I scoff at his statement, my patience wearing thin.
“You vampires control most of the financial systems of the world, so don't be coy with me, Michael.” I frown at him, almost balling a fist at his ridiculous insistence on a bad deal.
Silence falls over the room as my voice resounds.
The vampire grins at me. “Oh… first name basis… I like that…”
The werewolves know that I am pissed, and even the vampires are well aware of my anger. They exchange calculated glances along with hidden smirks. It's a fact that they love to get on people's nerves and seeing me angry gives them some sort of pleasure or satisfaction. Sickos!
They’re used to getting what they want, but today, they’ve met their match. I won't let them do as they please. It'smycompany,myformula, and if they want to get it, they have to dance tomytune and not the other way around.
One of the other vampires leans closer to Micheal and whispers into his ear for a moment as the rest of their companions just sit there in silence, cold as ice. Micheal whispers back and for the next few seconds, they talk in hushed tones.
When they finish, he clears his throat and turns to me, his long, sharp nails rhythmically drumming on the table.
“We are prepared to accept your offer,” he says to me, his voice tinged with reluctance.
I relax back in my chair, wondering what it is he wants to bring up this time. He’s obviously enjoying toying with me. That's the only reason why this negotiation is taking as long as it is.
With a hand under my chin, I indulge him.
“But first, we need a certain, uh, incentive.”
I recognize that look on his face. It's a look that says,you're most definitely not going to like what I'm about to say, but I'm going to say it anyway.
I squint, knowing that I will not like what comes next.
“Incentive?” I ask, bracing myself for his response.
“Yes,” he says, smirking at me. “You see… we vampires care a lot about the quality of our drink… and you… Ares, my dear, are quite the delectable drink.”
“My blood,” I say with raised brows. “Is that your incentive?”
“Yes. A month’s supply… as a token of good faith.” He flashes his fangs at me in a toothy smile, satisfied by the rage he sees in my eyes.
Vampires are bloodsuckers, and human blood is always preferable to the blood of other animals, but they consider blood from people like me with strong pheromones to be a delicacy. It's like fine wine to them and can get them high.
I'm upset that he has the nerve to suggest thatmyblood be provided as the wine he uses to get high. The request is audacious, and it fans the flames of my rage into a full-blown blaze.
“How dare you?” I rise to my feet, my voice carrying the quiet authority of someone who knows his worth. Each word is deliberate, and each pause is calculated to maintain the tension and keep them on edge.
The vampires may control vast amounts of wealth, but in this room, at this moment, I control everything.
Just then, I hear one of the wolf shifters mumble under their breath, “Uh-oh, here we go.”
I feel a nasty sting in my eyes, like sweat has found its way into them, and I know instantly that my eyes are glowing as I release my pheromones and the room falls under my control. This gesture is to remind everyone of the power that I possess. This is all about power dynamics at play.
The effect of my pheromones is different depending on the race of those exposed to them. No matter what their race, however, the effect is immediate and very evident. The first to react are the more recessive Alphas in the room—the secretaries and such. They drop to their knees, eyes wide open, unable to resist the compelling power that I released.
The Omegas fumble with small vials and pills, their bodies instinctively reacting to the primal call of an Alpha as they scramble for their blockers with a mix of panic and urgency. A couple of them manage to swallow the blockers just in time, but the others aren't so lucky. These unlucky ones show the typicalflush of heat spreading across their cheeks as their eyes glaze over and their bodies respond to the surge of pheromones.
The representatives of the wolf shifter families sit tightly in their chairs, some gripping the armrests, others gripping the table. The Alphas among them have their heads bowed in forced submission to a more powerful Alpha. With uncomfortable movements, they shift in their seats, their faces taut with the effort of maintaining composure.
Then there's Henry. He’s the only one who manages to hold his ground. He's clearly feeling the effect of my pheromones, but he is quite powerful himself. He isn’t straining as much as the others, but he does bow his head. He is the only Alpha who can look at me, though. He narrows his eyes at me.
“You just had to do that, didn't you?”
I can see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his amusement barely concealed. He's glad that I did what I did, but at the same time, he's also paying for it.