Chapter 107

Freya was positively glowing with excitement as she sifted through my wardrobe, searching for the perfect outfit for me. Unlike me, she seemed unfazed by the mystery surrounding the invitation that had placed me at the negotiation table. While I was still reeling from the news, one of her colleagues breezed in, set a tray of breakfast on the table with a wide grin, gave me a thumbs-up, and disappeared as quickly as she had arrived. It felt like both she and Freya were rooting for me, as though I were about to save the world or something monumental like that.

I managed a strained smile—more grimace than grin—as I forced myself to head to the bathroom. Freya’s impatience meant I had to rush through the quickest shower of my life, one that consisted mostly of letting freezing water cascade over me in the vain hope it would jolt my brain into working order. Afterward, I wrapped myself in a towel, washed my face, and slathered on every skincare product I owned, praying they would transform my zombie-like reflection into something presentable.

“The food’s getting cold,” Freya chided, her tongue clicking in disapproval as she watched my sluggish movements.

“Freya, sit down and relax,” I muttered, trying to sound calm. “You’re making me even more nervous than I already am.” I pulled the tray closer, readying myself for the first bite.

“You should wear that little black dress—the office-style one,” she announced, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “I found it in your closet. It has a shallow neckline and a subtle slit—sexy but not over the top.”

I sighed, then smiled at her. I was deeply grateful for her help, but her energy made me feel guilty. She seemed more optimistic than I could muster, while I was teetering on the edge of panic. The thought of what lay ahead filled me with dread. I wasn’t ready. What if I messed up? What if I made a fool of myself? I was about to sit at a table surrounded by werewolves and vampires, factions I didn’t even belong to, and yet I was expected to contribute to negotiations. I barely knew the details of their centuries-long conflict, let alone what demands each side might bring. And the bigger question loomed—why had someone chosen me?

Freya helped me into the dress, touched up my makeup, and styled my hair. I stole a glance at myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back looked composed, self-assured, and ready to take on the world.

But on the inside? I was anything but. Anxiety churned in my stomach, a relentless tide I couldn’t suppress.

At precisely 8:45, a knock sounded at the door. Icarus stood on the other side, his expression calm but vigilant. He had been assigned as my personal bodyguard for the meeting.

“Icarus,” I said hesitantly, “do you know what this is all about? Why am I suddenly part of this?”

He shrugged lightly. “I was ordered to escort you this morning, that’s all I know. I’ll be stationed just outside the room during the entire meeting, in case anything happens.” His smile was reassuring, though it didn’t quite ease my unease.

With a faint nod, I gestured for him to lead the way. The west wing’s conference room awaited, and it promised answers, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear them.

We walked in silence, the echo of our footsteps punctuating my thoughts. Icarus glanced at me occasionally, his eyes scanning my pale face as though checking for signs I might faint. By the time we entered the west wing, four additional guards had joined us, forming a protective escort. Their presence was unsettling, but Icarus quickly explained.

“Over twenty warriors from the Blue Moon Pack are stationed here. These guards are extra security, in case there’s another attempt to kidnap you.” He lowered his voice, but the weight of his words pressed heavily on my chest.

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb the implications. This wasn’t exactly the kind of setting that screamed “peaceful negotiation.” The guards, I suspected, had been ordered by Hadrian. That he was concerned for my safety was somewhat comforting, but it also made me question whether this was his idea at all. If not Hadrian, then who had decided I should be here?

The guards halted at a pair of ornate doors, which they opened for me. Inside, the conference room buzzed with quiet tension. A long table stretched through the center, with the vampires occupying one side and the werewolves the other. The arrangement left me wondering awkwardly where I was supposed to sit. The table had been prepared for about forty participants, and several seats were already filled.

Uncertain, I lingered near the door, waiting for someone to guide me. Then the room fell silent. The guards beside me bowed deeply. I turned to see Hadrian enter, his hand intertwined with Selene’s.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to mimic the bow along with everyone else. The two moved with effortless grace, taking their seats at the center of the table. Not once did Hadrian glance in my direction, a gesture that stung more than I cared to admit.

I stood frozen, my legs urging me to bolt from the room, when a gentle hand rested on my shoulder, grounding me.

"I'm glad you're here, Thalassa," Alpha Kenzo said, his voice a soothing balm to the fresh wound in my heart.

"I'm glad you think so," I replied vaguely, my tone laced with uncertainty. "But I still don't understand why I'm here."

