The Werewolf Queen

Chapter 9

I stare down my breakfast the morning of the first meeting and try to get an appetite. If I don't eat then I risk my stomach growling in the middle of the meeting and that won't be good, they'll think I'm a child who can't take care of myself let alone the entire supernatural realm.

"Eat, Mirella, you don't want to throw up from hunger do you?" Dad asks me, pushing my breakfast closer to me.

I look up at him so he can see the full effect of my nervousness. Surprise registers on his face but he quickly recovers and gives me a hard look. "Eat."

I wrinkle my nose but obey him, taking small bites at first, then larger ones as my appetite grows. I'm just finishing up my pancakes as Tristan pulls up with Jason riding shotgun. They come inside talking and joking and sit down next to me.

"Ready?" Tristan asks, clapping me on the shoulder.

I glare at him. "No."

Jason laughs. "Oh come on Rella, you've got this. You've worked hard. Besides, it's just the preliminary meeting."

Tristan gives me a smile. "Pappy's gonna be there too right? So if anything goes wrong you have him. And he's one of the most respected werewolves in the world."

I nod. "I guess. I told the pack to meet me at city hall and I'd give them assignments there."

Jason nods at me. "We should probably get going then."

I nod and follow them out into Tristan's car. Jason hops in back and I climb in front, fidgeting with the seat belt the entire way over.

I walk in with my head held high in case there's any members of the governing families nearby. Tristan and Jason flank me like vassals or something. When we get inside my pack is already there, ready and waiting.

"Hey guys." I say with a smile. I hug each of them in turn then beckon for them to follow me to the conference room.

"So there's obviously going to be a breakdown on how this goes. The reason I recruited you is for security purposes. This is a very dangerous summit and no one that has not received my handwritten invitation can enter this conference room. You are the only exceptions. Not even my father is going to be allowed in and the same goes for your families." I hand them each a copy of the invitation. "This is what it looks like. I hand wrote all of them the same way so there would be few, if any, variations. If you are handed anything other than this, deny access fervently. If they insist, send someone to get me."

I pull out a map of the building and place it on the table. "This is the full map of the city hall, including any and all emergency and secret exits. There is one entrance to this room, and it will be guarded by two of you. Kaleb and Erika, the two of you will be just outside the door. You will be responsible for checking invitations and making sure no one else enters."

I point to the main entrance of city hall. "Gregor, you'll be posted here. Just make sure that no one is acting out of line. Text me when the caterer arrives and only send them through when you receive confirmation from me, not before." He nods in understanding.

I point to the other various exits and assign them to Tyler, Jason, and Waylon. Just as I'm about to finish up, Emilie runs in.

"Can I help Mirella? Please?" She begs. "I think I could be of good use."

I glance over at Tristan. He shrugs. I turn back to Emilie. "Fine, you can patrol the halls. If anyone is wandering around that has this invitation, send them here, or walk them here." I slide an invitation across the table to her. "Anyone that has something different gets immediately questioned and potentially removed. If you're unsure of their intentions, bring them here so I can talk to them."