Chapter Four: The Meeting

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*CHAPTER 4: THE MEETING*

The car ride was silent.

Charlotte sat between Valentine and Angelo in the back of a black SUV. Tinted windows. Guards in the front.

She hadn’t spoken since she agreed to "be dead."

Day 3 of 30.

“Stop fidgeting,” Angelo murmured. His hand covered hers on the seat. Warm. Grounding. “You’re safe with us.”

Charlotte nodded but her heart was hammering. They were going to the *Council Tower* in the center of the city. The tallest building. All glass and steel.

If they found out she was alive, she was done.

The SUV pulled into an underground garage.

“Eyes down,” Valentine said. “Don’t talk unless I tell you to.”

They walked her through 3 security checkpoints. Metal detectors. Guards with silver guns.

The elevator took them to the 100th floor.

The doors opened to a massive room. Round table. 12 chairs. 12 Alphas.

Old. Scarred. Powerful and strong.

All eyes turned to Valentine and Angelo.

“Wolfe twins,” the man at the head said. Alpha Rourke. White hair, cold eyes. “Report.”

Valentine stepped forward. “The ambush was handled. The shooter is dead.”

“Hmmm”.

“And the donor?” Rourke asked. His eyes scanned the room and landed on Charlotte. “Who is she?”

Charlotte’s blood froze.

“She didn’t make it,” Angelo said smoothly. He squeezed Charlotte’s hand once before letting go. “Lost too much blood. Died on the table at St. Mercy.”

A murmur went through the room.

“Lies,” one Alpha said. A woman with red hair. “We heard there was an O-negative. A perfect match. Where is the body?”

“ cremated,” Valentine said. No hesitation. “Per protocol. To prevent pack wars over her blood type.”

Rourke leaned back. He stared at Charlotte for 10 seconds too long.

“What’s your name, girl?”

Charlotte opened her mouth.

“Her name is nothing,” Angelo cut in. “She was a nurse. No family. No one will miss her.”

Rourke’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying to the Council, Wolfe.”

Valentine didn’t flinch. “We’re protecting the pack, Alpha. The last time a rare blood donor was found, three packs went to war. We buried her to keep peace.”

Silence.

Then Rourke nodded slowly. “Fine. But if we find out you lied...”

“You won’t,” Valentine said.

The meeting ended.

In the elevator down, Charlotte collapsed against the wall. She was shaking.

Angelo pulled her into his side. “You did good.”

“I thought he knew,” she whispered.

“He suspects,” Valentine said. “That’s why we have to move fast. 27 days left.”

Back at the penthouse, Charlotte went straight to the shower. Hot water. She needed to wash the fear off.

When she got out, there were clothes on the bed. Soft sweaters, jeans, shoes. All her size.

And a note:

`Don’t hide from us. -V & A`

She smiled despite herself.

That night, the bond pulsed. Stronger.

Charlotte woke up at 3 AM to a sound. Whimpering.

Valentine. On the couch. Sweating. Clawing at his chest.

“The bond,” Angelo said from his couch. He looked wrecked too. “It’s getting worse. Day by day.”

Charlotte went to Valentine. She put her hand on his chest.

The glow came back. Soft white light.

Valentine gasped and the tension left his body.

“Don’t stop,” he begged.

So she didn’t. She sat with him all night. Healing him.

When the sun came up, Angelo was asleep on the floor next to them. His head on her knee.

Day 4 of 30.

And Charlotte realized something terrifying:

She didn’t want to break the bond anymore.

*To be continued *

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