The Meeting...

Hayley

I took a deep breath as I adjusted my dress and prepared myself mentally for whatever was to come. With my head held high, I walked into the conference room with Damian, my will strong with a surge of determination. Today was not just about diplomacy—it was about showing Zion how far I had come and how much I had grown. I wouldn't be satisfied until I had rubbed it on his face.

The room was already filled with tension, knights from Diamond pack and our pack stood stoically, their eyes following Damian and me as we entered. I could feel their curious and judgmental gazes on me, but I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin high. I was the queen now, and I would act like it. I recognized a few of the guards, but they were the ones struggling to recognize me.

As we approached the long table, my eyes scanned the room until they found him—Zion. He stood near the head of the table, his presence as imposing as ever. His eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Alpha Zion," Damian began, his voice a commanding presence in the room. "Thank you for accepting our invitation. We have much to discuss."

Zion's eyes finally left mine and shifted to Damian. "Alpha Damian," he replied, his tone respectful but guarded. "Indeed, there are pressing matters we need to address." Zion's eyes shifted from Damian and for a second time we locked eyes. I stared at him with the same intensity, I wasn't the slave girl he used to boss around anymore. I was royalty now, and I had no intention of buckling under those judgemental eyes.

After a minute of intense staring, he finally addressed me "Queen Hayley, it's... an honor to see you again. I trust you have been well?"

The formal politeness in his voice barely masked the emotions behind those eyes. He was stunned to the marrow just by the sight of me. He probably thought that Alpha Damian would enslave me like they'd done, he thought I'd never be able to stand on the same footing as him, but those assumptions of his had been wrong.

I gave him a cold, measured smile. "I have been very well, Alpha Zion. Thank you for asking. Alpha Damian has been nothing short of a good husband, he's the best."

Zion's eyes darted from Damian's face to mine for a second before he finally mustered up a smile. "I'm glad you're doing well. Let's get the meeting started if you don't mind."

"Right away." Damian agreed just before Ethan walked in with a few others that I failed to recognize.

Without wasting another second, the meeting had begun in earnest, and just as expected, the news had been true. Zion had signed an allegiance deal with Conrad. However, his excuse was that he was being threatened. Apparently, Conrad's men had been terrorizing the pack since they learnt that they had given Damon a mate. Conrad had threatened to eliminate them all if they hadn't pledged their allegiance to him.

Damian and Ethan seemed to have fallen for his lies, but I knew better than to believe a single thing that comes out of Zion's mouth. He was clearly lying, and while I had no means to prove that he was, I knew without a doubt that he wasn't telling the truth.

"What if we provide security for your pack? Would you then pledge your allegiance to me? I have the men, I have the supply, I'm certain we can give Diamond pack the security it needs."Damian suggested, but Zion wasn't exactly on board with the decision.

"And run the risk of starting a war on Diamond Pack's grounds? I don't think that's a good idea. The last thing I want is to get involved in your quarrel with Conrad Anders. If he learns that I'm playing double agent, there's no telling what he'd do." Zion complained.

"You do understand that allying yourself with Conrad makes you my enemy? Can you say for certain that you know what I'd do to those who stand against me?" Damian asked, a thinly veiled threat in his voice. The room grew even more tense, the air thick with anticipation.

Zion hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I understand the risks, Alpha Damian, but my priority is the safety of my pack. I can't afford to gamble with their lives."

To that answer, I scoffed and rolled my eyes, pulling all the attention to myself. I knew Zion better than anyone here, and I knew without a doubt that he didn't care for anybody else besides himself. The only reason Diamond pack hadn't crumbled was because of Alpha Alexander. Zion might wear the crown, but everybody knew that his father was the one ruling.

"Is there something you'd like to say, Hayley?" Zion asked, his voice cold and his gaze even colder.

I mirrored the look in his eyes and faced him without an iota of fear. "If you're a cowar—"

"The queen has been down with a cold. She's not in the right condition to speak." Damian intervened before I had the chance of finishing my sentence. He reached for my hand and gave me a gentle squeeze before urging me to control myself with his eyes.

"It's fine, she doesn't have much to add to this affair anyway. Women aren't supposed to be in a council where war is being discussed."

Damian's hand held mine even tighter, preventing me from lashing out before I could. Zion was trying his luck, and I was on the verge of losing myself. He hadn't stopped looking down on me, it was clear that I was still a slave in his eyes, and realizing that was more infuriating than anything he had said so far.

I met his gaze once more, my eyes blaring with hatred against his nonchalant gaze. I felt like jumping across the table and punching his teeth in, but I didn't want to embarrass Damian in front of this many people. Zion was safe for now, but I was not done with him, not yet. One way or another I was going to make sure I put him in his place for once.