Promised To The Alpha Twins
Chapter 92

“Take a deep breath, darling,” Ethan whispered with a soft chuckle in my ear, but I could sense the tension in his emotions.

We were escorted to the second floor where the meeting would take place. The floor was heavily guarded and had greater spaciousness and a more expansive design compared to the other levels.

“Speak only when called upon,” a tan-skinned woman in a tight skirt warned Ethan and me. She walked with grace, swaying her h**s as if she were strutting on a runway. “If they want you to say something, they will give you the floor. It’s your opportunity. They can also call witnesses if they wish, allowing those who accompany you to speak on your behalf.”

Ethan and I had been informed beforehand, but no preparation could anticipate the outcome. Except for David Zoe, we had no knowledge of the desires of the other members of the High Table.

I adjusted my dress and furrowed my brow as the stiff fabric brushed against my bare leg. Each click and clack of the heels echoed in the hallway. They were uncomfortable to walk in and produced an annoying noise. My feet were already hurting, and we had barely begun.

“These shoes will be my downfall if the High Table doesn’t get me first,” I muttered under my breath, observing the silent bodyguards accompanying us. Ethan’s arm prevented me from teetering forward. I had never worn heels before, and while they enhanced my legs, they were becoming a nuisance.

We entered through a pair of wooden doors that led to a spacious room. It had a courtroom-like appearance, but with some modifications.

The five members of the High Table sat at the head of the room, while guards were strategically positioned on either side. Groups of families, from Alphas to other prominent packs, were scattered throughout the room. Their personal emblems were engraved on bronze plaques hanging in their respective sections. Witnesses openly conversed with each other, even in the narrow aisles leading to the center of the room.

In the center was a raised platform, six meters away from the main High Table members.

As our scent filled the room and people realized our presence, silence fell over everyone. Ethan gently squeezed my back as I took a deep breath. Emotions assailed me, coursing through my mind and body in a disorienting manner. My skin tingled from the flood of feelings. There was much fear and hostility, but also a healthy dose of curiosity. Sometimes curiosity can be beneficial.

Ethan gave me a look, conveying what he could through his eyes. We couldn’t speak freely in this place, and it wasn’t the time for public displays of affection.

I maintained a neutral expression, even though I wanted to scream. Unpleasant emotions crashed over me, and I had to constantly rein them in to focus.

“Now entering Alpha Ethan and his mate, Sussan,” a man near the main doors spoke loudly. If anyone had been talking before, they were silent now.

Ethan and I were led to our own designated section, situated in the center of the room. I felt all eyes on me, as if I were a spectacle, an animal among other animals.

In our area were Ethan, his parents, Aly, Axel, and Thomas. Each of them locked eyes with me as Ethan and I took our seats. A hushed silence filled the room, and David Zoe stood up from his seat at the head.

His dark blue suit matched perfectly with his stormy eyes, capturing the blue hue in their depth. He possessed a soft and radiant beauty, free from any imperfection that might reveal his human condition. His son was equally alike. Seated on the left side, in a reserved space, was Nicolas Zoe. David, rising and drawing the room’s attention, didn’t acknowledge his own son.

“It’s been centuries since we’ve had a meeting of this magnitude. A need for discussion this urgent hasn’t arisen in a long time,” David greeted the room, making a sweeping gesture with his arm. “As it stands, the longevity of our species has been the High Table’s priority. Our kind has thrived in the past fifty years like never before. Regardless of the outcomes of these deliberations, we’re here to safeguard those of our kind and ensure their success,” his voice was melodic and calm, perfectly balanced as it reached every corner of the room. Even his emotions seemed serene and balanced, like perfectly still waters. There was nothing about him that hinted at the presence of a monster.

“Take a deep breath, darling,” Ethan whispered with a soft chuckle in my ear, but I could sense the tension in his emotions.

The room buzzed with murmurs, and I found myself tuned into every emotion floating around me. To my right was a small cluster of people. In their own section, an Alpha and his Luna were seated. Both had a bodyguard but observed the spectacle calmly. Their hair was blonde, and their eyes had a rich caramel hue. They both looked tan, indicating they lived in a warm and bright place.

I could sense the underlying tension in their emotions, the discomfort whenever David Zoe spoke. It was an epiphany for me, realizing that my abilities could be used in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I stored them in my mind; maybe I could persuade them to change their minds.

“Let the meeting begin,” David announced, retaking his seat.

“I call Anthony Armstrong to the stand,” to my surprise, the first to speak was Robert Reynolds. He looked at me from his seat, his calculating gray eyes full of interest. I was sure he could perceive the surprise on my face. I had no idea who Anthony Armstrong was, let alone how he was related to me.

Anthony Armstrong fit the typical image of a werewolf. He was muscular and robust, despite his salt-and-pepper hair and uneven beard. He emerged from a section on the opposite side of the room and began walking toward the center. This stranger, whom I had never seen before, now stood in the center of the room, addressing the High Table on a matter related to my life.

The details became clear moments later when Robert Reynolds spoke again.

