The Archer: Lost Omegas Book 1

Negotiation

CYRENE

Cyrene felt the guilt heavy like a stone in her gut. She had found Galena upon rising. Of course the woman agreed to go with King Laran if he demanded it as part of any new alliance terms. Walking down the darkened hallways of the castle, Deimos at her side, she shook her head. This was not the path she wanted for her friend. Yet, she knew of no alternative. King Brone had set a series of events in motion that she was powerless to stop.

She did not even know how many of the omegas taken remained unclaimed. Time was running out. The Lobo were not supplying the women with rue. More would enter heat without the suppressant herb. She already had been exposed to what happened when an omega entered her heat. The Lobo were circling vultures, just waiting for the opportunity to snap up their prey. Was she too late? What about the ones that were already claimed? Was she just to abandon them to their new alphas?

A hand on her arm stopping her walking jolted her out of her thoughts. She turned back to look at her mate. "What is it?"

"You must calm yourself mate. I feel your nervousness and it is stirring the Berserker." His frown deepened. "You must show strength and composure. Laran is a reasonable king, but he is still an alpha. If he senses weakness of any kind, he will capitalize on it. We are predators at our core. Do not act like prey."

She blew out a long breath. He was right. She needed to appear calm and determined. If King Laran sensed any of her insecurities about the Omegas or any of her own choices, he would not view her as equal. Settling herself, she shoved her doubt and guilt down. These emotions would not help her now. Deimos' strength pulsed along the bond and she was suddenly filled with gratitude that he was with her for this meeting. No one knew the Lobo king better.

Nodding, more to herself than her blind mate, she straightened her spine, "I'm ready."

Deimos jerked his chin in acknowledgement but did not release her upper arm, instead sliding his hand down to take hers. "He will test you, try to anger you. He will want to see what type of leader you are. Do not rise to the bait. You have a logical proposal. It would be foolish to not listen to it." He squeezed her hand briefly then let go, motioning for her to continue. Her heart fluttered in her chest at the simple action. Spinning on a booted heel, she walked with renewed confidence to the War Room.

Entering the room, she met the dark eyes of the Lobo King. The alpha raised an eyebrow as she approached. She ground her teeth, but kept her face impassive as she took the seat across from him. She felt Deimos take a position directly behind her, one of his large hands resting on the top of her chair, grazing her upper back. The light touch brought her some comfort. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, King Laran. I will no waste time with pleasantries. I would like to discuss new terms for the alliance between our tribes."

"Why would I agree to new terms, Queen Cyrene?" King Laran's voice was filled with challenge, as Deimos predicted. Cyrene knew where this was heading. The Lobo tribe held every advantage in these negotiations. She would need to present a scenario that was beneficial for both tribes. The alpha continued, "we have already fulfilled our end of the alliance by defeating the Serpe Rhumba for your tribe. You can now easily conquer the Serpe territories, farm food for your villages, feed your people. But now that the task is done, you want new terms. My Pack spilt their blood in your war. They deserve their prize. I will not return the omegas we have taken. My warriors earned them and will take them."

"Those women are not slaves, King Laran. They should have a choice. We both have seen the unhappiness this is causing the omegas. There is a better way to help both our peoples, if you are open to working with me." Cyrene's voice was confident, but she held her breath after her words.