Chapter 10
Inside a small briefing room somewhere in Northwind Reach Capitol, Julian Corbin sat at the head of the long, polished table, his posture relaxed. To his left sat Luca Wilder, the leader of the shifters, his eyes were calm but you could see the brewing hatred beneath them as he stared at the being opposite him.
Across from him was Miles Storm, the leader of the witches, his gaunt face twisted into a scowl as he drummed his long, bony fingers on the table.
The air was so tense, charged with the animosity between the two leaders. Julian, so calm, watched the two leader exchange hateful glances.
"Gentlemen," Julian began, his voice smooth, "I'm concerned about you two, your two species. The constant fighting between your factions is…. a bad look for my rule. It reflects poorly on all of us. So, let's settle this like civilized beings, shall we?"
Miles Storm was the first to speak, his voice dripping with unaltered hate. "If anyone is being uncivilized is Luca Wilder. Their unprovoked attack on my people was uncalled for. They slaughtered our Saolas, destroyed our sacred herd, and left us with nothing. They even went on to murder my witches in a bloodthirsty spree. Do you even know how much those animals were detrimental to our existence? They were its bane. But you knew that, every shifter knew that, everyone knows that…." He hesitated, anger rendering him speechless
Luca Wilder clenched his jaws and responded calmly "Unprovoked? We didn't attack your people, Miles. We have lived in peace for the longest time ever, why would my shifters attack you and break a long term truce? I don't know who did it, but it wasn't us."
Miles sneered, his beady eyes narrowing. "Come on Luca, there was a witness. She identified your kind. Don't play dumb."
Luca leaned forward, his voice a low growl. "I'm telling you, we didn't attack you, we had no reason to. And your witness, a witch, claims she saw predatory animals…they could be werewolves, or rogues for all I know. You were just quick to point fingers at us because we share a hunting ground."
"Since when did bear shifters and lion shifters become werewolves? "Miles asked
" You should check your witch witness, maybe she got knocked up pretty good in the head she can't remember anything correctly. And why do you think she survived, unharmed? While her fellow witches died, their bodies disappearing without a trace?" Luca quizzed
" I…" a flicker of doubt flashed in Miles' eyes
Julian frowned and promptly raised his hand up, "Enough with the bickering. Arguing will get us nowhere"
" Well, the witches demand retribution. I'm getting a lot of heat from my council." Miles Storm shrugged
"You have to be more specific than that" Julian responded
Miles straightened, his expression hardening. "Since the shifters took something of value from us, it's only fair we take something of value from them. I want a quarter of their territory—specifically, the hunting grounds. And I want the lives of two young tiger shifters."
The room fell silent, the weight of his demands hanging in the air. Luca's eyes widened, his fury boiling over. He shot to his feet, his chair scraping against the floor. "You want what? A quarter of our territory? Where do you expect us to hunt? And the lives of two tiger shifters? You know so well that my family is the only tiger shifter class in our community, you want me to hand over my kin? Are you that out of your mind?"
Miles didn't flinch. "That's the compensation we want. It's only fair we take something of equal value from you."
Luca's hands clenched into fists, his voice rising. "This is insane. He is insane. We didn't take anything from you! And even if we did, your demands are outrageous. I'd rather go to war than give up my territory or the lives of my people."
Miles face turned stern as he stood up." Then I guess we have arrived at a resolution."
Julian sighed, his expression one of exaggerated patience. "Gentlemen, please. Let's not be hasty. War benefits no one. I have a solution….please sit"
Both leaders turned to him, their expressions wary. Julian leaned back in his chair, his smirk returning. "Since the witches suffered a massive loss, it's only right they be compensated. However, since the shifters deny any involvement, we can't punish them too harshly. The only witness is a witch, and I can't afford to side with one species over the other. So, here's what we'll do."
He paused, letting the tension build before continuing. "The territory Miles wants will be placed under the control of the continent. I'll station my soldiers there to occupy it until the two of you can resume normal relations. As for the tiger shifters..."
Luca's eyes narrowed, his voice a low growl. "What about them?"
Julian's face was apologetic "Since something of value was taken from the witches, it's only fair something of equal value be taken from the shifters. You will deliver two young tiger shifters to Miles."
Luca's fury exploded. "You can't be serious! That's not fair to me or my people!"
" A life for a life Luca, only I'm being generous and asking you for two." Miles said
"I'm not giving up my kin." Lucas said coldly
Julian's expression hardened, his voice cutting like a blade. "Then you should've thought about the consequences before attacking the witches."
" For the hundredth time, we didn't attack them!" Luca roared, his voice shaking the room. "I've told you multiple times, it wasn't us!"
"You would do well to keep your voice down, you are addressing your superior." Julian said, his voice laced with threat
Before Luca could respond, the large screen on the wall flickered to life, displaying the evening news. The room fell silent as the broadcast showed Marissa Fairmont, her head bowed as she acknowledged Julian's rule.
Julian smirked as he watched the screen. "Now, would you look at that? Theo Black is solving the rebels' problem by taking out its head. And yet, the two of you are still fighting amongst yourselves."
He turned back to Luca and Miles, his tone dripping with condescension. "Perhaps you should focus on your mandates instead of bickering like children. If you want to receive the agreed-upon gifts for your support in the previous election, you'll need to prove you are worth it."
He paused and regarded them for a second before proceeding. " I would suggest you align yourself with my resolution by the end of tomorrow."
Julian stood, his presence commanding the room. He walked to the door but before he left, he turned back and addressed the duo, most specifically, Luca. " Let me not hear of further quarrels between the two of you. I'll be assigning the minister of security the task of annexing the land until you two resume your normal relations. "