33. Mai

Chapter thirty-three

Mai

I paced the length of the Alpha House's living room, my nerves stretched taut. Jase stood by the window, his eyes constantly scanning the surrounding area for any signs of trouble. I liked that he was here; it felt like I wasn't entirely alone in this.

Talia had arrived half an hour ago and was now bustling around the room, setting up the equipment that would link us to the Wolf Council. I had considered not letting her in, but there was no escaping this. Talia had reiterated to me, several times now, that once I announced my decision, there would be no way to reverse it. The thought made my stomach churn, the finality of it all sinking in like a lead weight.

My mind drifted to Ryan and his brothers, out there risking their lives to find Jem. I had to believe that they would be safe, that they would find him in time. The thought of losing any of them, of the price we might have to pay for this gambit, made me want to throw up .

"They'll be okay, Mai," Jase said softly, as if reading my thoughts. He moved to stand beside me. "Your mate is one fuck off badass, and the Shaws are the best fighters in the north. They've got this."

Talia straightened up from the equipment, her face grim. "It's all set up. The Council will be able to see and hear everything once the link is established."

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "How much time do we have?"

"Ten minutes. Have you made your decision? Once you make your choice, there's no going back."

"I am aware, Talia, thank you. I think that's the eighth time you've reminded me."

The truth was, I still had no fucking clue who I was going to nominate. I turned my back on her and closed my eyes for a moment, Ryan's parting words echoing in my mind. "I trust you, Mai," he had said, his eyes boring into mine, making me feel like I was the only person in the whole world. "No matter what happens, no matter who you choose, it'll be the right choice."

He had kissed my forehead then, a gentle touch that said more than words ever could. No matter what I decided, he'd back me. I loved the trust he had in me, but I wasn't sure it was deserved. Right now, I didn't have a fucking clue what I was going to do. Nominate Brock and further his scheme to be a Wolf King, or don't and sentence my brother to death? Even if I could live with that decision, who the hell would I nominate instead of Brock? Talia wanted it to be me and Ryan. Ryan seemed open to the idea. We could do a lot of good, make a lot of changes if we were on the Wolf Council, but it would mean leaving Three Rivers. I'd shed blood getting this Pack back; it felt wrong to just walk away from it even if it would be to make sure it, and all Shifter communities, were protected.

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. I could feel Jase and Talia watching me pace. They were waiting for me to make a decision, to choose the path that would shape the future of this Pack and the whole Shifter community. How the hell had this happened? A month ago, I'd been a website designer living in Cocrane. Now it felt like whatever I chose in this moment would change history.

So, no fucking pressure then.

My wolf was no help. She was asleep, confident, like Ryan, that I'd make the right choice.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely registered Talia's voice cutting through the silence. "It's time. Everything is set up. Please, take a seat so we can begin the proceedings with the Wolf Council."

I blinked, my eyes focusing on the chair she gestured to. It looked innocuous enough, just a simple armchair positioned in front of the cameras. But to me, it felt like a throne, a seat of power that I wasn't ready to occupy.

With a deep breath, I moved towards the chair, each step feeling heavy and leaden. I checked my phone one last time, hoping against hope that there would be a message from Ryan, some sign that he had found Jem and that everything would be alright.

The screen remained blank, taunting me with its emptiness.

Shitting hell!

Just as I was about to set the phone aside, it buzzed in my hand.

Finally! Thank fuck!

But as I opened the message, my blood ran cold.

Not Ryan. Brock .

Hope ur ready for the big announcement. Remember, it better be my name you say or Jem really dies this time. I'll be watching.

How the hell would Brock be watching? This was supposed to be closed proceedings for the Wolf Council. Brock had to have contacts and help from people on the Council.

I felt sick; the bile rising in my throat. My hands shook as I set the phone down, my mind reeling.

I looked up at Talia and Jase. Talia was staring at me dispassionately, a slight frown on her face. Jase's was etched with concern. He knew something was wrong.

I couldn't take it anymore. The walls of the room felt like they were closing in on me, Brock's threat and the impending decision crushing the air from my lungs.

