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© All characters and storylines surrounding these characters belong to me, Eben Black..

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Time passed and tensions simmered. Maximillian had took us to the main dining room of the manor house. The room was done in a fine, polished wood. Panels lined the walls, a fireplace crackled with warmth while the people in the room surrounded the head of the dining table. Maximillian sat at the head, fingers laced together while he closed his eyes and thought long and hard about what this meeting was intended for. Donovan relaxed into the dining chair beside him, his face a pleasant mixture of tension and relaxation. Sat opposite him was Aleksander, his face solemn now, a whole new cheetah to what we'd seen earlier on outside. That was what passion did to some people. I was sat beside Donovan, my arms crossed on the table while I lay my head against my forearms. The night was bound to be a long one. No doubt there. Kane was stood at the mantelpiece of the fireplace, Eddie beside him. The room was silent. Silent and full of unanswered questions.

Aleksander broke the silence and asked, "You mentioned the council were visiting earlier?"

Donovan nodded, a slow bow of his muzzle. "From what I've been told he'll be here tomorrow at some point. I intend to be at home by then," he added.

"Do you know who will be visiting in person?"

"You and I both know what the council are and have been. Beasts who lurk in the shadows. The boogeymen and women of wereanimal kind. But I do know the council member is male and the apparent leader."

"Apparent leader?" Aleksander repeated.

"We were visited by a supposed council member three months ago. He has been banished from the council board since then, but he lives on."

"I had heard rumours that the werewolves had been attacked in their home. Is that what drove your wolves to scatter?"

Donovan nodded and held a saddened smile. He said, "I cannot imprison the wolves, and I keep in contact with them, but they do not feel safe around me or Eben."

Aleksander frowned, a look of sadness there as he replied, "I cannot imagine what that must have done to you."

Maximillian looked up and said, "The wolves are scattered, but those who have remained are strong, dependable and honourable, Alek. Believe me."

"Don't you doubt this unison, though, Maximillian?"

"Why would I? Just like you, I have known Donovan for a long time. He runs his pack in a modern, new way. It worked, but circumstances have rendered his position weak. The one thing keeping him protected, the one thing that has prevented an all out annihilation of the werewolves is those that follow right behind him. Kane has announced himself as Guardian, and for the last three months has done the job justice. You witnessed what he is capable of outside. His power has also been bolstered by the connection he shares with Eben Black."

"Is your bond so unique and powerful?" Aleksander asked as he looked at me dead-on.

"I don't know how unique my bond is, but I'm told I am the first male Lupine ever, and those who have bound themselves to me have gained from that connection."

"I can sense the strength in Kane, and the leadership behind Donovan has proven itself a powerful asset. But who else have you bound yourself too?" he raised an eyebrow at his question.

I considered Aleksander and then said, "Don't play games, Aleksander. Say what you want to say."

He smirked and nodded. "Fine. There are rumours that the first you bound yourself to was not one of your wolven brethren. You bound yourself to another?"

"You mean Snow Valentine?"

"The weretiger who you found three months ago?" Aleksander asked.

"Your sources must be reliable indeed for you to know so much, Alek." Donovan smirked at the cheetah.

Aleksander grinned, there was no menace, just a pleasant knowledge sparkling in those green eyes. "The cheetahs are quick when it comes to most things. Rumours are one of them."

"So you know about Snow then?" I asked.

"I do indeed. It is unusual, but then again all the things I've heard and witnessed about you is unique," Aleksander replied.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was meant as one."

We exchanged a smile. I was amazed at how different Aleksander was, compared to what he was outside.

Aleksander smirked then and said, "Is this boost of yours a great leap of power. Is being bound to you such a great benefit."

"I'm not the person to ask. Ask Donovan or Kane?" I replied.

"You are bound to the swordsman too? You have been busy. But I get the feeling this is about more than sex?" he asked.

"I have been lucky. The males I'm bound to are ones that I love," I replied.

"Love?" Aleksander repeated, "I have heard female Lupines and alpha cheetahs that have bound themselves to other out of punishment."

"Punishment?" I replied with a confused expression.

Kane spoke up and said, "When a female initiates the binding, the need and want to be near one another can make a wereanimal mad with that desire."

I considered Kane and then said, "Like you were?"

He smiled and nodded, "Like me, but we're talking years without seeing the person or even hearing from them. The mind maddens, and then a female will allow one kiss, and then she'll leave."

"That's evil."

"Evil, but a punishment that has always stoppered rules from being broken."

"And you now possess that kind of power," Aleksander added, smiling across at me.

"I never intend to bespell anyone like that. That sounds like a bad nightmare that never ends," I replied.

"Are you so sure? There are those who would want to tame you, instead of being tamed."

"Was that a threat?" Kane growled.

Aleksander eased back and swung his feet up onto the table, crossed at the ankle. He grinned and replied, "More of a warning of precaution."

Maximillian frowned at Aleksander and then said, "We asked you here because we all want and need help, Aleksander."

"And what makes you so sure the cheetahs want or need help?" he replied.

"Consider what we're offering, Alek. Say the council member arrives tomorrow, and takes an interest in both the wolves and the lions. The fact you've met with us will mean you'll become an interest too."

