Page 186 of A Broody Mate for the Human
Liam’s eyes widen shortly, before his gaze softens. “No, not like you think he did, but when we were on our way to Troi, Aryanna made him spill it so that he would be able to go into a possible fight without having his mind occupied. He would never breach your trust just like that and was very reluctant to hint at what was playing on his mind.” He pauses. “Please understand that he needs to share this worry with some of us too.”
I sigh. He is right. I literally talk about everything and everyone to Annie and Ella, and Raffy needs to be able to consult with others too. I don’t know why this topic makes me feel so eerie though.
“I’ve not called you here to talk to you about it behind his back,” Liam points out. “And it’s also not my intent to make you feel further uncomfortable. I’d just like to offer you an explanation and maybe a new option.”
His words make me feel curious, so I decide to just answer his initial question. “I feel more than a bit wary about it,” I admit.
“Of course.” Liam nods. “I can understand.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
“If Annalise would have a longer lifespan than me and suggested this spell, I wouldn’t be happy either.” Liam tosses a folder towards me. “What do you know about the Council?”
“Not much,” I admit. “Just the bit that Annie and Ella told me about.”
“The Council in Paris is what we call the royal pack,” he says. “It’s like… our government if you want to think of it that way. Packs are ruled individually and are independent and autonomous. However, the Council acts as the representative of the werewolf and lycan world. Some of the most powerful lycans and werewolves are working for it. The goal is to keep a balance, to protect our species, but also make sure there aren’t any unnecessary wars happening. So, while packs are independent, they need to report back and listen to the Council if necessary. It’s a supervisory authority and the place where the rules are made. They further organize our prisons and act as judges if needed. The main base is in Paris. Annalise and I are both members of the Council, so is my father.”
He gives me a moment to digest what he just said. “I get it,” I say. “There are a lot of packs all around the world. It makes sense that there is one organization that keeps them in check if needed.” I pause. “Is this the reason you didn’t attack Troi’s pack immediately when they attacked Esme and hurt Annie?”
“Yes, the first step is always to try for a political solution and try to keep casualties low. If I wouldn’t have had a chance to get Troi peacefully, I would have attacked. The law would be on my side then.” He gestures towards the folder. “Because we have been facing a lot of problems on this continent recently, the Council will branch out and have a base here too. Actually, they have already begun with it. The second base is close to our pack, and it’s also where Troi is currently held.” He pauses. “In this folder, Annalise and Jun put together all the necessary information. If you agree on becoming an advisor for the Council—”
“What…” I squeak. “An advisor!? Wait a moment, you mean, talk on behalf of the humans?”
He nods. “Work on inter-species relationships. We have advisors from other species, like witches, vampires, fae. But there is no human advisor to this date. Humans aren’t well-liked in our world for their untrustworthy and unpredictable nature. The very few times our worlds collided, they have always backstabbed us. Furthermore, most humans don’t know of our existence, so it was never deemed necessary to have a human advisor.” He pauses. “But human mates are a reality, and they should be treated with as much respect as any other mates. It’s going to be hard work, and you’re going to run against a lot of walls, but I think you’d be perfect for this job.”
I can barely believe my ears. Annie and Ella once mentioned me becoming an advisor, but I thought they were joking. “I’m not sure if I can do this.”
“You’re likable,” Liam tells me. “Smart, have a very sharp mind, and you can read the room. You’re part of one of the most powerful packs and are friends with powerful wolves and witches.” He pauses. “There is no better choice than you. This is not about choosing the best and most cunning politician; this is about choosing someone who can keep other council members interested and curious. We need someone approachable.”
I swallow, taking the folder in my hands. My heart beats faster. I’m terrified. This is not just a job… this is a position that allows me to make changes. I was barely allowed on pack grounds before; Annie literally smuggled me into the pack house. And the only reason was because I’m a human. I’ve heard some wolves automatically reject their mates when they’re human because they fear the reaction of their pack and are scared their human mate will be bullied and hurt. “I’m not ready,” I tell Liam. “But I can’t decline this offer. So… the answer is yes, I will try it. But I’ll need help with this… I have no idea how the Council is run and—”
A smile blooms on Liam’s face. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to get you all the information you need. I’m not tossing you into this.” He leans back. “As an advisor, the Council will bless you once you’re officially assigned.”
I look at him in confusion. “Bless…”
“They blessed Annalise when she was mated to me,” he explains. “Lycans live longer than werewolves. One of the gifts she received was longevity.”
My mouth drops open. “Wait… are you implying…”
“If you accept the blessing, then you will live longer naturally. There is no need to tie your fate to Raphael’s. It still means a change for you, though, as you will live longer than other humans.”
I can only stare at him for a minute without being able to form a coherent sentence. “I could remain at his side for much longer,” I mutter.
“I know the concept of longevity might be foreign to you,” Liam points out. “And maybe feel a bit terrifying. I’m sure you have family you’ll see pass away, relatives you love.”
“I don’t have relatives I love,” I say. “And most of my friends are werewolves.” Well, Ye-Joon isn’t, but with him being a quarter werewolf… who knows what the genes inside of him are doing to his life. I know for a fact that he hardly ever gets sick. “You’re right,” I admit. “The concept feels a bit weird to me, but I feel like this is the best compromise.”
“David,” Liam says seriously. “I want you to know that I didn’t offer this to you to solve your issues with Raphael. I truly believe you’d be perfect for the job of an advisor, and the truth is that Annalise and I have been working on this plan ever since you joined our inauguration ceremony. You already saw a few Council members there. They know you and even exchanged some words with you. Seeing how you carried yourself that day and your words towards Annalise… it was truly eye-opening. Ever since then, we’ve been planning to make you an advisor.”
“Even if I never had found a werewolf mate?” I whisper.
“You being mated to a werewolf has nothing to do with this either. It did make things easier, though, especially since you’re a member of my pack now. When I presented the idea to the Council two weeks ago, the votes were 60% in our favor. This might not sound like an astounding result, but considering the lycan’s and wolve’s stand on humans, it’s actually pretty good.”
“It means I need to win over the other 40%,” I muse. I look at the folder. “I won’t disappoint you, Alpha Liam.”
“I know you won’t,” he says. “I have full faith in your abilities.”
When I leave his office with the folder under my arm, I feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Becoming an advisor for the Council will mean a lot of work for me, and it’s a bit scary, but at the same time, it means I can contribute something to the pack I’m now part of. I’m not a fighter or a warrior, but this here… might be something useful for the people I care about.
