Chapter Thirty nine

Alaric's POV
"Sir, they are ready for you." Cain tells me from the hallway right outside my office. I nod and go meet my visitors.
I have been anticipating this meeting for weeks. Not that I let it show at all. I am very good at hiding my feelings and emotions. One thing I learnt at a very young age was never letting people know what I am feeling. Creatures most especially witches are very good at using people's emotions against them and manipulation is one thing I try to avoid at all cost.
I walk into the meeting hall and around the table are people are people from the witches coven. Some of them I knew those years ago and some I do not recognize but Evans had given me a full detailed background information on them.

But regardless, I would never let down by guard around any of them. Friends turned enemies or so it was. I could have never imagined that people who I would lay my life down for would as you that after the love I had for Saira, they would think I would put her in harm's way on purpose. That is why I do not trust their sudden interest in helping me fight the vampires.
People change, they say, and ideologies too change, but these are people I have worked with for years so I know how they think and how they operate.
The witches do not offer help without expecting something in return. The plan strategically, and having been mates with one of them, I know how good they are at revenge schemes. For all I know, they could join me in battle and stab me in the battle field.
But considering we need all the help we can get, I had to set up a meeting with them to make sure we are on the same page and no one is pointing fingers at anyone.
As I walk into the room, I can't help the broad smile that immediately makes it's way to my face.
Sitting on one of the chairs is someone who was by my side, trusted me, believed and supported me. He is the only one who would never believe I would purposely put Saira in danger. Her Favorite uncle, Richard.
He stands up from his sit with the others when I get to the table, but instead of bowing his head like the others, he walks over to me with open arms and gives me a bone crushing bear hug which I reciprocate.
"It has been a while son." He whispers in my ear. I think I am on the verge of tears, so all I do is nod. Phone calls have nothing on this moment.
Since my return, we have been communicating through phone calls alone. He was one of the few who was excited about me finally waking up.
Apart from my mother, Richard has been one of the major backbones of my being, and my relationship with Saira.
I can remember freaking out when I realized my mate was a witch. I thought of all the things that could go wrong, especially as it pertains my father.
My mum promised me it would all be alright, and when I finally summoned the courage to confront Saira, she took me to meet Richard, her uncle and only blood relative.
He took her in when she was just about five years old and never left her side since then. He became her best friend over the years, and when she brought me home, he was more than ecstatic that she has finally found true love.
Our love was live a fairytale to him. He found comfort, comedy and drama in everything that happened in our relationship. He might as well as had a bag of popcorn with him anytime a fuss was made concerning our relationship. And he always had a smile on his face.
That smile could do a lot to you on a rainy day. That was one of Saira's and my favorite thing about him. The smile that could heal a million wounds and cool the hottest temper, i.e mine.
We finish our embrace and he heads back to his seat, leaving me to settle down in mine.
I mask my emotions immediately I am in plain view and address the people at the table.
"Elders of the sixth coven, I greet you. Thank you for accepting my invitation. I promise that this meeting will be worth your time." I say as I signal to one of the guards to share the papers I had printed prior to this meeting.
The meeting lasted an hour and obviously, the witches were just as prepared as we were for this fight considering how they also occasionally put in their own thoughts and opinions into the planning.

After the main discussion, I stood up and tucked in my suit, addressing everyone.

"I am very grateful for your show of affection and support towards defeating the vampires and their reign of terror. But at the same time, I hope you would forgive my directness, doubt and concern when I ask this... Why?"
"Why what?" One of the elders ask.
"Why the sudden support. The last time I checked, all but one of you at this table blames me for the death of one of your own. So why the help?" I ask, leaning forward.
The same elder chuckles. "Because you need all the help you can get."
"We have seen how mighty the vampires army is. And over the years, they have become smarter and more strategic. You can not beat them alone." Another elder chimes in.
"Not that we had a choice to begin with." One of the elders murmurs.
"What do you mean?" I ask with keen interest.
He sits straighter and looks me in the eye, but is unable to hold my gaze so he drops it.
"Richard here," he says pointing at Richard who winks at me, "has asked, no, ordered us to use everything at our disposal to make sure you win this battle against the vampires. Much to our dismay might I add." He says begrudgingly.
"Richard, is this true?" I ask.
"Well, the perks of being a coven leader." He says with a nonchalant shrug and I can't help but smile in amusement.
I can remember when he used to talk a lot about being coven leader. It was his life long dream and he worked hard to achieve it. He took insults, was turned into an errand boy, a laughing stock, but unknown to them all, he was slowly climbing his way to the top.
I remember one time, I was so pissed off the disregard the witches had towards him, and his explained to me how different our worlds were.
As a wolf, I either create my own pack, or I fight for leadership, but for them witches and wizards, it's a matter of years of training and mastery of powers. And although it was a hard pill for me to swallow, I learnt to turn the other way when it came to him and the coven.
So hearing that he has finally achieved what he set out to do makes me very happy, and proud.
I give him a look, letting him know I am about to switch, and he gives me a nod, telling me to go ahead.
My eyes immediately darkens, and my face turns stone cold.
"Now that we are on the same page, and I am being made aware that you all are not doing this with your whole heart, I would like to warn you beforehand."

I say in a deep tone. "I do not take betrayal likely. If you even as much as think about it, I will hurt you, and everyone you care about. Do I make myself clear?"
There are shocked faces around the table and I know they didn't expect that quick switch after witnessing my show of emotion with Richard.
After a while of silence, they all nod in understanding.
"Thank you for your audience. Evans, lead our guests out."