"This is supposed to be a meeting, guys. Not a pissing contest," Brian scolded.
"Pfft. Shut up, Brian. We all know you're the last to talk," Blondie snapped.
"Fuck you, Colin," Brian fired back.
Well, nice one, Brian. Real smooth.
Jake exhaled a long breath. His next words were poisoned with annoyance. "Okay, let's move on."
"From what?" Blondie sneered. His eyes locked with Jakes. "Kyle wasn't finished speaking."
Jake shook his head. "No, Colin. I think you wolves have said enough."
A tsking sound came from the brunette opposite Colin. "Jake, I'm disappointed in you. An alpha deserves respect. So, I would watch that mouth of yours if I were you."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, would you guys stop," Amy jumped in.
However, her attempt failed. All three males ignored her command. Colin and his companion at the edge of their seats. Green-yellow eyes shimmered with what seemed like agitation and a spark of anger. Smooth fingernails were replaced by long sharp claws.
Amy leaned forward, her attention on Kyle. "Kyle, make it stop."
The Alpha remained silent.
"Besides," Colin went on, dismissing everything else, "we would hate if something would accidentally happen to you." Two breaths were taken before blue eyes slid to Ashley, "or maybe your girlfriend."
"You had to go there, didn't you?" Jake chuckled with disgust. With each word spoken, fangs increased in length. "But, what would I expect from a puppet."
"You fucking b—"
Before Colin's outburst had a chance to be completed, the two males were on their feet. Ashley failed to hold Jake back. Summer pushed her chair back, trying to escape the chaos.
Yep, so much for a professional meeting.
Even through it all, Kyle remained seated. No evidence of anger on his features. If anything, he seemed calmer than everyone else. His heart drummed to a steady rhythm; nothing changed.
While Brian studied him, Kyle watched the spectacle unfold.
Before anyone could move another inch, a spell tumbled from my lips. Several transparent walls were built, barricading each member in a small cubicle.
Colin attempted to prance at Jake but slammed into the invisible wall. He staggered back; fingers grabbed his nose. "What the fuck?"
I pushed to my feet. The legs of the chair raked against the smooth tiles. "No one is going to do anything to anyone." My palms laid flat on the surface of the table, back arched, eyes locked with blue ones. "No one."
Colin scrunched up his face and wiggled his nose.
My gaze passed him and located another pair. An icy glare sent shivers down my spine. I swallowed in an attempt to drown the heavy pounding of my heart. I could not allow him to have power over me. Submission was never my forte. So, instead of his piercing grey eyes, I focused on my rapid heartbeat.
Boop, boop, boop.
It eliminated all other sounds. Carbon dioxide combined with a spell left my mouth.
I could do this. He didn't have to affect me. Kyle was a nobody. So, he was an alpha, I was a freaking heir to an unwanted thrown.
Boop. Boop. Boop.
The rhythm slowed. Calmness washed over me. I no longer cared about where I was or who I was with.
"Now," I started, while grey eyes darkened. "Let's get back to voting. Mr. Anderson, I understand you're concerned. I would too if the tables were turned. However, I can assure you Ashley is too loyal to betray you and your people. And, for Summer, I chose her because humans should have a voice too." All eyes turned to Summer. "Brian said you guys wanted to be similar to the High Council. Yet, you don't have a human ambassador among you. Yeah, humans are weaker than our kind, but so are witches and warlocks."
"Witches have the power to defend themselves. Most are skillful enough to evade the harshest of situations," Eric argued.
My mother flashed to mind.
"Which is also correct," I agreed. "Yet, if they lack knowledge and skill set, they can be considered as a puny human."
Heads bobbed in agreement.
"Humans may not have magic to defend themselves, but they do have a superpower." I eyed Brian. "They are brilliant and crafty creatures. Accepting a human into the Council would do so much for us."
"It could help bring unity," Jake assisted, no longer in fight mode. "Humans would be more willing to cooperate and try to do more without shying away."
"And, what if they decide to do more than 'cooperate'?" Eric questioned.
Without missing a beat, Brian answered, "Then they would be disciplined."
Of course, I wouldn't have expected any other response from him. "Right, however, until then, they will be treated as our equals."
There was no rebuttal.
Jake's palms connected with a thunderous sound. "Great! Let's vote."
All was well. Smiles circled us. There was no animosity present. Up until Kyle stood. My mind forgot to register there was a table between us, or the spell I had cast was still in effect. Instead, it concentrated on his intoxicating smell and the way his eye color was now more black than grey. Not to mention the way it devoured me like I was his next meal.
My heartbeat sped up again.
Oh, my. Redwood's werewolves weren't supposed to be carnivores.
My occupied mind took too much time to realize he was outside the barrier. When it did, it was too late. He devoured the space between us before I got the chance to complete another spell. What happened next took place within a blink of an eye.
My back ached from the sudden impact of slamming against a wall. My heart galloped while air forced to enter my lungs. Sharpe fingernails grazed the skin of my neck. The room blurred as my vision only registered the strong nose inches from mine; luscious lips centimeters away.
"Don't ever fucking try to use a spell on me again." Words I was sure no one heard but tumbled from his lips.
His usual grey iris was now black with two rings of silver around them. The rings appeared to be turning, capturing one in a trance. Or maybe it was just me.
"Do I make myself clear?"
The word yes floated around in my head, and screamed to be released. My lips quivered at the need to submit; the need to do whatever he wanted. Yet, something else fought back.
He leaned in closer. His knee between my thighs. His scent engulfed us. Lips touched my ear lobe. "The smart thing to do is surrender. A real leader knows how to choose her battles." Warm breath fanned the sensitive skin and sent shivers down my spine.
I gritted my teeth and shoved at his chest. His grip tightened, and the corners of my neck stung.
"Get off me," I managed. Another power packing shove followed. Nonetheless, Kyle never budged.
He couldn't be stronger. Sure, he was an older creature. Regardless, I was experienced. I should have the power to take him on.
He tilted his head to the side, his lips came closer to mine. So close.
Without much thought, my tongue slid across my lips, licking his in the process. Instead of being startled or disgusted, he stared at me. Black-grey eyes shone with what seemed like hunger.
Oh, Lord. Don't you dear eat me, you beast.
"Come on, Anderson," Brian's voice crept between us. "Let's just get this damn voting over and done with."
Kyle and I remained still.
"Kyle," Amy tried.
"Our time is running out," Jake added. "We need to wrap this up."
Kyle paid no attention to them.
"Kyle, please," Amy begged.
Her begging pricked at his interest. He turned and looked at her. I never allowed him to say a word, I used the opportunity to push him. This time, he staggered backward. Nails were scraped along my throat. My hands flew to my neck. The ripe scent of blood blended with the air conditioning. Blood dripped from his fingertips.
His eyes flickered from his bloody fingers to my neck. Then he pivoted on his heel and headed for the door.
"My vote is yay. At least, she'll have Ashley to guide her into not making dumb decisions. And, if we can get the humans to cooperate then let's do it." With that said, he yanked the door open and walked it.
The moment he left my heart sank. I couldn't believe how much I yearned to go after him.
"Would you let me out of this fucking thing?" Colin banged his fists on the transparent barrier.
"Let's vote first," Jake spoke out while Colin glared at him.
"Yeah, let's." I traipsed to my seat.
This was not me. I was stronger than this. Next time, Kyle won't get to me like he did today.