The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

73 Partial Discussions (Book 2)

~Leo~

"Should I set the table for our guest, Alpha?" I heard Macy's voice in my head while I held my mate.

She must have tried to reach out to Amelia, but Amelia was asleep in my arms.

I could not sleep.

Apart from being in slight pain, what Amelia said made so much sense and made me nervous at the same time. I knew I would have to discuss and strategise with the Lords and King.

"I want only trusted Omegas to serve us," I linked Macy.

"Luna has already made sure of it. The people that cooked the food will serve it. We must also taste the food before our guest eats it," She said, and I peeked at Amelia. She looked peaceful and fragile in my arms, but her exterior didn't fool me.

She was a very caring woman. She also was the ruthless type. She must have cared about me so much to be gentle and patient with me. I stroked her hair gently to appreciate her, and she stirred in her sleep.

I watched her eyes gently open, and I smiled.

She was a bit confused at first, and then she came through.

"Didn't sleep?" she asked, and I knew she would be able to tell because I did not look rested.

"Was watching you," I said, and she giggled and sat up.

She took two minutes to compose herself, then looked at me.

"When are we eating, love?" she asked, and I smiled. I knew she would be hungry.

"Now. Macy linked me to find out if she would serve the food now. She also said you instructed them to taste the food and that the same people that cooked the meal should serve us," I said, and she nodded proudly.

"We can't be too careful. Right now, we are caught in a crossfire between the Volkovs and the Stepanovs; it would be silly of us to become the targets. We have to be very careful and suspect everyone. The King and Lords, along with their mates, are here. Their protection and safety are up to us. So if it means me being meticulous about everything, be it." She said, and she had a strong point.

We got off bed to prepare for dinner, and I asked the Kappas to usher our guests to the grand dining room. I also linked Kyle and Max to join us. No matter how uncomfortable some meetings might be, we all needed each other. We were fighting an impossibility. People that were immune to silver were a considerable challenge. We could not throw silver dust at them or bury bullets in their skulls. It would have the same effect as lead, and they would heal. The only way to destroy them was through mutilation, but we would be lucky if they let us get close enough to do damage. We needed to put our heads together to find a way out of the problem.

I also needed Kyle and Max to help me lure Andrew and Clay away so I could speak to Sylvester and the others in private.

Amelia and I showered quickly, and she helped me dress my wound again. This time she used hydrogen peroxide instead of Ethanol.

She wore a simple short dress while I wore shorts and a T-shirt. Then we headed out.

We got to the dining, and everyone was there; they were clearly hungry. The head of the table was free, and I frowned and looked at Sylvester and Tamia, who were sitting on the side.

"Please, sit at the head. We will maintain the normal order here," I said, and even though Sylvester seemed reluctant, he obliged.

Sylvester and Tamia sat at the head; next to Sylvester was Marcel, then Avery. Next to Tamia was Theodore, then Linda before the others. Amelia and I sat at the other end. Next to me was Max, and next to Amelia was Kyle.

I could tell the two Alphas were nervous, and I hoped we would move past it soon.

We ate in silence, and the meals were delicious.

Macy and the girls did well, but I knew Amelia would have done better.

While we ate, we discussed trivial matters. After the meal, Amelia led the women to a recreational room meant for them while I led the men. To the lounge to discuss serious issues.

Everyone made themselves comfortable, and Vino and David commended me on the beauty of the place.

I knew it was small talk, but I obliged by appreciating their kind words so that Vino could relax. I might dislike him, but we had more significant issues at hand.

"How are you feeling," Clay asked me when we sat down, and I nodded. He was too fast for the attackers to do damage. I envied him a bit.

"I lived," I said, and everyone laughed.

Andrew was there, so I was reluctant to speak of my discussion with Amelia. I decided to communicate the idea to Sylvester and the others when Andrew wasn't there.

Andrew told them everything he told me, and they were left dumbfounded. He told them all but did not proffer the solution we had considered.

"This is bigger than us," Vino said, and Marcel nodded.

"They are motivated," Sylvester pointed out, and there was silence in the room because that was the biggest issue. Motivation was a driving force, a fuel, and they seemed to have a shit load of it.

