The Heat

27

He introduced me to the intimidating men in the meeting room.

I was awkwardly at the end of the long table, Damian sitting next to me.

He introduced me as Luna. Hearing him call me that made me feel so so happy and I smiled while looking down at my hands on my lap.

"She'll be joining these meetings from now on," he ended and leaned back in his black office chair.

I couldn't read how the men around the table were feeling. Obviously they needed time to get used to this, but Damian seemed very sure of this.

I rested my elbows on the armrests of the office chair I was on, fiddling with my fingers since I really didn't know how to act now.

"Jason, you can start briefing now," he gave the beta of the pack a nod who was sitting at the closest seat on the side of the table to him.

He nodded and cleared his throat.

I really had no idea what he was talking about when he began, somethings about funds and territories.

"Relax" I heard Damian's low voice only meant for me. I also felt his hand on my thigh, immediately relaxing me.

"Sorry" I whispered underneath my breath, everyone concentrating on what Jason was saying, being completely unaware hopefully of the smile that pulled up the corners of Damian's lips.

"No reason to be sorry, love. Don't be afraid to share your ideas, we all know youre intelligent," his words and hand on my thigh were really calming me, taking my nervousness away while Jason continued with whatever he was explaining to the men.

"And what about the Apparition's pack? We've killed off their Alpha bloodline," Damian questioned, calmly leaning back in his chair.

Even with such a relaxed composure he managed to be in such control and showcase his natural leadership and command.

I would be lying if I said it wasn't making me feel all tingly and hot.

I was aware now that we'd completed our mate bond that my heat would start again soon, just hoping it wouldn't be now.

"They're weak without an Alpha, if we just leave them be they'll end up destroying themselves," one of the more older men at the end of the table spoke up, a few nodding along with him.

The Apparition's pack had been Sawyer's pack and then George's. As bad as George had done me, the pack was still very close to my heart.

Sawyer's and George's mom Samantha had been like a second mother to me and I had spent so much time with their pack since I was a child.

"No" I spoke, infuriated by the thought of them just being left on their own to die out.

Everyone's eyes moved to me. I guess they had expected me to just sit there quietly next to my mate, the Alpha of this pack, and not say anything.

"We're not going to be so cruel towards them," I continued, shaking my head.

Nobody said anything. I began feeling so small and like I had done something wrong when all the men just looked at me in silence.

"What do you suggest we do about it, then?" Damian spoke up, obviously challenging me and pushing me to continue voicing my opinions.

I looked over at him. His eyes were encouraging for me to go on, believing in me.

I turned back to face the table full of men, some murmuring and some sceptically watching me.

"Lets give them the option of joining us. We would get more good and hardworking people into this pack, as well as more territory," I explained straightening up in my seat.