Page 127 of Alpha Power

Anticipation filled her bones and Zamorra hiked up onto her tippy toes, eagerly scanning the room to see who stood from the crowd. Instead, the double doors beside her swung open with a loud bang, revealing three powerfully built men. Broad-shouldered and packed overboard with muscle, they strode in like they were walking onto a battlefield, raw dominance and power rippling from their bodies and washing over the crowd.

The man in front wore the same classic, dark robe as the Regents did, his hood up and concealing his face while the two men at his back guarded him from behind. They were dressed like warriors, tight fitting dark clothing, black heavy-soled boots and razor-sharp daggers strapped to their waists. An aura of danger and darkness surrounded them as they marched in complete synchronisation down the aisle, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

They stopped before the Regents and the two warriors bowed respectively before taking a step back and planting their feet securely. They clasped their hands together in front of them and puffed out their chests, making themselves look even bigger and more deadly.

The man in the robe slowly raised a hand and pulled his hood back.

Zamorra inched around the room, moving from the back to the side so she could get a decent look at him.

Believe it or not the first thing she noticed was his hair. Silver, like hers. It was cut short and kept neat and tidy. He had a square face and sharp, chiselled features with a set of wicked arctic blue eyes. A look she was sure others would find 'classically handsome' but to her all she could see was a dark, twisted, evil soul.

"Barnabas Baxter," Theodora greeted, bowing her head. "The Council welcomes you."

"Ah, Theodora," Barnabas' smooth, honeyed voice echoed back, bowing his head in return. "I thank you for welcoming me."

Zamorra stiffened, her blood running icy-cold. Fear twisted in her gut and she inhaled sharply, trying to get more air into her lungs.

That voice.

Oh, she would recognise that voice anywhere. Whether it be in the middle of a rock ’n roll concert or at a crowded bar at happy hour, she would hear it and recognise it instantly. It was forever ingrained in her mind, like a truly terrifying nightmare she could never forget.

Emotion burst throughout her entire body and she momentarily lost control, her hands shifting to her werewolf's razor-sharp claws.

Void widened his eyes and quickly grabbed her curved claws. "Oi, rein it in dummy. You can't shift in here."

Barnabas tensed and turned slightly, his brows lowered in a deep, confusing frown. They locked eyes and Zamorra sneered, trying to portray all the hatred she felt towards him in one look. Her eyes blazed gold and her upper lip curled back in a cruel snarl.

Barnabas straightened and puffed out his chest, immediately moving to display his level of dominance and make her stand down. Most females would because most females weren't Alphas. But she was and she didn't submit.

It was like they were the only two people in the room, stuck in some internal battle where neither one wanted to submit to the other.

A low growl slipped from her lips and she took an involuntary step forward, wanting to wrap her clawed hands around his throat and strangle him until his eyes popped from his head.

Void tugged her back and held her tight. "Zo. Stop," he hissed quietly.

"You have travelled a long way to be here and we have had a trying night," Luther bellowed, drawing Barnabas' attention back to the front of the room. "Tell us why you've come," he demanded harshly and Zamorra just wanted to run up and hug him.

She wanted to jump, to cheer, to scream 'fuck yes' at his abrasive tone. She knew he wasn't doing it intentionally, it was just a side effect of his prickly personality. But she loved it anyway.

Barnabas smiled darkly, his eyes flashing silver. "Ciaoto you as well, Luther. Always a delight to see you."

"I agree with the vampire," Balthus boomed, stretching his long black claws along the table. "I am tired and have a bed full of females to attend to. Tell us why you have requested an audience."

Barnabas adjusted slightly and faced the demon Regent. "Balthus, of course. We don't want to keep your ladies waiting, do we?" he smirked.

He turned and spread his arms wide, giving the room a dazzling smile. "I have come to set us all free. To put us where we rightfully belong, on top of the food chain. I have come to ask for your Council's vote in revoking the very thing holding us all back from ruling this world. The Exposure Law."

Loud audible gasps echoed all around and conversation boomed. Voices overlapped as everyone tried to talk, to shout their opinions and have their voices heard. It was like a stockbroker’s trading floor. Pure and utter chaos.

Ignacio stood, his chair scraping across the floor and he raised a hand. Magic pulsed from his open palm and washed over the crowd, freezing them all exactly as they were. "If you cannot behave appropriately you willallbe removed. Forcibly," he thundered, power and authority dripping from every word.

He dropped his magic and the crowd didn't hesitate to quieten down, scurrying to take their seats before Ignacio unleashed another wave of his dark magic.

Ignacio ran his eyes over the room and nodded slightly. He slowly took his seat and Barnabas turned back around, a truly evil and wicked smile on his face, like that was the exact reaction he had been hoping for.

"Is this some sort of joke, Barnabas? Because I am not amused," Balthus grunted.

"This is no joke. I have been travelling around the world gathering the necessary votes needed to make the change. You are simply next on the list."

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