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I clear my throat and make a determined effort to keep this short and civil as I’d planned. “Father.”
“Jude.” His dark eyes travel to each of us. They stop at my brothers. “Owen and Luke.”
They nod their heads, but neither of them speak. I can feel the hurt radiating from each of them. Their mate grips their hands in her own and rubs her thumbs to soothe them.
“I’m surprised you brought your mates.” My father’s words don’t get the attention of either Emma or Lena. Emma sits upright between her mates and makes no indication that she’s heard, but judging by how hard she squeezes my brother’s hand under the table, she certainly has. Lena is busy bouncing her little wolf in the baby carrier and kissing the top of his head. Her eyes raise to my father, and she smiles slightly before returning to care for our son. It warms my heart.
Grace clears her throat to speak, but Devin gives her a hard look and narrows his eyes, warning her to be quiet. She stares back at him with a hint of defiance before settling her back against the chair and placing her clasped hands on the table in surrender. It makes me smirk. She’s so feisty for a human. When her eyes leave Devin’s, an asymmetric grin appears on his face, but it’s gone before he turns his attention back to the rest of us.
I give my father a false smile. “We wanted to ensure you that we come only to speak of alliances.” I place both my forearms on the table with my palms down. It’s not a sign of submission, but it’s a sign that I’m not threatening his authority.
My father scoffs at me. Leon and Marcellus stare straight ahead, not showing any emotion. It’s what my father expects from his Betas. And they’ve been trained well.
“I see. So you would like a section of the territory as well?” My father’s tone lightens as a wicked smirk forms on his lips.
My forehead pinches in confusion. “I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Well what have they offered you if not territory?”
“We haven’t received any offers.”
“You won’t be getting one from me.” His fingers strum on the table as he glances at Luke and Owen and then back at me. “I’d prefer it if we kept our distance.”
“We didn’t come for an offer. As I said, we’d like to form an alliance.”
“You’ll have to forgive me Jude, but I’d rather not be fighting alongside any of you when the war starts. We’ll fight separately as much as Victor allows.”
I cock a brow and comment, “I’m not sure who Victor is or why he would be dictating your pack.” That pisses my father off and I quickly continue, ignoring his anger. “But if you chose to go against the Authority than you’re choosing to fight against us, not with us.” A maddening rage overwhelms my father as he snarls and bangs his large, clenched fists on the table. The contact makes the table shake from his anger, but my forearms remain still. I’ve seen his temper before and I know not reacting is the best form of defense.
Devin tenses and Veronica’s back straightens. Everyone watches, keeping as still as can be.
“If you’re not aligned with Victor than you’re my enemy!” His eyes spark with a boiling temper as he screams across the table, spit flying from his mouth. His instant rage takes Devin back. We have the numbers, and this is only a discussion. Something in which my father has clearly lacked practice.
“Who’s Victor? I haven’t heard of this vampire.” I keep my voice calm and even. His temper can be placated. More than that, I want to gather as much information as I can from him and pissing him off isn’t necessarily the best way to accomplish that.
“He’s the leader of the rebellion against the Authority.” He seethes and sneers as he speaks. “He’s no vampire. He’s a sorcerer who has seen the corruption of our politics, and he’s going to give the supernaturals the territory they deserve.” An ugly grimace forms on his face.
“Is that what this is about? Trading an army of shifters for more land?” It’s difficult to rein in my temper, but I manage to keep the disgust from my voice. Just barely.
“It’s not about the land.” His large nostrils flare as he speaks. Marcellus’s composure cracks as he slowly clenches his fists. My eyes fly to his, but he’s focused on the back wall. Attempting to stay out of the conversation. “It’s about the fact that the humans are given far too much! They should be working for the shifters and other supernaturals.” His fists bang on the table once again. “It makes no sense that they are kept separate and given so much freedom. They’re weak, and yet they have more than we do!” His head jerks violently to the left and his chest seems to spasm before he gains control again. He sits back in the chair breathing heavily.
“I don’t find this pack to be lacking. It seems as though you have more than enough.” The word “greed” lingers on my lips, but I bite my tongue.
“They’re humans, weak and undeserving of equality.” Shock and rage boil in my gut. I don’t miss Grace’s anger or how Devin’s posture has changed. My father may have been a stern ruler, but I have no memory of him being so arrogant, greedy, and prejudiced. This isn’t going as I thought it would. Pausing to gather temperance, I watch Leon clench his jaw to the point of nearly cracking something. He holds back his rage, and it gives me the courage to speak back against my father.
“My Alpha mate is human.” Questioning his decision will most likely have us escorted out immediately, but at this point, I’m sure there will be no swaying his decision.
“That’s a shame.” His eyes land on Grace, who’s barely containing herself. “Your Alpha must be weak.” Devin only smirks in response to my father’s word. Grace parts her lips although her protest is short lived.
He grips Grace’s chin in his hand and kisses her to keep the words from flying out of her mouth. He doesn’t seem to give a shit about my father’s opinion and the fact that he easily turns his back to my father has shown him that Devin doesn’t see him as a threat in the least. She’s still fuming, but as he pulls back he taps his finger against her lips.
All the while my father watches and the room is filled with tense silence.
“End this now, Jude,” Devin orders silently.
I prepare to make a final plea, at least one, before this gets too far out of hand and we’re forced to leave.
“If you go against the Authority you will die.” My voice breaks at the end and I curse the fucking emotions that erupt from me. How could I possibly feel anything but hate for this man?
