Chapter Two

Ares

"Don't you think you're upselling us a bit too much?"

I'm quietly drumming my fingers on the fine wooden conference table as I listen to the pale vampire weave his words expertly with a disdain that comes from living several hundred years longer than everyone else in the room.

I shift my gaze across the representatives of the wealthy and powerful wolf shifter families that are in this meeting with me.

"And I think you are understating the importance of our product."

My best friend, Henry Ferguson, seated by my side, is the only one able to speak, his confidence overwhelming the banter of the vampires who seem to be in disagreement with almost everything and everyone.

Those cold bloodsuckers are the wealthiest of all the races. Why wouldn't they be? They are immortal—although they can be killed. They just won't die if left alone. No one lives that long without acquiring unspeakable amounts of wealth through the ages.

They have managed to slip their way into the governments of the world, sinking their fangs into every significant system that has the power to control the masses. They've whispered into the ears of extremely powerful rulers for centuries and are responsible for a lot of the grand catastrophes in history.

They're everywhere; at the base of any organization, but also at the top. These ageless, cold-blooded beings run things underground, in the shadows, while holding most of the money in the world.

Vampires are attracted to luxury and style. They love to live their lives to the fullest even though they're technically dead. One of the things these predators love doing is investing in something revolutionary, something that will have a significant effect once launched.

They love to jump on such opportunities and make the most of them. That's why we're here today… to discuss something revolutionary.

They are interested in buying the new formula for blockers. Everyone in the room comes from a family with shares in the wolf shifter pharmaceutical company that created the formula. It was developed by the best of the best, and today, they are here to buy it.

It is a breakthrough—wolf shifter heat and rut blockers that don't cause any harm to the users and work quickly to completely avoid loss of control. They can potentially be tweaked for use by humans and other species. Although human Alphas and Omegas don't have things as bad, they still need good blockers that are effective and also have no side effects.

The formula is a game-changer, and they know it. The vampires are going to modify it to make it work for humans, get a human figurehead to claim they discovered it, and run the company in the shadows while that human gets all the praise.

The negotiations have been ongoing for quite some time now, and I've been quiet, listening to the vampires try to play smart and Henry trying his best to keep up.

Henry's an Alpha, just like me. He's just as brave, fearless, and confident as I am. He's never shaken or moved by anyone or anything.

My gaze sweeps across the room, sharp and assessing, taking in the reactions of the vampire representatives. As they speak, I don't interrupt. Instead, I maintain eye contact, my expression impassive, revealing nothing.

The more they speak, the more I observe, and soon, a silence falls over the group, filled only with the subtle sound of my fingers tapping. It's a reminder of the control I hold.

Draped in luxury and arrogance, the lead vampire, clad in an expensive black suit, looks at me with his cold eyes and continues with his hardball tactics, attempting to leverage their wealth and influence.

I tilt my head slightly, a small but calculated gesture that indicates I'm listening and considering their words. My eyes narrow just a fraction, enough to show that I'm scrutinizing their every move and word. I scoff or let out a low, deliberate chuckle, a reminder that I find their attempts to play hardball almost amusing.

"We understand the value of your formula, Mr. Ferguson." The lead vampire is responding to Henry, but he's looking at me, his voice smooth and calculating. "But surely, you can appreciate that our offer reflects the significant investment required to adapt it for broader applications."

With a smirk, I lean back in my chair, fixing him with a steely gaze, finally deciding to speak.

"Your offer is insultingly low. This formula has the potential to revolutionize interspecies relations and control. It's worth far more than you're proposing."

"Mr. Linds," he says, his expression blank, devoid of any emotion. "We both know we're the only ones who could possibly hope to buy this formula at this price, so we hold a lot more bargaining power than you give us credit for."

"You're not the one selling here," Henry interrupts. "You're the buyers, so we set the price. Don't forget that."

"Mr. Linds, surely, this man doesn't speak on your behalf," the lead vampire says to me, hoping that I will take his side. He is talking to me because my family holds the highest number of shares. However, it's actually Henry's family who holds the largest number of shares after mine.

"He most certainly does," I reply, a slight frown on my face.

I'm unwilling to spend so much time going back and forth with these cold creatures of the night, debating over something that's in my power and my control. I'm not begging them to purchase this formula, and if they're not willing to play by our rules, then they can kiss this little project goodbye.

My silence speaks volumes, and they know that I'm a person who takes action rather than speaks. They can tell by how adamant I have been about the whole negotiation process that I'm not going to waver on my stand that their offer is insufficient.

