Chapter 30

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"Alpha Nick?" Sebastian got up from the chair surprised.

Nick gave him a grim smile and quickly looked away as if he was guilty.

Gordon stepped back to his chair and sat down with great pleasure.

Nick walked in and stood in the chamber as there was only one chair which Sebastian had been occupying.

"Alpha Nick" Gordon began with satisfaction "Welcome to the world council and thank you for being here on such short notice."

Nick simply nodded in acknowledgement.

"The world council reviewed the events that happened in Colorado. We are sorry for what you had to endure" he said sadly.

"On behalf of American council I extend my apologies to you for not taking timely action." Gordon said with humility.

Nick stood stunned.

An Apology! That too in front of the world council, it was unheard of!

"The American council, I am afraid acted on some bad Intel" Gordon confessed sadly.Regret etched on his face.

"We as still investigating the cause of such major lapse and also ensuring that such events never occur in the future." Gordon vowed.

"However, we are not gathered to give you assurances but a choice" Gordon offered.

"A Choice?" Nicked voiced his question, speaking for the first time since he entered.

"Yes" Gordon said "You see, the American council takes blame for failing to protect you. I take blame as the representative of the American continents in the world council in failing to protect you. We realize that our failure had put in a predicament and you had to make an impossible choice." Gordon said with sympathy.

"So we have negotiated with the representative of Roma and pleaded our case with him." Gordon said pointing to Sebastian.

"And he was kind enough to oblige the council. You must be wondering what it is all about so let me tell you. If you choose to continue to be blood bound to Roma then that is your choice. However, if you choose not to be blood bound to Roma, you can say so and Roma had agreed to free you."

He paused for the information to sink into the alpha.

"So yet again you have a choice before you alpha. What will it be? Freedom from the blood bond or you wish to be blood bound to Roma?" Gordon asked with a smile, one who was confident of the outcome.

"Please understand, whatever you choose there will be no repercussions from any side. You are free to choose without any consequences." Russia assured gently.

Everyone waited with baited breath while Nick was thinking. The ball was in his court now.

Nick slowly stated "As the respected chair of the council said, American council had failed us." He stated bluntly and it took all his might for Gordon not to flinch.

"The Roma wolves, put their lives on the line for us and rescued us. Saved our lives. I and my pack owed my very existence to them." He paused looking at all the council members who were listening to him in rapt attention. Gordon moved in his seat uneasily.

This was not what he expected, he expected the alpha to be relieved, thanking the council profusely for their act of kindness, anything but this.

"I knew the price of their help then and I know it now. So, please hear me clearly when I say, I owe my allegiance to Roma" he firmly stated, his declaration reverberating against the walls of the chamber.

"Are you crazy?!" Gordon roared after a moment of stunned silence, his expression changing from shocked to absolutely furious.

"Have you lost your goddamn mind!?! you wish you hand over a piece of America to Roma! I would never..."

"Silence!" Sebastian barked getting up from this chair. With so much authority that even Gordon paused taken aback.

"I had accepted the terms of this council, but here the chair of the council is now trying to coerce my alpha! This is unacceptable! Will the council honor its agreement?" Sebastian asked furious ignoring Gordon's deathly glare but looking pointedly at other members of the council.

"Yes!" Africa said breaking the silence and two more yes's from Asia and Europe followed quickly. Since Roma controlled these seats this answer was expected.

Gordon went ashen and silent but his look thrown at Nick and Sebastian was filled with such hatred that a lesser man would wither.

"Yes" Australia added after a moment.

"Yes" Russia followed and everyone looked at Gordon who had gone absolutely still.

"We request the chair to pass the motion" Europe prompted with barely contained glee. It was not often Gordon was handed his ass in a platter.

"Yes" Gordon spat with grave difficulty, sitting still like statue and the moment he said yes he got up and stormed out of the chamber.

The remaining members of the council looked at each other and Russia finally said "The motion is hereby passed. This council recognizes Colorado as part of kingdom of Roma. The witnesses are excused." He declared.

Nick and Sebastian stepped out of the chamber to be greeted by the ashen face of David. David's responsibility as the head of enforcers was to guard the chamber from the outside while it was in session. He and his men guarded the chambers with the council members were in it.

So when he saw Gordon's exit of fury, he had a pretty good idea what had happened. Gordon's gamble had failed. But he had to admit which meant, Nick had played them, played them all. Which also meant Roma played them. He could very well imaging the state Gordon would be in right now.

Nick gave David a smile and said "Thanks for all your help David" and shook the hands of the shell-shocked man.

"Nick, why don't you join me?" Sebastian asked and Nick nodded his consent and walked out of the building with him.

***

Rage. That is what Gordon Lockbourne felt, when he stormed into his office and closed the door behind him. He had taken his chair and thrown it across the wall and flipped his desk over in wild fury.

They had played him. Those bastards Nick and Sebastian and he fell for it.

When David had got Alpha Nick along he had been convinced that Nick wanted to be free from the blood oath. Who wouldn't? So he like a fool he fell for it and tried to gamble over it to corner Roma.

