Affliction - Book One - Man x Man

Chapter 36

The look of shock on Haryek's face is almost priceless, giving me almost to much pleasure considering we are supposed to be here professionally, and he takes a second to decide if he should be concerned or not.

 I muse over in my head what he must be thinking. Obviously, this is a trap or we wouldn't be coming to him. Casually, he glances around, tipping his body back and forth to see if he can spot the ambush that is surely about to happen. "I never pegged you as a comedian." He comments, dryly. 

"You would be correct in your assumption so I suggest you hurry this on, lest you wish for me to change my mind?" There was no claim that Alpha was known for his patience.  

I don't much care for Haryek either but surely he can see why one would be suspicious. He had told Haryek, not a week ago, that he would like to have him killed. But I keep my mouth shut. There is a time and a place, I'm learning, and this is not one of them. I offer Haryek a reassuring smile. 

With a sense of false bravado, the Elf elevates his chest in an attempt to square up to the lycan male. While they were nearly the same height, Alpha was easily twice the width of the elf. What continued to amaze me was that Alpha was not the largest lycan by any measure of the true mass the beasts could gain.

While he was tall, he ran lean compared to the majority of the muscle-bound masses. Him and Tonic, both, were a more athletic type build when standing next to the sizeable Victor. Yet here, next to the Elf, he was a much more impressive specism. 

Clearing his throat, Haryek nods. "Well. Summon Loan. I'm sure he will want to be in on this, if you're going to side with us, I'd like it to be all of us." The elf hedges, looking unsure if he can make such demands in front of such a temperamental guest but Alpha waves him on. 

"Be quick, then!" He snaps, crossing his arms over his chest impatiently.

Haryek gestures at one of his men who take off towards the city, I'm sure Loan is with Stefan. Then he turns to us and motions to follow him. I sense Alpha's reluctance but I touch his forearm, giving it a squeeze. This is the right thing, this is what has to happen if we are going to accomplish our goals and if we are going to be able to move forward with this war.

Haryek leads us to the square well outside the range of the rebellion's borders and into the depths of the city walls, much more formal than his humble cottage. It would appear the community was still entertaining giving him any sort of merit here in my realm, for they averted their eyes like scolded boys when they saw us together. 

His bum leg gives me a little satisfaction, though it doesn't slow him down as much as I'd hoped. 

We arrive in the city hall, much like the dining hall only the table is round and could comfortably only sit about 12 people. In the center of it, rests a large map of our country. "Sit." He offers and Alpha lowers himself into a chair, leaning back into it and returning his arms over his chest. 

Alpha fills the unsuspecting chair almost comically. I would chuckle if we weren't about to discuss the future of our nations. I find myself wishing that Tonic were here, my baby sitter always had a way of taking the tension out of all of us. I find myself anxious to see Stefan, my mind wanders to possible cures to his mental state. 

The Elf Prince sits across from us, propping his bad leg up on a neighboring chair, as his general sits beside him. "Tea?" He offers his best smile. 

The look he receives from my captor silences him and he clears his throat as we wait in awkward silence for Loan. Silence is something a lycan does well, their intensity and heat speak volumes of their opinion. The Solomonari rushes into the room and freezes when he realizes we were waiting on him, he clears his throat and evens out his robes before sitting between us all.