by Jen L. Grey
As I slid into the seat across from him, a forced smile filled his face.
He had wanted to be the first one here so I would be approaching him. He had control of the situation by picking the booth, and I glanced at the table to find that he had already ordered my latte. He was doing everything in his power to show he was the one in charge.
"Well, hello, Ms. Davis." He glanced around as if expecting Liam to join us. He adjusted his blood-red tie that contrasted nicely with his black suit and a silver button-down shirt.
"I told him not to come." Mr. Hale was one of the few people who knew what had happened to my father. I had to keep my head on straight even if I wanted to reach out and smack him.
"And you think he'll listen to you?" Mr. Hale leaned back in his seat as his eyes settled on me.
"I think he'll respect me." From what I could tell, he didn't understand that concept. Hell, Liam was only starting to comprehend it. The Blood Council only understood fear.
"That's an interesting word to use." He lifted his coffee cup and took a sip. "Sometimes respect can be overrated."
"Oh, really?" I hated to admit that I was curious.
"Fear is how you keep people in line." He placed his cup back on the table and arched an eyebrow at me. "Why do you think Simon threatened and injured your brother?"
"Because he's a self-absorbed asshole." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Him only thinking of himself isn't a good trait to have if he's supposed to be sitting on the council in the next few years." My words were a challenge.
"Fear is a necessity of the council." His words were tense, and his blue eyes took on a slight glow. His wolf was coming out, not wanting me to question him any further.
Although being passive wouldn't get me answers. "How so? If the council is supposed to be advocating for the best of all, then wouldn't you want to be respected?"
"This, right here," he said as he slammed his palm on the table, "is the reason why you aren't right for my son. You're filling his head with possibilities that will ruin the very foundation that we stand on."
"And what foundation is that?" I hated to argue with Liam’s dad, but it was clear that he wouldn't accept me as family. Obviously, he had only been okay with mentoring me when he thought he could control my position and who I reported to.
"One where everyone knows that the council knows best." He stared into my eyes as if expecting me to submit.
"Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes." I held his gaze, not diverting my attention elsewhere. I wanted him to know I couldn't be intimidated, which was clearly what he was trying to do. "We need to make it where people can talk to us and open our eyes to our own biases."
"We are strong leaders." He leaned across the table, his voice fading so low it was barely a whisper. "We know what's best for everyone."
"Then what's the point of the regional alphas or even the district alphas?" I refused to cower to him. If he saw fear, he'd strike.
He huffed and leaned back in his seat. His face turned a slight shade of red, but he paused a few seconds before talking. "We're obviously not getting anywhere, so let's cut to the chase."
I had no clue where this would go. “I figured this conversation was leading somewhere.”
"What would it take to make you go away?" He huffed and straightened his black suit jacket.
"Do you mean for me to leave the school or Liam?" There was nothing in this world that would keep me from either, but I was curious about how he thought this would play out.
"Both." He pulled out a checkbook and laid it on the table. "You tell me the amount, and I'll make it happen."
Is everything okay? Liam's voice entered my mind. I can't even decipher what your feelings are projecting right now.
Your dad is trying to buy me off. I couldn't help the laughter that leaked through my words. He has a blank checkbook sitting on the table, asking me what it'll take for me to leave.
Are you fucking serious? His tone was low... almost deadly. I'm heading that way.
No, don't. When it was all said and done, I didn't want to put more of a strain on their relationship.
He's gone too far. Liam waited a moment. I get that you want to talk to him alone, but we're a team. Right?
He sounded slightly paranoid at the end. If you're worried I'm going to take the money and run, I wouldn't do that. He seemed apprehensive. If you want to be here, then so be it.
Leaving class now. I'll be there soon.
"Mia?" Annoyance was clear in Mr. Hale's tone.
"Sorry, Liam linked me." I grabbed my latte and took a sip. "He's on his way now.'’
"I thought he respected you too much to show." A small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
"We agreed together that he should come." I put my drink back on the table. I usually loved the taste, but right now, it could've been soured milk, and I wouldn't know the difference. "So, let me be clear. There is no amount of money in the world that would get me to walk away from Liam or this school."
"That can't be true." Mr. Hale pulled at the knot of his blood-red tie. "Everyone has a price."
Maybe most people did, but I had three very good reasons why my ass was staying put. The first and most important was Liam. I would never want to live my life without my fated beside me. Yes, it might have been possible. Look at my mom and my dad. They both had lost their fated and found another chance at love even if it wasn't even close to being the same. They still had each other.
Secondly, I was determined to unveil what had happened to my biological dad. I understood that it wouldn't bring him back, but his death never received justice. For him to leave and meet with the four council members, never to return, made me certain they at least knew something about it.
And lastly, I was going to take back what was rightfully mine. The council was created to have an overseer to help balance out the power. A majority vote of any council member’s ideas was then presented to the overseer to either approve or reject. Right now, the council was able to push anything through without another set of independent eyes on it.
