Page 26 of Fall of the Alpha

26

NEGOTIATIONS

Bella

Cora had said if she wanted to see her parents, she would, but Bella wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Not after she’d had to listen to her father negotiate her marriage with the Wolf.

Even knowing she was listening hadn’t stopped her father from trying to get the best deal possible out of the proposed treaty. Part of her understood—the needs of everyone in the Zone were more important than her, but it still hurt. Because he was her father. She wanted what was best for everyone, too, but there was a little voice deep inside her that wailed at having to witness her father not putting her first.

And she was very aware of the things he wanted that benefited no one but himself.

Her mother seemed too traumatized to be taking most of it in. She was rocking back and forth in her seat, her expression tight and growing tighter every time her father pressed the Wolf on an issue rather than immediately agreeing with him. It was clear to Belle that her father might care more about the Zone—and seemingly himself—than he did about her, but her mother would have traded the world just to see her right now and see that she was safe.

Turning her head, she looked at Cora and Trace. If she was going to be the Wolf’s mate, his Queen, it was time to start acting like it.

“I want to see my mother. Now. Please.” Just because it was more order than request didn’t mean she had to be rude.

Was it a bit of a test to see what they would do? A bit. But she also wanted to see her mother. And she was quickly losing interest in watching her father negotiate.

The moment she made the request, Trace headed for the door. Something inside Bella relaxed, and not just because she was going to be seeing her mother soon. Trace hadn’t hesitated, reacting the same way to her that he did to Cora. Even Alek and Aria didn’t get that—she’d seen every glance the two Alphas exchanged when it came to dealing with those two. They always paused to make sure they were in agreement.

Cora’s hand came down on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze, as though she understood Bella was struggling. It also felt supportive. Like an equal to an equal.

No matter what her father might have thought.

No matter how the Wolf might be acting.

Was another reason she wanted to see her mother because she wanted to prove her own power? To show she could interrupt what they were doing for her own wants?

Maybe.

On the screen, the door opened, and Trace stepped into the room.

“Bella would like to see her mother.”

Before anyone could respond, her mother was on her feet.

“Yes.”

“Carina—”

Bella’s mother ignored her mate, rushing to where Trace was waiting for her beside the door.

“Carina!” Her father slammed his fist down on the table, getting to his feet as he glared at her mother. “They could take you hostage! They could?—”

“We could do that now, if it was what I wanted,” Malachi replied dryly. “Your daughter would like to see her mother now. What my mate wants, she gets.”

“You mean your future mate,” Bella’s father said through gritted teeth.

“Of course.” Malachi smiled at him, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. More like a baring of teeth that could easily rip out the Beta male’s throat.

Bella didn’t care about their posturing. Her mother and Trace had disappeared through the door, and considering how little time it had taken him to get to that room, her mother should be here very shortly.

Alek

Watching the mother-daughter reunion made Alek’s chest ache. It had already been odd hearing Paldon agree to give up Grigori without a fight. Knowing his father was probably going to be dead soon.

He didn’t know how he felt.

There was a part of him that was so angry at his father… but death?

Yet, he understood that there were crimes his father had to answer for. Misdeeds he’d never suffered the consequences of. And when it came down to it, logically, he understood his father was not a good male.

That didn’t mean Alek wanted him dead.

And what about his mother?

As if Cora had read his thought, she moved over to whisper in his ear. “Your mother is welcome in Riversong Territory.”

But not his father. He didn’t blame Cora, but he couldn’t help the rush of guilt that he didn’t feel more upset by the exclusion. He felt worse about not feeling bad that he didn’t care if his father was included or not than he felt about his father being left out. What did that say about him?

Watching Carina and Bella, his own chest tightened. He did want to see his mother safe. Would she forgive him for not trying to save his father? Would she even want to go to Riversong? He didn’t know.

On the screen, Paldon and the Wolf continued to hash out their agreement while Carina finally loosened her hold on Bella—though she didn’t let go. She pulled away just enough to see Bella’s face, her arms still around her daughter as though she was too afraid to let go.

Aria sidled up to Alek’s other side, so he was wedged between the Alpha female and Omega female. The little Omega put her head against his bicep, and he lifted his arm, only then letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. No wonder his chest was aching. He put his arm around Aria, felt her humming purr, and immediately felt a little better.

“What about Grigori’s son?” Paldon asked, making Alek jump in surprise. After the little care Paldon had shown for Grigori, he wondered why Paldon cared about him. Not that he could care too much, considering this was the first time Paldon had mentioned him, but it was still more than expected.

“He has chosen to go to Riversong Territory.” The Wolf’s tone was clipped. Unhappy. But it didn’t stop Paldon from pressing.

“Alive? Safe?”

A long silence stretched between the two males.

“Why does he care?” Alek murmured, trying to stifle the resentment rising in his chest. Behind him, he could still hear Bella and Carina talking softly. They weren’t paying any attention to the ongoing negotiations. Maybe he should follow their example, yet he couldn’t tear himself away.

These were the kinds of things he needed to pay attention to. That he needed to know. He didn’t know what he was going to do for Riversong, but if treaties were being revised, he could probably offer some kind of assistance. He knew the upper echelons of the Zone One families through and through. He could help.

At the very least, he would help Cora and Trace and the Riversong Territory. He would protect Aria. The best way to do that was to help keep the peace between the territories and the zones.

Even through the screen, he could tell that Paldon was getting flustered. The older male flushed, sitting up a little straighter.

“He is a good Beta, regardless of who his father is.”

After another long moment, the Wolf leaned back in his chair, tilting his head at Paldon.

“Would it change your mind if you knew he wasn’t a Beta?”

Paldon stiffened with a jerk. “No.”

“He’s a Sigma. And I believe he’s chosen to go with the Riversong Alphas. But I will pass along your offer to have him take his father’s position.”

“That’s not—” Paldon cut off with a cough, shaking his head. “I wasn’t…” He shrugged. “If Alek wants to stay in the territories, that’s his prerogative.”

It was hard to tell if he was sincere. Had he hoped Alek would take Grigori’s place? Alek couldn’t understand why, if so.

His father had many expectations of him, but he knew very little about what his father actually did for Paldon. Which… now he understood why.

Turning away from the screen, Alek stood. He needed to move. Sitting and watching was doing nothing but causing him more consternation. He could feel Cora and Aria’s eyes on him, then Bella and her mother looked at him as well.

“Alek.” The relief showing in Carina’s eyes was unmistakable. “You’re unharmed.” Though she kept one arm around her daughter, she reached out the other toward him in a gesture of welcome.

They didn’t know each other well, had never spent much time together, but it didn’t matter. His mother wasn’t there, and… and Carina cared. He took her hand, letting her pull him in for a hug. Bella’s arm wrapped around him, too, and he heard Aria make a little growling noise that was immediately quieted when Cora said something softly to her.

It was only as he hugged Bella and her mother at the same time that he realized how similar they were in size and stature. Both of them barely reached his chest. The protective instinct that surged as he let them comfort him was doubled.

He wondered if Paldon knew his mate was likely an Omega… just like his daughter.