_ The Meeting

The weight of it all was thick enough to chew on as Rhett stared at Farkas. But revealing the existence of his second mate – Isleen was simply not an option. Not yet.

It would destroy his relationship with Kylo. An already faltering and frail relationship. How inevitable it was even more derailing – making Rhett feel as powerless as a candle in a storm.

Yet, there was nothing he could do. Absolutely nothing. This was beyond him – beyond them all.

It's nothing, Farkas," Rhett finally murmured, forcing a convincing smile. "Just a gut feeling. Maybe I am getting old and rusty. Besides, those fairies didn't seem threatening, just – odd. It wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on them."

Farkas laughed. "Old? You are just a forty-one-year-old man who looks thirty."

When Rhett didn't respond or react, Farkas narrowed his eyes now and got serious, "The fairies are odd, how? Elaborate."

Rhett searched for a plausible explanation. "As I've aforementioned, one seemed oddly confident – almost arrogant, while the other was timid and nervous. It felt — staged, maybe they were trying too hard to appear innocent."

"And this is enough to warrant surveillance?"

Rhett pressed his temples. This wasn't working. He needed to deflect – to change the subject.

"Look, there's more pressing matters," he said. "I want a meeting with all of our soldiers instantly. There's a lot to deal with now, Farkas. We can discuss the fairies and me later."

Farkas nodded. "The meeting is definite. You should head to the conference room now. I'll ask for one of the men to summon the others."

.

The conference room was akin to a graveyard by the time every one of the higher-ranked soldiers had gathered. Rhett took a minute to study all of their men's faces before proceeding to commence speech.

"The vampires have escalated," he began. "This brazen attack on neutral territory proves they no longer fear the consequences." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "But we are Ravenwood," Gamma Rhett continued, his voice rising in power. "We are descendants of the moon, forged in the crucible of battle. We do not cower in the face of threats. We meet them head-on, fangs bared and claws unsheathed."

He swept his gaze over the room, seeing as the soldiers shifted comfortably in their seats, all dressed in the pack's military uniform. "Therefore, I command the following: security around the pack's perimeter is to be doubled immediately. No stone should be left unturned. Since the veil was infiltrated, I'm sure that has told many of you so much already – that we are prone to attacks anytime and anywhere. Also, we have enemies in our midst. But we'll let our enemies know that our Ravenwood pack is not to be messed with!"

The soldiers roared with affirmations. "Yes, sir!"

"Questions and suggestions?" Rhett finalized.

He was always the type to throw the decisions pool open. A series of hands shot up but Rhett's attention settled on Lieutenant Alistair. The chap was in his late twenties and had been serving the military for six years. He was a seasoned werewolf with scars crisscrossing his broad chest.

The scar was what earned him the lieutenant position. Everyone in the pack knew how he got it; he took a stab in the chest for the pack's Luna while she was attacked by those who weren't satisfied with Alpha Beowulf's reign.

Every father had that someone whom they wished was their son – Alistair was Rhett's.

"Alistair," Rhett called on the lieutenant who stood up abruptly, saluting. "I suggest we hold a meeting with the fey too. Our kind couldn't have helped the vampires break through the veil. If we got into this mess, protecting them, we have the right to question them."

A murmur of agreement boomed through the room but was cut short by Farkas who was sitting at the front table. "Alistair's point is valid but I beg to differ. We did not get into this war to protect the fey. The fey took a bold step that none of us had been able to take ever since the vampires broke the treaty. We only did the right as expected of us. But then, I also stand to say that the fey should be brought in for questioning. All of them."

Yet, another round of murmurs of agreement and disagreements blossomed. Rhett soon called them to order. "I would have to discuss that with the Alpha first. Only with his order could we pull such. While at it, I want the doubled security as said. Also, I want to consider a permanent outpost. It would allow for quicker response to any threats near the border."

"Yes, sir!" The agreements resounded which made Rhett relieved that they were all in mutual understanding.

"I want Farkas and Alistair to organize the outposts. Patrols should be everywhere in the pack. Wait for more instructions. Until then, let's get down to work!" Rhett finalized, leading all the soldiers in the room to stand up and salute him.

Rhett returned the salute and battled with his own inner turmoil. Having to face the Alpha would be challenging for him. He and Beowulf share contrasting beliefs. Had Beowulf not abolished the 'Romance with only mates' rule, Kylo and Isleen would have gotten rid of their relationship years ago.

They would have not seen a future for it and would have separated. Perhaps, he might have never met Isleen to discover she was his mate. More or less, it would have been less easy to claim her as his mate without his relationship with Kylo potentially being destroyed.

When Rhett turned to exit the conference room as the meeting was concluded, his gaze met with Farkas's. Once again, Farkas had caught him being distressed.

He would hide this until he found out how to navigate it all. Perhaps, when he returned home tonight, slept, and saw the one he saw in his dreams, he would find his answers.

For now, he faked a smile at the unconvinced Farkas and walked out. Time to face the young and woke Alpha.