Fangs and Fur: The Alpha king's mate

Demands

His words hang in the air as my mind becomes a whirlwind of emotions.

I can feel his eyes on me as I process the situation and his words. He leans back in his chair. He is giving me an option to help my kind but at the cost of everything I held close to me.

There was a part of me that isn't caught up in defiance, the part that still wants to survive for my people to thrive, I weigh the options. Trust him? After everything it feels like a betrayal to my own instincts. Yet, the rebellion, the humans we've been fighting for, they need this more than my stubborn nature right now. They had real needs.

"So, let me get this straight," I say as I try to regain some control over the situation. "You want me to trust you, to complete this bond, and in exchange, you'll listen to the requests the rebellion has? You'll protect the humans?"

He tilts his head slightly, "It's not just about protection, Adelaide. It's about power. About survival of your kind . I have the power to stop all attacks and to give resources."

I resist the urge to scoff as my fingers drum nervously on the edge of the table. "And you think I can just drop everything—drop my own freedom because you say you can do these things for the humans?"

His gaze softens. "I think you've already joined forces with me whether you want to admit it or not. The bond is there always weathet you fight it or not. That mark on your neck makes sure of it."

I take a breath,
He's right. The bond is already pulling me in and the more I fight it.

"But what happens if I choose to fight it?" I ask with a whisper. "What if I don't want this bond? What if I don't want you?"

His smile fades almost instantly,"It doesn't change the end result just is going to make you more tired,. The bond is stronger than any human willpower.I've seen it all before. You will come around."

"So, what happens now?" I ask carefully. "What's next?"

He leans forward slightly closer to me. "Next? We talk. We negotiate. And once we're both happy with the negotiations, we complete the bond."

I sit back in my chair. I knew for my people I had to talk to him to say I tried.

"Fine," I say. "Let's talk."

He nods slowly. "Good. We'll start with the rebellion. What do you want, Adelaide? What will it take for you to feel like you're doing enough for your people? To complete the bond willingly."

I open my mouth to speak, but before I can respond, the same waiter returns, carrying a tray of fresh drinks. His eyes fixed on me. I offer him a tight smile.

Sebastian's eyes shift back to the waiter, his demeanor suddenly icy. "Is there a problem?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous.

Not liking how long the waiter had been looking at me.

The waiter freezes, after a second, he stammers, "N-no, sir. Everything's fine."

Sebastian dismisses him with a nod, and the waiter hurries off, his relief noticeable. I can't help but feel sorry for him.

I turn my attention back to him. "You don't get to control everything. I won't let you."

He smirks again. "You already belong to me. The question is... when will you stop fighting it? I know you feel it, I can and I'm a supernatural. I feel it so heavily.

I grit my teeth, trying to hold onto my composure.

"Let's get this over with," I say barely above a whisper. "But don't think for a second that I trust you."

His grin widens with amusement. "Trust isn't necessary. All I need is your willingness. And you'll come around. Just wait. You will see I am a man of my word."

As the conversation shifts toward the specifics of the rebellion and what I want in exchange for the bond's completion, I can't shake the feeling that I'm playing into his hands. The worst part? I don't know if I can stop myself.

He leans in, "Alright, let's talk specifics," he begins calm but commanding. "I want to know what you truly want for your people, Adelaide. What will make this bond worthwhile in your eyes? I can provide more than just protection; I can offer schooling, resources, better habits. The human rebellion needs all of that, doesn't it?"

I cross my arms, trying to maintain my composure. "We're humans are fighting for our lives, for basic freedoms. What are you willing to sacrifice, Sebastian? To truly make a difference in my kind?"

He doesn't flinch at my words, his expression unreadable. "I'm already sacrificing. I'm offering you a chance to not only save your people but to ensure the survival of your kind in the long term. Your rebellion is weak. The humans are outnumbered. But together, you and I can shift the balance."

I scoff, unable to hide my skepticism. "By using your supernatural people as your pawns? You think they'll follow your lead just because you mark me? You're not fooling anyone."

He tilts his head, his smirk softening just slightly, as if he's amused by my words. "I'm not asking them to follow me, Adelaide. I'm asking them to follow us. Together, we can create something stronger than either of us could do alone."

I lean back in my chair, absorbing his words. There's a part of me that wants to believe him—wants to believe that this bond could mean something more than just control, more than just him marking me as his possession. The part of me that knows this is what comes along with it. There was another part of me, the part that refuses to be manipulated that wants to fight against it with every ounce of strength I have left.

"Let's say I agree," I finally say, "Let's say I'm willing to play along for now. What's the next step? What do I need to do?"

His eyes flash with approval, and he leans forward, his smile widening. "First, you'll need to accept the bond. It won't be forced upon you, im not that kind of man, but it once its complete will make everything easier. You'll have access to powers you can't even begin to comprehend, Adelaide. It will make you stronger than you've ever been."

I shake my head, my heart pounding. "No. I'm not doing this because you want me to feel strong or because you want to control me. If I do this, it's because I'm choosing to. My terms. Not yours."

His expression shifts, just for a moment, his eyes narrow in thought. "Your terms," he repeats, a challenge in his voice. "Alright. What are your terms, then?"

I hesitate, my mind racing. If I agree to this bond, I need something in return—something more than just survival, something that gives me a chance at freedom, at choice.

"I want the rebellion to be a true partnership," I say, my voice steady despite the nerves that threaten to consume me. "I want the humans to have a say. Not just in what you decide for us, but in how we move forward. And I want my people to be protected—not controlled in any way, testing for mates is fine though but beyond that. They should have every assess a supernatural would have.

He regards me for a moment, his eyes cold and calculating. "You're asking for a lot, Adelaide," he says, his voice low. "But I'm willing to meet your demands."

I swallow, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Everything I could ever want for my kind on a silver platter.....My heart pounds in my chest, and I can feel the tug of the bond as it whispers in the back of my mind, tempting me to accept, to give in.