Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 90

Lia

After the many attempts on our lives by the Rosewater Coven, we filed another appeal at the Werewolf association. I was shocked to hear from them one morning, but I answered right away.

The conversation started normal. They said they had managed to work together with the magical association to reach out to the Rosewater Coven who were willing to give up on the blood oath under one condition.

But the condition set me off.

“The only way they’ll drop the blood oath is if we pack up and leave the state? That’s insane!” I snapped, barely able to keep my voice steady.

How could they suggest such a thing? It was insanity!

This place was our home. Why should we have to leave because they were refusing to leave the blood oath alone? Their stupid pride was to blame for everything.

“These are the only terms they’re willing to agree to,” the voice on the other end responded, calm and unbothered. “Either you relocate, or the blood oath remains in place.”

I gritted my teeth. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re asking an entire pack to uproot their lives because a bunch of vengeful witches won’t back down.”

“I understand this isn’t ideal, but negotiations have been difficult. This is their final offer.”

“So that’s it? We either run or live under constant threat?”

“At this point, yes. It’s the only way to guarantee your safety.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Guarantee our safety? That’s a joke. They’ll just come after us wherever we go!”

“We can only do so much, Colby. This is the best outcome we could secure.”

“Best outcome? This is a goddamn death sentence disguised as a choice. Do you expect us to abandon our home, our lives, and everything we’ve built, just because the Rosewater Coven demands it? What kind of negotiation is that?”

“It’s a realistic one. You knew this wouldn’t end in your favor. The coven is unwilling to budge, and the council isn’t willing to risk open conflict. This is what compromise looks like.”

“Compromise?” My voice rose, fury burning in my chest. “This isn’t compromise! A compromise would be them backing the hell off. A compromise would be an actual solution instead of bending over and letting them dictate where we can and can’t exist!”

“The council has spoken. These are the only terms on the table. If you refuse, the blood oath stands, and the coven will continue their pursuit. I don’t need to remind you what that means.”

Silence hung between us like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

“You don’t need to remind me of anything,” I finally said, my voice flat. “I know exactly what’s at stake. What I don’t understand is why the hell you expect us to just roll over and accept this.”

“Because the alternative is worse.”

I clenched my jaw so hard it ached. “Worse than being hunted? Worse than tearing an entire pack from the only home they’ve ever known? Tell me, what exactly is worse than that?”

A pause. “More death. More blood. More of your people suffering, Colby. That’s what’s worse.”

My stomach twisted, my anger burning even hotter.

“So you’re telling me to run, to give up everything, or else more people die?” I spat. “That’s what this comes down to?”

“That’s what it always comes down to,” they said, voice colder than before. “This is war, whether you like it or not. And in war, survival matters more than pride.”

“You have until the end of the month to decide,” the voice continued. “But I’d advise you not to wait that long. The coven is watching. The longer you stay, the more dangerous this becomes.”

“Yeah? Well, thanks for nothing.”

I ended the call before they could say another word. My fingers curled tightly around the phone, my entire body shaking with fury.

There was no winning this. Not like this.

I wanted to throw my phone against the wall, not caring if it shattered into a million pieces.

How could they be like this? It was something I couldn’t wrap my mind around. They should be willing ot help us no matter what. Isn’t helping your fellow wolves what you should do?

“We’re not alone,” Lia reminded him. “We have allies. The vampires. Other packs that aren’t too afraid to stand with us. We’re not as outnumbered as they want us to think.”

I glanced around the room, at the faces of my pack-my family. Each of them held the same determination, the same fire. We had been pushed, cornered, tested over and over again. But we were still standing. And I’d be damned if I let the Rosewater Coven drive us out of our home.

“So we stand our ground?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

Jesse nodded first. “We stand.”

“No matter what comes,” Rain added.

Simone cracked a grin, sharp and full of defiance. “Let them try to chase us out.”

I exhaled, my decision final. “Then we get ready. Because if they want a war… we’ll damn well give them one.”

It was easy to say that, but I knew leaving was not an option. This was our home!

I was attached to this place because it was my home away from home. All of us had been coming here since were kids to hang out with Michael and now it held a different meeting. It was the place where all of us were able to bond with Lia and convince her that we should try to see this mating to the end. Or see where it went.

Now Lia had accepted all of us. We had accepted each other, bringing Simone, her mates, Michael, and Gabi into the fold. I mean, we were a real pack now!

“There will be a fallout,” Michael finally said, smiling from ear to ear. “And you know what? I don’t give a fuck about the association. They turned their backs on us, without so much as any hesitation on their part. Why should I do anything they say?”

He was right.

“We’ll figure it out,” I assured Michael.”

And we would.

Somehow.