Chapter 6

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Evelyn looked it to the mirror after her shower, it had become a ritual of sort, looking in to the mirror and trying to decipher the stranger who looked back. Her eyes had sunken in and dark circles prominent around them, thanks to the fitful sleep. Her bond was a dull throbbing pain, a constant companion remaining of her misery.

There had been no improvement in Max, the doctor said he was out of danger and was recovering slowly at a human rate, he could not heal faster until he awoke, for some reason his wolf genes were lying dormant, the doctors guessed because he was in coma. No one had an idea how long he would be in coma or when he would come out of it. At this time they had advised not to try to force him to wake up at least until he was fully healed which would take a few months.

She had never felt so helpless or alone. Her mother and Jeff had wanted to rush over but Sebastian had advised them to stay put. They were safe in Nicks territory and it would be unwise to step foot outside. She spoke to her mother & Jeff regularly but it did not help.

Today she had an appointment to attend some meeting she had never attended before. Sebastian told her it was time to broaden her horizon, whatever it meant.

She closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts, trying to keep some of her soul intact, sometimes she felt and alien had invaded her body and had taken it over. Every day a little bit of Evelyn Parker died and in her place stood Evelyn Roma a stranger.

She stepped in to her office where a dozen men in crisp suits waited along with Sebastian. She walked over to her chair and sat and nodded at Sebastian.

"Gentlemen" Sebastian to the men in the room "let's begin."

***

Evelyn's head was spinning three hours down the line. She had walked in to the meeting with no idea what it was. These twelve men represented Roma's interests across the world, they were the decision makers of the Roma business empire and since Max was in coma and the old Roma dead she was the legal head of this empire as well and there were decisions to be taken that she had no clue about.

Sebastian watched on as each one of them met with her and described what portion of busies they run and what were the items they wanted to discuss with her, they thankfully did not go in to details as this was their first meeting. She thanked them all politely and a follow up meeting was set up for the next week. Sebastian walked them out and came back as Evelyn had closed her eyes.

"What was that about?" She asked him calmly but she was pissed inside. He had not given her any heads up and she was afraid she painted a sorry pictures in front of them.

"That" Sebastian stated "is where our money comes from to keep all this afloat" he said pointing to the opulently appointed room of hers and the palace in general.

"The real power of Roma is not her name or lineage but wealth." Sebastian told her sagely, there was a lesson here in there somewhere for sure but she did not get it.

"You mean we can buy loyalty" She said bitterly. That was the way the world worked but it did not mean she liked it.

"There is no absolute loyalty in this world Roma" Sebastian said patently "only necessities, necessities drive the life of every single being on this planet and humans have devised an amazing way of channeling necessities through financial wealth."

"Those twelve men are what you need to keep a close tab on, remember they run the business for you not the other way round...you are the boss." Sebastian said.

"A heads up would have been much appreciated" she said sarcastically.

"As much as you want otherwise, the only way to learn swimming is to get in to water." He retorted.

"Yes, but it doesn't have to have sharks in it, now does it?" She spat back.

He leaned forward and looked at her piercing glaze "That is something you do not seem to get....you are the shark...not them or anyone else...everyone here, every single one here works for you...you are Roma and how you conduct yourself is how the world perceives you. Here is your lesson for the day. Power is an illusion, convince people you have the power and you would never have to use it."

"And how do I convince them?" She asked with her eyebrow raised.

"For you" he said leaning back and smiling "By using it, demonstrating to the world that the power you control so that they would not think of anything remote to attract your wrath."

She sighed "You mean we have to kill, conquer and cause mayhem." She could almost see the future, the misery she needed to inflict on people just to show what the Roma family was capable of, someone had struck a devastating blow to the Roma family and now it was up to them to showcase what happens when someone does that to Roma.

"Sometimes, Roma" Sebastian said "to be kind, you have to be cruel."

She sat in silence contemplating his words and then spoke up break the silence.

"I have a thought on the World council invite" She said.

Sebastian just sat up to listen to what she had to say.

"Whatever we are planning we need to do it when the council is in session, also citing safety reasons shift the council to somewhere in Europe, in a territory we are absolutely comfortable with, where we can get things done."

Sebastian was intrigued "go on"

"When the council is in session we strike" She stated.

"Are we talking about the internal or the external problem?" Sebastian asked. They had two problems now. One was their own alphas were acting up, sensing opportunity in a perceived weak monarch. Two, Gordon Lockbourne and his merry men who were mostly responsible for this debacle.

"Both." She stated "We need to do both simultaneously, if we take action on the Alphas now, they will know we mean business and see us as a threat. It has to be simultaneously."

"I agree" was all Sebastian said.

She looked surprised. "What! It's a good plan!" he defended her.

She smiled and said in a teasing voice "I am glad you approve."

He grinned at her and added "Now we need to figure out the details on how we need to do this."

"Do you have something in mind?" She asked.

"If we do find Charles in the Montana pack, how far shall we go?" He asked.

