leaving anyway.” I walk past them both. I pull twenty out of my pocket and lay it on the table, that will cover my plate and the tip. I turn to leave when my arm is caught by another.
“I wasn’t done yet.” He is holding back his temper.
“We have a deal and you got your kiss, we are done. I don’t need to see you until Christmas.” I stand my ground. This time I pull my arm out of his grip.
“Not quite Darlin’. You have to meet me in three days. I can only hold back the beast for so long. You are going to meet me on the westside boundary of your lands. Near the creek entrance.”
“What would I do that for?” I growl.
“To keep me from attacking your pack.” I am really starting to hate that look on his face. He looks so fucking pleased with himself.
“It’s not exactly easy for me to get away on my own. I have a guard everywhere I go.”
“I don’t care how you do it, but do it. You show up with a guard and the deal is off. I will attack your pack.”
“What’s going to stop you from bringing back up?
“You agreed to my deal, if I bring back up then the deal is off and you don’t have to marry me.”
“Fine, I will meet you in three days. Now, goodnight Mr. Smith.”
“Call me Gabe, Darlin’.”
“I am good with Mr. Smith.”
I take my leave then. I really hate this guy. As soon as I step out of the restaurant Hunter rushes to me. Pulling me into his arms. “What happened?”
“We have until Christmas.” I am not going to tell him the rest, I am not marrying that asshole.
Gabe walked out of the restaurant as we were walking back to the SUV. “Hey, pup, keep her safe for me.”
Hunter turns and looks at him. “What the fuck does that mean?” He is seething.
I pull on Hunter’s arm. “He is trying to get a rise out of you. He’s been doing it this whole time. Let’s go.”
Hunter walks with me but he is walking backwards, he has no intention of letting his guard down in front of the rogue.