Promised To The Alpha Twins
Chapter 89

The time after my intense passion with Ethan had passed in the blink of an eye. Ten minutes later, his mother returned, fixing my hair and overlooking what had transpired between her son and me. With delicate movements, she applied a thin layer of makeup to my face, enhancing my large eyes and highlighting the nuances of my colors.

The pre-High Table meeting had no formalities; it seemed more like a business encounter than anything else. It was about identifying potential enemies, detecting weaknesses in other alphas, and generally sowing discord among the lower-ranking werewolves.

Ethan’s mother assisted me in putting on a slate gray dress, zipping up the neckline with gentle motions. The dress reached my knees and hugged my curves, showcasing an elegant neckline that highlighted the silver tones of my single blue eye.

It was crucial that I was seen as a competent adult rather than an impulsive teenager. I needed to convey the idea that I would use my abilities responsibly and not for personal revenge. Despite this, I found it absurd to have to prove myself. Didn’t I have the right to decide how to use the abilities I had been given?

She left my hair loose to subtly remind everyone that, while I was a calm adult, I was still young and inexperienced in that world. Her ability to achieve this was impressive. The dress gave me a mature and responsible appearance, while the makeup accentuated my eyes, making them look larger, brighter, and more vibrant.

“Ready, you’re prepared,” she sighed, adjusting herself after dedicating time to my hair. Her eyes turned fragile, and the lines around her mouth deepened. “You’re late, but it doesn’t matter anymore. News about Liam has already spread.”

“I thought something like that wouldn’t be commented on,” I muttered, suppressing the beast that burned within me. Gea couldn’t be trusted not to pursue Nicolas Zoe and use our powers against him without legal authorization.

“It was. Why should it be hidden? Now, everyone believes they can control you. The cleverest ones keep their distance, waiting for you to give in. If you use your abilities, chances are you won’t survive.”

“It seems you know a lot about the High Table,” I observed.

“We all do.” She growled. “They’ve exterminated more of us than any other species.”

As Ethan and I were guided through the labyrinthine corridors of the hotel, we were briefed on the key guests for the day’s meeting.

David Zoe headed the High Table, known for his cunning and brutality, seeking perfection for both himself and his pack.

Maurice Evans, second in the hierarchy, carried the reputation of the oldest unmated male. His success was based on hard work and an impressive number of available mates. He led the second-largest pack in the country and had the resilience of a submarine.

The third, Robert Reynolds, perhaps the most intellectual and logical of the five. Less driven by the desire for power than the others, he had the ability to influence any decision.

Sven Ross, the fourth, was an enigma dressed in tight leather, with silver piercings and blue eyes that could bring any woman to her knees. Legend has it that Sven Ross had a traumatic childhood and was handed over to renegades as a child. The scars on his body were silent witnesses to his past, but no one dared to ask.

The last, Jason Harper, was one of the darkest in the group. It was rumored that he worked closely with David Zoe, although the details of the arrangement were unknown. Though similar to David, he lacked the cunning and subtlety that made him a fascinating villain.

The five alphas of the High Table mingled with the lower-ranking alphas in the room. Their votes would influence decision-making, although the High Table had the final say.

The stunning event hall of the elegant hotel had transformed into the perfect informal setting for the meeting. Thick curtains hung from tall windows, while sleek black tables were arranged in the back half of the room. Employees dressed in black moved about, carrying laden trays and offering glasses of bubbling champagne.

“It’s a lot to process, isn’t it?” Ethan whispered with a tone of disbelief.

We kept our gazes forward, though I hoped he could notice the slight curve of my lips. He was making things easier for me, even though he probably thought the opposite. His presence by my side was what kept me from losing control.

“Are you kidding me?” I responded in a low voice, letting out a soft laugh. “The only thing I remember is what you mentioned about the High Table, the rest is a bit fuzzy.”

“You really know how to keep calm in dangerous situations, darling,” Ethan commented, laughing, as he linked his arm with mine.

We were led into the room, almost ambushed by various packs wanting to converse. Most alphas addressed Ethan, although their gazes often shifted towards me, lingering for too long. They discussed truces and alliances, potential partnerships that would benefit both sides. Ethan noticed those hungry looks, desiring power; those men were fortunate that Ethan had some control. However, it wasn’t all negative. There were two alphas who seemed somewhat annoyed by the fact that an alpha was abducted to mediate in a conflict between the white wolves and other werewolves. Ethan didn’t have a friendly relationship with either of them, although he had always been more abrasive than Liam.

“That’s David Zoe,” Ethan murmured softly, gently squeezing my hand.

