Chapter 14: Meeting
I took extra care to straighten my hair so it fell all the way down to my lower back. The sundress I chose was high in the front but cut low in the back. I opted for a see through white, short sleeve jacket. It was more like something you would throw on at the beach. The white made the yellow and orange of the dress pop.
Escorted by two warrior pack members I made my way to see Rex. I wore my sword slung across my back. Partly for show but partly for tradition. You were supposed to wear it if you visited another Alpha for negotiations. After all, I'd worn it to see the Caeruleus Genus Clan.
When I entered his office, he motioned for his warriors to leave. I did the same.
Praesul was wide awake, leaping up and down.
*Chill.*
We sat across from one another staring into each other's eyes. My green to his silver grey. How fitting, silver eyes for the alpha of the Silver Pack.
*Touch him! Touch him!* She chanted.
*Praesul stop. This is important.* She whined at me but I ignored her.
"Would you like a drink?" His elbows were on his desk with his hands folded in front of his mouth.
It was 10:30 in the morning. Could I say no?
"I wouldn't say no to some coffee."
"I was referring to something stronger."
"Well, it is brunch time so could we have mimosas?"
He smiled and Praesul tried to catch me off guard and take over. My eyes turned yellow orange. Surprise evident on Rex's face. He blinked and my eyes were green again. Quickly he masked his face to a serene exterior.
"It'll be here shortly. While we wait, can we talk about a more personal matter?"
Shit. Did he want to talk about my eyes changing? I wasn't threatening him... Or did he know I was his mate? I fiddled the necklace, overly aware that its magic was wearing off.
"Sure." I said trying to sound casual.
"Last night, at dinner, why did you leave so abruptly?" He cocked his head to the side.
Praesul swooned. *He's even sexier when he's curious!*
"Pack business." I too mask my face to an indifferent stare. "That is a personal question."
He nodded solemnly understanding the need for confidentiality.
A pack member arrived with orange juice, a bottle of champagne, and two tall glasses.
"Will you do the honors?"
"With pleasure."
*Pleasure??? What??? Yes, please pleasure us! I'd like his big hard-*
*PRAESUL HOW DARE YOU. SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH.*
He opened the orange juice and I uncorked the champagne. The top didn't pop off like it does in the movies. I placed it on his desk.
"Impressive." He said, "You didn't spill a drop."
*I wish he'd impress us with his member until we gush.*
I pushed her far away in my mind. Praesul was so far that if she tried to speak I wouldn't even hear a sound. Between my legs was slick. I crossed one leg over the other, pressing my thighs tightly together. Praying to the Moon Goddess there was enough magic to mask my arousal.
I poured the champagne nearly to the top in both glasses. He added a splash of orange juice. We cheers and sip our mimosa.
"Why did you want to know where I went?" I ask after a few sips.
"Well, as you were leaving I got a whiff of the most intoxicating scent. My wolf thought it could have been my mate." He says this when I'm sipping my drink and I almost choke. "Of course, now you sit before me and I know my wolf was mistaken."
Praesul whimpers. Damn how did she sneak back up on me. I was distracted by saving face.
"I was wearing a strong perfume that night. I apologize for confusing your wolf."
"Nocte says it's alright." His eyes seem disappointed. "To business then?"
"I have accepted your challenge for Day 5." I begin. "Clan Solis would like to keep our alliance. In this meeting, I'd like to discuss possible outcomes for our challenge."
"Why should we keep an alliance with your clan? Everything I've read about our alliance is that we haven't needed each other for battle in the past decade. You all reap the benefits of a large clan sponsor. What do we get out of it?"
Anger clouded my mind. Did he really think our clan mooched off his to survive? If he is serious, he has another thing coming to him. "Our pack may be smaller than yours, but we are mighty. Surely you aren't so naïve to the benefits you receive from our clan. We give you a fourth of our crop. Our pack elders teach your midwives and warriors ancient ways your clan has forgotten. In addition, we own stock in major corporations. Each year we gift profits to your clan."
He looked thoughtful, maybe he was ignorant.
"We are allied with so many clans-" He begins but doesn't finish his sentence. "I assumed you were just another mid level clan vying for reputation."
*RUDE*
*Praesul...* I warn.
"Now can we talk about outcomes of the challenge. I'm surprised you're waiting until Day 5." I initiate.
*Alpha, two challenges have just come in for you. I will wait at your door until you return to your room.*
*Thank you.*
"I cannot speak strategy." He doesn't smile which reminds me that this is the Alpha of arguably the deadliest pack. "We can discuss the spoils."
"What did you have in mind?" I offer him the first move.
"If we win, we want the Seer." His eyes didn't leave mine.
"No." The word was out of my mouth before I could think about it.
"No?" An eyebrow raises and a small smirk plays at the corner of his lips.
"I know it's a word you are probably unfamiliar with, but she is already a part of our pack."
"When I win, the Alpha council can grant me whatever I ask for."
"Within reason. It mostly extends to warriors and land. She's eight."
He nods. "Then no alliance."
"When I win," I say, standing up to leave, "we will be allies."
He laughed, a genuine belly laugh.
Praesul didn't know whether to be enamored or growl.
"You're cute, but you're tiny." He said it with amusement.
"Well, the bigger you are, the harder you'll fall." I leave the room without looking back. I can feel his eyes burn into my back and know his stupid smile is still plastered to his face.
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