Chapter 16

Damien's pov

I arrived at the location of the meeting. Upon getting out of my car, I spotted Asher. His green eyes, his lean frame and his firm gaze. He looked just like I remembered him. He always looked good in black, not as good as me though.

Amelia was not with him. Hmm, he really thinks I don't dare to kill his pack members? No, I don't think that's it. My eyes narrowed, I had calculated and predicted how his meeting would go but it seems that there are hidden variables.

Asher had never been one to act out of turn, he was very predictable. Seems like I'm not the only one that has changed.

I stared at him intently as I began to walk, not stopping until I was in front of him.

“Where is she?” I asked, I didn't even have to raise my head for him to know I was looking down on him.

“Not even a greeting? You must be pretty angry then, seeing as you'd disregard our friendship for the sake of property. She must really mean a lot to you.” He chuckled, his eyes scanning his eyes for a reaction.

He could have at least tried to be subtle about it, it was so obvious that he was trying to gauge me. But I guess in a way, he succeeded seeing as I didn't reply. He doesn't know what's coming for him.

“She's just a property, nothing more nothing less. If I let anyone take my stuff then people will make it a habit now, won't they?” I replied plainly, my voice an octave lower.

“You of all people should know, I don't like others touching my stuff.” I added, entering the building and leaving him behind.

Upon entering the building, I walked straight to my seat. I've been in this building almost a hundred times, there was nothing new to it so I don't bother looking. Not that I care.

When I got to my seat, I sat down. I noticed the other alpha's furrowed their brow, anger flashing in their eyes but they knew better than to utter a single word. My cold eyes scan over them, daring them to talk. I respect no one but myself.

“Greetings.” Asher said as he walked to his seat which was directly opposite mine at the other end of the table. I was the head and he was the tail. A fitting position for both of us.

I had no time to waste on pleasantries, I don't like any of these bastards and I was sure none of them liked me. I don't need them to like me, their fear is enough.

“Asher has a property of mine in his possession. I want it back.” I stated straightforwardly.

“How much did you buy her, I'm willing to pay double.” Asher said after a few moments of silence.

Hmm, so that's how he wanted to play? By stating something like that, if the matter escalates, these cowards would try to pressure me to take the deal for the sake of the peace treaty, after all, we can't jeopardize years of peace just because of a ‘property’.

I must say, I'm beginning to like this Asher better but at the same time, he's getting on my nerves even more.

Matthew, another alpha, spoke up immediately.

“That is not how things work Asher, you of all people should know. Return his stuff.”

I looked at him. This ugly bootlicking motherfucker. I actually quite liked him, he was the most afraid of me. But I hate bootlickers.

“I am not willing to return her, not now, not ever.” Asher stated firmly so as to let the alpha's know his stance. I gazed at him coldly, making it clear that it wasn't his choice.

“I'm willing to pay triple the amount you paid to buy her so state the price. If not, then I guess we'll have to settle this the old way. War.” he suddenly declared.

My eyes widened a bit, I must say I was pretty surprised, the Asher I knew wouldn't do this.

The others' eyes widened also, shock and anger flashing through their eyes as they protested.

“What do you mean war?! Are you trying to jeopardize the years of peace that have been going on?! What about the treaty!” Jocelin, a female alpha with blond hair and red eyes said. She used to be an old friend of mine, maybe she still was, but I don't care.

“Do you understand the gravity of your words Asher? Are you trying to cause bloodshed?! Are you willing to let innocent people die all for a girl?!” another alpha imputed, his name was Murasaki and he was probably as old as Uriel.

This bastard just indirectly took a jab at me didn't he. It was obvious he was also referring to the matter with Isabella. These mouthy bastards, I'll be sure to shut it up soon enough.

“This is unlike you Asher. You are becoming someone you aren't. Calm down and think this through.” Jaxon said, his gaze gentle. He was a good friend of asher.

This bastard was also jabbing at me, so what if Asher was becoming like my old self? I say that was a smart move on his part. Being a wimp would kill him sooner than later.

My gaze became even more icy as I narrowed my eyes, these people, I'll put them all in their place soon, maybe it was time this petty treaty ended.

Asher stared me down, I saw a flash of surprise in his eyes. His thoughts were unknown but I was sure he was waiting for my reply.

Asher looked at the other alphas, the room went quiet for a while and the tensioner in the air had gradually increased until it became palpable.

Then Asher looked back at me.

“Name your price.”

His gaze is intent and I could see the fury buried deep within. I remained quiet for a while, then I turned to look at the other alphas expression, my brows raising to question them about their thoughts on this.

A few of them averted their gaze, showing they had nothing to say. Tch, cowards. They were in support of Asher obviously, most of them were. A few of them voiced their opinions, but it was just for the sake of.

“Damien, maybe you should take the money, she's just a property to you after all,” Jocelin said, her voice gentle. Although she was an old friend of mine, that meant she was an old friend of Asher also, so I was a bit surprised to hear her be gentle but one look into her eyes and I knew the reason; this old hag had a thing for me. Does she really think I would ever date a thing like her?

“I agree. Although you are not on good terms with Asher, you know him well the most. You should know that he must really like her if he's willing to go this far.” Jaxon said, always the pacifist.

All these fools trying to act neutral when they were obviously in support of Asher was a bit funny. I hate pretentious people.

Well, if they wanted to play like that then two can play. I thought of something, a sly glint in my eyes as I began.

“Hmm, so you all are saying I should allow him to take her?”

I asked, eyeing all of them. Then I sat up, my elbows on the table and my back bent a little, my eyes became intent, my next words shocked everyone, Asher the most.

“Then I guess when next one of you has your mate stolen from you, you'll just accept money as compensation?”

“You don't mean….?” Jocelin’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. Amelia, the lady in question is my mate.” I said, a cold smile on my face.

“That's a lie, that can't be possible!” Asher shouted, his fist pounding the long table hard and making it quake. I looked into his eyes, I could see it and he could see it too. I had no reason to lie and I disdained lying.

Since we were little, I had hated lying. I believed that only cowards would lie. If you couldn't handle the truth, then go fuck yourself.

I thought of something and a smirk appeared on my face for the first time in a while. I was loving this, this chaos and confusion. Should I take it up a notch? Make them restless? Hmm, maybe I should.

I laughed out loud and the room became deathly still. This laughter wasn't an evil one but one of joy yet it didn't feel like it. It felt cold, mad and evil. I felt like I was becoming the devil himself and I was loving it.

“Why don't we make a deal?” I said to Asher a broad smile on my face.