Chapter 54: The Meeting

STORM'S P.O.V

The breakfast table was quiet. Anders rarely did come down for those, and most times, especially after nights like the last one where we had spent it tangled together, I didn't have to either.

Today was different, however.

I came down early, dressed in one of those gowns that I normally would have felt too undeserving of, another one from the collection that Anders had made me settle with.

I looked up from my plate for the fifth time since I sat down. There was no sign of Anders. It was almost like I had always lived in this place alone, and the loneliness had caused me to imagine him.

I closed my eyes, willing myself to breathe. I can't be too pushy. Despite not letting go, I can't crowd him too much.

"Luna."

I looked up, and Lillian was bowing, her hands clasped respectfully in front of her.

"Hi," I said, a small smile lifting my lips. "Please, sit, I..."

"I am here as a messenger from the council. There is a meeting in three hours, and I was sent to inform you that your presence will be needed as the luna."

My eyes widened a little. I turned to the stairs and then back to her.

"Does Alpha Anders know?"

"He approved the meeting. Apparently, there are some issues that need to be fixed. Don't be too worried."

I nodded, and she walked away, leaving me to settle with the new information.

The next three hours passed in a haze of hope and anticipation. Maybe now that we are making our very first appearance in public as Alpha and Luna, Anders will come to me, right? He would hold my hand and claim me the way he always did, right?

I picked a floor-length black dress that was elegant and formal, enough to look good but not anything like the emerald dress.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart beating hars in my chest. Minutes passed. The house grew silent around me.

I stood up and started to walk to the door when a knock came on the door. My heart jumped as I immediately ran to the door and opened it.

My heart sank straight to my feet. An omega was standing there, hands clasped.

"The car is ready for departure, luna. Please come down."

I bit down on my lips. Of course. Anders had probably gone already. I followed her downstairs to the waiting car. Another black state of the art car from Anders's collection, carrying the Ford plate number.

I sat in the back seat and leaned back, glancing at the palace once more. The drive was short, and we reached the large hall of summons in a few minutes.

It was the largest conference hall in the entire pack, and the one used for meetings like this. Meetings that back then I only heard about in passing gossips, but was now a part of.

The car stopped, and I got out. I made my way into the room. It was large, with a massive oak table in the middle.

I looked around. Marcus's eyes met mine for a brief second, his eyes leaving mine for a minute to trail down my body.

Fucking bastard.

Gamma Israel, the council, the pack dignitaries, priestesses and seer were all there, sitting around the table. Anders was absent. The head of the table remained unoccupied.

I took the only other empty seat at Anders's right hand, facing Gamma Israel, who gave me a small smile.

We all sat in hushed, tense silence, all waiting for the arrival of one man. My heart kept beating like a drum, several beads of sweat resting on my forehead despite the cold atmosphere.

The door slowly opened, and the room seemed to still further. Two guards walked in and stood behind the empty chair, and the door closed yet again.

"The alpha is on his way. Pay your respects."

Chairs scraped back as people stood up, hands clasped in front of them. I stood too, my eyes darting to Marcus who remained seated, his eyes settling on me.

Before the door could open again, one of the guards walked to Marcus's seat and roughly pulled him up by the collar.

The door slowly opened, a guard walking in carrying a limp woman. My eyes widened as I recognized her. The same woman who had come to the palace yesterday. Who I had slapped Anders for. I gasped as the guard lowered her to the floor, and she went limp. She was pale. Ghostly. Obviously dead.

My hand flew to my mouth, just as the door opened to admit Anders.

I turned to the door as he slowly walked in. He was dressed in a full black ensemble, a single silver necklace resting on his neck. His hair was pushed back into a rough man bun, and his eyes.. they were cold. So cold that the temperature in the room seemed to drop even lower.

Without even looking at me or the dead woman behind us, he took the seat designed for him.

"Welcome, Alpha," everyone said, except me and obviously, Marcus.

Anders simply waved the greeting away.

"I was starting to get tired of meeting everyone one after the other, so this was in order. Before we start," his eyes darted around. "I am here to pass announcements. I am not here to listen to opinions or suggestions. No matter who you are or what you are, let your opinion be an inside thought today."

I swallowed hard, blinking back tears as I lowered my head, my chest heaving. I guess I do deserve it.

"Oh and also," Anders said, his voice dropping. "Say hi to our dead omega friend over there. Whoever it is sending them to my palace, to my luna, can go right on. I will keep leaving their bodies like souvenir till I get to you. I enjoy the screams anyway. Go on and pleasure me."

Marcus immediately paled in his seat.

No one moved. No one said a word. At some point, I even believed no one was breathing.