We had paused to have a drink, and I stopped in my tracks as an urgent need to taste the dry champagne overtook me. My mouth felt terribly dry after speaking, smiling, and laughing like a naive and beautiful young woman.

Ethan’s words made my mind spin. I’m sure that wasn’t the reaction he expected to get, but I couldn’t help it. I had heard many negative things about this man. I expected to encounter a figure with a shaved head and scars on his face, something that would identify him as an immediate villain.

But it wasn’t like that at all.

David Zoe was conventionally handsome, very much like his son. His features were perfectly angular and defined. Full lips, a strong nose and cheekbones, prominent eyebrows and lashes. Muscular but not overly bulky, he even had a charming smile.

I felt somewhat puzzled that someone so supposedly evil looked so normal. One would think I would be used to monsters having a human appearance, but apparently I wasn’t.

“Are you disappointed?” Ethan asked, his head slightly tilted and palpable curiosity in his eyes.

I tried to suppress a laugh at the confusion on his face, or how his hair moved with the motion and fell over his forehead.

“He looks… ordinary,” I explained with a furrowed brow. “So yes, I’m a bit disappointed. I expected to see an evil alpha, but he doesn’t seem that bad.”

“Of course he doesn’t seem like one.” Ethan growled. “David Zoe is all sympathy and smiles. He lies so well that he ends up believing his own lies, sooner or later.”

“So, how do we face someone like that?” I pondered, touching my chin with a freshly painted nail. I had chosen a ruby red color, the color of fresh b***d. It was an omen, I knew that at some point I would have the b***d of Liam and Aly’s captors on my hands, and I was willing to embrace my fate.

“We lie better.” Ethan replied, casting a meaningful glance toward David Zoe.

At that moment, Nicolas Zoe made his entrance, moving directly towards his father. I felt as if my heart stopped when I locked eyes with Nicolas Zoe. I didn’t sense guilt in him, no sign that he was involved in the a*******n of my partner and friend. However, I remembered what the mother of the twins had said. Perhaps he simply felt justified in his actions, which could explain his lack of guilt.

However, I did notice anger, complete irritation, and even a hint of hurt in his eyes. I wanted to laugh, someone had hurt his feelings and his pride.

Ethan was my anchor as I faced that storm, preventing me from tearing into Nicolas’ strangely symmetrical face.

We spent the rest of the meeting without any major issues. The whole process easily lasted three hours.

What I found most entertaining was that I hadn’t spoken to any High Table members. Don’t get me wrong, they were all looking at me, but none approached to talk.

David Zoe nodded subtly and moved his lips. Maurice Evans winked at me and laughed at Ethan’s growl. Robert Reynolds gave no sign of noticing me, although I could feel his eyes assessing me more than the others. I locked eyes with Sven Ross and knew that this man had seen violence and darkness. It was etched into every wrinkle and scar on his body. Jason Harper offered me an oily smile, a smile that promised a dark future.

We concluded the meeting without any problems. The whole situation easily lasted three hours.

What I found most entertaining was that I hadn’t spoken to any members of the High Council. Don’t get me wrong, everyone was looking at me, but no one came over to talk.

David Zoe nodded slightly and moved his lips. Maurice Evans winked at me and laughed at Ethan’s growl. Robert Reynolds showed no signs of noticing me, but I felt his evaluating eyes more than those of the others. I looked into Sven Ross’s eyes and knew that this man had experienced spilled b***d and darkness. That was reflected in every wrinkle and scar on his body. Jason Harper directed an oily smile at me, a smile that promised shadows in the future.

We concluded the meeting without major issues. The whole situation had lasted for about three hours.

What I found more interesting was that I hadn’t engaged in any conversation with the members of the High Council. Don’t get me wrong, everyone was looking at me, but no one approached to talk.

David Zoe nodded slightly and moved his lips. Maurice Evans winked at me and laughed at Ethan’s growl. Robert Reynolds showed no signs of noticing me, but I sensed his eyes assessing me more than those of the others. I looked into Sven Ross’s eyes and knew that this man had experienced bloodshed and darkness. That was etched into every wrinkle and scar on his body. Jason Harper directed an oily smile at me, a smile that promised future shadows.

We wrapped up the meeting without major hitches. The whole process had lasted around three hours.

After the meeting, we withdrew to our room for dinner. We hadn’t eaten during the meeting out of fear of being poisoned. Apparently, something like that had happened before.

As we entered the dark hotel room, I caught a scent that made me freeze. Ethan turned with a growl, illuminating the room in a matter of seconds. My eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and though I felt a slight pain, it was overshadowed by overwhelming relief and a touch of apprehension.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, unscathed but with flushed cheeks of anger, was Aly