The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 84: Arrival

***The next morning….***

**Layla’s POV**

The day hung thick with tension as we awaited the impending arrival of the werewolf council. The atmosphere, as usual, was heavy, and our warriors stood on high alert, guarding the pack’s premises. The mindlink was open, ready for any potential breach on our territory—a necessity when dealing with half of the council members, trust being a rare commodity.

Positioned at the castle entrance with Isaac by my side, our task was to lead the council members to the meeting hall. Adorned in a dark violet long-sleeved dress that gracefully reached my ankles and paired with killer black heels, I exuded a royal aura—well, duh, I am. My hair was neatly arranged in a bun, and I tried to maintain a bright smile, despite the somber occasion.

The distant hum of nearly 30 SUVs approaching reached my ears, and I watched them park with a keen eye, mentally preparing myself. Nicholas was fortunate to have someone as sociable as me. Speaking of our Alpha, he and Clifford were nowhere to be seen; they were probably in the security room, monitoring us.

While welcoming the council wasn't Nicholas’s duty—his higher status warranted otherwise—Isaac and I awaited their entrance with an air of authority. Gayle manned the security room, her eyes glued to the surveillance screens.

The council members emerged one by one, a procession of elderly to middle-aged men and a handful of women, each accompanied by their own guards. Their serious and intimidating demeanor was evident in their stoic and calculative expressions.

Amidst the sea of stern faces, my attention was drawn to a middle-aged man with silver-white hair, a wrinkled face, and a noticeable scar. It was none other than Keith Caldwell. He strolled out with just one guard, and to make matters worse, it was only his assistant. Sporting a kind smile, he exchanged pleasantries with those he considered allies. Keith was the one we had our eyes on, the instigator of the proposal to remove Nicholas from the throne to diminish the Lycans' power.

A certified bastard.

I exchanged a quick glance with Isaac. Keith's friendly facade didn't fool anyone; beneath that friendly exterior, a cunning mind harbored ambitions that could shake the foundations of our shifter community.

Isaac and I respectfully bowed as the council members approached. With my game face on, I stepped forward and welcomed them with a brief speech, Isaac standing tall just behind me.

"Welcome, honored council members. Delighted to have you here,” I said, leading them inside. "We've prepared everything for your comfort. Feel free to make yourselves at home.”

However, not everyone was buying it. I overheard snickers and murmurs from behind, accompanied by occasional complaints.

“The Alpha King didn't even welcome us.”

“They have been doing that for millennia. They think they are above us.”

“That’s what I am saying, such an entitled pack.”

As much as I wanted to reprimand those men, I controlled myself. Losing my composure now would only give them another reason to challenge Nicholas's throne. And honestly, Nicholas was the best candidate among them. They were hypocritical people.

Inside the castle, lines of warriors, donned in sharp tuxedos, patrolled the halls without bothering with bows or pleasantries toward the council members. A few grumbles and disgruntled voices rose from the council's direction, but our warriors held their ground.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The walk through the hallway was a silent affair for me, as I kept my thoughts to myself. As we reached the double doors, two maids, who were also warriors, opened them with a bow. I entered the hall, and there it was—a grand setup. A long table stretched out before us, surrounded by chairs fit for kings and queens. The sight was impressive.

I took a moment to survey the room, meeting the eyes of each council member.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," I gestured to the opulent seats. "We're honored to host this meeting and hope for fruitful discussions."

As the council members settled into their seats, I subtly nodded, signaling the lines of maids who had been patiently waiting. In perfect synchronization, they moved forward, placing carefully prepared food on the table—a spread fit for a feast before the meeting.

Indulging in the offerings, the council members enjoyed the array of delicacies, while the maids retreated to their designated spots with a bow, disappearing as quickly as they had arrived.

Simultaneously, our five women warriors, dressed to the nines in formal attire, approached each council member, presenting a brown folder to each.

"Here you go," one of the warriors said with a polite smile as they handed out the folders.

Various reactions ensued among the council members - some eagerly opened the folders, diving into the contents, while others multitasked, savoring the delicacies before them. A few seemed more interested in their smartphones.

Suddenly, Mr. Agares, an unpleasant-looking man with an equally unpleasant demeanor, raised a question that caught everyone's attention.

“The reports here conveniently skipped the incident involving the Swiftmane Pack. Why didn't you include it? Or are you not even planning on discussing it?”

It took everything in me not to give him a piece of my mind right then and there. The man was practically asking for a one-way ticket across the hall.

With my sweetest smile and a warning undertone, I replied, "Mr. Agares, that’s a very direct accusation. Rest assured your question will be addressed. But let's keep our discussion civil for now, shall we?"

Caught off guard for a moment, the old man quickly retreated to his seat, his complaints reduced to a grumble.

Gosh, the audacity of this old geezer, especially when he practically begged for a birthday celebration here? Not to mention I am also stressed in preparing that shit celebration.

Just as things were heating up, Clifford contacted me with the news through the mindlink – Nicholas and he were on their way. Haist, finally! I grabbed the attention of the entire room, facing the councils

"I am glad to inform you everyone that the Alpha King is on his way," I announced, making sure my voice carried across the room.

You wouldn't believe how swiftly everyone dropped what they were doing – the ones munching on snacks, the ones buried in brown folders, they all ceased and sat up straight.

You could cut the tension in the air with a butter knife. The prospect of the Alpha King's arrival had a way of prompting everyone to reconsider their posture, expressions, essentially their entire existence in that room.

Soon after, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall, and before long, Nicholas and Clifford made their grand entrance. He exuded authority, decked out in a sharp suit, complete with a long black coat adorned with fur on the upper part. Clifford, by his side, opted for a more understated look in a plain coat.

The councils, as if synchronized, rose to their feet. Meanwhile, the rest of us in the room bowed at Nicholas's presence, greeting him in a chorus that sounded oddly rehearsed, though it wasn't.

“Welcome, Alpha King.”

It was simply the natural response to the aura he brought into the room. He acknowledged our greeting with a nod.

Nicholas strolled to the head of the table, a chair adorned with gold decorations awaiting him. Clifford stood stoic and cold behind him. Nicholas took his seat, and like a synchronized dance, the councils sat back down, as if following a well-practiced routine.

Isaac and I approached Nicholas, standing a few feet apart, ready for his instructions. The atmosphere around him was different today – relaxed, yet pulsating with power. It was like he had his wolf just around the corner, waiting for a cue to take control. The Alpha King was in his element.

Nicholas redirected his focus to the council members, his gaze piercing yet composed.

"Before we delve into the agenda, let's talk about your journey here. How was the trip to our pack?" he asked, his voice carrying a calm authority that demanded attention.

The councils exchanged glances before a few spoke up.

Mr. Agares, perpetually scowling, grumbled, "Took us longer than usual. The road conditions were far from ideal."

A woman from the Northridge Pack chimed in, "The journey was smooth for us, no complications whatsoever."

Nicholas nodded, "Road conditions can indeed be unpredictable. Your safety during travel is paramount. We'll look into improving those aspects."

A man from the Timberclaw Pack added, "We appreciated the security measures. It made us feel safe."

"I'm glad to hear that. Our pack takes pride in ensuring the safety of our guests. Now, onto the agenda," he smoothly transitioned, seamlessly taking control of the conversation.