The door swings in, and I stride inside, heading straight for my chair at the head of the table.

The chair is forged from molten gold, and it belongs to the Alpha of New York City, it belongs to me - the Lycan King of New York City.

“Begin,” I say, my gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

We have this meeting once a month, and sometimes, barely, but this is to be the second meeting we are having this month. I am exhausted before it even begins.

The hall is filled with important people to my course - there is Miles, my closest friend and the Alpha of Buffalo. Grayson Velkan, the Alpha of Rochester and an ally. Together, the three of us command the state of New York. In attendance are also Politicians, Journalist, Witches, Betas, Soldiers, and representatives of every other city in New York.

There are rumors about me. I am used to it. They call me the Madman. The Abomination because I am a Lycan. They even take it a step further by calling me Weak. I do not care about the names they call me, because they all know that I did something that none of them have been able to do for the past centuries. I united the Human Faction, the Witches Faction and the Werewolf Faction in three cities, even more, in this state.

They mocked me when I began, said I could never unite New York. When I began to succeed, they said we were going to kill each other. They called us savages, madmen, animals, and yet, here we are, years later, with a unified state that I rule.

“There have been sightings of your people in our homes,” Senator Gavin Richardson seethes, and I glance at him.

I turn to Miles, a slow smile forming on my lips.

Miles is an Alpha of his own territory, but I kept him as mine yet. He is my second in command. Long time ago, he was also my brother in law.

“Those are rumors,” Miles tells the Senator, prompting murmurs across the room.

I shake my head and the room falls instantly silent.

“What do you mean by ‘my people’, Senator?” I ask, my voice calm, cool. I don’t need yell.

The Senator pales, a flicker of fear in his eyes, which is deeply satisfying.

“We are one people, are we not?” I say, a slow deliberate smile forming on my face.

“Yes - yes - we are. I - I apologize.” He stutters, falling over his words like a drunkard.

“It was a slip of the tongue, Alpha,” Diane Steel, a representative of the Attorney General, says with a placating smile.

I nod “Let’s keep those slips of the tongues to ourselves. Now, tell me more about these sightings.” I urge, leaning in my chair.

“Three connected incidents. The first happened two weeks ago - a young woman was attacked on her way back from work . .” She continues with the details and my mind drifts to Camilla and lingers there.

Camilla Wilde. She was beautiful. One of the very few women I have found beautiful and captivating in the past five years.

“ . .the second took place last week, in Queens. . .”

Her long, wavy hair and pale green eyes sticks to me. I loved talking to her. I loved being close to her. She did not flinch away at my presence. She did not hide. She spoke to me. She saw me, she saw a little too much. I am a Werewolf, a Lycan, the most dangerous breeds of Werewolves, and she is a human.

“We believe them to be rogue wolves, unregistered.” Diana concludes and I nod, but stay silent.

“We apologize for that, and we will see to it. The matter will be resolved in less than a week. You have my word.” Grayson Velkan assures her.

I do not consider Grayson my friend, but I do consider him a very powerful ally. He is one of the most dangerous men I’ve known. He rules Rochester with precision, and I have his loyalty. In more ways than one, we share grief.

“Madame Ravyn,” He turns to the older woman who was representing the Coven of witches.

“We have been hearing some rumors of unrest. You see, the walls speak, Madame. The walls have cracks, and you might overlook it, but we don’t.” He says calmly.

“Why don’t you get to your point, Velkan?” Sabine, the younger representative snaps, and I clench my jaw.

I should cut out her tongue for that defiance, but I can’t. She was his, and is obviously not taking the breakup with dignity. I did not care about her feelings. All I knew was - she was disrespecting one of my oldest soldier in front of the council.

“Careful now . . .Sabine.” I whisper, dragging out her name.

She pales, glances at Grayson, then me. She nods, and sinks back into her seat.

“The rumors are only rumors. We have no reason to shift our loyalty. We are aware of the benefit you provide as well as the consequences of our action. We will like to ask for more . .” Madame begin, and once again, I find myself drifting to her.

I remember the warmth of her soft hand in mine. I wonder if she will call.

“We will take it into consideration.” he assures her and she smiles “Thank you.”

“The media has been unkind to you lately, Alpha,” Olivia Akinmande speaks, and I almost roll my eyes.

“I do not care,” I say simply.

“Yes, yes, but the people care. There have been videos captured of Wolves fighting. Articles about you discussing your business, but also dragging attention to this part of you. Some of our people are even speaking to the press. Word of mouth is spreading fast. A lot of accusations and slander. We need to get it under control.” She articulates, flipping through pages.

“Then, get it under control,” I tell her with a shrug. I do not care about the mass media. It is her job to care.

“There are serious rumors - like of Werewolves going missing in New Orleans.” Olivia insists.

I freeze. For a moment, time stops and tilts. I glance at Grayson and Miles, seeing the same grim expression on their faces. Deja vu.

“As well as rumors of you becoming a weakling ever since your wife died.” One of the Betas blurts.

I look at him and I exhale slowly.

“Say that again,” Grayson snarls slamming his hand on the table.

Miles is on his feet in an instant, lunging at the Beta, with his hand clamped around the man’s throat. I did not just lose my wife, Miles also lost his sister.

I close my eyes and wait for the ringing in my ear to stop, for my hands to stop trembling. When they do, I stand, reach for my dagger. He starts to beg, but I have no interest in that.

They all know better. They know to keep my wife’s name out of their mouths.