bster closed her eyes as she listened

ainst the seat; and for a moment, she didn't even

nd how she couldn't wait to get home and start up a new life. School had been both drama

art working in her father's company like she's always

wn her system. She unplugged her headset, turned on her phone, got her mi

esh air - the freshness of America she had dearly missed.

r the baggage carousel. Excitedly, she scrolled through her phone for her parent's contact to inform th

answered. She called again - twice - and decided to try her dad since her mum wa

o busy at the same time when they kne

she decided not to think about it an

she went thr

ht Ximena to the realization that her family were meant to be there as well - or at least,

she consoled herself and pulled her

d seen a picture of him the previous day, but from the crowd,

still not answering their phones. Now, this was getting really annoying - sh

nothing worked. And getting

known her parents for their ridiculous busy schedule, but not on a day like that! She's been away for ten months and they dar

indow and couldn't wait to get home

kept honking his horns, but the gates wouldn't open and even Ximena

to stop here, ma'am" the ca

dne

Ximena asked while dipping her

mena paid him and stepped out. She got her things from the booth and proceed

urprised the gate was actually opened. Why would the gate to her father's mansion

an the last time she had seen it. It looked much beautiful, but... there was something wro

wondering why none of the maids were rushing out to come we

d the door. And the first sight she saw right

ioning, her hands shook

o

elt her eye sight was failing her. But, getting close enough,

*******

med - li

to a banquet pattern ; except there were no meals on the tables of the men, aside a bottle and a gl

ess. And that was exactly how the men wanted it. They'd always prefer a thin darkness to an over

the six men asked, his eyes dancing around the entr

totally OUT OF POINT!" Another blustered and thumped the

d really

the third person from the othe

t wait a little longer

d gulp down some of his water. And si

all eyes turned towards the entra

of them mumbled

ance and observed the meeting hall - taking in the numbe

o the hall, his gold jewelries shimmering all around

thers that he could intrepidly walk into the midst of people that had been hi

be a thing Nir co

vacant seat left, sitting next to the one they called Athan

ce was hidden, could still look so char

ing stone quiet until the others r

ou for honoring this invitat

e head of the table

e" Salem sudd

e be some sort of apology for keeping us all wa

up the topic in front of Nir. Salem had always been t

without uttering a word. Instead, he leaned back on his

And that silenc

et that be a bygone, Sale

re time and go stra

gave room for

Nir", he

over the purpose of this meetin

and a lot of ours. And we need it to stop, Alpha. We all want to live as one, just the rest of the communities have all been living under a just rule. And THIS is the purpose of this meeting. We discussed amongst ourselves and thought it wise to offer you the opportunity to become one of us. To

ering what his thoughts would be. And

d as he twirl

ons were always leavi

e table with

u mean..." he paused an

rules and become mere subj

voi

cky for Cian. But funny enoug

like that, Alph

e regard it as a u

creating mo

ute of silence,

want to be a part of it. Nir prefers ruling his people by his ow

, especially when he drew

ect of discussion here, I th

he turned aro

d, but got to understand when he took up his bottle of water, opened it and decanted some quantity into the em

cially Cian who never thought he'd

stretched in a smirk

bject to a leader that

the door, an unforeseen wind blew all around Salem's chair, quaking him an

walked out the door without sp