Chapter 68: The proposition

**Elliot’s Point of view**


We arrive at the airport of the city, the plan of battle already established. We call all our parents to let them know we are here.
We shift and head towards the Silver's territory. Arrived in the proximity, we shift back and we approach slowly the border to not look threatening.
A growl is heard and we freeze on the spot. The sound of branches is heard and a man comes to us. He has a hard, closed face, but shows a frank surprise when he recognizes us.
"Alpha Elliot, Alpha Alice. What are you doing here?"
I sniff discreetly and notice that a lot of Silvers are guarding their border.
"Are you afraid of an attack?" I ask.
He pretends not to understand and Alice cuts him off.
"What's your name?"
"Roger."
"Roger, we can see that the guard has doubled. We're Alphas, our hearing and eyesight are much better, but why the caution? We thought the rogues had fled."
He huffs. "It's not the rogues we're protecting ourselves from."
I exchange a surprised look with Sam and Owen. "But from whom then?"
Roger turns to me. "Alpha Mark and Alpha John, of course."
We all look at each other without understanding. "I don't get it." Says Melanie. "I thought they were just keeping an eye on you, protecting you."
Roger shakes his head. "They always come with a lot of warriors and we don't want to let anyone in. We prefer to keep to ourselves."
Sam takes a step forward. "I understand. You were betrayed by your Alpha and Luna when they were supposed to protect you. We heard what they did and we are very sorry. All our thoughts are with the families of the missing people."
Simon speaks up. "We have an offer for you. Could you tell it to the whole pack? We'll leave right after, to give you time to think about it."
Roger seems fiercely opposed to letting us in, but a wolf comes out of the bushes and seems to be talking to him through mind-link. He doesn't look happy but other hidden wolves are growling.
"I'm sorry but I'm going to ask you to leave." Says Roger in a tone without appeal. 
Another man of our age arrives wearing only shorts. 
"We should at least listen to what they have to say. That's what the majority wants."
"It's a mistake to let them in." Roger says through his teeth without taking his eyes off us.
"Maybe, but it's not your decision." He turns to us. "Please, follow me."
We pass by Roger who glares at us. We are escorted by most of the wolves and join the packhouse where the whole pack seems to be waiting for us in the garden, talking loudly. We cross the crowd under curious, hateful or hopeful looks.
The boy who accompanies us goes up on the front steps and the silence is made. "I asked you to come because Alpha Elliot and Alpha Alice have a proposition. I know that some people are nervous about the idea of them being on our land, but they have promised to leave to give us time to think. I would like to remind you that up to now, they have never broken their word and that it's thanks to them that the war between the Blue and the Red is over and that the Royal family is still alive. Let's not forget that."
He invites us to join him and we face the crowd. Alice questions me with her eyes. I smile softly at her and nod.
She takes a step forward and raises her head slightly, not in contempt but serenity, and I can't help but admire her once again. I spend every second of my life thanking the Moon Goddess for binding me to her. 
Her beautiful black hair flutters behind her and she stares at the crowd softly. "First, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to all of you. Derek was our friend and I will not explain to you how we feel about this betrayal. I gather from the smell of smoke that some of your homes must have burned down and I just want you to know that whatever happens, whether you accept our offer or not, we will help you rebuild."
She takes a deep breath. "Elliot and I have marked each other. Owen and Sam and Simon and Melanie too. Our families have hated each other for decades but we, we love each other." She says as she smiles at me and takes my hand, making me melt inside.
I turn to the crowd.
"Because of this fight, the King has asked us to take over from our fathers as soon as possible. Alice and I are getting married and you are all invited. I think we all need to celebrate in these dark times and we will lead the Blue and Reds as one pack." I swallowed. "The King has offered us something else. He has offered us your territory." 
Shouts are heard, some seemingly relieved and others outraged. We try to calm them down but none of us can, not even the boy who had taken our side.
Alice took a step forward and Cassie came out to let out a long howl, silencing the crowd.
"We have agreed to this only if it’s what your want. The Reds and Blues will merge and the Silvers are welcome to join. We already know the disadvantages but also the advantages. You know us, you know our motives, and the King believes that this will avoid further conflict. I don't think anyone here wants to see another war and being all together will prevent that."
"How can we be sure you won't betray us?" Someone asks.
"Why would we do that?" I ask. "If you choose all six of us as your leaders, we promise you that we will look after you as your previous leaders should have done if they had not been obsessed with power."
"You now know our proposal and as promised, we will let you think about it. Discuss it and vote on it. If you choose us and some don't agree, they will be free to leave. We will even help them find a new pack." Explains Alice.
A young girl gently clears her throat to get my attention and immediately looks down when I turn my head toward her. 
"When you say everyone should vote, does that include the Omegas?" She asks in a whisper. 
I notice others like her, in worn and dirty clothes. Some even look injured and others have old bruises, especially the young omegas. I notice one who is very tall and strong but has a low head and several scars on his arms. 
*"He was abused."* Leo says with a grunt.
"Of course you should vote. You're full-fledged pack members. I don't know how it was for the Blues but for Reds, Omegas are treated with respect." I say.
Alice nods. "They're not looked at with contempt. They are our cooks and our maintenance people. The people in the dark whose absence would be terrible for the pack. Being an Omega is not something to be ashamed of. They are just not as strong or as fast as the other pack members, but that doesn't mean they are weak. And just because they are born Omega doesn't mean they stay that way all their lives." She says, looking at the big Omega.
*"She saw him too."* I say to Leo. 
*"Of course she has! She is a warrior like us."* He says with pride.
I look into the big boy's eyes and I think he's going to faint. "What's your name?" I ask softly.
"Uh. Oscar, Alpha Elliot." He says as he looks down.
"You're an Omega?" 
"Yes, Alpha Elliot. "
"You want to be a warrior? You've got the physique for it."
I see his eyes shining with excitement and then fade away just as quickly.
"No, Alpha Elliot. I'm an Omega. I'm weak and I don't belong among warriors."
I nod. "If that's your choice, so be it. But know that if you join us, you'll at least have the right to try."
He looks at me expectantly, and we choose this moment to retreat under the good escort of the guards.
Once at a good distance, everyone relaxes.
"What do you think, will they accept?" Sam asks.
"It would be foolish to refuse." Owen replies.
"I have a feeling that Roger has some influence and it's clear that he doesn't want us." Says Melanie.
Simon smiles softly. "I'm sure they'll agree."
Melanie turns to him. "Why?"
He turns to Alice and me.
"Because you gave them hope."