My Most Precious Human novel Chapter 103

Martha seemed ecstatic while picking the right kind of outfit for me to wear. Unlike me, she wasn't bothered by the fact that no one knew who asked me to sit by the negotiation table. I was still bewildered by the news while Martha's colleague brought me breakfast, put it on the table while grinning and showing me the thumbs-up, and then left my room as quickly as she appeared in it. I felt as if she and Martha were cheering for me, as if I was about to save the world or something.

I replied with a forced, smiley-grimace while trying to drag myself to the bathroom. Hurried by Martha, I took the shortest shower ever, which mainly consisted of draining cold water onto my body, hoping it would allow my brain to function as it should. After wrapping myself with a towel, I washed my face and applied every skincare product I had, praying that it would make me look less zombie-like.

"The food is getting cold." Martha clicked her tongue, observing my slow movements.

"Martha, calm down and sit beside me. You are making me more nervous than I already am," I said, preparing to take my first bite.

"It would be best if you wore a little black office-style dress. I found one in your closet. It has a shallow neckline with a sexy slit going down to your breast," she stated excitedly.

I sighed and smiled at her. I was more than grateful for her help, but watching her being all fired up made me feel a little guilty. I was terrified of going there. I was afraid I would act like a total idiot and disappoint everyone. I was about to sit between werewolves and vampires while I didn't represent either. I had very little knowledge about their conflict, and I had absolutely no idea what the demands were on each side. Not to mention that I had no clue why someone would suddenly decide on making me join them!

Martha helped me put on some light make-up and get dressed. I took a glimpse in the mirror, and I saw a confident and decisive person. Unfortunately, that was only on the outside. On the inside, I was all shaking and anxious…

At a quarter to nine, someone knocked on my door; it was Patrick. He came to escort me to the negotiations as my personal bodyguard.

"Patrick, maybe you will tell me what is going on? Why am I suddenly a part of it?" I asked.

"I got an order to escort you this morning. That is all I know. I will also stay right outside the room during the whole meeting, just in case," he smiled as if trying to bring me comfort.

I guessed that I was about to get some answers only after entering the meeting. I faintly smiled back at him and then gestured for him to lead the way. The negotiations were supposed to take place in the west wing's conference room. We walked there in silence. Patrick glanced at me every few seconds, checking if I was feeling all right. Probably because my face was getting paler with every step I took. Once we entered the west building, we were joined by four other guards, securing each side as we walked through the long corridor leading to the meeting place. It felt a little strange. I gazed at Patrick with a question mark painted on my face.

"Over twenty warriors of the Moon Hill Pack stay in the west building. The guards are here in case there would be another attempt to kidnap you," Patrick explained, lowering his voice.

I nodded, processing his words. This didn't sound like a good way to start negotiating a peace treaty. Then I started thinking that those guards must have been ordered by Sariel, which meant that he was worried for my safety. The more I doubted that it was his idea for me to attend the meeting, but if it wasn't him, then who was it?

The Palace guards stopped at the door at the end of the corridor and then opened it for me to enter. I gulped and stepped inside the conference room, which was already crowded. A big, long table was standing in the middle of the room, with one side reserved for the vampires and the other for the werewolves to sit on. It made me awkwardly wonder where my place was. The place was prepared for about forty participants to be seated, and some of them were already taking their places. I decided to step to one side of the door until someone would tell me what to do. Suddenly, all the guards standing by the door bowed down. I turned around and saw Sariel walking into the room while holding Elora's hand. I clenched my teeth but decided to keep my courtesy and bowed just like everyone else, as they both walked to their seats. Sariel didn't even look me in the eyes, making my presence there harder than it already was. He and Elora gracefully glided towards their side of the table and took their places right in the middle of the table's length. At that moment, I started thinking of running away from there, and I probably would have if it weren't for someone's hand gently landing on my shoulder.

"I'm glad you are here, Lilith." Alpha Draven's voice was like a balm to my freshly stabbed heart.

"I'm glad you say that," I said vaguely, "but I'm still not sure why I'm here."

"I demanded your presence," he said, grabbing my hand, "Come on, Lilith. You will sit next to me."

Before I could choke out a word, I was dragged by him towards the table. He stopped opposite Sariel and Elora's seats and pulled out a chair for me, telling me to sit. It already looked awkward, but he didn't seem to care. More than that, he seemed to be enjoying this situation. I looked at Sariel. For once, he was unable to keep his poker face. He was glaring at Draven with his eyes burning in fury, and he was barely restraining himself from ripping him to pieces. Unknowingly, the corner of my lips curled up as I drew wicked satisfaction from Sariel's jealousy. Although it could have been nothing more than a caveman's possessiveness, the mere fact that he disregarded Elora was enough to improve my mood. I sat down opposite him, while Draven's seat was opposite Elora's.

Other participants joined quickly. Leo took his place on Sariel's right side, while on Draven's right sat his Beta, whose, as I later learned, name was Ari. Once there were no empty spots left, the meeting was about to start. I expected Sariel to open the negotiations, but it was Alpha Draven who stood up first.

"I wish to have another demand before we start…" He looked straight into Sariel's eyes as his lips formed a sly smirk.