"How far do you think we should go?" She asked back.

"All the way." He stated firmly.

"You mean..." She trailed off.

"Yes" he responded back without hesitation.

She knew what he was saying, he was telling her to slaughter the entire pack.

"Isn't it extreme?" She asked.

"We need to make a statement to the world" He insisted.

"But, it will mean war!" She said horrified.

"War has been inevitable for a while now. What the American werewolf's did, is an act of war!"

"But not all of them!" She defended.

"But the Montana pack is the only pack responsible for hiding Charles, many of the packs were innocent."

"Very well, we destroy the Montana pack and fall back." Sebastian conceded.

"But the American wolves will see it as an act of war!" How can they not? You can't attack a pack on their sovereign soil and expect them to sit back and do nothing." She reasoned.

Sebastian carelessly shrugged "We will explain we have no fight with them."

She knew there would be no way out, the American packs would retaliate. "Gordon Lockbourne is the head of the American packs as well, do you see him doing nothing?"

"Nope, that's why we need to take him out too."

"But he will be in the council meeting when we plan this and we can't take him out there."

"Why not?"

Evelyn reeled back stunned at Sebastian's question. He had gone mad, gone off the deep end.

"Sebastian" she said softly as if she was explaining this to a child "Lockbourne is the chair of the world council, you take him out and you cause utter chaos."

"And if you don't take him out, it will be the fall of the Roma empire" Sebastian responded back. "He is a cunning wolf, that one, if we let him walk we will not get our hands on him, at least not without a huge price to us."

"When did you decide this?" she asked him seeing he had made up his mind.

"Actually, right now. Your idea of shifting the venue is brilliant!" He said. She looked horrified that her idea lead to this.

"A single stroke to finish off all our enemies so they don't get a chance to regroup and cause us further damage, isn't this what you proposed?" He asked her.

"Yes but...this will...this will cause utter chaos!" She exclaimed.

"For who?" he asked. "For us? We will be seen powerful...our demonstration of power complete."

"We would be breaking the treaty, we would be destroying the world council!" She shuddered in just the thought of it.

"Maybe it's time to create a new council...Lockbourne cannot live Roma" He stated in finality "I know this is a lot to take in, but you have rest of the day, come up with an alternative plan and I am willing to listen, lets catch up tomorrow and see what you come up with? Does that sound fair?" he asked.

All she could do was nod.

***

Evelyn was sitting in the Queen's garden, overlooking the city as the sun began to set, lost in her own thoughts when Alex's voice interrupted her.

"A penny for your thoughts" he said plopping down next to her.

She gave an ironic laugh, if only he knew.

"How are the negotiations coming along?" she asked instead.

"The bastards are being greedy, but we can get them in line...it's going to cost us a little."

"What's the guarantee that they will not come back for more?" She asked.

"It is guaranteed that they will come back for more Evelyn" Alex said and She looked at him surprised.

"Then why the hell are we negotiation with them?" she asked.

"Because we need time, time for you to settle in, time for you to understand this role and what it entails...Max was groomed for this all his life Evelyn...you...you were thrust in to it." Alex said.

She understood what he meant, she was not Roma material.

"Don't worry. Between me, Adrian and Sebastian we will handle it, we got you covered." He said smiling at her reassuringly.

But it only chafed her wolf, how dare he implicate that she was not Roma...she would show him but Evelyn reined her wolf, she too felt sad that he saw her that way, but for now she choose to keep quite.

"The council wants to meet" she told him instead.

"Good" Alex said "We need to tell them we are not looking at causing unnecessary trouble and need to get their support."

"But, Charles is there in America" Evelyn said softly.

"He is, he has been there for a while, there is nothing we can do for now...we will get him Evelyn...eventually...we will get him but now is not the time."

"Why not?" she asked curiously. However she knew what he would say.

"Because you need to settle in to the role, you are the last of the Roma family keeping this dynasty together, if you fall, the whole Roma empire falls with you...we need to secure your safety for now."

"You mean we need to act like pussies!" she spat.

Alex looked at her in surprise and then his face hardened "If that is what it takes to keep you alive."

"I see" She said stiffly. She did see, Alex will always see her as the girl from Colorado who was over her head.

"If you don't mind, I want to have some time alone" She told him tersely.

He sighed and got up. "I am sorry if I hurt you Evy. But I believe it is for the best. If you don't, at least believe this, Evy....I will always want what is best for you." He walked away.

Roma!

She recalled what Sebastian had told her the other day.

"You are Roma and it's time they realize that."

***

Sebastian sat in the chair of his office and opened the draw and pulled out a visiting card. He looked at it in thought and then picked up the phone to call the number on it and waited for the overseas call to connect.

Eventually it was picked up.

"Mr. Knowles, I am sorry for your loss, how can we help you?" The voice on the other side asked.

"Mr. Bartley, it's time we have a heart to hear conversation" Sebastian responded.

There was a moment of silence on the line.

"I am listening...." The other side stated.