"So what do you propose we do because fighting these things is an impossibility with all I have heard," Sylvester asked, and Andrew cleared his throat to speak.

"I am honoured that you gave me the floor to speak, your majesty. While we brainstormed last night, we came up with an Idea.

The plan is to team up with Yuri so we can have access to his military and defeat Erik," he said.

Sylvester nodded but seemed troubled by the idea. I wondered if he, too, was suspicious of the man.

"Then what?" Sylvester asked, and there was silence.

"For us to come to that agreement and get that kind of aid, there has to be a reason. We have to be giving something in return." Sylvester spelt out, and Andrew nodded.

"We think it would be safer for all of us if you give Yuri the east and south," He said, and Sylvester stood up angrily. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Do you know what you are asking of me?" Sylvester asked.

"I cannot hand the east and south to a mass murderer, Andrew; let us not push that agenda," he warned, and Andrew was silent.

Everyone was quiet.

"Where do they stay, Yuri and Erik," Sylvester finally asked Andrew while breaking the brief silence.

"They move about, so I cannot say precisely where they stay," Andrew responded.

"And why should we trust you?" Marcel asked, and Andrew sighed.

"I do not have the words to convince any of you, but I just want peace." He said and sounded sincere, but my discussion with Amelia had made me wary of the man.

"Very well, we will think about the situation and decide," Sylvester said with a final tone.

Andrew thanked him for even considering it.

Wanting to discuss with the lords and King privately what I discussed with Amelia, I linked Max to assist me by taking Andrew and Clay away from the lounge.

I would have said Andrew alone because Clay deserved to be there, but that would make the man suspicious, and we could not have that.

It wasn't hard for Max to do either. Andrew and Clay were quick to join Max and Kyle at the bungalow.

I waited for them to leave before speaking.

I told them what I had discussed with Amelia, and they were attentive.

"I am glad she sees things a bit differently," Sylvester said, commending her wisdom.

"With all we have heard and seen, Yuri seems dangerous and maybe more ruthless than Erik. Anyone willing to kill innocent people to achieve their goal is wicked and cannot be trusted," He

added, repeating Amelia's fears.

"So what do you propose?" Theo asked Sylvester, and he sighed.

"We are not immune to silver, so we do not have a chance against these things. Our first plan should be for us to play the two against themselves. So they can cancel each other out or weaken each other's might to give us a fair advantage." He said, and it made sense, but I wondered how we would approach Erik knowing his intentions towards the Volkovs.

"How would we approach Erik? He wants all of you dead?" I said, pointing out the issue.

"That is based on what Andrew says," Marcel corrected me, and he had a point. Nothing we know would be regarded as a fact until verified.

"I am sure if we put our heads together, we would find a way to approach Erik and play them against each other," Theodore said, and that was also a good idea.

"But we need moles in their midst just like they have planted moles in our territories," Theo pointed out, and he was right. We could only succeed with accurate and trusted information.

"I do not know how we would go about it, but we need to know whose side Andrew is on before we proceed and decide quickly. If he is on their side, we will eliminate him, but if he proves trustworthy, he will help us plant the moles. The only way we can successfully fight them is to know their every move. Fighting them blindly would be a stupid mistake and a certain failure on our part," Sylvester said.

"How do we determine Andrew's true intentions?" Marcel asked, and Sylvester chuckled.

"By feeding him false information and seeing what happens," Sylvester said, and we were all silent.

There was no disputing that was the fastest and best way to catch Andrew.

While we all agreed with Sylvester's plan, I hoped Andrew was on our side because we needed all the help we could get to defeat these people.

Learning to fight them was also important, but inside information was required to ensure we succeeded.

I was still expecting my parents to show up, and after all that Andrew had told me, they had much explaining to do.

However, Andrew did not tell Sylvester and the lords of the Sullivans and my parent's involvement.

Judging by the source of the information and the fact that we were yet to trust him, I decided to wait for my folks to arrive and then question them about it.

Whatever they say will determine how I will reveal the information to others.

I planned to do so to avoid any misunderstanding. I hope Devin arrives before they do so we can discuss the matter.