How Is Leadership Portrayed In Numbers Chapter 20?

After six years of bloodshed, the emperor returns. With this strong body of mine, I can defeat ruffians. I can protect damsels...

“Little dragon, you smell so good! Your blood is the best thing I've ever tasted! It calls to me like a siren’s song.” Ezra said before running his tongue along the Omega’s neck. The Omega’s back arched, and he gripped Ezra tighter while sucking a breath in. “You don't know how badly I want more of you—your blood, your cries of pleasure, your all!” Ezra said, and the Omega whimpered as he pulled the king closer. ~ Werewolves, Vampires, Dragons, Kings, and mates in an Omegaverse world. In a small part of Michigan it’s a world filled with love and understanding, equality; a safe haven. A world where mates are loved and cherished, no matter their rank or species. But in this world of love, there is also darkness, extreme darkness, for not everyone is good. True evil exists outside these packs. It's hell on Earth for those unfortunate souls caught in their world. Two kings were born from the same parents but destined to rule different species. The Alpha King and the Vampire King's bloodlines run through the two brothers. Grayson, a werewolf-vampire hybrid, is the next-in-line Alpha King, and his brother Ezra, a full-blooded Vampire, is the next Vampire King. Both Kings seem to be fighting an endless battle of corruption among their kind. Together, they fight to find someone who is like family to them: Nadja, the ancient vampire Elder who was taken ten years ago. As they search for Nadja, they find so much more. Love, broken souls, an enemy bigger than they imagined, and a power within themselves greater than any King before are all at work as the two kings search for the lost elder.

Jaxon Steele is the ruthless CEO of Steele Enterprises—commanding, arrogant, and always in control. Riley Lawson, his quiet and sweet assistant, has learned to keep his head down and avoid his boss's temper. But when an unexpected encounter outside the office ignites a fiery attraction between them, the lines between power and passion begin to blur. As Jaxon’s dominant nature clashes with Riley’s soft demeanor, they both find themselves struggling to resist a desire that could consume them. In a world where control is everything, who will submit to love, and who will command the heart?

I had always been obedient and compliant. I never dared to disobey others' instructions. The day my wealthy biological parents brought me home, my adoptive brother leaned close to my ear and sneered arrogantly, "The position of the Spencer family's heir belongs to me. If you know what's good for you, get lost on your own." I nodded obediently. Then I turned around and threw myself straight into rush-hour traffic on the highway. My parents nearly lost their minds. Panicked and trembling, they dragged me back into the car, their faces drained white with terror. My sister's expression darkened as she warned me coldly in my ear, "If you pull another stunt for attention, believe me, I'll throw you right back into the doghouse you came from." I obediently listened. That very night, I locked myself inside a dog crate. My sister froze in complete shock. Gritting her teeth, she yanked me out, staring at me like she'd seen a ghost. Later, when my adoptive brother pretended to be sick, my sister forced me to donate blood for him. I obediently took the knife. Without the slightest hesitation, I slashed straight through the artery in my wrist. By the time my parents rushed over, blood had just begun spraying out. They screamed in horror and lunged forward to press against my wound. "Somebody call 911! Now!!!" My sister had gone just as pale. After a long moment of stunned silence, she finally stammered, "Mom, Dad… I only told him to donate a little blood to Eric. I never told him to slit his wrist…" I blinked. My sister wasn't lying. She really hadn't taught me that. It was something the traffickers taught me during the five years my family personally handed me over to them—to "learn obedience."

Gold prices had recently crashed, and five hundred thousand dollars' worth of purchase reserves had vanished from the branch's accounts. Jane Lynch, the department manager, threw a report in my face. "Mavis Gomez! We sent you to buy equipment, and you used the money to trade gold? The chairman is inspecting the branch this afternoon. Sign this confession now, and the company might still put in a good word for you." Thomas Jones, the branch manager, stood beside her and tapped the table. "You're an intern with no connections. Where did you find the audacity to do such a thing?" My coworkers were already blaming me in the company group chat for costing them their year-end bonuses. [Interns these days have some nerves! She always looked so meek, but to think she would steal company money!] I knew Jane and Thomas had used the money to trade gold. They just wanted to use a nobody like me to take the blame. I looked down at the report bearing my forged signature and burst out laughing. They had no idea that the chairman everyone described as ruthless and merciless had made me a sandwich that morning and begged me to cut my internship short and come home to take over the family business.

After a heart-pounding hunt, the pack gathered under the full moon for a celebration. Because of my contribution, I earned the right to bathe in the Sacred Spring and feast on the Stag King's meat. Just as I was about to take a bite, Emily Carter yanked it from my plate. "This isn't for you!" she snapped. In the pack, our roles were similar, but I outperformed her at every turn. She had been targeting me for months. I ignored her and reached for another piece, sliding it into my mouth. "Are you even listening to me?" she screamed, charging at me. Her hand shot up, ready to slap me. The next second, I grabbed her wrist and tossed her aside. Emily landed on the ground with a growl, her face twisted in fury. "You arrogant little wench! My father is the great Alpha King, Hyde Sullivan! How dare you?" she continued, her voice cracking with rage. "I'm revoking your Sacred Spring privileges!" I pressed a hand to my mouth, letting out a quiet laugh. Hyde was my uncle, and he never had offspring. I was his only successor.