10. Rian

Chapter ten

Rian

I almost don't believe she's real.

Belle…

So, I reach my hand forward, running my thumb over the soft skin of her bottom lip to confirm.

She is real.

As real as the tears falling down her face.

I tug her closer, burying her in my arms once again. She wraps her legs around me, and I sniff her hair, breathing in her caramel scent.

I can't wait to take her home and make her mine.

One of the biggest regrets of my life was not claiming her sooner.

There is no doubting it anymore.

Belle is a part of the pack and it's time we bit her into it.

I'm sure Leo or Jeremy would happily do the honors.

Gryphon coughs at his desk, and we stop and give him the attention he deserves.

He got her back for us and I will be grateful for the rest of my life.

"Now that you're all here, there are some things I would like to discuss. All of you, take a seat."

We all find a seat. Jeremy takes the one in front of Gryphon's desk, and I take the other.

Belle sits on my lap, and I cradle her in my arms, brushing a hand through her hair.

She has a few knots, but that's okay.

I will have fun teasing them out of her later…

Leo sits on the edge of the cabinet, and now Gryphon looks around at the four of us. "One of you is missing."

Belle tenses, and I shush her gently, combing my fingers through her hair.

Leo purrs and Jeremy reaches across, taking her shoulder in his large hand.

Troy's absence is affecting her greatly, but I let her know that she is still loved regardless.

She doesn't need him anyway.

She has us.

She has me.

"Troy," I reply finally, and the Alpha governor raises a brow.

Jeremy sighs. "It's complicated…"

Gryphon shakes his head. "It's fine. I get it. Pack politics. It's even worse than real politics."

Which is something I have been rather curious about.

How did he manage to get a hold of her for us?

He may be the Alpha governor, but he's not the only one running the show.

There's the new Beta Governor, too.

Governor Lavender.

Lavender was the one who wanted to continue the Beta Trials after Gryphon took over and reformed the government.

He had no choice.

After all, there should always be an Alpha and a Beta seat in government.

It helps to maintain peace and stability.

Also, it helps to prevent a civil war.

Ex-governor Lily really messed things up after she had the old Beta governor, Frederick, murdered in cold blood, and declared this city an Alpha state only.

Betas all over were rallying in the streets, and despite her threats of execution, they still protested and cried for equality.

Once Gryphon defeated her with his pack, he took over as Alpha governor and appointed a new Beta to rule beside him.

I used to identify as Beta. So I was grateful when he gave up half of his power for the sake of fairness.

But there are those among us who still want it to be a Beta state only.

They wish to see Alphas overthrown completely.

And I think I have a good idea of how they plan to go about that.

To use an Alpha's greatest weakness…

Omegas.

Every Alpha loves an Omega.

There are Alphas who love to dominate them and others who love to submit to them.

But there is one thing all Alphas are taught…

Omegas are the weaker designation.

They are not a threat.

Instead, they need to be protected rather than feared.

Or abused and stripped of their rights in other cases.

So, I guess this is what Gryphon wishes to discuss. It's a delicate topic after all, and no doubt he wants us all to keep our silence.

Jeremy is already obligated to hold his own silence.

He is by no means to ever talk about what he finds on his missions, and I guess that goes for all of us now.

Whether we like it or not, we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Gryphon begins. "It wasn't easy getting her away from the prison. Although I can promise to give you all my protection, please know that I am still obligated by law to question any Omega I find under my jurisdiction."

We all nod our affirmation.

The governor continues. "As you know, Governor Lavender likes to keep a careful eye on me. The Beta government has lost all faith in Alphas since Lily's reign."

Yeah, a reign in which he ended.

Lavender and all those other Betas should be worshipping the ground he walks on.

Yet they've decided to mistrust him.

Belle is still in my arms, and I rub my hand up and down her back, soothing her nerves.

"You ought to know that there was an attack last night. Someone tried to kill Belle and I will stop at nothing to find out who they work for. It seems we're interrogating all the wrong people..."

A growl rips from Leo's throat.

Gryphon sighs. "I promise, Belle is safe now. No one will harm her again. But it seems that whoever sent that assassin wanted to end her life before she could spill any more secrets. After all, she revealed quite a bit."

My heart pounds, and I hold Belle closer.

She never told us about her past. But that's okay.

I never felt the need to question her on her origins.

I am not Troy after all,

From the beginning, I always trusted her.

Gryphon focuses on Belle. "Take her home, lock her up safe. I can send some extra protection your way too. And when she feels ready, she can tell us more of what she knows."

It gives her a little more leeway, and I appreciate the gesture.

Belle's eyes are closing, and I bet she's barely slept in days.

What with almost being murdered and interrogated non-stop.

But she can tell us about her past when she's ready.

For now, she needs to rest and recuperate.

Jeremy rises, shaking the governor's hand. "Thanks, Gryphon. We owe you one."

Gryphon tightens his grip on Jeremy's hand. "No. Think of it as me paying off a debt. You helped my pack, and now this is me helping yours."

The two Alphas smile knowingly, losing themselves in the past, and it seems our business is done here.

Belle is fast asleep, and now I lift her in my arms, carrying her out of the room.

Gryphon watches her strangely the whole time, but I don't question it any further as all I can think about is getting her home.

I am never letting her go again.