33. Exchanging Threats

*6/9/22 Update: Hey readers! I hope you’re enjoying the story so far! Fear not, spicier scenes are coming!
After some confusion due to my poor memory, I wanted to reshare/refresh/update important-to-know years and ages as more characters have shown up.
Sona - 25
Arden - 26
Conri - 27
Taos - 28
Cerise - 19
Vallea - 27
Edom - 50
Rand - 31
Eldor - 55*
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What did it look like from a stranger’s perspective, Sona wondered as the meeting hall appeared over the hill, that an Omega-class Goldwater female shows up on the arm of the feared Redbone Alpha. Would it seem like she needed rescuing from his bloody claws or would she, at Taos tried to convince her, be seen as what she would become: a Luna. 
A humble healer turned queen. What a story.
The hall was unnamed and nondescript, waiting in the center of unclaimed territory with miles between it and the next territories. Torches blazed on its exterior walls to guide the way through the lack of light, illuminating the unkempt foliage. Its wooden door was guarded by two Epsilon members of each pack—six in total, representing Moonvalley, Goldwater, and Leto. Soon two from Redbone would join them, increasing the hostile and wary tension.
“How pointless do you think this will be?” Taos joked to Edom on his left, keeping Sona close on his right. 
The Gamma was dressed in a uniform that alone would make anyone think twice about crossing him; the look on his face and aura that radiated off him would make anyone piss their pants. Magnificently lethal.
“Meaningless until they see *her*.” Sona stared ahead, but his scornful glare burned her skin.
“You like your cock, Gamma, don’t you?” Taos’ voice was casual; it sent a thrill of trepidation down Sona’s spine.
She saw Edom clench his jaw in her peripheral. “It has yet to produce offspring, Alpha.”
“Then you’ll mind your togue around your future Luna.” 
It was a threat that promised harsh retribution. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Excellent. Relay that to my entire Epsilon. If anyone so much as narrows their eyes at Mistress Mai, send them to me so I may claw them out.”
“No!” Sona barked at Taos’ merry tone. “No violence on my account.”
He turned his head to her, brows raised as if her objection to not cause harm still surprised him. Gods, he looked beautiful even in the dark of night. “How will they learn that you are a figure of respect, trinket?”
“Proof that I can be. I will make them respect and trust me through hard work, not threats and punishments.” *Moon goddess help me, I sound like I’m actually going to be a Luna*. 
Taos’ fanged teeth seemed to glow white. “Isn’t she magnificent, Gamma Royan?”
The Gamma grunted, and dammit, Sona felt herself blush. “Being charming is not going to win you favors,” she said, pretending that she didn’t feel complimented. 
“You think I’m charming?” purred Taos. “Ah, don’t hit me, there are onlookers.” He raised his voice. “Alpha Rand, how are you in this ungodly hour?”
Sona had never met the Leto Alpha, Rand Shaw, but Conri had told her just enough: the title fell to him when he was only twelve after the Redbone raid that took his father’s life. 
He was handsome in the plainest way, as Leto was often known for: gray eyes narrowed with contempt, brown hair rather lank, and while muscular, he was no physical match for Taos. He wore a simple gray outfit and when Sona caught his scent that was akin to Conri’s, it was uncommonly sweet—flowers. How odd for a fabrication-focused pack.
When Rand jerked up at Taos’ bark, his eyes flashed with terror that didn’t suit an Alpha male. Werewolf pack leaders were not meant to be meek and subjective to other leaders. It made them appear weak and unfit to protect their own. 
But he clenched his jaw and drew himself straight. “Alpha Redbone,” he greeted tightly. “Dressed for war at a peaceful meeting?”
Taos exposed his thick fangs. “I dress to strike unease in the hearts of my supposed equals. I also enjoy one-upping tragic garb like yours. Are you not impressed by my adornments?” 
Rand scowled. “I don’t wear death around my neck, thank you.”
“Tsk, how dull.”
“Your teeth aren’t dull, obviously,” Name snapped suddenly. “Care to rip out my throat as your father did to my pack members? The anniversary is soon. Why don’t you—”  
“Alphas, Alphas,” a distantly familiar voice interrupted before Taos’ temper could heat, “does ‘neutral’ mean nothing to you here? Causing trouble runs in your family, Taos.”
“Please, call me Alpha Redbone,” Taos smirked. “My birth name is reserved for friends and lovers. You, fortunately, are neither, Eldor.”
Eldor Eurwen. Sona hadn’t seen the Goldwater Alpha since attending her and Conri’s wedding. To see a Goldwater werewolf with Goldwater features…she didn’t expect to feel like it was a coming-home. A dose of nostalgia that carried a sense of safety and love.
He hadn’t changed much. Still tall and leanly muscular, gold hair chin-length, blue eyes keen. But the cold snarkiness was a side of him she hadn’t seen, and it made her dawning smile of relief fade. If he was capable of this cold energy, then he was capable of taking no mercy on her for her supposed crime. 
Taos adjusted himself to block Eldor’s view of her.
“I pity both,” Eldor jeered flatly. No, he was nothing like the kind male she’d admired since she could remember. “I’m surprised you didn’t show up covered in the blood of one of your own packmates.”
Taos held her back with a casual arm. Don’t, the gesture seemed to say.
“I expected you to be decked in gold like a narcissist.”
Eldor chuckled. “Gold is nobler than blood.”
“To each their own,” Taos purred. “Where’s the imposter?”
Rand curled his lip. “Don’t forget Conri is Leto—”
“And?” Taos wondered lightly. “Aren’t you overjoyed that a Leto is on the Moonvalley throne?”
Sona bit her lip to hold back her gasp—and then clamped onto her tongue when she heard her former mate say,
“Assessing a combined enemy, Taos?” 
Taos snorted at the condescension in Conri’s voice. Sona glimpsed him approaching; if he saw her spying in plain sight, he didn’t react. Maybe it was because Vallea Koray had her arm hooked in his.