But those bastards had instead played a number on him. On him! They had made a mockery of him in front of the world council. With great difficulty he had persuaded Russia and Australia to support him. It had all been for naught.

They would pay! They all would pay! Roma would pay!

With that thought, he looked for his cellphone in the carnage of his office and finally found it. He called a number and was picked up after a few rings.

"Hello?" the voice answered.

"What is the progress of our project?" he asked.

"We have recovered from our setback, progressing nicely I would say" the other end added.

"Bring it forward. I want it executed as soon as possible" Gordon demanded.

"I will see what I can do. Now let me get back to work" The other side said and the phone clicked.

The man on the other end looked at the phone in his hand and looked around his new command center and looked around the faces of his team "our stakeholders are getting impatient. We need to move up the schedule. Let's get to work people."

He walked out of the house which was scavenged by his team and stepped out. He was surrounded by forest on all sides.

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

As someone answered on the other side he responded.

"This is Charles. There is a change in the schedule."

***

"Nick we cannot thank you enough for what you have done." Sebastian said, they were at a restaurant having lunch. A celebration of sort, after their victory in the council.

Nick nodded acknowledging his thanks and said "My pack owes you our lives, we don't switch loyalties easily. Besides we knew something like this would happen." They had anticipated Gordon would try to be sneaky, they did not know what he would do, but sending in David to convince Nick to get out of the Oath was a smart move and was tempting for the alpha. Sebastian had to admire the loyalty of the alpha in front of him and he was glad to give him the next piece of information.

"We know that" Sebastian paused and added "That is why Roma is releasing you from the blood oath."

Nick's jaw dropped, emotions swirled in him. What was Sebastian saying?

"We always knew you were an honorable man Nick but the blood oath was necessary at that time. There were too many event that could have influenced you. Too many things that would have gone wrong. We always intended to release you from your oath." Sebastian revealed.

"I hope we will still have your allegiance" Sebastian smiled and asked.

"Of course" Nick insisted right away. He was overwhelmed.

"Good. We will wait for a few weeks until things calm down and see what our man Gordon does and then you get your choice back back."

"Thank you Sebastian, let Roma know that we are grateful for all her help and she can always count on me or my packs loyalty" Nick assured with emotion.

"She already knows that Nick. Your pack is even more special to us. Isn't it?"

He was talking about Evelyn. Yes, that would help out Nick nicely indeed. He never knew taking in a stray mother and daughter would pay such rich dividends.

"You have made some powerful enemies today Nick, you need to be extra cautious now." Sebastian cautioned.

Nick nodded grimly. He did. He was now an island state surrounded by sharks. He and his pack would truly be isolated, at least for now until they settled on better terms with the american council. Which was unlikely any time soon.

"Don't worry, we are there to cover your back" Sebastian reassured.

"Thanks Sebastian" Nick said and wanted to ask something but stopped.

Sebastian saw him hesitate "Ask away Nick"

"Something David said was bothering me, about Colorado" Nick started.

Sebastian waited for him to continue.

"He said it was too efficient and it has been bothering me. There is more to it, isn't it?" It was not a question anymore more of stating a fact. David had indeed raised a genuine question and it had been bothering him since then.

Sebastian sighed shifting in his chair "I think it's time you know the truth. What do you know of Maxim Roma's assassination?"

What did that have to do with Colorado? Nick wondered but answered nevertheless.

"Just that he was assassinated by a sniper" A bullet to the heart. Powerful wolf or not, a bullet to your heart meant end of story. "I thought a rebel rogue group was blamed, weren't they all killed?"

Sebastian smiled.

"You see it was never rogues" Sebastian stated. Nick looked surprised.

"The skill level, the marksmanship was professional. No way was it a rogue group that did this. Also for the sniper to be in range he had to be let into the inner perimeter. That means someone let him in. Someone in the inside." Sebastian reveled.

Nick was listing to this with fascination. While he did know the story everyone else knew, this was not common knowledge.

"We soon found out the who the traitor was, but he fled by then. He had been one of us, our trusted member. He was played, slowly and steadily. Systematically poisoned to do their bidding." Sebastian continued.

Who was they? Nick couldn't help but wonder.

"Someone with a lot of time and patience studied our inner circle carefully, discovered a chink in our armor and exploited it." He paused "They were no rogues but a powerful enemy."

"The clue to finding out who it is was to find our traitor. That search lead to America, the rogue alpha. He was the traitor. We would not have found him if not for his activity in Colorado. The killings were too efficient for a pack of rogues, their methods systematic and familiar. Ours" Sebastian told.

Nick was taken aback. The rogue alpha was a Roma wolf, David had been right. Partially.

"So we came in to America, in guise of a business deal with the humans, we had men on the ground. But we couldn't intervene without an alpha inviting us, it would have been a violation of the treaty. We even tried to call a few alphas to offer them help, they refused. So we were praying you would call us."

Sebastian looked at Nick and said "and you did. The rest you know." He concluded leaning back in to his chair.

"What about the Rogue alpha, did you kill him?" Nick asked finally. A question he wanted an answer since he was caught.

