Chapter 30 - Negotiate ll
1638 Words
#musicvibe - Alone Pt. ll, Alan Walker, Ava Max.
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Alex POV
Valeria had said what I needed to say to provoke Tyson, and I was surprised at how well it worked. I just hoped that I was going to be able to calm him down later as well.
Everyone backed away when Tyson’s wolf charged at me, but I didn’t back down
Valeria told me that Tyson always went high with his front legs when he pounced, so I used my enhanced speed to get underneath him. I wrapped my arms around his torso and knocked him to the ground.
“Easy.” I whispered. “I may not have magic hands, but I need you to calm down.”
The large black wolf froze and stared at me. I took the opportunity to sneak the note out of my pocket while Tyson shifted back. I was still close enough so that if I turned my back a bit more, I could slip Tyson the note without anyone noticing.
I got up when two of the other lycans came running and I backed away when they snarled at me.
“Let’s not do something stupid.” I said and stared intently at Tyson while I backed away further until I reached my father and the others. “After all, we came here to negotiate.”
I glanced at my father, who smiled proudly at me.
“Does your Highness need a respite?” He said mockingly.
Tyson was standing with his back to us, his posture was rigid and he had his head bent down. I knew that he was reading the note. His Beta and Gamma were standing on either side of him and talked in hushed whispers. After a few seconds, Tyson turned around and glared at us.
“What do you want?” He growled.
“Your kind have caused destruction to a village on our turf.” My father said, “I demand a price for your crimes.”
“We didn’t do anything.” Tyson replied. “They were already dead when we got there.”
My father held up his hand to stop Tyson.
“You were caught at the scene, and no other scents were picked up there. The victims had claw marks all over them and you were found standing over the bodies. How much more evidence do I need?”
Tyson glared at him.
“What price is it that you want in return for these ‘crimes’?” He spat.
“I want all lycans to clear Cambridge and the surrounding area for a ten mile radius.” My father replied. “It will become official vampire turf.”
I glanced at my father in confusion and Tyson stared at him in shock.
“I can’t just tell people to leave their homes, just like that.” He said. “What interest do you have in Cambridge anyway?”
“Do not question me!” My father snapped. “I want the lycans out of there within the next two days, or I will hurt your mate.”
Tyson's face paled.
“Let her go.” He snarled. “She has nothing to do with this.”
My father chuckled.
“Two days, King Tyson.” He sang and turned around to leave. “Make the right choice.”
I glanced at Tyson over my shoulder, and really felt bad for him. He looked like he was hanging on by a thread, and I hoped that I could make things better for him.
I never understood the whole mate bond thing that the wolves shared, but when I saw Tyson so broken, it felt like I witnessed true love between two people for the first time.
I just hoped that I could bring his mate back to him somehow.
*
Valeria POV
The lock clicked and I realized that whoever was at the door had succeeded in picking the lock. I stared at the door as it swung open, revealing a smug looking Jamie.
“Seems like we’re all alone now.” He sneered.
I tried to back away, but I was chained to the bed and didn’t get far. In a flash, Jamie was in front of me and for the first time in years, I became paralyzed with fear. He snaked his arms around my waist and I let out a whimper as he buried his face into the crook of my neck.
“Shh, don’t move, little puppy.” He cooed. “I just want a taste of that magnificent blood.”
“Leave me alone.” I squeaked, and I pushed at his chest to get him off of me.
But he was too strong. No matter how hard I tried, he wouldn’t budge.
I forced myself to relax and surrendered myself to my fate when I felt Jamie’s teeth graze my neck. This was a thousand times worse than when Alex fed from me. I had no control of what Jamie was doing to me, and there was no way for me to escape. A few tears spilled from my eyes and I shut them tightly.
“Jamie!”
A loud shriek from the door made Jamie look up and I saw Lara rush in.
“Want a taste too, sister?” Jamie smirked.
“Get out!” Lara snapped. “Or do you want me to tell father that you have been trying to ruin Alex’s progress with her training?”
Jamie scowled at her before turning back to me and kissed me softly on the cheek.
“Until next time, puppy.” He winked at me before leaving the room.
Lara glared at him until he had left the room. Then she shut the door and locked it.
I tensed up. Lara was still a vampire, and I didn’t know what she was doing here.
“I’m sorry about this.” She said sheepishly. “Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head and eyed her suspiciously.
“Why do you care?” I frowned.
Lara came closer, and the cuffs pressed against my wrists as I tried to back away further.
“Why did Alex hit you at dinner yesterday?” She asked.
I stared at her.
“B-Because he’s an a**hole?” I replied hesitantly.
Lara shook her head and rolled her eyes.
“I’m not stupid.” She said softly. “Are you and my brother working together to get you out of here?”
What?
I didn’t really know how to respond to that. I had no idea how she could see through our charade. Did she know something I didn’t?
“Yes.” I said after a while and plastered a sweet smile on my face. “Of course. We’re totally acting like we hate each other, but we are actually plotting against your father. So go ahead…”
I gestured to the door behind her.
“Go run off to your father and tell him the news, and he might just kill the tw*t for treason or something.” I continued.
Lara stared at me, and I prayed that my facade wasn’t crumbling. I didn’t want to put Alex at risk, but she probably wasn’t going to believe me.
“I would never do that to my brother.” Lara whispered.
I rolled my eyes and sat down on the floor again. It seemed like Lara wasn’t here to hurt me, so I could relax enough to put on my baddest attitude for her.
“Anything else?” I said dismissively.
Lara sat down on the floor next to me, and I frowned at her.
“I overheard my father order the captain of the king’s guard to send soldiers to the border.” She whispered. “I know you didn’t kill those humans. I think you have managed to convince Alex that you’re innocent. That’s the only explanation as to why Alex suddenly does everything Father asks without hesitation. That has never happened before. He hates killing and hurting others.”
I stared at her.
“Thank you for believing me.” I replied hoarsely. “But I don’t understand why you’re telling me this.”
“Because Alex can’t protect you from everything.” Lara replied. “And I want to help end this war too. You can’t do this alone.”
I shrugged.
“Maybe you should have this conversation with Alex then.” I said. “But you understand that your words are dangerous, right? I can’t say that I know your father all that well, but he doesn’t seem like the guy to tolerate anyone going against him, not even his children.”
I studied her as she tucked a strand of her straight blonde hair behind her ear. Her red eyes were a stark contrast to her light skin and hair, but there still was a softness to them.
I started to realize that Alex and Lara were very different from their father. But I wasn’t taking the risk of confiding anything to Lara just yet. I wanted to give her some time to reveal if she had any ulterior motives for talking to me.
“Lives are always lost in a war.” She replied. “I just don’t want unnecessary bloodshed. And my father may be believing in the war he’s waging, but I don’t.”
I leaned my head against the side of the bed and sighed.
“Thanks for saving me from Jamie.” I whispered. “I hate being fed on against my will.”
Lara shrugged.
“It’s fine.” She replied. “May I keep you company until Alex returns?”
I nodded, feeling grateful that I wasn’t alone.
I just wasn’t sure how much I could trust her yet.
- Writer
