Chapter 23 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CAIUS
Seven things. In the last three minutes, I've counted seven things that I would rather be doing than driving to the witches’ territory. With the mood I am in, I might just start the war that I told Alpha Hills was a bad idea. These witches better have an answer I like or their spy will not come back and the treaty will be ended.
I hate driving. If I could have brought Clayton or Alpha Brent with me, I would have. Either one of them would have offered to drive in my stead but Clayton couldn’t leave the pack because of Maeva and Alpha Brent can’t know that the witch is back. He might not be like the others in the council but he hates disrespect and will declare war.
I reach the border and I keep driving, ignoring the lights the witches are throwing on the side of the road to throw me off. I just drove four hours to get here, I'm getting what I want before I leave.
The witches stop shooting light and I drive through. I guess someone told the council I’m in town. I follow the road we came through the last time and I drive to their council hall. They're all outside waiting when I arrive at the building.
I park and take my time coming out.
"Alpha Caius," the head witch starts. "Give us one good reason why we shouldn't burn you to ashes where you stand."
I don't respond. I climb the steps until I'm standing in front of them.
"How dare you. You drove here without invitation or permission and you dare stand in front of us looking smug?" Another witch adds.
"I'm here to discuss the witch I found on my pack territory earlier today."
Their faces lose the righteous indignation on them and I smirk.
"Should we go inside or is this perfect for you?"
The head witch glares at me with so much hatred before she turns on her heels and walks inside and the other witches and warlocks follow after her. I'm the last to enter the hall and I loudly drag my seat to the table they're sitting on. I take a seat, then look at the head witch.
"I have the right to take this to the werewolf council but I decided to come here instead. Twice now, your people have entered our territory without permission."
"Just one witch," the head witch adds.
"You insult me by saying that." I respond. "The first time was disrespectful but we waved it off but this time? This time, it is insulting."
"Where is Moira?" The witch asks.
"In order for this collaboration that you desperately want to work, you will do things the right way. You will seek an audience with the council and you will take permission from them to speak to me or be allowed near my pack." I say ignoring her question.
"Where is Moira?" She asks again, firmer.
"Do we have a deal?" I ask.
Our eyes meet and lock. She doesn't look away and neither do I. For some reason, witches think they're more superior to werewolves and from the head witches reaction, I can see where Moira got it from.
"You know I could pulverize you where you sit." She says.
"You could, but you won't. Now do we have a deal?"
She finally breaks eye contact and laughs. "Fine, we have a deal. I knew we were right in choosing you as the person we talk to."
"Good." I say, standing up.
I turn and start walking away when the witch speaks. "You don't want to know what new thing we found out?" She asks.
I turn and shake my head. "Not until you've done things the right way."
"And Moira?" She asks again.
"She's alive. She'll be handed back when you do the right thing."
She nods. "After you meet with the council, please send a witch who doesn't think werewolves are beneath them. I don't want to have to kill another witch."
The last sentence hangs in the air as I walk out of the hall. Behind me, the other witches are outraged by what I said. They might be powerful but they aren't invincible and werewolves have killed our fair share of witches. It was a gamble saying it but they needed to know how serious I am about this.
I get back in the car and start driving home. Two hours into the journey, I start wishing that I didn't say the last part out loud. I could have asked them to teleport me home instead. I could leave the car on the side of the road and run home but Clayton will be pissed and it will inconvenience the werewolf that has to come pick it up.
I suck it up and continue the drive. Soon I'll be home, I'll sleep for a few hours and in the morning, I'll go see Maeva.
I get home at 2 am and I fall on my bed with a wide smile on my face. I'm looking forward to talking with Maeva tomorrow morning.
The front door opening wakes me up. The sun is already up and it's bright. I get out of bed and meet Clayton in my living room.
"You exercised a great level of restraint last night. I'm proud of you, I thought you would be knocking on my door in the middle of the night demanding to hear how giving her food went."
I roll my eyes and enter the kitchen to take a bottle of water from the fridge. I return and he has made himself comfortable.
"Are you going to tell me or should I ask her myself?"
"Like she'd willingly give you any information."
He’s right so I turn away so I don't see his stupid smile.
"She ate well and we talked a bit. She was nice until I said something and I felt the air freeze when she shut down."
"She tends to do that." I say, ignoring the pang of jealousy at the fact that they had a conversation. A conversation he thinks was nice. One more person she's letting in instead of me.
"Did any other thing happen?"
His expression changes and I drop the water bottle.
"What happened? Is she okay?"
"She went into heat yesterday." He says slowly.
My claws extend and I feel my eyes change color as my wolf takes over.
"Why were you there?" I ask in a controlled voice.
The scent of a female in heat is potent and nobody can resist it.
"I fought it Alpha. I promise you I did." Clayton says with a submissive bow.
"She locked the door from inside and I stayed away until the scent cleared."
That makes my wolf feel better but not for long. She's going to go into heat again and that one will be worse than this one and the scent will travel farther.
Will we have completed the mating by then or will I have to fight off the werewolves her scent will bring to the house?