"No" Sebastian bit, indicating he was not happy with that outcome.

"What? Why?" Nick asked shocked. This he did not expect.

"He was a pawn at the end of the day used by a bigger force and he helped in giving some crucial information. So we let him go. With certain conditions, Roma was certain that he would never harm us again. But he told us what we more or less suspected."

Nick waited to see what it was.

"Why do you think the American council did not intervene when Colorado wolves were being slaughtered? Because he was promised Colorado by someone in your council, someone influential." Sebastian dropped the bombshell.

Nick's eyes widened at this piece of information. What?!?!

"Someone in American council initiated war against us Nick. A war we intend to finish. We didn't start it but trust me, we will finish it." Sebastian vowed.

The conviction in Sebastian's voice convinced Nick of their determination.

"That is why we needed Colorado, needed you. We plan to launch an offensive against the American council and we needed a base of operation" Sebastian finally revealed Roma's plan.

"I am being honest with you Nick because a war is coming. You better be ready for it"

***

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry

you don't know how lovely you are

Maxwell walked out of the clearing. And saw her sitting on one of tree log benches, looking out into the river. It was a beautiful evening. The sun reflecting on the calm gentle river.

He stopped to admire his mate from afar, drinking in her sight.

He could see only one side of her profile as she was staring out into the river. She seemed so peaceful, lost in her own thoughts, not paying heed to her surroundings. Otherwise she would have picked his presence by now.

As if reading his thoughts, she suddenly stiffen and knew it was a reaction to his presence. She had finally detected his presence. He waited to see what she would do, but she just sat there stiffly looking out into the river her gaze unwavering. He realized she was waiting for him to make the first move.

He had indeed made the first move in their relationship, it had been disastrous! maybe this was his second chance?

Only one way to find out.

He was nervous he realized, very nervous. He had never faced such kind of uncertainty in his life. He realized the power a mate would hold over him and if he was honest about it he was scared.

He took a deep breath and started walking towards her. Time to get the show on the road.

He paused at least a few feet before her, ensuring he gave her enough space. He was standing on her side. She still was not looking at him but there was no way she was not aware who it was standing on her side.

"Hi" he gently said. breaking the silence

She finally turned and looked at him. For the first time he got to see her properly. When he saw her in the hotel it was his wolf that was in control, not him. But now he saw his mate, drinking in her features greedily. Really seeing her for the first time.

She was petite, brunette with silky hair, he wouldn't mind running his hand through her hair, he envisioned doing that at some time in the future...like soon...like in a few minutes maybe?

But the best part of her were her eyes, those orbs of gold he could get lost in them forever.

At this point he realized his mate was beautiful. He really didn't care what others thought of her or would think of her. For him she was beautiful and that was all that mattered.

She was beautiful and she was his! satisfaction surged through him as his wolf purred in satisfaction of it's conquest.

She was also staring at him probably doing the same thing he was doing.

"Hi" She whispered back finally.

Her voice music to his ears and then even she realized that she was staring at him and broke eye contact and looked away. Back at the river.

As she broke contact, he felt as a spell lifted off him. But at the same time he had a urge to put his hand under her chin and turn her head again so he could be lost in her eyes again. but he stayed where he was.

And the silence stretched.

He took a deep breath, his hands balled into fists in sheer nervousness.

"I am sorry" He said.

What else could he say?

But, it sounded so hollow, so empty to his own ears.

"I am sorry too" She added without looking at him.

She was clearly avoiding looking at him. Which he did not like, not one bit. But there was nothing he could do at this point, so he took it in stride.

That was the last thing he expected from her. An apology! the absurdity of it.

What was she apologizing for?

As if reading his thoughts "I should not have run from you" She stated, still staring into the river.

"I..." Maxwell started.

She looked back at him and put her hand up making him stop whatever he was saying.

"Please let me finish" she pleaded "Before I lose my mind, I want to explain something and also ask you a request" she stated gently.

"Anything!" he immediately offered. Foolishly.

She gave him an ironic smile, clearly forced and looked away back to the river. She closed her eyes took a deep breath, as if reinforcing her resolve and opened her eyes and started talking.

She again was back to staring into the river and not looking at him. He hated that but kept quiet.

"As I said I am sorry" she started "I should not have run, but I was not prepared for a mate. You see, while I knew there was always a possibility that I would find a mate it was not an active thought in my mind, nor was it something I gave a lot of thought to" She continued trying to explain her point of view.

"So when I realized what you were...." She faltered.

She could not even say it! He thought bitterly.

"My mind refused to accept it and I panicked." She confessed.

"But also, when I looked at you I realized that your wolf was in control of your body, was it not?" she looked at him for confirmation.

He grimly nodded. He was trying to understand her point of view, how she viewed the whole unfortunate incident. It would give him a clue on how we could work things out with her.

Satisfied with his confirmation she looked back into the river and his jaw tightened.

She could not even look at him?

"I know when wolves are in control of your body, you are fairly unpredictable. We were told to stay away from such people who were battling with their dominance from their wolves. That is the main reason I ran" She reasoned.