Chapter 48 - Mia and Nikolaos

I look over at Niko with a frown on my face. We've stopped in front of the gilded gates where the

Elders supposedly live and from what he's told me, they don't know he's here. I suspect he's about

to retaliate for what happened, but I cannot be sure.

“Are you going to tell me why we're here?” I ask, a sliver of unease slipping down my back. “You

haven't mentioned a thing and to be honest, this is all freaking me out.”

It's nearly 8 PM; the Gammas are on foot, Maxim is overseeing things back home and Ares is asleep

on the backseat in his little chair. Why would he have the Pente out here with us if it wasn't an

infiltration? What does Niko have planned?

Niko reaches over and touches my chin. “Do you trust me?”

I scoff. “What kind of question is that? Of course, I trust you!” I say, then he leans over to place a kiss

on my lips.

“Then trust me now. No matter what you see or hear in there, trust me and my words,” he says

cryptically and gets out of the car. Walking over to where Ares is, he removes him from his little

seat, and hands him over to me with a warm blanket.

I hate being out here in the cold and dead of night with him, but Niko has something planned so I

should just trust in him for now.

Taking my hand, he leads us up the stone steps to the mansion while holding something in his other

hand. I feel the Gammas are close, but not too close to cause attention to be drawn to them.

I don't see any guards stationed around the perimeter at all, which I thought was odd until I see

Ghost slip around a corner and realize something that makes my heart drop.

Nikolaos might be taking out the Elders tonight.

“Not a word, little rabbit,” he says as he opens the front doors. He knows me so well already that he

can pick up on my thoughts and it makes me smile even as unease sets in my heart.

His loud footfalls echo throughout the mansion and yet I still see no guards approaching. The place

feels more like a museum than a packhouse - art displayed everywhere, antique furniture and

unique contraptions I realize are all torture equipment.

Oh, gross.

We turn a corner where I hear voices; then he walks into what seems to be a dining room where

four people are seated having dinner together. They seem ancient, graying, and well dressed; but

they jump up when they see Niko, surprise and some fear in their scents.

He pulls me close to kiss me, deepening it when I moan into his mouth. I have a feeling that I won't

be getting much sleep tonight, seeing as I can already smell his arousal.

We leave and a secret smile crosses my lips. Somehow this feels like we can breathe easy after this,

but I don’t want to get my hopes up, yet.

Nikolaos

I wake up early and get ready to greet the six women who will be arriving from various packs.

Maxim tried to get out of getting married, but I told him this needed to be done to secure alliances

with these Alphas. just because I acquired Mikhail's territories, doesn't mean I have the alliances he

forged.

Stepping out of our bedroom, I head downstairs to my living room to see Maxim and the Gammas

waiting. They're all wearing somber expressions, especially Divan, but I won't change my mind about

this.

“Can you all stop looking like you're on your way to a funeral?” I growl as I step inside and the

Gammas straighten up but Maxim just rolls his eyes at me. He doesn't say anything; he simply

crosses his arms and scowls at me.

The warriors stationed at the front gates let me know three armored vehicles have arrived and I

allow them to enter after they've inspected them. In the next few minutes, six beautiful women will

arrive and my men have to choose between them; why the fuck are they looking like I've given them

a death sentence?

stifling another growl, I calm myself down when the front door opens and turn to meet the women

being ushered in... only instead of six women, there are five. The one that is not here is pissing me

off already, but then again, what did I expect?

I frown and walk towards them. “Welcome, ladies. Am I wrong to assume there should be six of

you?”

They're quiet, fear palpable in their scents until one of them, a short, dark-haired one that I

recognize as Gianna Rossi, steps forward and nods. “There should be, Alpha, but Xiomara Montesino

escaped one town over,” she says in a soft voice.

This little piece of information makes the anger bubble up in my chest because Xiomara was

supposed to be Maxim's fucking bride. I chose her because her father mentioned she’s a rebellious

spitfire and thought she would suit my Beta well.

“Thank you, Gianna,” I say and she gives me a small smile.

I walk towards Maxim and place a hand on his shoulder. “I'm not sure if this would be considered

your lucky day, but Xiomara was supposed to be yours,” I say with a smirk.

He's about to smile when he sees my smirk and scoffs instead. “Why do I feel like I'm about to

regret this?”

I pat his back. “Because you're about to go bride-hunting, my good friend. She escaped one town

over, question the drivers, and bring her back so she can take her fucking place,” I say, and notice

how his jaw clenches.

He nods, then disappears. Now, it's time to move over to the Gammas.

They're lined up and looking intimidating as fuck and I roll my eyes. These boys just can't relax, for

shit's sake.

“Divan, Romano, Levi, Liam, and Isaac, meet your prospective brides,” I say and walk towards them,

gesturing to each as I introduce them. “Gianna, Eden, Noelle, Demi, and Alessia.”

The women seem terrified, but they smile anyway. Not much can be said about the Gammas who

look like they would rather be burnt alive than be here. Sighing, I cross my arms and tell them over

the mind link to look at me.

“Choose the one which catches your eye and we'll make arrangements for the wedding to take

place within the next two months,” I say, then I take a step back and watch as they choose the ones

who will help secure alliances.

Divan takes the initiative and walks towards them, immediately choosing Gianna. I think this is odd,

seeing as out of all five, Gianna is the most timid out of all of them. Ghost is ruthless and cold, so

why would he choose her?

Interesting.

Romano, known as Descry, picks Eden. Isaac, also Harken, picks Alessa, while Liam and Levi - Panzer

and Armata, choose Noelle and Demi.

After the selection is made, I instruct the Gammas to take their intended and get to know them

better. I swear, it's like watching an awkward middle school dance with all the anxiety and stress I

can pick up.

I pinch the bridge of my nose between my forefinger and thumb - this is going to be harder than I

expected.