The Hidden Alpha (Alma Venus Shifter Brides 2)

“Are you?” Amelia asked back.

“No.”

Amelia forced herself to offer her friend an encouraging smile. “Me neither. Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER TWO

New Fox-Councilor

Amelia hadn’t expected the conference room to be so packed. Each councilor had his two advisers by his side, and the moment she stepped over the threshold, she didn’t know what to do, where to look, whom to study first. Blake touched the small of her back, and the gesture calmed Amelia down. She let her friend guide her to the empty chairs at the far side of the long table and only focused on not staring too much at the members of the Council of the Six Factions. She couldn’t believe she was here, among the most important people in the world. Seth drew chairs for both Blake and Amelia, and was the last to sit down. He had spent most of their flight to London telling Amelia all she needed to know about the councilors and their advisers, showing her pictures, and trying to convince her there was nothing to worry about. They were all strong, influential Alphas who had earned their place in the Council. Except for Jonathan Redfur. Redfur had been given the job by Roman Sylfur, and only temporarily. Amelia couldn’t help but notice all councilors were men. Some of them had chosen women as advisers, but that could hardly redeem them in Amelia’s eyes. And Blake’s, most likely. If everything went according to the plan and no one figured out their hoax, then Blake would be the first female councilor since the peace treaty was signed over a century ago. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be the last one. Also, it would be nice if the next ones didn’t have to lie about their gender to get the job.

Calder Grimmr, the representative of the dragon-shifters, was the first to speak.

“I am deeply sorry for your loss. The news has saddened us all.”

Blake nodded gracefully. “Thank you, Councilor Grimmr.”

Amelia watched her from the corner of her eye and couldn’t help but feel impressed by the way Blake carried herself. Back straight, hands joined on the table, head up and lips slightly pursed, Blake pulled off the Alpha attitude better than most Alpha males. Amelia rested her palm on her round belly and prayed to God her powerful human scent covered Blake’s female scent well enough to fool everyone.

The other councilors murmured their condolences, and Blake thanked them patiently. In reality, she couldn’t wait for these pleasantries to end. All she wanted was to do what she had come here to do, then fly back to Alaska. Given that she had just taken over the clan, she wasn’t expected to spend too much time in London. At least, not yet.

“We have all lost a great man,” Blake said. “My father has been equally admired and feared by humans and shape-shifters alike for the five tails which showed the greatness of his knowledge and wisdom. However, I don’t believe this is what he should be remembered for. He was a strong believer in all people’s rights and an outspoken supporter of the peace treaty. He was a powerful and resourceful Alpha who dedicated his life to keeping the balance within a shifter faction that is well-known for its… unpredictability.” She smiled at the last words. Her intense gaze moved from one councilor to another and stopped on Jonathan Redfur’s freckled face. “I will do my best to honor his name and continue the work he started.”

There was silence for a few minutes. It was almost impossible for Amelia to tell what effect Blake’s words had had on the people in the conference room, but she was sure her friend had things under control. For the thousandth time, she wished she had had the shape-shifters’ delicate senses. Especially in a room filled with shape-shifters belonging to all five factions, she felt out of place. She stole a glance towards Councilor Harington, the representative of the human faction, and wondered if he felt the same. How hadn’t this old man cracked under so much pressure?

“We would expect nothing less,” said Councilor Voinom, the representative of the wolf faction.

His booming voice startled Amelia. Just as Seth had told her, Dimitri Voinom was a tough man. His two advisers, Karl and Max Blackmane, were by his side. Amelia took her time to admire Max Blackmane’s noble features, raven black hair, and intense green eyes. Yes, Avelyn was one lucky woman. Her husband was gorgeous. Karl was nothing short of hot either, but Max had that special something that could draw even the most disinterested woman into his arms. When he caught her staring, she immediately averted her gaze. Only later did she realize the werewolf had smiled at her.

“Jonathan,” continued Blake. “In the name of my father and the whole Clan Sylfur, I wish to thank you for the work you’ve done here. My father always praised your devotion to our faction. Thank you for accepting to take his place when he wasn’t able to claim it after the war, and thank you for acting as a mentor to me.” By this point, everything she said was pure fantasy, but Blake had her reasons. “I’ve always looked up to you.”

Jonathan was sitting across from them, and Amelia could see the expression on his face changing. At first, when they had entered the room, he had been tense and reluctant, not at all pleased with the situation. It was understandable. After all, the guy was forced to offer Blake his position. Now that Blake had chosen her words so well, he even managed a smile.

“It was an honor for me to help your father any way I could,” said Redfur.

Blake nodded in approval and waited a moment before continuing. It was true that the only purpose of this meeting was for her to take her rightful place in the Council and announce everyone about her first dispositions, but she preferred to be patient and allow the councilors to intervene in case they had something to say. She knew them well. She had studied their work and backgrounds, and she knew whom she could trust and whom she should fear. While Christian Kwahu, the representative of the eagle-shifters, would probably never pose a threat, she had to be very careful around Zachary Willamar, the bear councilor, and Dimitri Voinom. They were both seasoned Alphas, and the first ones who would sniff her out if she wasn’t careful. Arthur Harington was the last one she had to worry about.

“We don’t need to establish too many things today,” said Willamar. “We know you are still in mourning and your clan needs you. If it weren’t for your father’s clear disposition that his heir would replace Mr. Redfur the moment he took over Clan Sylfur, we would have waited. We’d like to know if you wish to choose your own advisers.”

Blake nodded.

“As well, we’d like to know when you’ll be ready to move to London,” said the dragon councilor.

Amelia’s heart jumped in her chest. Of course. The Council’s headquarters were in London, and while the advisers didn’t necessarily have to be in London all the time, the councilors did. In fact, that was why Roman Sylfur had refused the job in the first place. He was too old and ill to live so far away from home. Also, it wouldn’t have been a good idea to leave his clan with his four Inari brothers who were always one step away from turning rogue.

“As you all know, my father ruled over a numerous clan,” said Blake. “It will take me a while to set some things in order back in Alaska, then I’m all yours. I don’t need more than a month. As for my advisers… yes, I’ve already decided who they will be.”

The conference room fell silent. Jane, Jonathan Redfur’s adviser, was sitting by his side. She had high hopes of keeping her position, since, for the past few months, she had told Roman and Blake everything she knew about Redfur’s secret machinations. Surely, the new fox councilor wanted someone who was already on his side. Redfur’s other adviser was a blond fox-shifter who had always been loyal to Jonathan and his cause.

“My wife, Amelia Sylfur, will be my first adviser, and I want Jonathan Redfur to do me the honor of acting as my second adviser.”

Jane’s face fell. She swallowed hard and struggled to keep her emotions in check. She couldn’t believe Blake Sylfur was pushing her aside in favor of his human bride and a traitor. There was nothing she could do, however, so she kept silent.

Suddenly, all eyes were on Amelia. She had been content just sitting there, ignored by everyone. It was cl

ear that they had all been asking themselves why Blake had brought his pregnant bride with him, and now they had the answer. It was the first time when a councilor chose his human bride as his adviser. Amelia smiled sweetly and bowed her head. What else could she do?

Jonathan cleared his throat before speaking. “I humbly accept.” Honestly, he had expected to be thrown out of the Council on his ass. His colleagues had turned cold towards him since he had expressed his opinion against the new law that didn’t allow fox-shifters to buy as many brides as they wanted anymore, and he had thought Blake Sylfur would want to gain their trust by getting rid of him. It would have been a clever move. But this was better. Way better. It meant there was a chance that Blake wasn’t like his father.