191 Blood rights … Nathan The door of the room mmed shut echoing through my chest like a gunshot .


    Ls tear streaked face was etched into my mind .


    I moved to go after her , but I had barely taken a step when a shadow blocked my path .


    When I looked up it was Luna Vanessas brother , the Alpha Gab of Shadow Moon Pack .


    We havent finished , Alpha Nathan , he announced quietly .


    I dont have time for this , I retorted , wishing more than anything but to drive my fist into his face that was currently squeezed in a smirk .


    Get out of my way .


    Thats no way to treat guests , Alpha Nathan , he continued ignoring my warning .


    We came down here and you wont even listen to us ? Cmon … sit for a minute while we talk .


    Sit for a minute ? I scoffed , turning to stare at all the Alphas from the Southern region avoiding my gaze .


    You all would seriously sit and do nothing while this is happening to me ? Today is supposed to be a major highlight for me and no one is saying anything .


    What do you want them to say ? Luna Vanessa chuckled .


    You want them to fight the truth ? Cmon , Nathan .


    The world will not work the way you want it .


    Sit for a while because until we settle this matter , Im afraid we cannot let you leave .


    So youre going to hold me hostage ? I challenged walking up to Luna Vanessa .


    I know youve always been against my appointment as Alpha and I was willing to drop it … drop everything and walk away but with the way all of you in this room act … I turned and pointed my fingers at each of them I think Im going to hold on to it for a while … maybe a long while .


    Luna Vanessa met my gaze without flinching .


    I started for the door again when Alpha Gab blocked me again .


    Move , I growled , trying to restrain Ragnar who was bristling at the surface .


    He wanted to go after L so badly that he wasnt listening to me .


    He was reaching his breaking point .


    Alpha Gab merely huffed , exchanging looks with his brother .


    We can make this quick and simple .


    All you need to do ise to an agreement with us .


    What agreement ? I snapped turning to my father .


    And you too , Dad .


    Is that how much you hate , L ? All of you sit here with smiles and evil in your heart .


    L is 00:10 191 Blood nights .


    innocent of everything .


    She doesnt even know what is going on and you had to break it to her like that ? She had to know eventually , Luna Vanessas second brother shrugged .


    Shes an adult and a grown woman .


    Just reach the agreement with us , Nathan , Luna Vanessa piqued .


    Im not in the mood to banter words with you or anyone .


    What agreement ? I spat facing her .


    What more could you possibly want to take from her ? Think of it as an opportunity , Alpha Gab grunted , spreading his hands in a gesture that was anything but generous .


    An opportunity to save Ls life .


    My heart stopped .


    What do you mean ? Its a simple solution really .


    Take rissa as your mate .


    Well continue with the joining ceremony as nned and every usation against L , every single case and paperwork against her disappears .


    No trials .


    No punishments .


    Shell be free .


    My heart plummeted .


    rissa ? I scoffed .


    So , this is why you wanted me to marry your daughter ? I turned to Luna Vanessa again .


    Im sorry but I cannot .


    I do not even like her , let alone love .


    I cannot be with her .


    Shes a perfect match for you , Nathan .


    An Alphas daughter , powerful , beautiful and far more suitable than L .


    Take her and the entire ordeal is over .


    My stomach churned with disgust as I stared at him .


    And if I refuse ? Luna Vanessaughed and addressed her first brother .


    Gab , I told you he wouldnt agree .


    Hes always been like this towards her .


    Despite all my advice to him and constant .


    reminders that hes not invincible he never listens .


    Alpha Gabs eyes glittered with cruel satisfaction .


    Dont worry , sis .


    If he refuses then L would be escorted to the Alpha council in the west and be tried in the court there .


    Not just that , she would be tried as an adult as well .


    He paused for a minute and shrugged .


    Who knows if shell survive their judgement ? Some fates are worse than death .


    My knees buckled and I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself .


    Shes innocent , I said my voice crackling .


    You all know that .


