Darkness Chapter 49: Big Meeting

**Vincent**

We have just landed and I'm not looking forward to being away from Nelly. I know it's what's best, but l didn't handle it right. I'll say it. I fücked up. When we get home, I will take whatever punishment she hands me. I deserve it. We arrive at our home, and it's eerie. Only a few stayed back, and it looks practically deserted. Alec and I walk into the council chambers. Everyone is there. I know what this is about, and against my better judgment, unless they vote me out, I'm not relinquishing my role as leader. It's something that Nelly and I had discussed at length, and both felt that I should stay on unless I was voted out. I sat there staring at their faces. All of which were stoic and hard to read. I began, “Shall we begin. This meeting was called by you, Peter. Care to tell us why l had to leave my wife to come here?”

“Actually, that's one of the things I wanted to discuss. However, I think you need to explain this.” He tosses me a note. It reads, "Nelly, your leader's beloved wife and trader rebel, is with child. We will hunt her down and kill her and anyone who stands in our way."

Peter asks, “Is it true? Is that why you left? Is that why you left us, your people, to fend for yourself as you hide?”

I look around the room. This isn't what I expected. I needed to find out who the leak is, and the only ones who knew were I, Alec, Nelly, Quinn, and members of his pack. I know 3 of us didn't say anything. However, that would have to wait. I looked at Alec, who gave me the nod. He knew the answer before I had to ask it. “Yes. She is. The child she carries is a full vampire. We can only assume that due to all the tests that were run on me while I was held captive must have changed me, and when I gave Nelly my blood that day to save her, it was passed to her. We left because we got a similar note that they would gut her just as they had her friend Tara. I wouldn't lose her, and I'm sure any of you in my situation would have done as I did.”

Peter asks, “So when were you going to tell us?”

“I wasn't. You can understand how delicate this is. Be honest with me. If you found out today that Nelly could give you a child, would you try to take her....?”

A few of the men looked at each other and nodded. Others said no, they wouldn't. I looked at Peter, knowing full well he would have kidnapped her and chained her up to keep her from leaving. “She should be mine. You got Bianca. I should have Nelly,” he growls.

“Over my dead body!” I stand and slam my hands on the table, making everyone jump. She is my mate! She is my everything! 

“I can arrange that,” he whispers. He looks at the group. “Onto business, we in attendance think we need a new leader. You aren't here. You left us to play house. We need you here. So I'm putting my name in as leader,” Peter says.

“I'm not stepping down. You want me gone, but it isn't up to you.” There was much discussion, and after an hour, we had our candidates. Myself, Peter, Ty,  he's fair but young. “Vote.”

It's written down and placed in a box. Alec takes it after the last vote is cast. He reads the results, “With a vote of 3 for Ty, 8 for Peter, and 10 for Vincent. Vincent is still our leader.”

Peter pushes abruptly from the table and glares at me. “She will be mine. I will take her from you like you stole Bianca.”

Women aren't possessions. Real women have feelings and should choose who they love. Nelly has shown me that. I trust her. “Threaten my wife again, and I will take you out. If we have nothing more, I have a meeting to get to. Good day.”

Peter says, “Run like you did. Leave us. The sheep we are will follow our exuberant leader.”

That's it. I lose it and fly at Peter. It took the entire council to pull us off each other. “You are done. Your position is revoked. You touch my wife, you are dead. That isn't a threat. It's a promise.”

Peter rolls his eyes. “Like I give a shit. We will follow our own rules.”

Alec yells, “You will abide by council law or your horde will be cited.”

Peter laughs. “Go fuck yourself, Alec. You little errand boy. Not bad enough to be your own leader.”

I held Alec back. Before Alec and I met, he used to be good friends with Peter. That was until Peter exiled his sister, and she was killed by another vampire who didn't take kindly to her turning him down. “ENOUGH. WE ARE DONE.”

Everyone disbanded and went on their way. We made our way to Quinn's territory, We needed to talk before we met with the new rebel leader. “Vincent, good to see you. My pack seems to be enjoying it there.”

“We have a mole. Someone told Peter. He's leaked it to the rest of the hordes. For the time being, we are good, but it's a matter of time before they come after her.”

Quinn sighs. “I know who it is. You won't be happy.”

“Who?”

“Sally.” Quinn explains, “Prior to the wedding, I saw him speaking with her. She's a little girl and doesn't know any better, and she adores Nelly. You know that.” 

I let out a heavy sigh, my heart heavy with worry. I know Sally would never intentionally harm Nelly, but Peter's slip of the tongue has put her in danger. "Well, now we have that to deal with, and I'm sure he's leaked it to the rebel leader, who will want Nelly. I would give up everything, including my title, to protect her," I confess.

Quinn, our trusted ally, speaks up with determination. "I know, which is why I'm moving the rest of the pack. We are leaving. I don't like how things are going. We are on guard more now than before."

With a heavy heart, I make a decision. "It's settled then. I will step down, and we can make our life in Europe. Whoever wishes to follow us can, but they will be vetted prior. I won't bring someone over just because they want to."

Alec, always reliable, nods in agreement. "Got it. Shall we extend it to Brandon?"

"Only him and Carrie. They are her only friends from her past," I reply firmly.

"Okay. I'll make the arrangements," Alec responds.

Quinn nods, determination in his eyes. "I'll get the pack together, and we will meet you out there in about a week."

"I will cancel the meeting then. No point as we are no longer in control," I declare, a sense of finality settling over us. We agree and take care of our responsibilities. With a heavy heart, I pull out my phone and see no calls from Nelly. Taking a deep breath, I dial her number, praying she picks up.

"What?" Nelly's voice comes through the phone, filled with fear and confusion.

“Hello to you too…” Click! Fuck! I'm going to have to do some serious groveling when I get home.