Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Devin tenses and Veronica’s back straightens. Everyone watches, keeping as still as can be.
“If you’re not aligned with Victor than you’re my enemy!” His eyes spark with a boiling temper as he screams across the table, spit flying from his mouth. His instant rage takes Devin back. We have the numbers, and this is only a discussion. Something in which my father has clearly lacked practice.
“Who’s Victor? I haven’t heard of this vampire.” I keep my voice calm and even. His temper can be placated. More than that, I want to gather as much information as I can from him and pissing him off isn’t necessarily the best way to accomplish that.
“He’s the leader of the rebellion against the Authority.” He seethes and sneers as he speaks. “He’s no vampire. He’s a sorcerer who has seen the corruption of our politics, and he’s going to give the supernaturals the territory they deserve.” An ugly grimace forms on his face.
“Is that what this is about? Trading an army of shifters for more land?” It’s difficult to rein in my temper, but I manage to keep the disgust from my voice. Just barely.
“It’s not about the land.” His large nostrils flare as he speaks. Marcellus’s composure cracks as he slowly clenches his fists. My eyes fly to his, but he’s focused on the back wall. Attempting to stay out of the conversation. “It’s about the fact that the humans are given far too much! They should be working for the shifters and other supernaturals.” His fists bang on the table once again. “It makes no sense that they are kept separate and given so much freedom. They’re weak, and yet they have more than we do!” His head jerks violently to the left and his chest seems to spasm before he gains control again. He sits back in the chair breathing heavily.
“I don’t find this pack to be lacking. It seems as though you have more than enough.” The word “greed” lingers on my lips, but I bite my tongue.
“They’re humans, weak and undeserving of equality.” Shock and rage boil in my gut. I don’t miss Grace’s anger or how Devin’s posture has changed. My father may have been a stern ruler, but I have no memory of him being so arrogant, greedy, and prejudiced. This isn’t going as I thought it would. Pausing to gather temperance, I watch Leon clench his jaw to the point of nearly cracking something. He holds back his rage, and it gives me the courage to speak back against my father.
“My Alpha mate is human.” Questioning his decision will most likely have us escorted out immediately, but at this point, I’m sure there will be no swaying his decision.
“That’s a shame.” His eyes land on Grace, who’s barely containing herself. “Your Alpha must be weak.” Devin only smirks in response to my father’s word. Grace parts her lips although her protest is short lived.
He grips Grace’s chin in his hand and kisses her to keep the words from flying out of her mouth. He doesn’t seem to give a shit about my father’s opinion and the fact that he easily turns his back to my father has shown him that Devin doesn’t see him as a threat in the least. She’s still fuming, but as he pulls back he taps his finger against her lips.
All the while my father watches and the room is filled with tense silence.
“End this now, Jude,” Devin orders silently.
I prepare to make a final plea, at least one, before this gets too far out of hand and we’re forced to leave.
“If you go against the Authority you will die.” My voice breaks at the end and I curse the fucking emotions that erupt from me. How could I possibly feel anything but hate for this man?
“A small group of vampires almost took out the entire Authority.” He sits back with an arrogant smile. “If not for the werewolves, the witches and sorcerers would have been slaughtered. What right do they have to lead us?” He laughs a cold, wicked sound. His eyes fade in and out and I question his sanity. It’s as though his mind has been poisoned. “Without the shifters to aid them, the vampires won’t be able to take on the Authority. I’ll lead them and get rid of the undeserving Authority and Victor will reward all those who fight for the better of our species.”
“The Authority has kept murder at an all-time low. Both for humans and supernaturals alike.” Emma speaks hesitantly with a shaky voice. Her eyes remain on the table, and she grips her mates’ hands tightly in her own. I’m surprised she spoke at all; she’s so damn emotional. It’s clear that she is aware of far more than I previously thought.
My father snorts, looking with disgust at the two human women in the room. My Alpha mate. My brothers’ mate. How dare he behave in such a disrespectful way.