    That doesnt matter , Alpha Gab replied coldly .


    This is about killing an Alpha Heir , sunidina nunichment all thana voare and nat kaoning ta vaur ans of the harmain Im 09.19 5 101 Blood nights sure the Southern Packs cant afford a scandal like this , Nathan .


    What will the people think when they hear this ? Youve put not just us but Alphas in your region in at precarious position .


    My gaze darted around the room , seeking support but none of the Alphas met my eyes .


    Except Luna Vanessa who had a chilly expression on her face .


    Please , my voice cracked, the rage I was feeling earlier on had crumbled into desperation .


    You cant do this to me .


    I love her , please .


    Shes my true mate … Alpha Gab sighed , feigning sympathy .


    Love is a fleeting emotion , Nathan .


    In time , youll see this is for the best .


    Besides , the second brother added .


    In a few months , youll thank us for letting your marry rissa and when the babies starting , youll see the advantage .


    Shees from a strong bloodline .


    Sometimes you might think you know whats best for you , but it might turn out not to be .


    My chest heaved and my mind raced .


    On one side , Ls life hung in the bnce .


    On the other , my happiness and future was slipping through my fingers .


    I clenched my fists , trembling with anger .


    Ive never been so helpless in my life than today .


    How could they force me into such an impossible position ? It was alike asking me to choose between life and death .


    I ran my trembling hands through my hair .


    Give me some time to think … Alpha Gabughed derisively .


    There is no time to think , Nathan .


    We cannot let the preparations go to waste .


    Decide now .


    The room seemed to close in around me as I stood there , trapped between impossible choices .


    My chest felt like it was being crushed in a vice .


    Every fibre of my being rejected the idea of giving up L , but the thought of her being hurt or worse made me ill .


    For a full minute , I just stood there frozen , my vision blurring with unshed tears .


    I felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath me .


    I turned my gaze to all the Southern Alphas , hoping someone would pity me and speak on my behalf .


    But they still couldnt meet my eyes .


    They all looked away , as if ashamed of their part in this coercion but unwilling to stop it .


    Then , that familiar dark voice filtered into my mind , the one that had been haunting me for weeks .


    Do you regret it now ? the voice taunted .


    You should have joined me when you had 191 Bloodnights the chance .


    I would have given you L without hesitation .


    But instead , youre standing here , a desperate , pathetic fool , begging these old , withered men .


    Not just that , L hates you .


    The way I see it , this is a perfect opportunity for her to run back to Ramsey .


    Or maybe that Paul from her workce … I gritted my teeth , shaking my head to banish the voice in my head .


    My eyes swept the room onest time , lingering on Luna Vanessas face .


    She , at least , had the decency to look at me with pity .


    Alpha Gab finally raised an eyebrow .


    What is it going to be , Nathan ? Drawing in a deep breath , I squared my shoulders .


    I looked at the Alphas again and Luna Vanessas two brothers .


    They thought they had me cornered , powerless .


    But they are Wrong .


    Straightening .


    I met Alpha Gabs gaze .


    We stared at each other for a few seconds before I nodded .


    Fine .


    Ill do it .


    I saw my father exhale in relief .


    But I wasnt finished .


    But I continued before the smirks could fully form on their faces .


    I have a condition of my own .


    Luna Vanessa exchanged wary nces with her brothers before Alpha Gab turned to me with a frown on his face .


    What condition ? My gaze hardened as I rehearsed what I wanted to say in my head knowing that everything my future , Ls safety and the very fabric of our world hung on what I was about to say next .


    Since they were not going after my position it meant that I hold more power here .


    These past few months as Alpha , Ive been able to create a bridge between Packs on this side of the sea with packs across the sea .


    Was Many of the contracts and agreements all the packs have been entering recently and the boost in their economy my doing .


    They cannot harm me , neither would they try to usurp me .


    So , I was going to capitalize on that .


    I will marry rissa , I said quietly .


    But in exchange , I want blood rights .