"Your son means more to me than any dollar amount you can jot down there." Seriously, who wrote checks anymore? For them to be all superior, you’d think they would at least know how to send a wire.
"You do realize that we're talking millions here." He tapped his finger on the checkbook like that might change my mind. "There truly is no amount off the table." He leaned forward, capturing my eyes with his once again. His eyes lit with alpha will.
The asshole was going to try to command me. I released part of my wolf, heading him off.
"Well, what do we have here?" Liam slipped into the booth next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He leaned forward, cutting off his dad's challenge. "You wouldn't be trying to command my mate to leave now, would you?"
"Well, you won't listen." His dad leaned back in the seat.
Why hasn't he tried doing that to you? If he'd commanded Liam, then we wouldn't even need to be here having this discussion.
He did. Liam's arm tensed around me. Why did you think I disappeared for all those weeks? He let me go to the game, because hell, I'm the quarterback. Then when I saw you again, it all went out the window. Our bond is stronger than his will. "So, you've resorted to bribing her?"
"This is career suicide." His dad glanced around and then released a low growl. "You're going to ruin the very thing you've been training for your entire life."
"By mating with me?" It was all bullshit and just a way for him to control Liam. "He's still the same person. How do I taint him?"
"Because fated mates make us weak." He pointed to me and shook his head in disgust. "It's okay for people like you to have their fated. It makes you feel like you have a meaning in life and are important to someone."
It was almost like listening to someone from a different planet speak. For someone to be representing our people, he sure didn't have a good impression of them.
"A council member doesn't need that kind of bul
lshit." His dad took in a deep breath and took another sip of his coffee.
Has he always been like this? It was hard to believe that someone like this man had such caring and loving children.
Oh, wait. It gets better. Liam snickered in our bond.
"We are important to not just one person but to everyone." He lifted his head high and straightened his shoulders. "It's our duty to reject our fated mate because all they can do is make us lose our focus or worse."
Should we tell him who I am? Maybe if he knew I was the overseer, he'd stop giving us a hard time about being together.
Hell, no! Liam's fingertips brushed my arm. We can't tell a single soul, not until the time is right.
So when is that going to be? I kind of wanted to know what he considered as the appropriate time.
When we find out what happened to your father or we're strong enough to not bend to the council's will. We can't risk telling them and putting you in danger.
But he's your dad. I figured he would have jumped at the opportunity. It might make his dad lay off him.
Exactly. He scooted closer to me, our legs brushing. But for the first time, something doesn't feel right with him. I can't risk you just to make my life easier.
"You said, the last time we met here with Bree, that I had a strong wolf." I had to use his own words against him. "So now you aren't okay with that?"
"I meant at a city or district alpha level." He pointed to his son. "Not to this level. You weren't even raised to see how things are supposed to be done. This is something you're born into. You can't just fall into it."
"Well, she has." Liam dropped his arm and stood. "And it's final. She's not going anywhere."
"I could easily pull her scholarship." He grinned as he threatened me.
"And I could easily go to another college." Liam took my hand and tugged me toward him. "If you want to play with fire, I can do it too. I understand that you don't agree with my decision, but frankly, I don't give a flying fuck. Where she goes is where I'll be."
We had to put an end to this argument now. "And there's no amount of money that will make me leave him. I'm not with him for power or whatever the hell you might think it is. I love him. If he chooses to walk away from it all, I'll be right there beside him."
Mr. Hale's body was so tense I doubted he could breathe. His eyes were full of anger, and he knew he had been backed into a corner. He needed Liam or everything would go to hell for the council.
"I hope you two know what you're doing." He stood and threw a fifty dollar bill on the table and placed his checkbook in his suit pocket. "Both of you are playing a very dangerous game. One for which you obviously don't understand the ramifications."
"Are you threatening us?" Liam's eyes darkened.
"No, of course not, but I don't think either of you is thinking everything through." He shook his head as he clenched his jaw.
"It's a done deal." Liam tugged my hand as we took the first step away. "Instead of trying to figure out a way to get us to break apart, why don't you try being supportive and find a way to make it easier for us to be together? There is absolutely nothing left for us to discuss."
The two of us headed to the door, and I turned around to see Mr. Hale's hate-filled eyes locked straight on me.
He made us play our hand, and Liam stole the control from him. I'd hoped the conversation could've gone smoother, but there was no reasoning with his father, at least for now. I only hoped we could at some point soon.
Chapter Four
When we made it back to the dorm, Liam pulled me into his arms. "I'm so damn sorry."
"What's wrong?" Bree popped her head out of the kitchen, which only had a small wall separating it from the den.
"Dad tried to buy her off." Liam's voice was low, filled with anger.
"What do you mean buy her off?" She entered the den and glanced at me.
"He placed a checkbook on the table and asked me what it would take to get me to leave." I still couldn't get over that. What kind of parent did that?
"Oh my God." Her eyes widened. "He's been acting strange here lately, but I didn't expect that."
"Not only that, but I entered the restaurant to find him trying to use his alpha will to make her leave." He kissed my forehead and took a deep breath. "Thank God you're stronger than that."
