"Alpha Alrik, the Minister has asked that you go to the conference room for the meeting."

It was about time he called the damn meeting. The Minister did not understand that some of us had work to do.

The butler led me to the conference room and opened the door for me, bowing his head. I gave him a curt nod and entered the room, furrowing my eyebrows a little at the two people sitting before me.

It looked as though the Minister and Jaslynn had finished a serious conversation. She was nibbling her lip nervously, and the Minister had his hands clasped together and pressed against his lips as if he was deep in thought.

"Minister," I greeted, snapping him out of his daze.

"Alpha Alrik," he exclaimed, "Please have a seat next to Jaslynn. The others should be arriving shortly."

I approached the little witch, who hadn't noticed my presence until I sat right next to her. She didn't seem too pleased but nodded politely out of professionality, "Alpha Alrik."

I ignored her greeting and skipped straight to the point, "You are my mate."

"What?"

"You are my mate. I called you my bitch before because I was unaware of the more modern terminology."

Something must have clicked in her head because her eyes lit up with realization.

For what, I had no idea.

"How did you not realize that earlier? I'm sure people have talked about their mates in your pack," she asked, cocking her head as she stared at me curiously.

I pursed my lips, "I never cared for talk about mates."

Her lips formed an 'O' and she gave me a little nod before turning to look at the Minister, who was now greeting another leader.

From her facial expressions, I could tell she was indifferent about the two of us. I wasn't expecting her to be excited, especially since she knew who I was and most probably the type of person I was before I even said a word to her.

She was most likely scared for her future.

After all, as my chosen partner, she was obligated to return to my pack with me. I would have to inform her of the news after this meeting.

I was not sure what the age gap between us was, but she looked at least ten years younger than me, which was a normal age gap in the supernatural world. My parents had a fifteen year age gap.

But if she was as young as I thought she was, she was still naive, and I would be responsible for bursting the cheerful world she was probably used to.

"Alpha Alrik, allow me to introduce you to Regan, leader of the largest group of vampires in the world."

I stood up from my chair, glanced at the woman's face briefly, and shook her hand. I did not exactly care about all of these people so introductions were pointless.

She tried to make conversation but I sat back down and ignored her.

If conversation did not relate to me or my pack, I did not want to speak.

***

After wasting a good twenty minutes of my time, the Minister finally stood up to commence the damn meeting.

"Now that everyone's here, let me begin by saying thank you for coming on such short notice. I would not have called you if I didn't think this was important. Earlier this week, I had received a letter from a friend that had some troubling news."

He directed his gaze at Jaslynn, who rotated to address all of us, "I hope all of you recall that when I was an apprentice, I had a partner by the name of Malcolm."

"Yes, we remember. He was an asshole," Wilbur, whose species I could not remember, stated.

Jaslynn smiled humorlessly, "He definitely has more than a few screws loose in his big head. I thought I had gotten rid of him, but as it turns out, he's roaming the streets again."

I frowned, "And that relates to us because?"

Her eyes met mine, "Because what he is looking for can destroy all of you."

"What is he looking for?" Regan asked, leaning forward with interest.

"The Book of Demonic Magic. It–"

"Wait, wait, wait. He's looking for a book? Can't he just go to the library?" Another man interrupted. I didn't know his name, but he was a dragon. A stupid one at that.

There was a series of chuckles around the table from the other leaders.

Jaslynn still had a blank face like me, "It has been missing for years, Daxton. You can laugh about it as much as you want but it doesn't change the fact that it is vital we find it before he does."

"Just let the man have it. What's the worst that can happen?"

How were leaders even chosen for these meetings? Daxton was an absolute idiot. He did not take anything seriously.

Jaslynn narrowed her eyes, "I hope you realize what you're saying. If Malcolm manages to find the book, he will be able to break the barrier between the Underworld and the Middle World and resurrect any demon or evil figure of his choosing. He'll even be able to create a whole new satanic species."

Daxton's face lost its humor. It was about time he had a reality check.

"He wants to create a whole new world, one that surrounds death, destruction, and insanity. A world where he is king, or maybe even considered to be God."

"When was the last time someone saw this book?" Wilbur asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

Jaslynn pursed her lips, "Centuries probably. It was hidden for a reason."

That was when Vampire Regan decided to interject, "So what is your plan?"

"Find the book and destroy it. I need all of your help in the search because it could be anywhere. We could cover more ground quickly if we all–"

"I'm sorry, Jas, but I'm not investing my money and resources in a book that may never be found," Wilbur stated.

None of them understood the seriousness of the situation.

Malcolm was not stupid. He would not have shown his face to the public if he did not have confidence that he would find the book. There was information that he knew that we did not know, and I did not like that.

If he found the book before I did, the witches were not the only ones screwed.

The world was.

"Malcolm knows something we don't. We need to search for it. If we can not find it, the most we can do is stop him from finding it," I said, silently pleading for the leaders to understand.

At the moment, most of them seemed to think it was funny that a book could create so much chaos.

"We won't force you to join the search, however, it is highly recommended that you do," the Minister added, trying to give them a little push in the right direction.

The room was silent. Alpha Alrik was the only one who was still staring at me as he tapped his pointer finger against his lips. None of the other leaders wanted to make eye contact with me.

And that fueled my fire.

"I don't believe this," I blurted, finally losing my composure, "Except for Alpha Alrik, all of you owe me favors. I have been there to help each and every one of you when you needed it. And now, when I need help with something that doesn't just affect witches, none of you want to step in. How dumb is that? This search has nothing to do with selfish desires, it's for the welfare of all species."

"Jaslynn, we are aware that we owe you. But you have to understand our positions. I don't want to go on a goose chase," Wilbur said as he studied his thumbs to avoid me.

I shook my head in disappointment.

I should have known that this would happen, but I could not let it defeat me. Help would be useful, but I could still conduct the search by myself even if it took longer.

And hopefully, they would come to their senses before it was too late.

"I guess we should take a survey then. If you agree to help Jaslynn on her quest, say 'Aye'. If you don't agree, say 'Nay'. Mr. Wilbur, we will start with you."

Wilbur gave me a small, apologetic smile, "Nay."

"Mr. Daxton."

"Sorry Jaslynn, but nay."

"Ms. Regan."

"I'm so sorry, Jaslynn. Nay."

"Alpha Alrik."

Silence.

I lifted my gaze from the table and found his gray eyes studying me carefully.

Based on our thirty-second conversation before the meeting, I didn't think he cared about mates, but perhaps I was wrong. I didn't want to get my hopes up.

All I knew was that I finally understood why my body enjoyed his presence so much. Not only was he a sight for sore eyes, but the fates had twined us together.

He could technically be all mine if he stopped rubbing me the wrong way.

"Alpha Alrik, do you have an answer?"

His eyes bore into mine, and the air left my lungs at the intensity. I could see every little speck and the way his eyes dilated in the shadows of the room.

"Nay."