Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 202

"So what you're saying is, we're not allowed to bring enough people to protect ourselves?" she asks flatly.

"Protect yourselves from what?" I ask, knowing she can't say what she really wants to. These meetings are delicate things. They're more about what isn't said than what is.

She stares into my eyes, then sits up straighter. "If you guys really feel like you're our allies, then the amount of werewolves we bring into your territory should only make you feel safer."

I nod. "My thoughts exactly, so since our werewolves are already here, you don't need to bring anymore." I smile.

Silence fills the room. She smiles back, but I think she wants to strangle me.

The guy sighs forcefully and then glares me. "Alright, let's cut the crap then." He leans forward. "We don't trust you because you people are crazy."

I cock my head back. The girl smacks her forehead. "Is now really the time to stop saving face, George?"

"We all knew this was coming." He waves her off. "Here's what I'm saying. Forget this meeting. Forget your luna or our lunai. Forget your alphas or ours alphas. Let's say we get in this war together. Let's say," his voice raises. "We waltz into your territory defenseless like we're some kind of idiots. Who's to say our borders and our territories won't be the next ones you negotiate?"

Needless to say, it takes until one in the morning to convince these people that they can only bring one backup person beyond their respective individuals. Even that simple task takes hours, because Aiden doesn't want any additional people. Axel says they can match our numbers-because come on we have seven versus their three. Carson says they can bring their weakest pack member if that would make them feel better. Then he changes his mind and goes on a speech about how no one can come. Fuck allies. We can only trust ourselves.

Aiden starts to consider that as a viable option.

At the end of the day, I once again have to manage to figure out a way that appeases everyone. Everyone except my mom, who gives me a verbal lashing over mindlink after.

"Nice negotiating again with you, Beta Ethel," the girl, Cheryl, gives me a hug before leaving.

The guy, George, claps my back before wrapping an arm around Cheryl. "No hard feelings, right?" he asks me with a smirk.

And with that, they leave in each other's arms. The borders between Dusk and Moonlight have always been open, so I'm not surprised. But having the largest pack in this region, I am surprised by my current circumstances. I consider it on my way back to watch the luna-a two hour drive.

I don't wanna be a pessimist, but how could I not be in this situation? Almost everyone else has found someone. Even Aiden managed to find a girl willing to deal with his... Aiden-ness, and here I am, having been ready for love since I was like fourteen and I'm stuck looking like an unwanted potato.

I'm not trying to play the victim card, and I'm definitely not still in love with Bri, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel like a second choice in everything. My mother treats me like the shadow of Carson's limelight. I was friendzoned by my childhood crush. I'm treated like the third beta even though I was here first. The list goes on and on and on. And it's okay.