The problem that I have with vampires is that they can be cunning when they want to be. They like to devalue merchandise despite knowing it's worth, just so they can get it at the price that they want. These creatures are stinkingly rich, but at times, they can be greedy. Right now, that's exactly what they're trying to be… greedy.

I'm not relenting because I know that they can afford it without breaking a sweat. I want to see how this ends. I'm curious to see what they'll finally decide on. They like to play games much like they love playing with their meal before feeding. They like to get on the nerves of others— it's something that they do reflexively as a part of who they are.

Henry is pissed, and I can see that he wants to call the deal off, but I want to play their game… only on my own terms.

The werewolf families present in the room are quiet. Not everyone likes to dabble with vampires. Naturally, we don't see eye to eye except during meetings like this, and even then, only a few care enough to try to engage with the other species.

The lead vampire exchanges a glance with his followers and sighs.

"What if we increase our offer, but only slightly? The risks and costs associated with the necessary modifications are substantial."

I'm starting to get irritated by their aggressive tactics. Henry looks at me and cocks his head to the side as if to say, let's end this now!

I set my hands on the table and lean closer.

"These costs you mention are nothing but a fraction of what this formula's value will bring you in return. You and I both know that." I look the lead vampire in the eye.

"Perhaps," he replies. "But our investors need assurances. A significant portion of their wealth is tied up in long-term ventures, and liquidity is not as straightforward as you might believe."

I scoff at his statement, my patience wearing thin.

"You vampires control most of the financial systems of the world, so don't be coy with me, Michael." I frown at him, almost balling a fist at his ridiculous insistence on a bad deal.

Silence falls over the room as my voice resounds.

The vampire grins at me. "Oh… first name basis… I like that…"

The werewolves know that I am pissed, and even the vampires are well aware of my anger. They exchange calculated glances along with hidden smirks. It's a fact that they love to get on people's nerves and seeing me angry gives them some sort of pleasure or satisfaction. Sickos!

They're used to getting what they want, but today, they've met their match. I won't let them do as they please. It's my company, my formula, and if they want to get it, they have to dance to my tune and not the other way around.

One of the other vampires leans closer to Micheal and whispers into his ear for a moment as the rest of their companions just sit there in silence, cold as ice. Micheal whispers back and for the next few seconds, they talk in hushed tones.

When they finish, he clears his throat and turns to me, his long, sharp nails rhythmically drumming on the table.

"We are prepared to accept your offer," he says to me, his voice tinged with reluctance.

I relax back in my chair, wondering what it is he wants to bring up this time. He's obviously enjoying toying with me. That's the only reason why this negotiation is taking as long as it is.

With a hand under my chin, I indulge him.

"But first, we need a certain, uh, incentive."

I recognize that look on his face. It's a look that says, you're most definitely not going to like what I'm about to say, but I'm going to say it anyway.

I squint, knowing that I will not like what comes next.

"Incentive?" I ask, bracing myself for his response.

"Yes," he says, smirking at me. "You see… we vampires care a lot about the quality of our drink… and you… Ares, my dear, are quite the delectable drink."

"My blood," I say with raised brows. "Is that your incentive?"

"Yes. A month's supply… as a token of good faith." He flashes his fangs at me in a toothy smile, satisfied by the rage he sees in my eyes.

Vampires are bloodsuckers, and human blood is always preferable to the blood of other animals, but they consider blood from people like me with strong pheromones to be a delicacy. It's like fine wine to them and can get them high.

I'm upset that he has the nerve to suggest that my blood be provided as the wine he uses to get high. The request is audacious, and it fans the flames of my rage into a full-blown blaze.

"How dare you?" I rise to my feet, my voice carrying the quiet authority of someone who knows his worth. Each word is deliberate, and each pause is calculated to maintain the tension and keep them on edge.

The vampires may control vast amounts of wealth, but in this room, at this moment, I control everything.

Just then, I hear one of the wolf shifters mumble under their breath, "Uh-oh, here we go."

I feel a nasty sting in my eyes, like sweat has found its way into them, and I know instantly that my eyes are glowing as I release my pheromones and the room falls under my control. This gesture is to remind everyone of the power that I possess. This is all about power dynamics at play.

The effect of my pheromones is different depending on the race of those exposed to them. No matter what their race, however, the effect is immediate and very evident. The first to react are the more recessive Alphas in the room—the secretaries and such. They drop to their knees, eyes wide open, unable to resist the compelling power that I released.

