Barely Breathing

Xyrus opened the door and I followed. Alpha Caden and Luna Fae were already seated at the long table. In front of them were
three men, all wearing neat white shirts but with dried blood on their faces and body.
The one in the middle has that clever look, his eyes burning with rage. He must be in his 60s with gray hair and wrinkles on his
forehead.
The one on his right was young, probably in his early 30s. He has a good built and the way he seated with his back straight was
something. He looks proud and prideful despite the red claw marks on his arms that were already starting to heal.
The last one was on his way to the 40s. He has the calmest facade of the three. Not tense at all, or maybe he was too good at
hiding emotions.
Gabbiel and Carter were leaning on the wall behind the three. Guarding them I supposed. Gabbiel bowed his head mouthing
'Luna' and Carter simply gave me a small smile.
"Willow are you alright?" Luna Fae stood and gave me a quick hug. She held me at arm's length and inspected my injuries which
were already healing. "Oh dear, we have to go to the doctor."
"I'm fine," I assured her. "I will see her after this."
Hesitation crossed her pretty face but resigned with. "Alright then."
She assisted me to the chair beside her while Xyrus seated on my left.
Xyrus cleared his throat and addressed the three. "It is an honor to have you here with us."
"As prisoners you mean." The prideful one says disgustingly, sneering at Xyrus. He looked like he would jump any moment and
attacked Xyrus. Gabbiel and Carter stood straighter, alarmed.
"Caleb." The calmest of the three called out, getting his attention. There is a threat laced on it. "This will be the last time I'm
warning you."
Caleb growled at him to which the one in the middle raised his hand, probably to stop an argument brewing between the two.
"Proceed please." He said. He seemed nicer than the way he glared at us.
"Thank you, Donovan," Xyrus replied. "I am not sorry for the loss of your people nor do I conform with your accusations to me."

"We do know that." Donovan nodded.
"Well what do we expect from the mighty prince Xyrus, oh is it king now?" Caleb mocked.
"Always the trouble I say, Caleb. " Xyrus said unaffected. Something tells me they know each other on a deeper level.
"Xyrus, what do you want from us?" The calmest one asked.
Caleb cursed and glared at him. "Theodore. Have you lost your mind?"
"Not as empty brain as you are." Theodore insulted back. "If not for you and Nicholas, this war mustn't have happened! "
"The war is a majority vote." Donovan corrected him. "Now be like a true man of wisdom you two. Or I must speak to Xyrus
alone."
"Thank you, Donovan." Alpha Caden directed at him.
"Don't thank me yet Alpha," Donovan assured. "We haven't agreed on anything yet."
Alpha Caden sighed, shaking his head. "Donovan, why did we have to end up like this?"
"Ask your son you fool!" Caleb burst. "He was the one who broke the treaty."
"Enough!" Donovan shouted, breathing hard. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to get calm.
"One more word coming from you Caleb and I swear you will join the others at the clearing."
Caleb glared but surprisingly did say no more. He leaned on his seat, arms crossed.
"Caden, old friend, no man will go to war so willingly but you left us no choice." He argued. "Xyrus has breached the agreement."
"He trespassed in my territory and threatened my Luna, what do you expect me to do? " Xyrus intervened.
"We expect you to stick to that damn contract by not killing anyone as you should have Alpha!" Donovan gritted his teeth, eyes
blazing with rage. "
"What done is done. "Alpha Caden sighed. " All of us can't play the victim here. We all have blood in our hands and the
consequences of our acts. "

"I agree," Theodore said, leaning on the table with his hands flattened on the table. "What is best is to treat wounds rather than
causing more harm."
"I am setting free all of you, that's a promise." But then, he glared at the three.
"But if you so much as harm anyone of my pack again, there will be another war, and this time - I promise I will finish what I
started."
So much power laced in his words that everyone almost bowed their heads, I say the words came from Sky, Xyrus' wolf. A dark
promise of blood and revenge. That wolf is the true threat.
The three looked uneasy. Theodore was the first to recover as he straightened in his seat. "Let's keep it that way. As long as you
keep the part of your bargain too. And this time, we expect you to abide with it!"
"There are no promises." Xyrus quickly replied.
"Very well." Donovan finally said. "I think you kept us for so long now. We will send you and the rest of the packs the written and
sealed agreement between us. That way no one will ever dare to disturb your pack again and we in return can keep the peace
for everyone, just as our job."
"That's acceptable," I replied, gaining everyone's attention.
Donovan's stare lingered at me longer that Xyrus circled his arms on my waist in instinct.
That didn't go unnoticed as the side of his lips twitched in a smile but it was gone fast just as it appeared.
"She's exquisitely beautiful." He said to no one, still looking at me. "It's not that hard to understand why you stake a claim on her.
Or the others."
Xyrus growled and pulled me closer to him but didn't say a word.
"I remember you, you know." Donovan directed at me. "I saw you at the annual mate hunt. You had three other alpha's fighting
over you, 'causing fights even at the very beginning aren't you, little troublemaker?"
"Not something I would wish to happen," I replied.
"Point taken." He nodded.

"It is settled then I suppose?" Alpha Caden intervened.
"Very well." Donovan nodded again.