"I insisted on your presence," he said, taking my hand firmly. "Come, Thalassa. You’ll sit beside me."

Before I could muster a response, he pulled me toward the long table. We stopped directly across from Hadrian and Selene’s seats, and Kenzo, without hesitation, pulled out a chair for me. The gesture was awkward, yet he didn’t seem to care. In fact, he appeared to relish the moment.

I glanced at Hadrian. For once, his carefully crafted poker face faltered. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Kenzo, his restraint barely concealing his desire to act. Unintentionally, a sly smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Hadrian’s jealousy—whether a primitive, possessive instinct or something deeper—was oddly satisfying. The fact that he seemed to disregard Selene entirely only brightened my mood.

I sat down, my chair opposite Hadrian’s, while Kenzo settled across from Selene.

The other participants arrived quickly. Gareth took the seat to Hadrian’s right, while Kenzo’s Beta, whose name I would later learn was Ronan, claimed the spot to his Alpha’s right. Once every seat was filled, the room grew tense, signaling the imminent start of the negotiations.

I assumed Hadrian would take the lead, but to my surprise, Alpha Kenzo rose first.

"Before we begin, I have another request," Kenzo announced, his gaze locked on Hadrian’s. His lips curled into a smug smirk.

Hadrian’s voice dropped to a venomous hiss. "You already demanded the presence of my concubine, and I allowed it. Don’t push your luck, Alpha Kenzo."

The blood in my veins boiled at his words. Concubine? My outrage simmered just beneath the surface.

I’m not some pawn you can shove around at will! The least you could do is inform me of your decisions to my face! The words burned on my tongue, but I swallowed them down. This was not the time for an outburst.

Kenzo must have noticed the fury in my eyes because his grin widened. Turning his attention back to Hadrian, he pressed on.

"My request isn’t unreasonable," he began smoothly. "It’s about trust. And there are certain individuals in this room whom I do not trust."

Hadrian leaned forward, his fists pressing against the table. His voice was icy. "Who are you referring to?"

Kenzo’s gaze flicked toward Selene. "I’m afraid the presence of the Queen—this lovely lady seated beside you—is entirely unnecessary. She has no genuine desire to see an alliance formed between my pack and the vampire kingdom."

A vampire rose abruptly, slamming his fist against the table. "You dare insult the Queen, you mangy mutt!" he bellowed.

The outburst ignited chaos. Wolves leapt to their feet, snarling and snapping, while the vampire—a counselor to the late king, as I now realized—looked ready to lunge. The room teetered on the brink of an all-out brawl.

Selene stood sharply, her voice ringing with fury. "How dare you speak to me like that! I am royalty, and I suggest you choose your words carefully, Alpha Kenzo!"

Her eyes then turned on me, blazing with accusation. As if I was somehow to blame for the mess unraveling around us. Really? At that moment, I felt like a clueless tourist who had stumbled into a mafia meeting.

When I looked at Hadrian, I caught the faintest trace of a smirk beneath his cold exterior. It wasn’t what I expected. He wasn’t backing Selene’s anger. No, that smirk carried a different meaning entirely.

"Silence!" Hadrian thundered, his voice commanding instant obedience. He rose, casting a stern gaze down the table. "In respect of Alpha Kenzo’s wishes, Queen Selene will not take part in these negotiations."

"Hadrian! How dare you!" Selene’s scream was sharp and furious, her outrage filling the room.

Hadrian didn’t flinch. His tone was composed, yet cutting. "Your childish behavior has proven you don’t belong here. Your presence will do more harm than good."

Selene’s pupils flared crimson, her entire body trembling with rage. Every person in the room held their breath, awaiting her reaction.

With an animalistic roar, she stormed from the table, making her fury evident in every step. The door slammed behind her, reverberating through the tense silence.

Hadrian’s gaze shifted to the late king’s counselor. "You may leave as well."

The man paled. "Your Highness, I only wish to serve—"

"Enough." Hadrian’s smirk returned, sharp as a blade. "You were here at the Queen’s request. With her gone, your presence is no longer required. Consider yourself fortunate I haven’t ordered your execution for your appalling lack of diplomacy."

The counselor rose on trembling legs, his departure punctuated by the wolves’ jeers and laughter.

Kenzo leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold with evident amusement. Once the room was silent again, he turned to Hadrian, his grin widening.

"Shall we begin the game?"