Chapter 49

I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I looked at my dad, and he just ran his hand over his face.

“Is this your girl gamma?” Rowen’s dad said.

“Yes, she’s my oldest.”

Rowen’s dad looked back at me, “I thought you were a wolf. What are you?”

“My genetics are my business. The important thing is, I didn’t kill the vampires?”

I noticed Cyrus had a smirk on his face, yep, he knows who I am.

“Why didn’t you kill them? We don’t need to worry about blood suckers. If they attack you, take them out.”

“No disrespect sir, but I don’t think you have a right to tell me how to act. If that’s the way you think, then you’re not any better than the fallen dragon king.”

“You don’t know who you’re talking to, little girl.”

My dad stood up to defend me, but I jumped up and grabbed his arm.

“Let me handle this,” I linked him.

He glared at Rowen’s dad for a minute but nodded to me and sat back down.

“I know exactly who I’m talking to. If you think that I should have killed the vampires, then I should have killed your son when he attacked me.”

“Excuse me, Rowen wouldn’t attack another wolf unless he was provoked. So tell me, what did you do to him?”

“I didn’t do anything to him. He’s one of my mates.”

He turned around and looked at Rowen.

“He didn’t tell me that he had met his mate. What the hell is going on? And if he’s your mate, why are you sitting over there?”

“I never said that I accepted him.” I stared at him for a moment before continuing.

“Rowen was spelled. He tried to force himself on me and broke my arm in the process. Being spelled is not any different from the vampires that were starved to the point of blood lust. None of them acted of their own free will, and I would have been wrong to harm them instead of the guilty party.”

“Rowen is an Alpha wolf. If that were true, you wouldn’t have been able to stop him, and you wouldn’t reject him. No, she-wolf can refuse an alpha.”

I stared him down, “do you want to bet on that?”

His face is bright red from my disrespect, but I don't care. He deserves it. I turned around to face the rest of the crowd that had been silently watching our dispute.

“Vince and Dante were not in control of their actions when they attacked me and Dawson. We handled the situation accordingly. It was a team effort. I stopped them from getting close enough to harm me or Dawson and the guys knocked them out until we could get them some blood.”

I faced the bear king, “I didn’t save Dawson, we protected each other. Dawson has offered me his protection since we met. I just happened to be better equipped to handle that particular situation.”

The bear king crossed his arms, “you said Rowen was one of your mates. Is Dawson one of your mates?”

“Fated yes, but we have already decided that we don’t belong together.”

He nodded, “A wolf and a bear don’t belong together. The Moon Goddess made a mistake, and if you didn't accept him as your mate, why do you protect him? What's in it for you?”

“We're friends. I would have protected him even if he was a stranger, because it was the right thing to do. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, and that’s not why we decided to reject the bond.”

I noticed the priestess had a smile on her face as she watched me. It’s not a bad thing, she looks proud. I think she’s on my side.

“Do you share the same beliefs as the Alpha and the fallen Dragon King?”

He let out a small growl, “you’re stepping into dangerous territory little girl. This is beyond your knowledge.”

“No, I don’t think it is?”

“Gamma, get your girl under control.”

I turned to my dad and saw his smirk, he supports me.

“Sorry Atticus, nobody control’s Bella.”

I stepped away from the Bear king and focused my attention on the whole crowd.

“Can you seriously not see the problem? All of you came to this meeting because a power-hungry Dragon king was in the process of trying to eliminate all other supernatural species. You all wanted him stopped. You're supposed to be leading your people, but you’re not any better. In fact, you share the same beliefs as him.”

I glanced around to see if anyone else was going to jump in and challenge my thoughts.

“You’re stuck on outdated beliefs. Time has changed and the one thing that all supernaturals have in common is that we all have human counterparts. We’re people. If you want a better future for all of us, things need to change. You think species shouldn’t mix, but our pack is one of the strongest. We thrive because we recognize the different strengths and weaknesses that different species have. With an army that consists of different strengths and powers, there’s nothing that you can’t do. You think half-breeds are weak and are useless. I don’t know any pure wolfs that can do this,” I let my fire flow through my palms.

I could hear whispers and gasps all around the room as I looked around. Cyrus walked up to stand by my side.

“I agree with Bella. It’s time for change.”

I closed my hands and put out my fire. “I’ve met some really great friends at Moonlight, and I happen to know that your heirs do agree with me. The question is, are you willing to make the changes, or do you want to end up like the fallen Dragon king?”

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“I’ve had enough for today,” Rowen’s dad said as he shook his head.

“I agree, but Bella has made some good points, and this meeting isn’t over. We need to find a way to co-exist in peace. The hate needs to stop. Let’s take a break and reconvene on Sunday. That gives everyone two days to think things over and come up with some ideas,” the priestess said.

I nodded and glanced at my dad. He still had a smirk on his face, and he winked at me. I knew he would have my back when it came down to it.

Everyone eventually agreed even after some growls and groans from some people. I stood still next to Cyrus and waited to talk to him until people started leaving, so the attention was off of us.

“Do you know who I am,” I asked Cyrus.

“Of course I do, and he’s fine. We didn’t know you were going to be here. Creed is probably sitting outside your house as we speak.”

“OMG,” I let out a deep breath. “Where has he been, why hasn’t he called me, what happened?”

Cyrus smiled, “I’ll let him explain everything, but you should know that you were all he has talked about since I met up with him. He really loves you.”

I smiled but tried to hide the tears in my eyes. “If he truly loves me, he has a lot of explaining to do.”

Cyrus patted my shoulder, “give him hell. I’m sure he deserves it.”

I caught a glimpse of Rowen as he left. He looks defeated. Maybe I messed up. I probably shouldn’t have announced all of our business, but I couldn’t help it. Something needs to get through to them. I hope I didn’t hurt Rowen, but I’m not sorry for what I said. I’m right and I know I am.