20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Isaac

" S o this is the gist of it," I sighed, looking around the table where the Council was sitting. Only Roman was missing, and well, Gideon, but nobody had seen him since the attack on Regina and we neither had time nor resources to look for him. He was probably fine, licking his wounds in some five-star hotel he owned. He was a dragon, after all.

Allison sat beside me with her arms crossed and a dark expression on her face, while on my other side, Alice kept glancing impatiently toward the exit of the tent like she couldn't wait to leave already. I understood the feeling, I really did, but I needed her to focus on the matter at hand because she was an essential part of my plan.

I kicked her under the table, and she gave me a startled look before turning her eyes to the others. Luckily, nobody paid attention to her, too busy processing the information I had gathered—both from Roman and scouring the whole property for clues.

"A vampire Elder?" Daniel repeated, looking both disgusted and horrified as he held my gaze. A knot formed in my stomach as I nodded. "That's insane! Witches we can probably handle. A vampire nest, likely. But an Elder… they are on an entirely different level. And they have killed three people so far! We—"

"I know, that's why I've gathered you here," I interrupted him, ignoring the sharp look he gave me. Things would never return to the way they were between us, I suspected he still blamed me a great deal for the injury of his mate, but at least he was back to his cold, composed self. And I preferred to deal with James anyway, even though the Beta had lost his friendly attitude since the attacks started. "We need to move our non-combatants because currently, they are sitting ducks. As Daniel said, an Elder is too much of a threat even for the strongest among us and we have no idea how old and how bloodthirsty they are." A few people murmured in agreement and I felt the knot in my stomach untangle a little. "We already have enough on our plate as it is. Even if the witches are quiet, we can't put ourselves in a position where we have to fight on multiple fronts."

Several more adjusted in their seats so they could lean forward or uncross their arms. It was subtle, but I fought a smile when I noticed them looking at me with anticipation instead of reservation.

"What about the vampires?" one of the bird shifters asked. "Did they know it was an Elder?"

"Of course, they did," James spat. "And of course, they didn't tell us."

"Can you blame them?" I asked, holding the Beta's gaze while I allowed my tone to grow sharper. "The last time they offered help, your men all but attacked them unprovoked."

"One of our own was just killed by a vampire! My men were angry and protecting—"

"They were angry at the wrong people," I raised my voice, cutting him off. "As their leader, it's your job to keep them in line, not encourage confrontation, especially when you have no proof." James looked away, his mouth pressing into a thin line. "If this alliance is to work, we need to give each other the benefit of the doubt." The Beta glared, turning to the others around him as if in search of support, but he found none. His father's face remained unreadable, but even he didn't meet his eyes. "If your men had attacked them yesterday, or Goddess forbid, killed one of them, we would have had one more enemy to worry about today." I turned to the others. "A nest on its own might not be a huge problem, but witches, vampires, and an Elder? We'd be dead, all of us."

"Not to mention we are staying here, protected from most of the outside world, on the benevolence of a vampire ," Allison added, accentuating the last word. "He has provided us shelter, food, and medicine, and he's actively helping to keep the peace without asking for much in return. Only that we don't kill each other on his property."

"You don't honestly think he cares about us, do you?" One of the wolves behind Daniel scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"No," I replied, looking him up and down. His smile faltered and he bristled. "I don't think he'd bat an eye if most of us died, but he's still helping us. That's what we all have to do." I made the point to meet each of their eyes, searching for understanding, for reason, for support. "We don't need to like each other and be one big, happy family. We just need to put aside our differences and work together for the safety of those we love and care about."

More people nodded this time, murmuring in agreement as the tension dissipated. I let out a small sigh of relief, fighting against the smile rising to my lips. It was too early to celebrate since the hardest part of my plan was just coming up.

"Why is Oscar not here?" Daniel asked, and the room quieted again.

"Because he didn't want to antagonize our people when they were already afraid of more vampire attacks. Until we tell them the truth or take them to safety, Oscar and his nest will stay clear of our territory."

