Deacon - Nicholas Bella Page 0,99

their own formidable bodyguards.

I walked up to the table. “Thank you all for coming.”

Akio motioned to the empty chair. “Sit, please.”

I did and my bodyguards took their protective stance behind me. Yes, they were fully armed with guns filled with silver ammunition. I was no fool like Connor was, I didn’t scoff at modern technologies when they could help me win or advance. I was even packing heat myself, a beautiful forty-five magnum. My suits were tailored in a way that could help conceal such a weapon when I was wearing my holster. I made myself comfortable and decided to start the meeting.

“I am here as a show of respect to all Alphas present, and to take the oath and sign the Treaty of Alliance,” I said.

“What happened to Julie?” Josef asked, his cold, blue eyes studying me carefully and apparently with extreme scrutiny. Maybe he was still cross at me from our last meeting when I spoke out of turn.

“I ripped her heart out and ate it,” I replied. I refrained from smiling when I saw his eyes narrow.

“What makes you think we’ll accept your stance as Alpha?” Selena asked.

I looked at her, cocking an eyebrow. “The business that went down between my pack is mine. It doesn’t affect you four as a whole.”

“How do we know that? What caused the riff?” Akio asked.

I sat back in the chair and drummed my fingers on the shiny tabletop as I eyed each Alpha. “Her failure to be a strong leader.”

“Why, because she was a woman?” Selena asked.

I looked at her. “You’re a woman. Do you consider yourself weak?”

“Well played,” she said with a tip of her head.

“She was weak because she came from weak stock. Our former pack Alpha didn’t train her properly. She was far too satisfied with the status quo. I was not,” I said.

“And the status quo being?” Josef asked, his Russian accent thickening a bit.

“That she allowed the four of you to sanction us to the point of crippling us,” I said.

That ruffled some of their feathers and they shifted in their chairs as if prepared for this to become a more hostile meeting. “How is that?” Benjamin asked, and I’d been waiting to see if he was going to have any input.

“We’ve lived in this region with the four of you for over a hundred and fifty years and all we have to show for it is less than three hundred wolves. Compare that to your pack, we stand no chance if any of you decided to take what you have so graciously given. Trust me, I haven’t forgotten your generosity.”

“How comforting to know,” Josef retorted.

“Even still, a pack cannot grow stronger if it cannot grow. So, therefore, I will be demanding leniency,” I said.

Josef slammed his hand down on the table, his canines flashing. “Who the fuck do you think you are to demand anything?”

I jumped up from my chair and the other Alphas followed, all except Akio, who remained sitting but guarded. I placed both hands on the table and looked each one of the Alphas directly in their eyes. “I am the new Alpha of the Forest Grove pack,” I said, announcing the new name of my pack. None of that Red Blossom bullshit. “And I will do what is right, what is best for my pack. I’m not leaving this building until you four comply.” After taking my stance, I settled back into my chair.

“Calm down,” Akio said to the others.

“You’re all right with him coming in here making these demands?” Josef asked, gesturing to me as he glared at Akio.

“We could kill him and take back the territory we gave him,” Selena stated.

“And that is his concern,” Akio stated. “You’re playing right into the reason why he is making the demand. And, I’m inclined to agree.”

Selena snarled and looked at him. “Are you serious?”

Akio nodded. “To refuse shows fear. Fear that he will one day take your territory away. Do you fear Deacon?”

Selena huffed and took her seat again. “Of course not.”

“How about you two?” Akio asked Josef and Benjamin.

Both men sat down and adjusted their expensive suits. “No,” Benjamin said.

“I could never fear Deacon,” Josef stated.

“Well then, it is in our best interest that Deacon build a formidable pack. If ever we need to defend against the vampires and dragons, he’ll be no used to us with a small pack. The vampires grow their ranks often and even have thousands more in other cities around the world. The union