“Were you a witness to the rebel attack on April 23rd?” he inquired, leaning forward in his seat. “Yes, I was a witness to that attack, and I fought in it. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t concerned for my Alpha. They’re not like her father. This girl is imposing a heavy burden on me, responsibilities I wasn’t prepared for,” he growled, clearing his throat.

Ethan tensed beside me, and though it took a moment, I recognized this man’s face. He was someone I had seen in the city a couple of times, usually coming out of the hardware store. He was always covered in grease, but I had never paid much attention to him. A sharp pang seized me at the thought of a pack member speaking against me, but I gathered my courage. Ethan was furious, but I knew he could keep his composure during this meeting.

Feeling someone’s emotions made it hard to get angry, as I understood the reasoning behind those decisions. Anthony was worried, uneasy about the twins he had seen grow up. Much as it pained him, he believed he was doing what was right.

“Could you provide details about that incident? Specifically, when Mrs. Sussan was involved in the battle,” Robert clarified, practically ignoring what Anthony had said. “Yes, everything was going wrong, there were too many enemies. It was the biggest battle I’ve ever seen in my life, though that doesn’t say much. Alpha Liam got injured but not seriously. He would have recovered if she hadn’t intervened in the fight. The girl almost killed our Alphas. They were too concerned about her to focus on the renegades,” he growled, looking toward Ethan. Ethan notably paled, but he managed to turn and continue, “She got overwhelmed and used her power. She started howling, almost burst my eardrums. The renegades started acting strange, falling to the ground as if they were in agony. They writhed and screamed. It didn’t stop until she stopped howling and collapsed.”

“Understood,” Robert nodded reflexively, “That will be all, Mr. Armstrong. Now, I’d like Mrs. Sussan to approach the stand.”

A knot in my stomach made me feel like my heart was dropping as I automatically tensed by Ethan’s side. Every instinct told me I shouldn’t be in the center of the room, that I was too close to David Zoe and his son. It told me that, though they might be the worst, there were other monsters in that room.

Ethan squeezed my hand, and I relied on his touch to coax my limbs into motion. I moved forward with a certain stiffness towards the platform, trying to keep my hands from trembling under the gaze of all those eyes.

David Zoe watched me with interest, a smile almost familiar on his face. Maurice Evans gave me a smile akin to how a fraternity boy would, as he assessed me from head to toe. Robert Reynolds wore a calculating expression on his face, as if mentally analyzing me. Thomas Fox showed absolutely nothing on his face, no trace of interest or emotion. He lounged in his seat, clad in leather pants and a vest. He was the most unconventional member of the group. Jason Harper radiated hostility. You could feel his pure disgust and anger every time he mocked me.

“Sussan, can you confirm Anthony Armstrong’s accounts of the rebel attack on your mate’s pack?” Robert Reynolds asked with his smooth voice, pushing back his wheat-toned hair. “Did you use your abilities to harm those renegades?” Anthony Armstrong’s account of the battle is accurate, and yes, I used my abilities against the renegades.” I nodded firmly, struggling to keep my voice steady. Speaking aloud without showing weakness was challenging, but I managed. I couldn’t help adding with a slight sweetness, “I could feel my mate’s pain, and I ran to defend myself. As you can see, his pack is mine, just as I am a part of them.”

I set aside the fact that I had no idea what I was doing and that the power had surged from me uncontrollably. It was sheer luck and anger that directed my power at the renegades.

“So, it seems you have some degree of control over your abilities, no matter how rudimentary,” observed Robert. “It demonstrates that she can be taught, but to what extent?” questioned Maurice Evans, catching me off guard. “There’s no one to teach this young wolf.” Maurice Evans was around thirty-five years old and, at that moment, was the oldest unmarried male. He had a rugged and masculine appearance. Some gentle lines adorned his face, but they only added to his attractiveness. His hair had a rusty hue, thick and full on his head. His smile was a sweet poison, expectant and seductive. “Many white wolves develop their abilities naturally. If she already possesses this minimal degree of control, she will acquire more over time.” Robert gave Maurice a disapproving look and continued.

“It might have been a coincidence.” Jason Harper interjected with an oily smile. If I could guess what a psychopath feels like, it would be exactly like this member of the High Table.

Jason and David were two sides of the same coin. David was charm and smiles; Jason was darkness and revenge.

“Maybe she has no idea what she’s doing. How can we trust that her power won’t resurface?”

“Despite Alpha Jason’s understandable concerns, I believe in the preservation of life and in extraordinary circumstances,” David Zoe intervened, sounding as if he was truly on my side. If I didn’t know him, I would have believed him completely. He seemed genuine and sincere as he smiled at me. “This ability hasn’t been seen in thousands of years. Shouldn’t we discover Mrs. Sussan’s purpose in this world? How could it benefit our species and ensure our longevity?”

“Do you want me to work for the High Table?” Maurice Evans blinked in surprise, but then his surprise turned into a shy smile. “I wouldn’t oppose it. Her development would be under our supervision, as well as at our disposal.”

“I’m not a toy to be played with. My power isn’t at everyone’s disposal,” I declared without any reservations. I could feel Ethan’s surprise, but I was even more taken aback by the malicious satisfaction that flickered. He was enjoying how I defended myself, how I growled at these arrogant men. I wouldn’t shrink or submit to them.