Chapter 3 - Negotiations

  ***Kiera's POV***

  The grand hall was silent, the heavy air thick with unspoken tension as the leaders of the world gathered around a long, polished table. Kiera sat proudly next to Leo, her back straight as she watched the quiet interplay between the figures who had been the leaders of their kind for centuries. Leo sat just as stiff and tall beside her, his presence a constant, reassuring reminder of the strength of their pack, while James stood on the other side. Though neither of them had spoken yet, Kiera could see the subtle tension in his jaw, the weight of what was to come hanging over him.

  At the far end of the table sat Randolf, the human leader. His face was stern, his posture rigid. His eyes, cold and calculating, flicked over each leader as he settled into his seat a general by each side. There was an unmistakable edge to his gaze, a sharpness that Kiera had come to recognize over the years as the sign of a man who was ready to do whatever it took to get what he wanted.

  Next to Randolf to his left, sat Sivren, the Vampire King, his pale features sharply defined, his blood-red eyes complemented by his long black lashes, unblinking, as he met the human leader’s gaze. His long black hair fell over his shoulders like a shadow, contrasting with the smoothness of his marble skin.

  To his right, Cassian, the Fae King, lounged casually, his silver hair shimmering in the light as his golden eyes watched the others with a detached interest. The air around him was thick with magic, but he remained unruffled by the underlying hostility in the room.

  Leo, the Alpha of the Wolf Pack, took his seat at the other head of the table with the quiet strength that was expected of him. The bond between Kiera and him thrummed lightly in the air, though he remained stoic as ever. His eyes were sharp as he exchanged a glance with the other leaders, waiting for the conversation to begin. It was not lost on him, that a particular generals eyes lingered on Kiera more than his inner beast was comfortable with.

  Randolf was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the silence like a dull blade.

  “We can’t keep ignoring the facts. Humans are losing ground—our numbers are shrinking, our economy is collapsing, and now we’re seeing our own people intermingling with the supernatural.” His hand slammed onto the table with a force that echoed around the room. “This... this interbreeding has to stop. If we don’t put a stop to it, we will be completely overrun. The human race will be nothing but a memory.”

  Sivren’s expression remained unreadable, though the faintest hint of a smile played at the corners of his lips. He glanced at Cassian, who simply raised an eyebrow, his expression one of quiet amusement.

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  Leo, however, stiffened, his hands resting firmly on the arms of his chair. “The bond between mates is a sacred thing, Randolf. Love is not bound by species. You cannot legislate who people choose to love.”

  Randolf’s eyes flashed with irritation. “It’s not about love! It’s about survival! Humans are becoming outnumbered, and you’re just letting it happen.” He pointed a finger toward the vampire king. “And your kind, Sivren, the feeding... It has to stop. No more feeding on live humans. The people are terrified, and you’re just sitting there, letting them believe they’re safe while you’re draining them dry.”

  Sivren’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “We have not drained anyone without consent, Randolf. Don’t twist the facts.”

  “I don’t care about your semantics,” Randolf shot back, his voice growing sharper. “We need boundaries. You cannot just allow people to do whatever they want. These decisions affect us all. The human people need protection, and we are not going to sit by while our world falls apart. I suggest we apply strict border laws for no one to cross at least for 50 years. That way humans have some time to repopulate and grow.”

  The tension in the room was palpable as the other leaders exchanged glances. Cassian, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke, his voice smooth and measured.

  “You are forgetting something, Randolf. We cannot control who our people bond with. You cannot force individuals to obey rules based on fear alone. You are asking us to deny them their agency. A wise leader knows that to control the people, you must give them the freedom to choose.” He leaned forward, his golden eyes shimmering. “And as for your economy... Perhaps it is not the presence of supernatural beings that is threatening your prosperity, but your own inability to adapt to a changing world.”

  Randolf’s face turned red with fury, but before he could respond, Leo spoke, his voice calm and authoritative.

  “Enough,” Leo said, his voice commanding silence. “What we are discussing here is not about dominance or fear. It’s about balance. The supernatural world and the human world have coexisted for centuries, and we will continue to do so. But the war you are preparing, Randolf, is not one that will end well for anyone. It is not for you or me to dictate how people choose to live.”

  Randolf glared at him, his fingers tapping angrily on the table. “The people are being brainwashed by you all, thinking that this is a world where everyone can simply coexist. But the reality is, your people are too powerful, and we are too weak. If we don’t put our foot down now, there will be no humanity left to protect.”

  The atmosphere grew more tense, and finally, Randolf stood, slamming his hand on the table. “This meeting is over. I will not continue to waste my time with those who refuse to see reason.” He turned and stormed out of the room, his steps echoing down the hall.

  The remaining leaders exchanged glances, the silence now thick with the weight of their unspoken thoughts.

  “Well, that went well,” Cassian murmured, his tone sarcastic.

  Leo sighed and rubbed his temples. “We need to find a solution. If this keeps escalating, it could lead to war, and none of us want that.”

  Sivren leaned back in his chair, his blood-red eyes gleaming. “You’re right. But Randolf is stubborn, and he’s playing a dangerous game. We’ll have to find a way to bridge the gap. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before this turns into something much more serious.”

  “I agree,” Leo said. “We need to be careful, but we also need to remain united. This won’t be solved overnight, but we’ll find a way.”

  The six of them lingered in the quiet of the room, each lost in thought as the reality of their fractured world settled heavily upon them.