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“You’re amazing!” I said emphatically. “I’ll go tell the others. You’ve saved the day again, Vince!” His laughter followed me to the elevator.
The ride down felt even slower than usual as the good news drowned out the panic from seeing the tracker. My excited energy had me bouncing on my toes as the levels ticked by. This was huge. If we could get through to them, we would not only have allies, but possible stronger weapons against the Grave Pack.
All we have to do is convince them that our cause is worthy.
No big deal, right?!
ChapterFourteen
Vanya
Apparently Vince had friends in high places. The private room of the bistro was one of the fanciest dining rooms I’d been in. A crystal chandelier sparkled above the large dining table that was lined in black satin and marble painted plates. Everything gleamed to perfection from the dishes to the silverware to the crystal-infused bouquet centerpiece.
“Wow,” I gasped as I looked around. Even the walls were lined in unique artwork, everything a mix of black, white, and silver.
“You approve?” Vince asked with a proud grin. I nodded as I stared around, not caring I looked like a complete tourist.
“Come on, little wolf,” Callum said as he took my hand and led me to the table. He pulled out the chair and pushed me in once I sat. They were all hovering so close after the encounter with the tracker that it was nice to be alone in my seat.
“Oh, what a gentleman,” I whispered as he took the seat beside me. He pecked me on the cheek before we were interrupted by the door opening again. Two women stepped inside. They had main-character energy; their confidence obvious as they strutted in. Their curves were on full display in their tight-fitting dresses, hair styled to perfection, and makeup that looked airbrushed on. One of them had platinum-blonde hair and the other red, but both had intimidating auras about them. All I knew was they were breathtaking and I suddenly felt underdressed.
“Ah, my beauties,” Vince drawled as he stood and pulled two chairs out for them. They gave him their hand for a kiss before sitting. Two sets of emerald-green eyes locked onto me, then the others. Their faces were masks that gave nothing away as they studied us.
“Wolves.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
“Yes,” I said with a false confidence. “Thank you for meeting us.”
“It was a favor,” one of them said as her lip curled in distaste. Vince winced but tried to play it off.
“Chloe can be a bit harsh, but she’ll listen to you,” Vince promised. “This is her partner, Bianca.” He gestured to the first, then the second in turn.
“We will listen,” Bianca agreed. “But I doubt we act.”
“All we ask is that you hear us out,” Callum said respectfully. He didn’t bother with charm this time, which was unusual for him. Leven already looked annoyed, and Nyx was uncomfortable as he fidgeted in his chair. I had a feeling he felt just as out of place as I did with all this alpha energy. They had to be their coven’s leaders or at least someone of importance with the level of power they exuded without even trying.
“Then I shall get our waitress in here,” Vince said formally. He stood and rushed out, returning a moment later with a young woman in tow. It was impossible to tell what sort of supernatural she was, but the moment she saw the two witches she went from all smiles to flustered, nearly tripping over her own feet.
“Can I interest you in our wine menu or offer you something from the bar?” she asked quickly. Her words were directed at the witches so the rest of us waited as they took the lead.
“A bottle of champagne for us, the house special,” Chloe answered without glancing at a menu. Obviously they weren’t just hiding away behind gated walls like we had been if they were that familiar with this place. For a brief second I was envious of the protection this city offered. It didn’t have the same sense of family and community that we had in the Bluffs, but it was a community all the same.
“Blood wine,” Vince answered quickly, also not bothering to glance at a menu.
“We’ll have the sweet, red wine, the house special,” Callum answered. He had studied the menu while the others ordered so he was ready when it got to him. The waitress rushed off to fill the order. We didn’t have a chance to continue our conversation as a whole team swept in with ice buckets and wine glasses and champagne flutes for the witches.
The waitress took our food order next, Callum once again handling it for us. We hadn’t spoke about it beforehand, but this was an obvious power play by the witches and he was answering in kind. Even Leven seemed fine with it, and as a close pack, Callum didn’t fail to order things we all would eat.
“Now that the room has settled,” Vince said to break the ice. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Wolves are going missing at an alarming rate,” Callum started. Chloe let out a little condescending huff that had my blood boiling.
“And how does this affect us?” she drew out like she was waiting for a punchline. I’d never wanted to throat punch anyone quite so badly in my life but I rose and leaned forward.
“Look. You don’t have to like wolves, but if you would listen to my alpha speak, you would have gotten the full story. He got one sentence out,” I seethed. “Wolves are going missing, just like the witches did before them. Your kind are enslaved in this pack that is taking them, and most covens are gone. Still think it’s a fucking wolf problem?”
Her eyes sparked with fire at the direct challenge but Bianca let out a tinkling laugh.
“I like this one, Chloe,” she chuckled. “And she’s got a point. Let’s just let this little pissing contest fall aside. Yes, we’re all bad bitches. We are also safe here so let’s cut all this tension.”