"To safety?" One of the merfolk frowned. There had been a small stream running through Roman's property where they had set up camp, but it wasn't big enough for them to live in or stay long term. So they had been stuck on land, looking more and more uncomfortable with each passing day. "Where?"

"I spoke to Alpha Kai from the Moonstone Pack, and he agreed to take in as many people as he can. They don't have the space for all, so the first to go would be the elderly and children with their caretakers from Daniel's pack." Everyone looked at the other man and I held back a sigh of relief when he inclined his head in agreement. "You're welcome to send yours as well if you want to."

"What about the rest?" another person asked.

"I'll be negotiating for more help," I continued, ignoring their raised eyebrows. "My sister and I will be traveling to the Blacktooth Pack up north so I can ask for their support." The name echoed through the tent and I realized that most of them likely had no idea who I was talking about. It didn't matter. "Getting them to agree to shelter our people is my main priority, but if I can convince them to stand alongside us against the witches, then I'll do my best."

More murmurs of approval filled the tent, and when I looked at Allison, she smiled at me. This was going better than we expected. Now came the tricky part.

"And I'll be speaking with the witches from the Coven of Eternal Light, asking them to aid our injured and help us in the days to come," I added, bracing myself for the backlash.

That came without a second of delay, with the entire table jumping to their feet and starting to speak at the same time. I winced at the noise, but I gave them a few seconds to rant, then raised my hands. When they didn't shut up, I slammed my palms on the table with so much force that I heard the wood crack somewhere. That seemed to do the trick.

"I know how this sounds, but those witches are different," I said, meeting each of their eyes. "I have been to their Coven and seen what they do, how they treat people. They live to heal and protect everyone who comes to them in need and they are against violence of any kind." Silence met my words, their expressions closed and wary. "I have no intention of asking them to fight with us, just to aid us in the things we're helpless against, like hexes and magic. As fast as we can heal, some spells can still kill us."

"I lived with them for eighty years." The moment Alice spoke, everyone switched their attention to her, and I used the chance to take a steadying breath. "They are kind and gentle with those who wish them no harm. They will chase nobody away as long as help or healing is what they seek. I believe they won't turn my brother down." She looked at me and put her hand over mine before turning to the others again. "But their help will depend on how you all treat them. They are as proud as any shifter and their goodness has its limits. So if you don't think you can live alongside them, don't go to them at all. The only thing they hate more than violence is betrayal."

The silence that followed was deafening, even more so than before. They kept glancing at each other and with every passing moment, I felt like I was losing their confidence. Alice squeezed my hand, and I took a deep breath, grounding myself in the faith that this would work. It had to.

"I know you're hesitant, but the risk is mine to bear," I said. "Should the sisters agree to aid us, my people will go to them." The shock on their faces almost made me laugh. "I believe in every word I said. Not all witches are evil. They can be our biggest enemy or our mightiest ally. I'm willing to risk everything I hold dear to prove that. "

"You've only changed your tune after claiming that witch! We all know how influential the bond can be, so your… change of heart is of surprise to no one." James spat and I almost lost it. It took everything in me not to snarl at him. Before I was calm enough to reply, Daniel got to his feet.

"I think we need time to process this and decide for ourselves, but remember one thing." Straightening his crinkled shirt, he looked around the table. "You participated in this union of your own volition, and you chose Isaac to lead you of your own volition." His hands fell slack by his side and he met my gaze but continued to speak to them. "You protected him from me… of your own volition." He made a longer pause, but nobody moved until he finally looked away, motioning for his men to follow. "You either need to pick your leaders better or trust in the ones you chose because you can't have it both ways."

"Father?" James muttered, staring at his Alpha like he was seeing him for the first time.

"Let's go," he said, nodding at the Council before heading toward the exit. Just before he reached it, he stopped and met my gaze.

"I'm leaving half of my warriors as we agreed, and I'll return with the rest when my people are safe with Kai. He'll likely want to come too. We are not giving up on our home." Then, as if as an afterthought, he added. "Good luck with the witches."

A nod was all I had time for before he was gone, his Beta and the rest of his escort hurrying after him. I hadn't expected him to show his support so openly, but I was grateful all the same. It was not easy hiding my surprise when the others started to file out, though.

