SURROUNDED

FREDA


We reached the heavy oak doors that led to the meeting room, and the sound of growls and arguments echoed from behind the door. The argument got more heated, and I felt worry well up inside me. I knew that it would come down to this, but I never expected it to be this intense. The vampire king must have done something really terrible to cause such an uproar.

Ember hesitated for a split second before throwing the door open and entering the meeting room while dragging me along.

The scene that greeted us wasn't a pretty sight. The alphas, who had moments ago sat in a semblance of order, were now on their feet with flushed faces and crimson red eyes. Even my father wasn't exempt as he was glaring daggers at the vampire king. They were standing beside their daughters in a protective stance as they directed their shouts at the vampire king, who sat at the head of the table with a smirk on his face.

“How dare you lie to us? You summoned us here for peace talks and now you threaten to kill us? What is the meaning of this?” One of the alphas fired question after question at the vampire king, who regarded him with a bored look on his face.

“Threats? I don't call this a threat. I call it reality. Did you actually think that I would waste my time talking about peace when I hold the power to decimate your packs?” The vampire king leaned back in his chair. There wasn't a single trace of fear on his face despite being confronted by many alphas, and he looked like he had everything and everyone under his control.

“We will not bow to your tyranny, Draken. You won't find us so easy to conquer,” another alpha growled viciously.

“You seem to misunderstand my intentions. I offer you unity, not tyranny. Under my rule, there will be peace. Enforced peace, but peace nonetheless.” Draken scoffed as he rolled his eyes and drummed his fingers on the table impatiently.

It was clear what he wanted now. He didn't call us here for the purpose of peace; he wanted absolute control, and something told me that leaving here alive was going to be very hard.

“Peace through submission isn't peace but enslavement,” an elderly-looking alpha stated as he hugged his daughter tightly.

“Call it what you will, you senile old fool, but make no mistake. This is your only option. I would advise that you submit.” King Draken’s smile vanished as he stared at the alphas coldly.

“And if we don't submit?” my father asked with a low growl.

“If… you resist.” King Draken stood up from his chair slowly and straightened his posture. “Then you alphas will have to die. As for your daughters, I have something planned for them. Something… exquisite.”

The growls began to get louder, and I could see claws coming out of fingertips and canines turned to fangs. The alphas were obviously planning to gang up on King Draken, but the man just stood with a smile and hands folded on his chest.

Just as the alpha closest to King Draken was about to make a move, Ember stepped forward to address the vampire king.

“You overestimate yourself, King Draken. We will not kneel before a tyrant no matter how much you threaten us,” she declared as she glared at Draken defiantly.

“Oh? The daughter of an alpha challenging my authority?” Draken’s gaze snapped towards her with a dangerous glint.

“I am Ember, alpha of Frostfang,” Ember stated with her head held high. A flicker of surprise passed through the vampire’s features as he stared at Ember intently. The other alphas were shocked as well, and they directed their gaze to a particularly muscular alpha who they assumed was the alpha of the Frostfang pack.

The silence stretched on until Draken’s smirk returned as he brought his hands together and started applauding.

“An interesting development, but it means nothing. The rules stay the same, little alpha. Bend the knee or face the consequences,” he chuckled with a voice dripping with mockery.

“I will not bend,” Ember countered defiantly. I looked at her in amazement as she stood up to the vampire king. I began to wonder what on earth she had experienced to reach this level of maturity and leadership skills.

“And neither will the other alphas present. We may come from different packs, but we share a common ground—a refusal to be subjugated.” Ember continued undeterred.

The alphas in the room roared in approval as a wave of agreement rippled through them.

Draken’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “So be it then,” he snarled, his voice devoid of any emotion. “You choose war then? A foolish decision for those who lack the strength to back it up.”

Silence descended in the meeting room as my eyes darted towards a safe place to scurry to and hide. I was way out of my league, and I would only die quickly if this resulted in a fight.

“Freda. Come here now.” My father commanded, and I didn't even process his directive. My legs automatically took me to his side, and I couldn't lie—I felt a bit…safe.

I glanced back at Ember, who still confronted the vampire king fearlessly.

“This is your last chance. Stand. Down.” Draken gritted his teeth as he stared at the alphas.

“We will not stand down,” the alphas responded in unison. I felt my father tense and his body started to grow bigger. He was on the verge of shifting.

The vampire king raised a hand and snapped his fingers. As if on cue, the massive oak doors behind the king slammed open with a resounding boom.

I gasped in horror as hordes of vampires flooded into the hall. These vampires weren't the immaculately dressed stewards but battle-ready warriors with gleaming armor and silver weapons of different varieties. We were surrounded.

The atmosphere became charged with tension, and a smirk spread across his lips.