Chapter 6

Mateo

I thought that the Royal family wouldn't so much as try to talk to us, but the minute Addison's name was mentioned, we were allowed in. The tension is thick in the air, and I know they probably want to kill us, but they can't because there is a truce for now. The same that comes with my people. I'd love nothing more than to rip the head off of the bastard who killed my father but all I can see now is Addison's disappointed face when she would find out. I have no idea why I care so much, and I don't even want to think about it anymore. I don't want to even imagine what she's going through, and I don't want to try and worry about it. I just need to get this done.

"So, what are you prosing then, Mateo?" The King asks me, folding his hands on the table and giving me a look that would have made others cower back but I'm not that kind of fool, "I understand that you think you have something on me but I'm going to warn you right here and now that you better not be messing with me because I don't take kindly to those who continue to test my patience."

I want to rip his head off, but I hold myself back, "I have Addison. We captured her in Rogue territory, and I have her hidden away in a cell. I figure that you would be willing to finally make peace and give us what you owe us due to the fact of keeping her safe."

The King's eyes flash with rage before he calms down, "You would be correct, I do want to keep her safe but I'm also not keen on dealing with those who wish to threaten me. I understand that you feel like you have some kind of power right now, Mateo, but how do you see this going? Why do we owe you?"

I jump to my feet as my fury swells, glaring at him, "I don't know if you remember precisely who I am, but I LOST everything because of you. You killed my father, saying that he had committed treason just for speaking out. You didn't even let him say a word and he was dead. My mother ended up dying not too long after from a broken heart. And your MEN went into Rogue territory and MURDERED my siblings in cold blood. And you did nothing about it. So yes, you do owe us because I'm not the only one with that kind of story."

I settle myself back down as he looks surprised. He probably didn't know what I was bringing to the table, but I can assure him right here and now that I'm not putting up with any of this. I don't agree with what has happened now and I can assure him that I would rather be caught dead than ever allow that bastard to ruin anyone else's life.

I know he thinks that he is going to win this, but I will kill him and break the truce. He needs to be disposed of and I will die trying, but my thoughts keep going back to Addison. I know she might not want her family to be shipping her off, but she doesn't want to see them die. I hate this, it makes me feel miserable. I have been through so much and I know how she might feel if I did it so it's why I haven't done it yet.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He murmurs, shaking his head, "but I don't know what you want me to do about it. It's been a long time since all of their deaths, and I think that you KILLING my men isn't going to bring them back."

"I'm not asking for them." I correct him, seeing how he looks at me with confusion, "I want to establish a new territory, a pack with Rogues who have been exiled for no reason. Of course, I will continue to have regulations on who we allow inside but even you know that sometimes, people are treated unfairly, and it was done by YOUR people."

He is staring at me curiously now, frowning slightly because he knows what I'm proposing. This is a dangerous situation, one that can be easily rectified if he decides on the right course of action. Of course, this could turn around and bite me in the ass but I'm not going to let that happen so easily. At least I will know that I at least tried to make some peace and gone from there. I wonder what he will do when he finds out that Addison is my mate.

"I think we could work something out." He finally murmurs, settling his gaze on me, "But what about my daughter?"

I know this could very well turn around and bite me in the butt, but I can't hide it from him because it would end up making things worse, "I'm going to be honest with you, she is my fated mate and I don't want you shipping her off to marry someone else. Marry her to me, that's the only thing that I will agree to."

His cheeks burn a bright red as he looks at me like I am crazy, "you are lying! There is no way that my precious daughter would be fated to filth like you! I will grant you the promise of a pack but I'm not going to stop with giving you, my daughter! You are crazy!"

"She stays with me or no deal." I tell him coldly, rising to my feet, "I understand you might not believe in the bond anymore, but I do. I have absolutely no intention of giving her away to someone. I can't do it. She's my mate, she's everything that I have dreamed about, and she is everything that I will end up needing. I can assure you that she will remain safe by my side because no one would dare to touch her unless I gave them the okay to do so. Right?"

His jaw clenches and he looks at me like he might try to kill me, "I don't know what game you are playing, but you might want to stop while you are ahead. She will never agree to stay by your side."

"What if she does agree?" I butt in, seeing how he looks at me with confusion, "if she decides to remain by my side, will you concede and allow her to be with me? I understand why you might be hesitant over this, but I can assure you that she will remain safe with me. So, let's give her the chance to pick."

I thought that he would shoot it down, it wouldn't even surprise me if he did. It has become more and more obvious that he isn't thinking much about me or his daughter. He wants things his way or no way at all. I wish that I could do something about it but unfortunately, there's not much that can be done. I'm going to continue to fight this battle and I might win but I could also loose. I can't allow myself to though because I'm afraid of what it might end up doing to Addison who might be counting on me.

"I understand how you're feeling about this entire thing, but you need to give her the option." I explain to him, hoping to make him see reason, "I understand completely that you want to be ahead of me, and you want to do everything to make sure that I lose but this is the right thing to do."

He's studying me cautiously and I can tell that he isn't too sure about what I'm saying. I'm not sure either but I'm not going to let him see it. I'm going to make sure that he knows that I'm not going to back down and I'm going to continue to do everything in my power to win. If I don't win, then there is absolutely nothing for me anymore. Not when I have someone to protect.

"Okay, she can decide but I need to hear her answer myself." He finally concedes, giving me a look that tells me he won't accept any bullshit, "and you better hope that she decides to say yes to everything that you're telling me."

I couldn't be sure that she will, but I have to hold onto the hope that she does want me. I guess the worst-case scenario is that she doesn't and then I'll have to fight for everything…

I'm okay with that though.