Page 25 of An Ancient Power's Revenge

Chapter 15 - The Werewolves’ Ultimatum

Alexei

When I got the call from the Supernatural Council about another impromptu meeting, I knew it was long overdue. I have suspicions about it being about Alpha Mark's body that was found and the reaction of the wolves.

I don't want to make assumptions yet, so I will attend the meeting and hear whatever they say. The drive to the meeting point was slower than it should have been, so I needed the time to clear my head before heading in.

As I walked in, the first person I saw was Beta Oberyn. I knew my gut was right, and this meeting was about the werewolves. I wonder what they have to say this time. Beta Oberyn didn't look like he came here for a friendly visit.

His amber eyes held a simmering anger that sent shivers down my spine despite the vampire chill already coursing through my veins.

The air crackled with tension as the council elders, ancient vampires with faces etched like weathered stone, shuffled into the warehouse. The stale air seemed to thicken under their scrutiny. Oberyn, his face still a mask of fury, barely acknowledged their arrival.

"Elders," I inclined my head in respect. "Thank you for this meeting."

The eldest, a wizened figure named Tiberius, leaned heavily on his gnarled oak staff. "Alexei," he rasped, his voice a dry whisper. "Beta Oberyn. We understand tensions are high, but the council demands decorum."

Oberyn scoffed. "Decorum won't bring Mark back."

Tiberius ignored him. His gaze was sharp as a hawk's.

"Beta Oberyn, you claim to speak for the entire werewolf clan?"

Oberyn puffed out his chest. "I do. We're done with this treaty. Done with Harmony Grove."

"A historic decision," Tiberius said, his voice betraying none of his emotions. "One not to be taken lightly."

Oberyn slammed a fist on the table. "We haven't taken it lightly! Our Alpha is dead. Murdered because of this forced integration!"

One of the elders, a woman named Elara with eyes that glittered like amethyst, leaned forward. "The investigation is ongoing, Beta. We will find your Alpha's killer."

"Will you?" Oberyn's voice was laced with bitter doubt. "Or will it be another dead end, another excuse for inaction?"

Silence descended, punctuated only by the ragged rasp of Oberyn's breathing. Finally, Tiberius spoke, his voice laced with a newfound firmness. "Beta Oberyn, we understand your grief.The loss of an Alpha is a wound that runs deep. However, the treaty…"

"The treaty got Mark killed!" Oberyn roared, cutting him off.

I gritted my teeth. "We're still looking for the talisman, Oberyn. We haven't given up on finding a way to protect you all."

He glared at me. "Don't pretend you care about the talisman when you couldn't protect our leader!"

"This is unacceptable," I said, my voice echoing in the cavernous space. "We've enjoyed peace under the treaty. Leaving now, isolating yourselves, is not the answer. We need to stick together as a team."

Oberyn snorted, a rumbling sound that shook the cobwebs. "Peace? You call the murder of our Alpha peace?"

My jaw clenched. "We're still investigating, Oberyn. You know we are."

"Investigating what?!" He slammed his fist on the chipped wooden table between us.

"That humans did it? Or that some rogue witch decided to test their power on a werewolf?"

"We're not pointing fingers," I countered, forcing my voice to remain calm. Evelyn would have my head if I let my temper flare. We have been working too hard for us to let all of it go down the drain like this. It took months to convince everyone that this was a good idea, and all that work wasn’t about to go down the drain because I couldn’t keep my emotions in check.

If the werewolves pull out successfully, I know the witches would leave next; not even Evelyn’s affiliation with them would keep things under wraps.

"We're looking at all possibilities," I replied, trying to make him see reason. I knew he was usually understanding, but this switch overnight was scary.

"Possibilities that lead nowhere," he spat. "Mark wouldn't have attended that event at all if we hadn't been lulled into afalse sense of security by your precious treaty. At least now we all know you don’t care about any of us."

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