"Excuse me," I managed to choke out, getting to my feet carefully, so neither Jase nor Talia got suspicious. "I just need a moment."

"Mai Parker, it's time; you don't have a moment."

"Watch me, Talia Johnson, watch me take a moment," I said as I left the room.

My feet carried me to the bathroom on instinct alone. I barely made it to the toilet before the nausea overtook me. I retched, my stomach heaving as I emptied its contents into the bowl. The bile burned my throat, tears stinging my eyes as I gasped for breath.

I took a shaky breath, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, then pushed myself to my feet, my legs trembling beneath me. I flushed the toilet and moved to the sink, splashing cold water on my face and rinsing the taste of bile from my mouth.

Uck.

I smelled Jase just before there was a soft knock on the door .

"Mai?" Jase's voice was muffled through the wood, but I could hear the concern in his tone. "Are you alright?"

I cleared my throat, keeping my voice steady. "I'm fine, Jase. I'll be out in a second."

"Are you sure?" He sounded unconvinced.

"I'm sure," I said, injecting as much confidence into my words as I could muster.

There was a pause, and for a moment I thought he might push the issue. But then I heard his footsteps retreating.

I turned back to the mirror. Could I nominate Brock knowing now what it would mean for this Pack, for all werewolves? Would I sacrifice them all in order to get Jem back? Would Jem ever forgive me if I did? I shook my head.

Nope, it didn't make the answers suddenly fall into my brain.

Fuckity fuck fuck!

My reflection caught my eye. Ryan thought I could do this. He wanted me to see what he saw when he looked at me. An Alpha. A strong, bad-ass Alpha. I couldn't fall apart, not now. I had to be strong; I had a job to do. I'd fought and killed for this position, and I would do it to the best of my abilities.

With a final nod to myself, I turned and strode out of the bathroom, my head held high.

The living room was silent as I entered, all eyes on me. All twenty-seven members of the Wolf Council were already present on the screen, their faces solemn and expectant.

I had never met any of them before, but the reputation of the Council was not something to take lightly. I found myself studying some of their faces, trying to glean some insight into their characters .

In the center of the screen were two elders, a man and a woman. The woman's silver hair was pulled back in a severe bun, her gray eyes seeming to see straight through me. The man, with his neatly trimmed beard and sharp suit, looked every inch the politician, his expression unreadable.

To their right was a rugged-looking man, his face tanned and lined. I had the impression that this was a man who spent a lot of time outdoors.

Next to him was a striking blonde woman, with sleek hair and a designer dress. She peered at me with a look that reminded me of an eagle sizing up a mouse.

On the far left was a younger man, maybe mid-twenties. He looked bored, like he had much more important things to do, and he was annoyed at having to be here.

Opposite him was a man whose hulking frame seemed to dominate his screen. He was a bear of a man, with broad shoulders and a barrel chest that strained against the fabric of his shirt. He sat perfectly still, his massive hands folded in front of him, but there was a coiled energy about him that suggested he could spring into action at any moment. Every inch of him radiated power and authority, and I had no doubt that when he spoke, the other members of the Council would listen.

As I studied their faces, I knew I was being evaluated in turn.

I refused to let my nerves show. I wasn't a web designer anymore. I was the Alpha of the Three Rivers Pack, and I had earned my place at this table.

I lifted my chin higher and looked directly into the camera. I was here as an equal, as someone worthy of their respect .

"Mai Parker, take a seat." The silver-haired woman's voice rang with authority.

I took my seat in front of the cameras, my spine straight and my expression neutral. I would not let them see my fear, my doubts.

I was ready.

Talia moved to my side so that she could be seen on the screen. She opened her mouth, but the woman cut her off. "Not the whole ceremony today, Talia. We're all busy. We are here to hear the nomination for the Wolf Council. And then I, for one, have another meeting to get to."

Talia's face showed none of her displeasure, but I caught the scent of her annoyance.

"As you wish." Talia bowed her head slightly. "Mai Parker, on behalf of the Three Rivers Pack, who is your nomination for the Wolf Council?"

I took one last glance at my phone. Still nothing.

Shit!

This was it; I had to say a name.