"That went well." I rubbed my face when everyone left except Allison and my sister.

"It could have been worse." My Beta shrugged, leaning on the table with a heavy sigh. Only Alice seemed ready to leap from her chair, but to her credit, she didn't.

"I understand their hate of witches, especially after what happened, but what you said, Isaac, it's true," Alice sighed. "They will see that eventually." Allison and I exchanged a brief look, but neither of us said anything. "Goddess, everything would have been so much easier if Celeste was here." My heart clenched, but I pushed away the feeling before it consumed me. "If they could watch her, talk with her, and get to know her, they would see with their own eyes that what you were saying is true. Believing is much easier when there is proof in front of your eyes. "

I let my head fall, hand instinctively going to the back of my neck. Not feeling the bond was maddening, but it was high time it stopped affecting my actions. My people had chosen me to be their Alpha because they trusted me to lead and protect. There was nothing I could do for my mate now, but there was plenty I could do for my pack.

Allison cleared her throat.

"Any word from that demon? Or the Fae prince's contacts?"

"No." I shook my head. "For now, we do what we can with the people we have." Peter's voice rose outside, and I glanced over the shoulder before looking back at the two women beside me. "We should probably get ready to leave. It's a long ride and the faster we get there, the faster you can come back."

Allison raised an eyebrow, so I followed her gaze to Alice, who was just scratching her temple.

"About that…" She licked her lips, plucking something from her pocket and handing it to me. I studied the letter in my hand before giving her a questioning look. "I'm not coming."

"What? You have to!" I exclaimed. "They know you , Alice! I'm nobody to them! Do you know how much is at stake here? Our pack—"

"My mate is sick, Isaac," Alice said quietly, meeting my eyes with a soft, but unyielding, gaze. "She almost died just a few days ago. I can't leave her."

"But you aren't even…" I stopped myself before I said something I'd regret, but the look in her eyes told me she knew exactly what I was thinking. The hurt on her face made me want to punch myself. "I'm sorry, Alice. I know it's difficult, but this is important." I shot Allison a pleading glance, but she just stared at my sister. I turned back to Alice, softening my voice and trying to smile. "Her parents are with her and so is Roman. She'll be in good care."

Alice grimaced, opening her mouth to say something, but it was Allison who spoke.

"Leave her be." When we both looked at her, she gave Alice a warm smile before pinning me with a hard gaze. "Convincing the witches is your responsibility. She is not our Alpha and her mate needs her." Pushing against the table, she rose to her feet. "There is nothing more to be said."

My frustration melted, replaced by shame so deep, I dropped my gaze. Clearing my throat, I got up and took a second to compose myself. When I turned to face Alice, my smile was entirely genuine.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Leaning toward her, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Take good care of her and yourself. I'll see you when I get back."

My sister nodded and got up, wrapping her arms around me.

"You too. The Head Witch has grown soft of heart, so she wouldn't be hard to convince. You need to win the Second over. Don't waver," she said with a pat on my back. When she released me, Allison was waiting for us by the tent's exit.

We walked out together, glancing up at the gray sky when Alice waved us goodbye.

"Don't go out after sunset and be careful!" I called after her. She threw me a knowing look over her shoulder, muttering just loud enough for me to hear.

"I know how dangerous Elders are. Besides, that asshole of a vampire will be here, and the nice Fae prince, too." Her voice softened, and I could feel the hint of a smile. "I'll be fine, little brother."

Allison scoffed before her face turned serious again and she nodded toward something behind me. Peter and a few other warriors were watching us from the vehicles, their impatience palpable, but the air around them felt hopeful. I patted my Beta's shoulder, murmuring a quick "Later!" before jumping into the passenger seat in Peter's car.

‘Please, Goddess, let this go well for us. We can use a little luck right now,' I thought as I fastened my seatbelt and sank into the cool leather. Allison waved while the car switched gears and we drove past her. ‘And if that is too much to ask, Goddess, at least return Celeste to me. I'd never ask for anything else again. '