Page 136 of Prey for Me
“Because you know that it would be inexcusable to negotiate and discuss such confidential matters with the most powerful species without the permission of the crown.”
Shit.
Taya leans back. “You know what I think?”
“What angel?” Sam asks.
“I think he’s got some sort of stake in this deal. And I think that’s why he’s pushing for an answer.”
“Hmmm,” Sam savors the explanation.
“That’s absurd. I would never. This is just not how things are done, is all.”
I don’t believe him. And judging by the look on everyone else’s face, no one else does, either.
“The old ways have not been working, have they, Council?” Taya points out.
I’ve never heard her take such a tone. She’s always taken the high road and handled things with grace. Confrontation wasn’t her strong suit, but this version of her has a backbone. I’m proud of her.
The councilman, however, seems offended. “How dare you? I have served on this panel for twenty-five years. Longer than you’ve been alive. And you think because some old, outdated code section says so, that you all can change hierarchy just like that? It’s preposterous. Absolutely preposterous.”
His ramble indicates he’s been holding this in for a while. It’s been apparent that the council has been frustrated by the personnel changes, but he’s the first to speak on them. And judging by the glare Sam is giving him, he’ll be the first to die for it.
Sam rolls up his sleeves but allows the man to continue with such a disrespectful tone toward his mate.
“You”—he points to Taya, who blinks at the unexpected finger in her face yet remains stoic—“knownothing! I watched you grow into the petulant little brat you are today.”
Taya, who is not fazed by his tone at all, sits back with patience and attention. She knows it’s only a matter of time until Sam acts.
My mother and I scoot our chairs away from the man.
The next thing I know, the councilman’s body drops. Sam is coated in the guy’s blood.
Taya takes a tissue from the table and wipes the blood splatter from his face.
“Thank you, angel,” he says to her. “You ready?”
“Mhm,” she says to him.
Sam looks to me. “What my mate says, stands. Talk it over. Let us know.”
“Thank you,” my mother says.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get someone to come clean this up,” Taya says.
Hand in hand, Sam and Taya leave the conference room.
Once the room is empty and the door is shut, my mother stands. “I don’t like this.”
I stand as well and look at the guy bleeding out on our floor. “It’s fine. They said they’ll get someone to come clean it up.”
“Not that. The witch. You can’t be with her.”
“I don’t have much of a choice.”
“I won’t give you my blessing to be in some mateless arrangement. What about the other options? Was there not a suitable wolf among them?”
In truth, there may have been. Any paled in comparison to the one in my own bed. I couldn’t choose another wolf—not with my true mate alive. It would be too hard. It’s one thing to choose a mate without knowing who your fated one is. Neither of you know and there’s no predisposed attachment or bond.
