Chapter7 Cheat

Aliya POV

The room fell silent. Every eye turned to me, and I could practically smell the anticipation. I caught Marcus giving Morrison a subtle nod, and everything clicked into place. This was a setup. Marcus had arranged this question to make me look foolish in front of the entire Council.

But I also knew exactly what he expected me to say. What would align with his own hardline policies and make me look like his perfect little puppet.

Too bad for him that I had other plans.

"The Rogue population has grown significantly over the past decade," I began, keeping my voice steady and confident. "While their presence along our borders does create some security concerns, I believe we need to understand why they've chosen to leave their original packs."

I paused, watching Marcus's expression tighten almost imperceptibly.

"Rather than simply clearing them out through force, I propose we establish a dialogue. Create designated safe zones where Rogues can settle temporarily while we assess their individual situations. Some may be fleeing abuse or persecution. Others might have valuable skills our packs could benefit from."

The room erupted in surprised murmurs. This was definitely not what Marcus had expected me to say.

"We could implement a registration system," I continued, "allowing peaceful Rogues to apply for protected status while maintaining security protocols for those who prove problematic. It's a more nuanced approach than simply viewing them all as threats."

Alpha Morrison looked genuinely impressed. "A thoughtful perspective, Luna Aliya. Compassionate yet practical."

I could feel Marcus's anger radiating beside me, but when I glanced at him, his smile was perfectly in place.

"My wife always sees the bigger picture," he said smoothly, though I caught the slight strain in his voice. "Her compassionate nature is one of her greatest strengths, even if I sometimes worry it might be taken advantage of."

The subtle dig was perfectly delivered, making me sound naive while maintaining his supportive husband facade.

"Well said, Luna Aliya," Morrison nodded. "Perhaps we should form a committee to explore these options further."

As the meeting concluded, I felt a surge of satisfaction. I'd not only avoided Marcus's trap but had managed to present an actual solution instead of just parroting his hardline stance.

——

"Shall we head home together?" Marcus asked as we gathered our things, his hand settling possessively on my lower back. "I can drive you."

Before I could answer, I caught sight of Nikolai across the room. He was speaking with another Alpha, but his eyes flicked to mine for just a moment. The look was brief but unmistakable, a silent signal.

"Actually," I said, touching Marcus's arm, "I need to use the ladies' room first. Why don't you bring the car around? I'll meet you outside in a few minutes."

Marcus hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave me alone. "Are you sure? I don't mind waiting."

"I'll be right out," I assured him, already moving toward the door. "Just need to freshen up."

He nodded reluctantly and headed for the exit. The moment he was gone, I slipped out a side door into the quiet hallway.

Nikolai was already there, leaning against the wall with that casual confidence that seemed to come so naturally to him.

"Hell of a performance in there, Aliya," he said, his voice doing things to my pulse that I didn't want to think about. "You had them wrapped around your finger."

"Flattery will get me nowhere, Volkov," I said, though I couldn't help returning his smile. "Did you bring what we discussed?"

Nikolai reached into his pocket and pulled out a small USB drive, holding it between his fingers.

"Five days from now, at the full moon festival banquet, play this," he said. "Trust me, the results will be spectacular. A night nobody's going to forget."

When I finally took the drive, our fingers brushed. The jolt that went through me was impossible to ignore, no matter how hard I tried.

"Thanks," I said, slipping the drive into my pocket. "I should get back before Marcus starts hunting for me."

I turned to leave, but Nikolai's next words stopped me cold.

"You know, Aliya," he said, his voice dropping low in the empty corridor, "we make a pretty good team. Almost like we're having an affair. Secret meetings, passing information, plotting against your husband together." He was teasing, but something in his eyes made my heart skip.

"This isn't an affair," I said firmly, pushing away the unwelcome flutter in my stomach. "It's an alliance. Let's keep it professional."

Nikolai raised his hands in mock surrender, though his eyes still danced with mischief. "As you wish. But you can't deny there's chemistry between us."

He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his cologne, that intoxicating mix of pine and something wild. "The way you're looking at me right now, the way your breathing changed when I touched your hand..."

"Nikolai," I started to protest, but he was already moving closer.

"Tell me you don't feel it," he murmured, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from my face. "Tell me this is all just business."

For a moment, I was lost. Lost in those impossibly blue eyes, in the warmth of his touch, in the way he made me feel like I was the only woman in the world.

Then a sharp voice cut through the moment like a knife.

"What are you doing?"

I whirled around to find Marcus standing at the end of the hallway, his eyes narrowed with suspicion as they darted between Nikolai and me. For the first time since I'd known him, his elegant mask had completely slipped. Raw jealousy twisted his features into something ugly.

"Marcus!" I said quickly, my hand moving behind my back to hide the USB drive. "I was just..."

"I asked what you're doing here with him," Marcus interrupted, his voice dangerously low as he stalked toward us. His usual composure was nowhere to be found.

Nikolai stepped back slightly, that cocky smirk spreading across his face. "Easy there, Stonecreek. Just congratulating your wife on her impressive debut at Council. Hell of a first showing."

"We ran into each other," I said quickly, grateful that my voice sounded steadier than I felt. "Nikolai was just leaving."

Marcus's eyes burned with suspicion and something darker. "Is that so?" He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging in hard enough to bruise. "Well, now you're leaving too."

"Marcus, you're hurting me," I said, but he was already pulling me toward the exit.

"We're going home," he growled. "Now."

The car ride was tense and silent. Marcus gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white, and I could practically feel the jealousy radiating off him in waves.