Chapter 150
~ ROWAN
Ian walked through the halls of the pack house with his shoulders high and his nose upturned. He had the practices grace of a man who had eyed power for so long that he thought he could imitate it. Unfortunately for him, there were little tells that he would never be able to be rid of.
Like how he shuffled his feet, and how he glanced around to be sure that everyone was looking. It was in his walk, in the way that he talked.
He led us to a meeting room and I could not help but see the irony of the situation as I realized it was the same room where Nyssa was accused of being a traitor. I wasn’t sure if he picked it deliberately or if it was just a coincidence.
“Welcome,” he smiled wide, gesturing for me to take a seat. “I apologize for the impromptu meeting p>
“Don’t,” I said simply. “You are not truly sorry p>
He opened his mouth to speak but at the last minute, his lips curled into a small smile. “I am not. You are right.” He lowered himself into the chair. “That was… some display out there. Are public displays of affection normal in the palace p>
I stared at him blankly.
As much as I enjoyed games, I was in no mood to play one with him. It was clear his question was leading up to something else, and I would prefer it if he just asked directly.
“Alright then,” he sighed, clasping his hands in front of him. “It seems that you do not share in my humor p>
“No, I do not. We are not friends p>
“But we could be p>
I scoffed aloud. “And what would I gain from being your friend p>
“I am not Henry,” he began slowly, leaning forward on his elbows. “I do not see the reason in making enemies everywhere I turn. You could wipe us off the map with a flick of your finger but if we were to be allies… you are mated to someone from my pack p>
I cocked my head to the side. “I thought she was a rogue now p>
“That’s red tape that we can easily step over. I want to put the past behind us and start afresh p>
He was ambitious, I’d give him that, and he knew what he wanted. However, that was also the same reason that I could not trust him. He had a glint in his eyes, one that screamed of hunger for more.
“Once again, you have not told me what I stand to gain from this p>
He smiled before reaching into his pockets.
He pulled out an envelope and my heart fucking stopped when I saw the seal because I recognized it. It was the same fucking seal I got from the council. The one that had given me sleepless nights for days.
“I didn’t even know there was a council,” he began slowly. “They sent their condolences on the murder of our Alpha. They know that he brought that upon himself but they offered their help if you should ever impose on us p>
He paused for a moment, letting his words linger in the air.
“I thought it was a joke at first, but I did my own research and I found them hidden in some old history texts. They are the only people you answer to, and it seems like they are not your biggest fan. I could help you p>
“You are in way over your head, boy,” I drawled, crossing my arms over my chest. “The council is not something you can manipulate. Did you ever stop to consider how they knew that your Alpha was dead? I didn’t tell them. They have spies… everywhere. They know everything p>
His smile faltered. “I can find them p>
“No, you can’t. You will be dead before you do.” I stood to my feet. “For all your recklessness, you don’t seem like such a terrible Alpha, so let me give you some advice of my own… ruler to ruler p>
I leaned forward on my hands, letting the air grow thicker with tension.
“Focus on what you have and build allies the right way. Trying to strong arm the King is not a good start to your rule p>
He swallowed thickly. “It is not… I accepted your request to enter. I wanted to build an alliance p>
“No, you wanted a puppet,” I corrected. “If that is all, I will be leaving now p>
My hand touched the door knob when he spoke.
“Your mate is a rogue in my pack!” he called out. “I accepted entry to the King and his pack members, not to a rogue p>
The insinuation in his voice was clear.
I stopped in my tracks, turning to him slowly as I tried to calm the raging storm that was quickly rising in my chest.
It would be so easy to rip his head off his shoulders, but I could only imagine the fucking paperwork it would bring, not to mention that it would attract the attention of the council… again.
I walked over to him, stopping mere inches away.
To his credit, his eyes flashed with fear and he reached for his side only to curse when he realized that he didn’t have a weapon.
How stupid.
“You are new,” I began slowly. “So I will give you a warning. Don’t ever threaten another man’s mate p>
“I didn’t p>
A growl erupted from my chest and his eyes widened in shock, his heart hammering through his chest. My lips curled at the pungent smell of fear that permeated the air.
“I have been ruling longer than you have been alive. I know threats, I have heard a good number of them myself. I don’t threaten, I make promises, and the next time you threaten my mate again, be rest assured that it will be the last thing you ever do p>
I leaned forward so we were at eye level.
“Council or not,” I added. “Do we understand ourselves p>
I saw the moment the fight left his eyes and my lips curved upwards.
He may be Alpha, but he would always be a soldier first, and as a soldier, he knew what battles to fight.
He nodded quickly. “Yes, Your Majesty p>