Chapter 4 Meeting Prep

Melanie

SLAM. I toss my body against the mattress. Again. For the hundredth time tonight. I can't fucking sleep. At all. I roll over and look at the time: 4:30am. Fuck it. I'm getting up. I head into the kitchen only to see Xavier and Sean in the kitchen.

"You couldn't sleep either?" I question

"Nope." They say in sync.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Mel." Xavier says.

"About what?" I question.

"About this meeting and about Alpha Caiden. I mean we know you won't agree to a peace treaty so what exactly are you going to say?" Xavier says.

"I'm going to tell him no and that I intend to get my land back through the council first." I respond.

"That's basically a declaration of war! With the brother of the Silver Crescent pack! Speaking of the Silver Crescent pack I'm also sure that Caiden probably hates you for keeping him from his mate, considering they probably think you're a dude." Xavier says.

I just snort. "Relax, Xavier. It's not a declaration of war, it's a completely legal and normal way to handle land disputes. As far as Caiden's concerned he can't possibly fly enough warriors out here to start a war. I also doubt his brother is willing to go to war for a mate that may or may not still be here. Just chill, it's fine."

"Maybe he's actually afraid of losing his fuck buddy." Sean says.

My face goes pale. No one is supposed to know that!

"What are you talking about?" I say in my most convincing voice.

Sean just laughs "Oh come on! You guys always disappear during the full moon and Xavier is always 'out of town' For your heats." He says using air quotes around out of town.

Damn. Is it that obvious?

"We have no idea what you're talking about, Sean." Xavier says clearly more composed than me.

"Yea ok." He says rolling his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure Xavier is fucking Cynthia any way." I say

"That's true." Xavier confirms "Her mothers mate was abusive so she doesn't want a mate. And she's our best female warrior. And she's hot. So I'll just stick to my non complicated fuck buddy." Xavier continues.

"Sure, Xavier, you won't care one bit when Mel goes riding off into the sunset with Alpha Caiden." Sean taunts.

Xaviers hands ball into fist and you can see his jaw clench as his usual brown eyes go black. Shit, maybe he does have feelings for me. Do I have feeling for him? No. I don't have feeling for anyone, not possible.

"Mel is not riding off into the sunset with anyone just to be clear. I don't want a mate and I won't have one. I doubt Caiden is my mate and like I said before he won't fight us over it, his brother would be dumb to allow it. He also would probably be too afraid for his precious mate to be harmed in a war. He can't stay here too long. He'll leave and we'll all forget about Caiden and this very awkward conversation." I say firmly.

"Yea, ok." Sean says rolling his eyes.

"Since you have so much free time to worry about my love life, Gamma, why don't you go get the meeting room ready and create an agenda. Have to look professional for my Alpha debut." I command him and look at him with irritation.

"Yes, Alpha." He says

"We good?" I say turning my attention to Xavier.

"Yea, Mel nothing has changed. We're just friends, even if he is your mate and you want him, there is no hard feelings." Xavier says.

"That won't happen, but I'm glad we agree. Now send Cynthia in, I have a mission for her. Your fuck buddy may be out of commission for awhile." I say with a wink.

Xavier just shakes his head and leaves the room. Yikes. That was awkward.

A few minutes later Cynthia walks in. "Can I help you, Alpha?"

"Yes, I have a proposal for you. I haven't informed anyone else of this idea, so there is absolutely no pressure. Please do not feel obligated to do this it's just an idea." I say to her stressing the importance of her consent.

"Sure, Alpha, I'll hear you out. Don't worry I know how to say no when I'm uncomfortable." She says with a wink.

"And that is exactly why you're the only one I would run this by." I say I take a deep breath and decide it's best to just say it quickly and gauge her reaction.

"It's no secret that I intend to take my grandfathers land back from Alpha Gregor. I intend to do that peacefully through the council or negotiations. However, if it comes down to war, I won't hesitate. Alpha Gregor is coming here in a few hours to talk. I had an idea that if we had an inside person to whisper in his ear our case, it may avoid blood shed." I say

I monitor Cynthia's reaction carefully as she begins to process my request. "You want me to seduce Gregor and be a spy and advocate for us don't you?" She summarizes my intent perfectly.

"Well yes. And I realize that may require a physical relationship with him as well as a temporary move. So as I said before feel free to decline." I say reiterating to her that this is not an order.

"Oh Alpha. Manipulating high ranking men is my favorite game. Especially to help dismantle this male dominated system and give more power to someone who deserves it. You. I'm in." She says.

Game on. This will be easy.