Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Tyler's POV

Something was wrong, something was incredibly wrong. I felt it in my bones long before I started to get out of the bed the following day.

It might have been the sun that was unusually brighter than usual. Or maybe the fact that today was going to be a full moon and a lot of things were yet to be prepared.

I let out a sigh and ran my hand through my hair. There was no way for me to make the world still disappear. Just an omnibus feeling in the pit of my guts.

However, I could only hope that my day would get better. Starting off on uncertain notes was bound to fuck me up later today.

About half an hour later, I put on a t-shirt over my jeans. Today wasn't meant for anything official. Maybe just another day of strolling in the training grounds or finally spending enough quality time with Lola. Due to my pack duties, I found out that I had been neglecting her for a while now, and she didn't complain one bit, like she totally understood.

Today was to make it up to her, I thought as I stepped out of the room. Well, unless I was going to consider that they were trying to get answers from me.

I shook my head, deciding not to think of that. Scratch that—the plans were already messy from day one. If I couldn't avoid the world I was coming to, then the least I could do was make the most of the time now, I talked to myself.

I made my way to the dining room, hoping for me to find her there. It was empty, to my surprise. The chairs were all, in fact, around the table. I felt like I was missing something, I thought to myself.

Taking a seat, the maids walked in and served breakfast—ham sandwiches and burgers. Each looked appetizing.

I leaned back, intending to wait a while for her to come. To pass the time, I picked up my phone and began to scroll through my messages. There was a text from the senator, but I wasn't going to open that just yet. I'm already convinced that it's going to be bad news, and I'm determined not to let anything ruin my day.

As time ticked by, I finally raised an eyebrow, realizing that Lola wasn't coming. I muttered under my breath. Maybe I skipped breakfast for a few days myself, but I didn't think that she was that busy to miss home breakfast.

I found myself wondering what the hell was going on. Maybe she overslept, I thought to myself with a shrug.

Something told me not to think too deeply about it. A voice in my head told me I should go and check in on her. However, I was about to go when Elder Marco stepped into the dining room, his eyes urgent.

"There you are," he said, letting out a relieved sigh.

I stood up immediately, my expression serious. "What's the matter?" I asked.

"There's some new arrangements," he said, looking closely at me. "You need to change into something more formal," he added. "We are going to a meeting with Atlas Cruncher, the leader of the works, today."

I took a few steps back in shock, unable to believe it. "You don't mean it," I said, shaking my head. That was completely out of the blue.

"I know," Marcus said with raised hands, "but you have to trust us on this one. We managed to set the meeting on neutral ground so that you won't be in their territory. But ultimately, it's your decision if you want to do this," he added quickly.

"It's fine," I muttered, clicking my tongue in distaste. It was very annoying, but fine. I had already decided that there was no other way, and I was going to meet up with the guy and see what he wants in the first place.

So now that the opportunity had presented itself, there was no need for me to refuse this just because timing was inconvenient. I guess I won't be in their territory and won't have to fear an ambush, yet it was still very inconvenient.

I guess the personal time with Lola was going to have to wait until later, I thought glumly.

I followed behind Marcus out of the room. "You've got assigned security," he continued as we walked down the corridor. He waved briefly at me before heading in the opposite direction, leaving me alone once again.

I let out another sigh. Why did I have a feeling that this day was going to be long?

I stepped in my room and swapped the t-shirt for a white turtleneck long sleeve. I put on a black coat that reached my heels over the shirt—a completely regal look, changing from casual to professional within minutes.

"Well, let's hope I come back in one piece, shall we?" I muttered to my reflection in the mirror. I was about to go when I remembered something, something very essential that could save my life.

Walking to the shelf in the room, I shuffled behind it until I found what I was looking for—an M19 gun model that was polished black, gleaming dangerously.

"This should be enough," I muttered, slipping it beneath my coat in one of the pockets.

With that, I left the room, heading straight out of the manor. On my way out, I pulled out my phone and texted Alex and Diego, letting them know where I would be. Maybe the smartest decision wasn't to go on my own, but right now I didn't have much of a choice, and who knew how things would turn out. It definitely wasn't my intention to put more people in danger than was necessary.

The General was standing beside my Mercedes, and he raised his hand in acknowledgment as I approached.

"You've heard about it?" I asked once I met him.

He gave a brief nod. I wondered just how soon the news had already flown around the manor.

"The guards will be on standby," the General assured me. "They are your backup if anything goes south." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a communication device. "Just speak into this intercom if you are facing any difficulty, and the backup will move in within 10 minutes," he said.

I took the tiny device from his hand and gave a nod. "I appreciate it," I said before fishing in my pocket for my car keys.

"The rest of us will be counting on you." The General patted my shoulders, stepping back.

I nodded. He didn't have to tell me how much we were hanging by the edge right now. He didn't have to say how much we needed this to be a success.

"Find out where they want to strike a deal, get the fuck out of there—easy peasy," I said, recalling the key shots. However, the General's expression told me that he knew it would be anything but easy peasy.

I was my own driver today, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come before stepping on the accelerator and steering the car into motion. The huge gates opened on their own accord.

I glanced down at my phone on the passenger seat, receiving a notification from Elder Marcus. "The location is the Brownstone Hotel," the message read, showing a picture as well as the address and location. The map was underneath, pinpointing the venue with an X signaling where I was supposed to be.

"Got it," I texted back.

I was relieved that it was going to be in an open place. That way, the motherfucker won't risk creating a commotion. It was the best deal that I could wish for.

I felt a sense of security—it was amazing, probably foolish of me to think of it as such, but it was there all the same. A little bit of relief. Maybe I was going to stand a chance this time.

I stepped on the accelerator, speeding up. I wanted to be done with this shit and back with enough time left on my plate to catch up with Lola. That was the main goal for today, and I was going to make sure that I achieved it.

Well, it did help to be positive at all times. At least, I thought to myself. However, the relief immediately disappeared once I saw the traffic that was on the road. It might have been normal on any other day, but today of all days, I might as well start calling it a bad omen, I thought, resting my head against the dashboard in frustration.

Maybe I should find a shortcut, I thought to myself.

But just as I was about to enter into the adjourning Street the road began to finally thin out the traffic slowly ebbing away. Once I have the space and needed I resume my speeding a single destination in mind and after about 3 miles of driving, the hotel finally came in sight.