Page 14 of Snips, Snails and Werewolf Tails

Instantly, I forget the potion. I feel all the blood wash from my face, and my stomach ties itself into a knot. What is she doing here? By the way the vampires are gripping her wrists, she didn't come here willingly.

"Let her go," I growl.

Elspeth looks at me with desperation in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I was trying to—"

Mickael interrupts her before she can finish speaking. "Elspeth has been captured; poor foolish creature was stupid enough to voluntarily step into my club. And now that she is my prisoner, she is also my leverage over you. Youwillconcede to my demands because if you don't, I will drain this pretty little witch of all her delicious blood."

I look back and forth between Elspeth and Mickael. I know that he isn't a patient man. I've got a few minutes at most before he orders his vampires to drink her blood, putting her life in danger. Witches aren't as fragile as humans, but they still don't won't last long once a vampire has started drinking from them. If I don't comply, Elspeth will die. But if I do comply, my pack will suffer.

I'm torn between saving my pack and saving the witch who has been haunting my every thought. Suddenly, I feel like a hypocrite for the chiding I gave to Tala. I told her I was doing what was best for my people, and that a selfless leader was a better alpha than a powerful one. Yet here I am, stuck between two impossible choices and considering rash decisions that I never thought I would make. There has to be something else that I can do, another option.

An idea comes to me: I can saveboth.

"I have athirdoption," I say. "I want you to let Elspeth leave here peacefully, and I want you to leave my pack alone."

"That doesn't appeal to me." Mickael frowns. "Why would I agree to that when there is nothing in it for me? It appears you've forgotten who holds all the power here."

"No, I haven't forgotten. And you will get something out of it—me."

Mickael sits on the edge of his throne, grasping the sides of it like a vulture ready to descend on its prey.

"What do you mean by that?" he asks, now looking obviously intrigued.

"If you agree to let Elspeth go and leave her and my pack untouched, I will hand myself over to you. I will sacrifice myself in exchange for their safety."

Mickael's dark eyes light up with excitement. I might not be as worthwhile as an entire pack of werewolves, but to him, I am ever morevaluable. His ego makes this an irresistible win. He would not only get the alpha of the werewolf pack, but he would also be able to claim victory over me, personally. Nothing would feed his ego more.

"Delightful!" He beams as he rises to his feet. "Foolish, but delightful. Without you, the pack will have no alpha. You leave them prone to easy defeat."

I know Gregory and Renna will ensure the pack is protected and ready to defend themselves. They won't fall prey to the vampires— with or without me as their alpha.

"Deal!" Mickael squeals.

"No, you can't do this Lucian," Gregory protests. "Think this through. It's not a good idea."

Renna shakes her head and voices her agreement, but it's too late. The deal has been made and I will abide by it.

"Get Elspeth out of here," I instruct them. "Take her back to the pack and look after her."

"This is insanity," Renna says in a raised voice.

"I agree," Gregory echoes. "You know we will stand by you no matter what, but this is—"

"If that's true," I interrupt, matching my tone to the gravity of the moment, "then you will follow my command. Take Elspeth out of here now."

The vampires and wolves lining the sides of the room all wait anxiously to see how this will unfold. Everyone is stunned at what I have done.

With a disgruntled growl low in his throat, Gregory turns toward the vampires in the doorway. He grabs Elspeth's arm from their grip, a bit harsher than necessary, and pulls her along with him as he steps out of the room.

"Come on," Gregory growls back at Renna. "You heard the alpha, it's time to leave."

"But—"

I can see in Renna's eyes that she doesn't want to go. She doesn't think this is a good idea, and honestly, she might very well be right. But the one thing about her and Gregory I have always valued the most is their loyalty. They'll follow my orders wholeheartedly—even when they don't agree with them.

With an angry huff, Renna spins around and stomps out through the door after Gregory. I'm alone with the vampire clan, a voluntary captive of its terrible leader, but at least I know Elspeth is safe.

9

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