Page 46 of Seduced By Moonlight

“Honestly, it’s time all of his council attended these meetings,” Luna said. “I’m willing to bet the other leaders have their most important people with them.”

Tank nodded. “They do. Kage also brings his mate. Hudson brings both of his.”

“Wait, wait,” Joel exclaimed. “They’re bringing humans to these meetings?”

Emmett pinched the bridge of his nose. “Number one—if they are mates to a paranormal, they are no longer human. Number two—what the hell is your problem with humans? I mean, seriously, Joel. We have humans in our clan.”

“That’s completely different, and you know it.” Joel glared at Emmett. “Our humans are trustworthy. Humanity as a whole is not.”

“Oh, really? Shall we review what Lennox and Nox did?” Scarlett snarled at Joel. “Where do you think they got the DNA they used? Some of those paranormals volunteered, you jerk.”

“She’s right, Joel,” Luna said.

“Just as some paranormals did not. Just as some humans volunteered, and some did not,” Emmett added.

“If you show up at that meeting—and it sounds like we’re going to be attending these things now—I highly suggest younotinsult the elder of the daemons or the king of the dragons,” Luna said.

“They’ll either barbecue you or open a portal and toss you who knows where,” Scarlett added.

“I just don’t see why humans have to attend these meetings.” Joel crossed his arms and stared at the group.

“Joel? It was explained to you that their mates are no longer human. And quite frankly? No one asked your opinion,” Tank said. “I was there when Kage brought Austin for the first time. The vampire master stuck his foot in his mouth, and notonlydid Kage react, so did Isabella.”

Emmett shuddered. “You do not want to fuck with her. She might not be part of a group like we are, but I think it’s safe to say she doesn’t need to be. Plus, I’ve heard she’s good friends with Hudson, and to a lesser degree, Kage.”

“She is,” Ward said.

“You also don’t want to fuck with the daemons,” Scarlett said.

“Nor the dragons,” Luna said. “They may not have portals like the daemons, but they have dragonfire.”

“You all are assuming I’m going to say something out of line at this meeting. I’m not.” Joel threw his hands up in the air. “I have more sense than that.”

Tank didn’t say a thing, just raised an eyebrow.

“I do, dammit. No, I’m not fond of humans who are not clan members, but I also have enough sense not to start a species war because of my opinions. And they’re just that, opinions, which I’m allowed to have.”

“Indeed you are, and you are more than welcome to your opinions as long as they do not cause problems for me. Understood?” Ward asked.

“Of course.” Joel bowed his head slightly. “Sire.”

“Good, now that we have that out of the way, back to what I was saying. An emergency meeting has been called. The rest of you are going this time, and every time from here on out,” Ward said.

“Doesn’t Isadora hold it at her restaurant?” Scarlett asked. “She closes, right?”

“Yes,” Tank said. “And before anyone asks, no, there is not a dress code, but certain groups of paranormals dress in certain ways. For example, Kage and his lieutenants dress up. Hudson and his people always wear leather.”

“And us?” Scarlett asked. “What are we going to do?”

“Business casual. I would like for us to look nice, but dress in something that you can fight in if needed,” Ward said.

“Are you thinking we could get into a fight?” Joel asked.

“Of course not, but hunters are still a thing,” Ward pointed out. “The meeting is on Tuesday at nine o’clock. We’ll leave before eight. That’s all.”

The room emptied slowly, the members of his council obviously lost in thought as they disappeared into the shadowed hallways.

All except Tank. “I need a word with you.”

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