"Are you saying the council will want to know why you approached me?" Aleksander asked, looking at Maximillian.

Maximillian nodded and replied, "It is possible. Would you rather be able to call on us in that eventuality?"

Aleksander looked thoughtful for a moment and went silent.

"We are all to act as backup in the event something happens. What if we have a repeat of what happened three months ago?" Maximillian asked.

"What about three months ago?"

"You remember the massacres, no? The one responsible travelled and caused havoc all over the US states, so much so that Walker's Law came under question." Donovan frowned and said, "We almost lost it."

"Walker's Law is invaluable to those who wish to run businesses. But I am merely looking out for those who I consider family, Donovan Reed."

"And what if your family falls under fire, and you can't protect all of them?" I asked.

"Your questioning my strength as a King?" he growled back.

I smiled back and said, "Stubborness doesn't make a great King, being able to make decisions and lead is what makes a great King."

Aleksander growled again and then simmered. He was deep in thought for a moment and then said, "I have one more condition."

Donovan gestured for him to continue.

"I wish to be bound to Eben." The statement fell and rippled through us all.

Maximillian replied, "What would that achieve, Aleksander?"

"My own strength would be bolstered, and the bond between the cheetahs and the wolves would concrete over. I believe Donovan did not order the attack on my people, but I still need assurances."

"You want to be bound so that later on we cannot turn on you?" Donovan asked.

Aleksander nodded.

"Eben?" the wolf King looked across at me.

"My decision, eh?" I replied. Donovan nodded. "Alek, the bonds and connections I have made are out of love and friendship. As soft as it sounds. I don't love you, Aleksander."

"Consider it an act of diplomatic agreement between our two houses then. I am familiar with what is needed for the binding to take place. I'm not afraid to say I'm attracted to males."

"Regardless, Alek, I feel I have enough men on my plate at the moment, let alone including another one."

Aleksander looked at me and shrugged as he slumped back into the seat. "It will be a want of mine for a while, but for now lets work under a temporary basis until the council has left LA."

Donovan looked over at the feline and replied, "You would use us for your family while the oldest of us is in town?"

"You wanted to help and protect all wereanimals. I'm willing to work alongside you for the next few days. If things work well then I have no issues becoming a permanent fixture in your coalition."

"And what of your desire to bed Eben?"

"He is attractive, cute in some ways, and sexy in others. The want to bed him is more personal preference than a need for binding. But if things work well I'll consider it a pipe dream and nothing more."

"You move too fast for me to keep up, Aleksander." I took a deep breath and said, "I don't mind binding for power if it means protecting us all, but for now all I can see is an alpha after power and sex."

"Which is exactly what I am, Eben. I won't pressure you, just know the desire is there." He smirked and added, "You may grow bored of your current lovers one day and need a fresh slab of meat in your bed."

I smirked back and said, "These men are in no way dull where the bedroom is concerned, believe me, Aleksander."

He shrugged and turned to Maximillian. "How does the coalition operate? Is there a leader who we follow."

"You would follow commands from an alpha in charge?" Maximillian asked.

"If I agreed with what was being commanded then I do not mind. My people are what concerns me, Maximillian. Not some futile struggle for leadership."

"Then in that case, I believe Donovan should lead, considering he was the one who proposed this coalition to begin with." Maximillian smirked as he spoke.

"The coalition looks well, with Maximillian's numbers increasing with each full moon, his strength is invaluable, and it now seems the cheetahs have an invaluable information network at their fingers?" Donovan's smile spread wider as he added, "Things are looking better. I just hope that things work out tomorrow where the council are concerned."

"Concerning them, I would like to be there when they visit." Aleksander stood in a liquid motion.

"You want to be there when we meet them?" I asked. Aleksander nodded. "How come?"

"It is not always a bad thing for a King to know who he is working alongside. Let me be there and I'll consider it an act of trust."

"An act of trust, how so?" Donovan asked.

"Let me be there, and my trust in you will grow. Simple."

"We have no idea what this council member will be like. Are you willing to endanger yourself like that?" Donovan replied.

"A true King stands on the frontlines and defends those he cares for. What kind of King would I be if I hid on my throne in the shadows?" he growled, "Besides, you mentioned earlier that the beast may take an interest in Eben at some point, because of his unique abilities. I would prefer to keep Eben safe, considering the power he holds. I'll be acting as an extra bodyguard for the male Lupine. The more powerful alphas around him, the less likely the council will want to fuck with him, right then and there."

Donovan considered it and then nodded, "You do have a point. Eben, do you mind having him there?"

I looked up at Aleksander and then nodded. "I don't mind, so long as he doesn't try anything fresh."

"It has been a while since anyone has refused me. You make me feel like a mere commoner again." Aleksander bowed as he spoke.

"Then woo me, and we'll see if you get into my bed before the next full moon," I grinned back.

"Deal!" Aleksander said. I had meant it as a joke, a teasing insult, but something told me Aleksander was going to be one of those alphas who just didn't take "no" for an answer. Either way, the cheetahs were on our side now, and although things were still uncertain, I did feel better about meeting the council tomorrow with a wolf King, an alpha wolf, a cheetah King and an alpha tiger at my side. What more could a wolf ask for?