Chapter 83

(Maya POV)

“No, I would like to speak with them now.” I had been brought before the council and the back and forth between us seemed to be getting us nowhere.

They wanted me to agree to work along their plans to bring peace between the supernatural forces and whatever impossible mission they cooked up, but I didn’t care about any of that. I cared about my mates, and I wasn’t about to agree to anything until we had all talked it over and decided together what we would do. If they wanted my help, my mates would have to be with me. We had been separated enough, and this wasn’t fair to agree to without them. The Fae may not have the same mating rituals as the wolves, but they had to respect them if they needed me. I didn’t choose this life, but I was not going to be pushed and pulled by others any longer.

I was done with that! People were making decisions for me or pushing me into things or taking me away without my permission, and I was sick of it!

“We understand the need for wolf mates to be together, and we do not wish to cause you any discomfort. This matter, however, is rather urgent.” On the of the council members replied.

“I too understand that you want me to give you an answer, but this will affect all five of us. I cannot make a decision for all of us without speaking to the other first. I don’t even know what Thomas thinks about all this. You are not giving me a chance to even consider what you are asking of me. I am sure a few days can be spared for me to get my affairs in order before uprooting my life completely and taking on this huge responsibility. You are even refusing to let me speak to my mates even for a short time, so how is that being reasonable?” I pressed them further.

I understood that having a leader to unit a world falling into chaos was the goal here, but how many years had this been going on before they heard about me? I was sure a few days would not be too much to ask to consider all that would go into this choice. I also wanted to know what Thomas thought about what they were asking. He knew the council better than I and at this point trusting people for their word hadn’t gotten me very far. However, I did trust Thomas. So, if he told me that I should trust their word, then I would feel more confident in giving them an answer. He had been standing beside me silently since we entered, letting me handle things but in this moment, I looked to him. He knew how to speak to these people, and I was getting to frustrated to repeat my request again.

“Maya wishes to speak to her mates. This conflict has been going on since before either of us were born, a few days will not change anything. In fact, we would like to go in person to speak with the others about what you have told us here.” Thomas says firmly.

I knew now that I was some kind of royal supernatural creature in our world because of what I was, but I didn’t have the confidence to have that firm punch behind my words like Thomas had. His words were final and unwavering, and I loved that about him. One day I would need lessons on how to speak with such authority. It didn’t matter to him that the council was in power here, he did not leave room for negotiation.

One of the older men sighed and looked toward the others. At this point it was clear they knew we weren’t backing down, and they conceded to our wishes.

“Will one week’s time be enough to prepare?” They asked.

“Yes, when that time has passed, I will give you my answer.” I agree.

“Very well, we will send you back home. We will open a transport at this same time in the same spot one week from now. Be ready by then.” The council member says signaling one of the guards. “Prepare for their departure.”

The guard bowed his head and we followed him out of the council hall, and he waited for us by what looked more like a smoky black hole than a portal. I would never find this way of travel normal I was sure of it. Thomas moved closer to me and took my hand in his before gently pulling me toward the portal. I hesitated but as soon as he stepped through, I followed. As soon as our feet were touching the grass on the other side, the portal collapse in on itself and disappeared.

“That is crazy.” I said still in disbelief.

“You will get used to it! It doesn’t feel nearly as scary after a few dozen times using it, and you will have to use it a lot if you agree to the council’s request.” He says holding on to my hand tighter as my grip loosened.

“Is it even a request at this point? I mean it still feels like I can’t refuse.” I say as we walk from behind the tree line toward further into the pack lands. It looked like it was early afternoon here, and I realized that was something I would have to get used to. Time was strange in the Fae world, so any time we left there it was always another time here.

“I agree, but we won’t let them force you into anything you don’t want. I won’t let that happen I promise!” Thomas says giving me a reassuring smile.

“But don’t you agree with them even a little? Your mother works for them, didn’t you also work for them? I’m sure you must agree with them to a degree, right?” I asked nervously.

I trusted Thomas and appreciated his help and support, but I also didn’t want to only agree with me because we were bonded. If he didn’t agree with me, I hoped he would tell me. He didn’t answer me right away, and I was glad he was thinking about what I asked. If he had answered me right away, it would have definitely shown he was only agreeing with everything I said without really considering his own feelings. I didn’t want that kind of relationship; those kinds of relationships did not turn out well. These boys were my family now, and I wanted them to feel like they still had a choice in these things. I wanted them to be happy, they deserved happiness too especially for putting up with all the baggage that came along with being mated to me.

“I think at one time I agreed with their views, but that was only world I had ever known. We were completely isolated from everything that was going on here. The dangers and fears of the ones who didn’t have the power to shut their kind away and keep them safe. I had never met anyone who had been through the things that you have gone through, and even when we first met, I was still unsure what to believe or think. But the more I was beside you I saw all you have had to fight for and give up, and I realized that you have been fighting on your own. With no one speaking up for you, and I knew I needed to be the one to speak up if you were too afraid to.” He explains.

“I had the others, but their focus has been rescuing me and protecting me. I guess that is their instincts as my mates taking over.” I lowered my head at the thought.

The others had fought to keep me safe, and Eli came for me when my father had locked me away. We were on the offence constantly, but we had not stood and fought. Even when Tommy and his father came for me, they chose not to fight. I respected it then, but when my father had come to the pack for me….they didn’t fight either. At the time I understood, it’s better to have peace with an enemy than war. But where had that gotten us? We were constantly afraid and on guard. Not fighting wasn’t solving anything.

It was as if realization dawned on me on that sort walk to the pack house. Peace had to be fought for, it would not come for free. No one seemed willing to start this fight, one that would bring peace to all supernatural kind. The council was asking me to finally take the lead and change things. I was being so selfish this whole time, fighting for my own survival. I hadn’t been seeing the bigger picture. I was a part of something bigger than myself now, and my time running needed to be over. It was time to stand a fight, to not be afraid!

“I may not agree with how the council is going about this, but I think they are right. It time that I do what I was born to do. Maybe my mother didn’t plan for me to take on this responsibility, but I am the only one who can do it. It would be unfair to walk away. How could I live happily if I ignored the suffering so many have and will continue to go through? I have to do this.” I say with absolution.

“I guess you know the answer you will give them then, and I am here no matter what. Now let’s see if the others are on board too.” He says as we take stand in front of the pack house.

I knew even before I stepped in, I had to be ready to say goodbye to my mates if they did not agree with what I had decided but I had made my decision.