The Omegas fumble with small vials and pills, their bodies instinctively reacting to the primal call of an Alpha as they scramble for their blockers with a mix of panic and urgency. A couple of them manage to swallow the blockers just in time, but the others aren't so lucky. These unlucky ones show the typical flush of heat spreading across their cheeks as their eyes glaze over and their bodies respond to the surge of pheromones.

The representatives of the wolf shifter families sit tightly in their chairs, some gripping the armrests, others gripping the table. The Alphas among them have their heads bowed in forced submission to a more powerful Alpha. With uncomfortable movements, they shift in their seats, their faces taut with the effort of maintaining composure.

Then there's Henry. He's the only one who manages to hold his ground. He's clearly feeling the effect of my pheromones, but he is quite powerful himself. He isn't straining as much as the others, but he does bow his head. He is the only Alpha who can look at me, though. He narrows his eyes at me.

"You just had to do that, didn't you?"

I can see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his amusement barely concealed. He's glad that I did what I did, but at the same time, he's also paying for it.

Micheal happens to be a male Omega. I thought he might be, since he's on the smaller side. Unlike the rest of the Omegas, he does not try to take any blockers, and instead happily falls into his heat, basking in my pheromones like they're some kind of drug that he craves. A look of perverse pleasure settles on his face as he stares at me, embracing the overwhelming sensation.

"Yesss! Crush me beneath your heel!" he says.

I scrunch my nose up, slightly taken aback.

What a weirdo!

Of course vamps are all sickos. All that longevity nonsense must mess with their sanity. Most vampires I know have at least one screw loose in their heads.

Michael sticks out his elongated tongue as if to try and taste the aura emanating from me.

Now, that's very disturbing. Like I said… weirdos.

The silence in the room stretches out, filled with a thick air of dominance and submission. Then my voice finally cuts through the silence like a blade.

"I'm not your cow. You won't be getting any supply from me," I say sternly and watch him shudder at the thrill of being dominated. "A vial. That's all you'll get."

I expect resistance, but Michael is already under my control. He hasn't even tried to defend himself with his own pheromones.

"Of course! I will even give you more money than you have asked for," he replies, agreeing almost too eagerly.

Now I wonder if I was baited into using my pheromones. It seems he just wanted a taste.

I don't want any extra money. We already asked for a much larger price than we actually wanted to receive, expecting negotiations to bring the price down. I'll consider the extra money they left on the table to be the price for my blood.

"Just sign the agreement," I command, my gaze unwavering.

The vampire doesn't waste any time. He doesn't hesitate for a second before signing the documents, sealing the deal with a few strokes of his pen. They really weren't pressed for the money. I'm sure he could have given us even more without blinking.

I stand, signaling that the meeting is effectively over. "Well, that's that, then," I say, my voice carrying a note of finality. "No?"

Everyone else exchanges glances in silence, and soon I smirk and step out.

Henry walks out after me and catches up to me in no time.

"My God, that was brilliant!" he says to me while we're both in motion. "You made your blood worth a hundred billion dollars to them!"

I shrug my shoulders, barely interested.

"Vampires are too wealthy. They have more than enough money to throw away."

"True enough," Henry replies and changes the subject. "Hey, aren't you going to meet your intended mate today? Who was it… Leila Kaye? Her dad was in there, you know. You just dominated the man."

I glance at my golden Rolex and massage my eyeballs. It's true. I do have an appointment with the Kayes.

"I'm sure he's heading home to meet me there now." I turn to face him. "Are you coming with me?"

"I wasn't sure, but now that you asked…" he shrugs.

I look at him and scoff at the gesture.

Henry takes out his phone and opens his social media so he can pull up pictures of my intended mate.

"Leila Kaye." He says her name with affection as he looks at a photo of her. "She's gorgeous, don't you think?" He turns the photo in my direction.

I look at his screen. She is beautiful, but I'm not moved.

"She's the most powerful Omega, and she's from a powerful family. I deserve the best and that's the only reason I'm considering her as a mate," I reply bluntly.

"You don't always have to be so cold, you know," he says to me with a slight frown that I find rather amusing.

Leila will graduate college soon, and so her parents are keen on her meeting me and finalizing our engagement.

"If I don't like her, I'll just look for a more fitting Omega overseas," I add with a smirk, knowing exactly how Henry will react to that.

He stops and narrows his eyes at me. "You're a hard man to please, Ares."

I let out a light, wicked laugh.

"That's why I'm the Alpha." I confidently walk away, my shoes clicking against the polished floors.