It took Kevin a long while to summon the willpower to enter his headquarters. He was ashamed and hurt. He was happy that Stefan hadn't questioned him before his mate. He hadn't even asked about what had happened.But he had an inkling. Maybe his brother knew what exactly was going on. So he hadn't coerced him into saying what had happened.
But his pack was a different case. He had a few respected elders. And then he had his Beta and Gamma. They had wanted his mate to be gone. And the absurd thought pained him that he himself had wanted his mate gone.
But now he was here to confess that the rumoured demon was his mate. And they had mated yesterday. His mate whom everyone believed to be a demon was actually sweet and sexy. Goddess he hated that he was starting to sound like Devon. But it was the only truth. And he also knew that none of the elders, sebastian and Markian would agree to it. But he had to try. And He would for Evan.
"Good morning, Kevin," Elder Bella greeted him, her wrinkled face soothed into a half smile. Not bothering to call him Alpha. He was an Alpha and he deserved to be greeted properly. But she was always like that.
"Bella," Kevin said stiffly, purposefully leaving out the respectful "Elder". Kevin only gave his respect to those who deserved it, to those who in turn respected him. Bella had not given it to him, so why should he?
The Elder looked a little irritated, but she soothed it over quickly. "Had a pleasant night, I hope?" the old women went on.Trying to gauge out the reaction.A shout of anger to deny the question. "It certainly….looks like it." Kevin answered with a pleasant smile. His mate's thoughts are enough to pull him out of his thought. Her dark eyes flicked down, to the very obvious bruises all over Kevin neck and under his jaw. Oh the art of hickeys. His mate surely took a liking to it. And had marked him as much as he could
"so much better that you can't even imagine" Kevin snarked. Bella pursed her lips.
"I heard you the first time Kevin. What were you thinking. Copulating with the Demon. Wait till the other elders hear you," she said casually. That had Kevin's anger flaring.
"How dare you, How dare you belittle him?" The Elder's sly expression turned shocked.
"I need an audience with the elders and the beta and the gamma, call everyone at once" Kevin said as he stopped glaring at the Elder. "What? What is this all about? You have rarely spoken to me like this before.Just what are you up to, ?" Bella asked.
"Are you questioning what I should do? besides bedding Evan?" Kevin asked with false innocence. Bella's mouth twisted.
"I am. And I'm thinking that I'm quite right, aren't I?" Bella took Kevin's silence as confirmation. "The Demon enticed you ."
Kevin folded his hands. "Do as you are told Elder Bella"
" Is it a difficult job Kevin? Do you need more time, to be sure of the Demon's interest and dedication in you. We can wait untill he is fully invested in you.Untill he is wrapped around your finger. Then you can surely dispose him off"
Kevin stared at him in disbelief. He knew that Bella was against the Alliance. But this was more than he could have imagined. There was indeed a talk to restrain him and kill him but not so fast. He felt sick in stomach
"How dare you," he hissed, he was close to wolfing out. Bella wisely took a step back.
"I shall inform the others."
With that, she turned about on his heel, and strode away. Kevin stayed frozen in the room.
Shit.
Only a moment later, Sebastian and Markian came sprinting around the corner, cheeks slightly flushed with exertion. "Kevin" Sebastian panted, skidding to halt in front of him. "What's wrong?" as Markian stood at the side.
Ah, so he remembered. He only ever sent a summon if it's an emergency.
He waited till all the six elders came along with Bella.
"We need to talk," he said quietly, turning away from them.
"Kevin?" Sebastian pushed quietly, voice laden with uncertainty. Kevin turned to face them. It was now or never.
"What's wrong, Kevin?" Markian asked immediately.
"The Demon Wolf," he began, carefully watching them. It didn't go unnoticed when they visibly stiffened, just a little. " is my mate and considering that it throws a wrench in our plans I can't have my mate restrained. Please let us reconsider "
Sebastian waited, uncharacteristically patient. But his fingers twitched every now and then, betraying his interest.
"You know all can state your opinions."
Markian snorted. "Of course. And what difference will it make?"
Kevin glanced down, He was asking too much from his pack. He knew that. Markian had lost his elder brother to his mate. But they were at war. It wasn't Evan's choice. " I know this is hard but he is my mate Markian. I can't give him up. You of all people should know that"
"I am unconvinced that destroying the Demon is the way to ensure the survival of our Pack," Elder Jasper said, quick and firm.
"Oh, thank Goddess" Elder Daniel interrupted, visibly relaxing. "I wanted to say the same thing to you!"
Kevin paused, and stared at the elders in disbelief. "What?"
Elder Cilia shrugged helplessly, shifting in her seat. "I mean….Yeah, okay. We thought it was a good idea at first. But that was months ago. I think a lot has changed, you know? Our packs seems happy, content. We're not wanting for anything. We have food, homes, communion with other packs Safety in numbers. And Evan doesn't seem that bad… we have met him. He is a polite kid. We had a different opinion of him. We tried to tell you but you were so much sucked up in your revenge all we could do was leave it in Stefans hand"
Kevin stared a little longer. Then he grinned, wide and mischievous. "Goddess I was worried for nothing "
"Thank you," Kevin said sincerely. "Your support means a lot, Elders "
"I disagree," Elder Bella fumed
. "There's no way you all accept this, Cilia, Daniel, Jasper. What had happened to you all"
"Stop Bella, it's pathetic to whine like that " Elder Thomas said with a bored tone. Then he looked directly into Kevin's eyes. "I can't say I support this Kevin, we know the history of the beasts turning into monsters, but we all know the value of mates. So me and Elder Adelle will not cause any ruscus. Nor we will be present for your union. Count us out boy" Elder Thomas said as Elder Adelle nodded.
"I understand that and I am willing to take full responsibility of my mate, and Thankyou" Kevin said gravely. He watched all the Elders leave bowing to him. Elder Bella muttering about low life Demon Scum.
Kevin had to stop himself from jumping and tearing her apart.
Goddess how was he going to handle this. It was just the Elders now. He has a whole pack to deal with.
"Exposure will help ," Markian said sensing his turmoil.
Kevin considered his points for a minute. "That's true," he said thoughtfully. "But I don't want him hurt. Our pack can be verbally vicious." Kevin sighed.
"Does Evan knows?" Markian asked quietly, after a moment of silence. Kevin pursed his lips to suppress a wince.
"No" he said quietly. "No he doesn't not."
"And?"
"I cannot possibly tell him. Markian.I cannot hurt him." With a frustrated groan, he ranked his fingers through his hair.
"Where do we begin, Kevin?" Markian pressed on, his own frown deepening. "We've dug ourselves into this so deeply. How do we fix it?, But Why you? Markian? " Kevin asked
"I don't know okay" Markian confessed. "Truthfully, I wanted nothing more than the Plan to succeed. But I understand somehow. He is your mate. As a friend I knew about the connection you had with him since childhood. So yes I understand you. And I get that you would even fight us to protect him. We lost so many in the war. We can't loose you to"
Kevin looked at him sympathetically. Markian had lost his parents to the war.Kevin was thankful that he wanted to try and get along. That was all he could ask for
Kevin straightened, and stared at his other friend for a long moment. "And what about you," he said seriously. "You have been quiet for a long time."
"That I have," Sebastian agreed, as he exited the room letting the doors swing shut him leaving Kevin and Markian on his own.
Kevin sighed. They still have a long way to go.