Silk Skin and Smoke (Age Gap)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Augustus' POV

"It seems your Kingdom isn't as stable as you thought. Any other Lord planning a walk out?" Arlo raised his voice, glancing at Hiram, Ambrose and Vincent. Their gazes hardened toward the wolf.

"That isn't helpful." Tallulah spoke through her teeth toward Arlo. He took a steady breath, settling back into his seat.

"Looks like our numbers have dwindled a bit, and our strategy leaked. But we can form a new one." Thea straightened in her chair, reaching for her glass of water. It's been an open eventful breakfast, one she's stayed silent for until now.

"Our strategy?" I questioned her. My Lords let their eyes fall on her. She picked up her fork as if it were just another morning, stabbing her eggs and accepting the horrid news with a grain of salt.

"It seems you need our help more than ever. I will let the other packs chose if they should volunteer, but mine will be by your side." She smiled briefly and ate her breakfast, ignoring the shocked expressions. An alliance never seemed so simple.

"I will help." Alpha Brais Alvarez spoke up.

"As will I." Cain Caruso agreed with a sigh.

"And I." Alpha Callum nodded.

Each and every Alpha put their alliance on the table. Althea had started a ripple affect, these people truly were pack creatures, loyal to each other to the death. The last Alpha yet to agree was Jake, he sat, throwing back his breakfast as if he had worked up a sweat with his mate the night before. By the looks of her bare neck I didn't think they had initiated anything. Everyone looked at him expectantly.

"I thought my alliance was a given. I've literally been living here." He knit his brows with a mouth full of food. Tallulah giggled, she seemed to be the only one that found him funny.

"Then it's settled. The guard will help transport you and your warriors to Realm. We stay at my manor night before the invasion." Hiram spoke up. He was eager to start killing. He was hiding it well, but he felt betrayed by his fellow Lords. Hundreds of years ruling together, just to throw it all away. He had to have been questioning every relationship he had. Which weren't many.

"When?" Thea piped up.

"As soon as possible. As soon as we've formed a new strategy and briefed you and your people on how to fight a power wielding demon. And apparently my vampire brothers." Hiram lowered his head, jaw clenching tightly.

"Are those ones you'd want kept alive?" Arlo asked me. All stares fell to me, even Hiram was curious.

"No. They're rebellions now. They all die." I spoke harshly. Breakfast resumed as normal, but there was more hope in the air. We were allied, all of us. Of course there was paperwork to do, but it was a sure thing.

I felt Tallulah's hand on my leg under the table. I turned and admired how beautiful she looked. She was glowing, has been all morning, despite the bad news. Despite all the leaked information. I thought of what else they could know. Kai didn't know about Harthan. Only my Tallulah did. But if he knew about the oil then I have no definitive way of telling how much he truly does know.

"Why aren't you eating?" She spoke through the bond we now shared. I've been selfishly dipping into her head for weeks and now she had the ability to do the same. She wasn't wasting it either.

"I'll eat later amore mio." I promised her. Truth is I didn't want bottled blood, not after tasting so much of her. I wanted to feed on her, sleeping next to her was difficult. There was no barrier on her skin. I could have fed at my own free will. I just craved a drink is all. But I felt that last night has traumatized her from feeding me at all.