"And what makes you think we didn’t think of that?" Leon argued. "We know that. Cane knows that. That’s why he’s surrounded by guards." There was nothing but disgust in his voice as he added, "A proud werewolf would be at the front of the battle, but he’s a coward — a smart coward at that. He knows we’re coming. So tell us, what’s this special way you’ll win a war without bloodshed?"
Micah rolled his eyes. All these complaints and yet no action. The things he did for his sister.
"Well, none of you can do this," he said, stretching out his hand. Shadows billowed around him like smoke.
There was a sharp gasp as Alexa instinctively stepped back. Ezra pulled Nancy behind him just in case, while Jeremiah stiffened, ready to strike if Micah tried anything. Only Irene and Aeron stood their ground, though their eyes narrowed, and their muscles coiled, ready for a fight if it came to that.
"Calm down," Micah said, unfazed. "It’s just a demonstration, a dramatic one at that. I tend to have a thing for theatrics," he added with a sly smile.
Leon, still on edge, asked, "And how exactly is this supposed to help us?"
"I can charm Cane. Or anyone close enough and unmated. I just need to get within ten meters for my appeal to work. It’s most effective on skin contact, the victim becomes completely enamored. But I doubt Cane will let me near him."
"So let me get this straight..." Ezra said. "We have to bet this war on you seducing Cane and killing him?"
"Well, if you put it like that," Micah shrugged, unoffended.
Leon jabbed a finger at him. "So we’re supposed to trust this nonsense? We don’t even know if it works."
Accusing him of collaborating with the enemy was one thing, but looking down on him was another and Micah wasn’t going to take it.
Micah smiled, sly as a fox. "Perhaps you should find out for yourself, Alpha Leon."
"What?" Leon frowned, confused.
Then the air changed, a static prick crawling along the skin. Goosebumps rose on everyone’s arms as Micah’s magic spilled outward and touched them all.
Irene felt it first. Her thoughts fogged; Micah stood in a brilliant halo in her mind. She wanted to be close to him, to touch him, to be with him. The urge rose like heat beneath her ribs.
She almost staggered toward him before the image of her husbands — Aeron and Arion — slammed into her mind like a cold bucket. She snapped out of it, her breath coming fast. What in the world was that?
Aeron looked dazed for a second before clearing. As for Ezra and Nancy, they were unmoved. Their bond was a shield that the charm couldn’t pierce through. It simply had no effect on them.
Micah’s sinister smile widened. He pushed the charm, directing its warmth like a current. All eyes tracked as Leon, the South Pack Alpha, walked toward him as if pulled. There was nothing but adoration in his eyes. When he reached Micah, he stood in front of him like a worshiper.
Micah commanded, "Go down on your knees."
"No... " Jeremiah gasped, barely recovered from the fog. "He wouldn’t..."
But Leon did. He sank to one knee before Micah, eyes twinkling with a strange, disbelieving glee. Shock slammed through the room; faces froze in varying shades of horror and disbelief.
Irene cupped her mouth, the image still vivid behind her eyes. Jeremiah had both hands on his head, stunned into silence.
Nancy’s mouth formed a perfect O, then unable to hold it in anymore, laughed. She snatched up her phone before anyone could stop her.
"No, babe, don’t—" Ezra barked, too late. Nancy clicked a photo, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
Alexa flushed crimson, embarrassed and caught off-guard. Yet when she met Micah’s cool gaze, the shame softened into admiration. Micah had surprised them all.
Maybe he wasn’t so bad, after all. Except there was more than admiration in those eyes.
Micah could have pushed it further. He could have made Leon crawl on his feet, dance, or even debase himself, like giving him a lap dance.
But Leon was an Alpha and wouldn’t forgive such a public disgrace. Not to mention, Micah was now mated, and Adele would murder him. So he eased the hold, letting the charm die gently.
Leon blinked, the world snapping back. He scrambled to his feet, cheeks flushing with shame and fury as if waking from a fever dream.
"What the hell?" he snarled, scanning the room for answers, but the smug satisfaction on Micah’s face said it all.
"Seriously?" Leon growled.
Nancy could not hold it. She dissolved into louder, raucous laughter, clutching her belly until tears spilled. Irene tried to hide a grin but failed; she let out a shocked, helpless chuckle. The sound spread, contagious and ridiculous. Even Aeron cracked a small smile.
Leon’s humiliation curdled into reluctant concession. He straightened, jaw tight. "Fine," he spat. "You made your point. You win."
"The pleasure’s all mine," Micah said, shameless and calm.
"Alright, that’s enough. We need to focus," Ezra cut in, folding the room back into business.
"You know what this means?" Aeron asked.
"Yeah," Ezra said. "Micah doesn’t necessarily have to charm Cane in person. He only needs someone close to Cane to do the dirty work."
"True," Micah agreed, "But I still need to be in close quarters for the charm to hold. I must ensure the person actually carries out the task. My presence is required for control."
"If that’s the case," Irene said, "we need Cane’s exact location. That way, we can drop you in, execute, and extract you alive."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Surely, there have to be spies, or at least a few still loyal to us, in Cane’s camp," Irene said, crossing her arms.
Ezra’s expression was thoughtful. "There should be. And if not, we’ll make one. There’s always an Alpha willing to switch sides for the right price, or protection. Jeremiah and I will look into it. If we can’t find loyalty, we’ll buy it." He glanced around the table. "We’ll come back with a name and location soon enough."
He paused, then turned to Micah. "In the meantime, is there anything you’ll need before this mission?"
Micah didn’t hesitate. "Nothing else," he said, "except a long, private call with my mate. No disturbance."