"Wait." Bree's brows furrowed. "How the hell is that possible?"
We need to tell her. I hated keeping the secret from her. She was my best friend and my ally even after how the whole Kai thing had gone down. She deserves to know.
Fine. Liam stepped back, giving me the opportunity. But only her.
I turned to face her, almost afraid of her reaction.
If I thought she'd be angry, I'd tell you. Liam took my hand and turned to face his sister as well. The longer you wait, the more upset she'll be.
"Tell me what's wrong instead of mind speaking to one another." Bree's voice was a little louder than normal, and her heart was picking up speed.
"So... other than Liam and me completing our bond this weekend and Max getting hurt, there was something else that happened." I was making it sound so ominous, and in a way, it kind of was.
"Okay..." She bit her bottom lip and bounced on her feet.
"I found out that my father isn't my biological father." I took a deep breath as Liam squeezed my hand. "My blood father was named Brent Forrest."
"What?" Bree's mouth dropped open, and she stumbled a step back. "As in the overseer who died? But Dad and the other members said he didn't have an heir." Her eyes went straight to Liam.
"Because my mom had just found out she was pregnant before he left to meet with the council." Maybe it wasn't a good idea to tell her. Her face was a shade paler, and she was blinking repeatedly like she didn't quite comprehend what she'd heard. "And he told her if he didn't make it back, then she was to run and hide … to protect me."
"Wait..." She lifted a hand in the air and took a deep breath. "Are you insinuating the council had something to do with this?"
"Yes, I am." If I was going to tell her that my dad was the overseer, might as well include the whole truth. "He was going to expose them for something, and they made sure it didn't happen."
"Do you hear what she's saying?" Bree focused on her brother again. "I mean, Dad is no saint, but he wouldn't be up for hurting his best friend. Her mom must have lied."
"I was there. She was telling the truth." Liam took a step in front of me. "I didn't like hearing it either. Honestly, I wasn't super thrilled with us telling you this, but Mia wanted to. This isn't about you, so pull your head out of your ass."
There was a moment of silence before Bree burst out laughing.
Uh... is she okay? She went from hurt and upset to laughter within seconds.
Yeah, it's her creepy-ass way of handling difficult information. Liam shook his head and tugged me over to the couch beside him.
"I can't believe this." Bree shook her head and took in a deep breath. "Maybe Nate isn't all that crazy after all."
Liam placed his arm on the back of the chair, around my shoulders. "What does that mean?"
"He said that the council had changed, especially in the last year or so." Bree sat in the recliner and wiped away a tear that had rolled down her cheek from her laughing fit. "More and more, people are unhappy with how they are being led. Their hardships and needs are being ignored."
"And that's why you don't need to be around him," Liam growled deep in his chest.
I turned around and smacked him hard. "You don't get to say shit like that."
"Uh, yes, I do." He nodded toward Bree. "She's my sister and kind of has to listen to me."
"First off, you're her brother, not her father." I held up two fingers. "And secondly, how did you like it when people were trying to break us apart?" I arched an eyebrow.
"But, what they don't know is you're the overseer." He smirked as if he thought he’d won the argument.
"When you claimed me, you had no clue I was th
e overseer." I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "But it's cute that you tried winning."
He frowned.
"I'm so glad to have you here in our life." Bree's smile lit up her entire face. "Maybe, for once, I can spend more time with Nate."
"But he knows about the rebellion." Liam's brow furrowed. "That can't be good."
"Nate's a great guy. He's my brother's best friend." My phone began buzzing in my pocket, and I pulled it out. "Speak of the devil." Max's name appeared on caller ID. "Let me take this."
I stood and headed to my bedroom. He still hadn't gone back to school yet after what had happened Sunday. We dropped him off at our parents' house, and they told him everything they'd told me. I wanted to stay, but considering what was going on back at the academy, we weren't able to stay long. "Hello?"
"Hey." Max's strong voice filled the line. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay. Are you healed up yet?" We'd only texted since the news dropped, making our conversation seem a little off.
"Yeah, I'm heading back to school now. Coach has been blowing my phone up, but I needed time to process everything." He took in a deep breath. "You know that you're my sister, and it doesn't change things between us, right?"
It hurt that his tone was so unsure. He should know me better than that. "You're my brother, and your father is still my dad. This changes absolutely nothing. You are still the boy who'd bring me chicken noodle soup when I felt bad." He and his dad had been there in all the ways that mattered and counted as family. "You're still the same guy who would sneak out and shift, running to our favorite spot to talk. I love you, and nothing has to change … unless you want it to."
"No, I'm so glad to hear you say that." He chuckled. "I know Mom and Dad said that's how you had reacted, and we talked via text, but I needed to hear you say it out loud. I wanted to hear it without our parents' prying ears around."
That I understood all too well. "Maybe we can see each other one weekend. Hell, maybe this weekend, but let me check with Liam."
"You can't go anywhere without his permission now?" His tone was a little deeper as if he didn't approve of it.