The Heart of a Mate (Alpha/Omega Book 3/3) [Boy/Boy] - 2013

Chapter 9: The Meeting

The Heart of a Mate: Chapter 9: The Meeting

Lauren's POV

               Pyro held the pendant in his now boney fingers. "Why would she want the pendant?" 

He attempted to shrug but stopped once he realized it would just hurt. "I don't know. She said in the right hands it weld a lot of power." I honestly didn't know what the pendant could do... 

I ran my hand down his leg. "Jay and I have called a meeting tomorrow about the contractor - for now, you'll be our little secret." I held my finger to my lips, a motion for silence. "You should rest and allow yourself to heal." 

"I hate being useless - not to mention bed ridden." 

I smiled at his cocky grin. "Don't worry, you'll be up and terrorizing in no time." I stopped and attempted some form of seriousness. "Jay is my mate and I'd appreciate it if you two at least attempted to get along." 

"For you - I will try." 

               I took my place at the center of the stage, Jay right beside me. "May I have silence?" I spoke into the microphone. The room settled and everyone stared up at me. There were other Alphas in the crowd, along with Specials, Demons and Vampires attending on behalf of the King and Queen. Despite my efforts, everyone was still pretty segregated. "I'd like to thank you all for coming and I'd like to take this time to update everyone on recent events." I struggled to breathe, the guards seeming to be closing in on me. "I've been the target of a contractor, and I tell you this because I'm not the only one whose life is in jeopardy here - yours is as well." Gasps filled the room, along with hushed words. "The one who has taken out a hit on me," I paused to allow an image of Pyro's mother to fill the television screen behind me, "...is also aiming to take full control and over throw every district." 

"How do you know any of this to be true?" A vampire with royal blue hair questioned defensively. 

"We have protected sources." I answered curtly. "I have gathered you all to ask for your assistance. I ask that you all put your differences aside to bring this woman to justice and protect your life as you know it." I already knew I had the Specials;, Shifters and Demons on my side - I was just trying to gain the Vampire District as an ally. I knew I had much to approve when it came to my formal public speaking, but right now, I was just trying to get my point across. 

Agreeances erupted in the crowd, everyone cheering except the Vampires. "We'll go over all this with his and her majesties, until then, consider us neutral." Now, all I had to do was wait... I thanked them all again for coming before exiting the stage. 

"You did great baby." Jay kissed my cheek and pulled me into his chest. I snuggled further into the warmth, goose bumps exploding over my exposed arms. 

I jumped away when someone cleared their throat behind me. I looked at the man that I hadn't seen since the raid. "Hey Niro!" I hugged him, his once tense body now relaxed. 

"Hello." He smiled, his eyes slitting as the room brightened in the afternoon sun. "This is Givyon." He introduced the guy next to him.  

               I vaguely remembered his copper hair that was dirty with soot and blood. The anger was gone from his voice and replaced with patience and caring. He was the one who started the uproar in the warehouse the night I snuck into the Vampire District. 

               "It's nice to meet you." Niro gazed up at him adoringly and that warmed my heart. I didn't want Niro to be alone and I was glad that he was with someone who could protect him if need be. 

"It was nice of you to invite us." Niro eyes Jay, wondering how our relationship had progressed. 

"Of course, why wouldn't I have invited you? I need your help as much as anybody else's." 

The Vampires passed us and Givyon pulled Niro against him protectively. "We will send you an answer by sundown tomorrow." With that, they left. 

"I'm fine, really - I'm not afraid anymore." I turned to look and actually eyed the men. It was then that the similarity of one in particular stood out to me. He hadn't spoken at all but I could still hear him and the merciless cracks of his whip, Niro at the receiving end. He must've had a high rank in the Vampire District to be here now. 

"I hope you'll excuse us but we must go if the house will be ready by tonight." Jay smiled at Niro and Givyon. 

"Of course, we'll see you in a few hours." They wondered back into the crowd as I turned to my mate. 

"A couple of hours...?" Was he already planning something that I was unaware of? Even though I trusted his judgment, I couldn't help but feel a bit undermined. 

He pulled out a pad of paper with a list of names, some I recognized, but most I didn't. "I'm gathering a small group of people I trust to stay with you at the estate for a few days." 

"Why?" We were both speaking in hushed voices. 

"I've been away for almost a week. I'm their Alpha, not Mark." I understood but I wanted him here with me. At least I knew he wouldn't be gone long - he had absolutely no trust for Pyro. 

I took his hand, "What about Jacoby? Why don't you bring him here so we can watch him...?" 

He shook his head adamantly. "No, I won't put him in the line of fire. He's safe with the pack." 

It kind of hurt knowing that Jay didn't want Jacoby anywhere near me, but I honestly didn't either - it was too dangerous. 

I grabbed his upper arm, easing him into a turn. I took in his deep brown eyes. "How long will you be gone?" 

"A few days..." 

               I paced the length of the room, Pyro watching from the bed. "Are you just going to pace - you're kind of making me dizzy." His words stopped me in my tracks. He had spoken those exact words to me before. 

"I'm just nervous." I sat on the edge of his bed, my eyes tracing the pattern on the blanket. "How do you feel?" 

"I'm still bed ridden Lauren - why don't we play doctor and you can make me feel better." He adopted his usual cocky grin as he reached for me. As much as I wanted to accept the invitation, I couldn't. 

I reluctantly shook my head. "I'm mated to Jay, Pyro. I'm a lot of things but a cheater isn't one of them." 

He crossed his arms adamantly, "You know, you're my mate as well - you were my mate before you were his." Spite filled his voice. 

"Pyro, I still don't understand how I can be mated to both of you at once, so I'm sorry - okay?" 

We sat there in silence for a minute, neither of us willing to speak the first word. But the looks in our eyes told us just how much we still wanted each other.