My Second Chance Lycan King

CHAPTER 7: NEGOTIATIONS

AVA’S POV

 I was in a sheath dress, perfectly polished and professional. The smile on my face was as radiant as the sun, and I knew it could only be as a result of that mind-numbing o****m.

Goddess, I never knew how much I needed that. It was like I’d been holding my breath my whole life for it.

After s*x, King Draven had finally let me go from his tight embrace and I was able to arrange a few of my luggage in the hotel room. Since I’d be staying for three days, I’d figured it was best to unpack.  

Draven had also taken the opportunity to lecture me on the roles and tips for being a negotiator. It demanded me to be logical, smart and very cunny. Being on the frontlines with the human president and his team of defense, my wits needed to be sharp, because negotiating was all about getting the upper hand.

Even though our two races had called a truce, it was indisputable the type of hostility that swarmed the air whenever both were present. The humans still feared us, even though they tried to hide behind weapons and fake smiles.

And us? We loathed them – but the truce must be kept regardless of our ill feelings toward each other.

“You’d be meeting Rhys Morgan tonight.” Draven walked into the room in a black tuxedo, wearing the illusion of a perfect gentleman. He was even more breathtaking. “He’s the president’s best negotiator and a pain in the ass. The last time, the moron tried to sweet talk his way into getting us to sign away several pack territories, just so that the humans can harvest the trees and build more recreational parks. I swear, I’d be having him for breakfast if I wasn’t obligated to keep the-”

His words died away once our eyes collided, and from the intensity in which he drank in the dress on my body, a furious blush crawled up my cheek and I wanted to hide.

“Wow…” He walked closer to me, dazed, like a spell had been cast over him. “You’re…beyond words.”

I couldn’t hold his gaze and looked down, shy. “Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself.”

He lifted my jaw, forcing me to keep my eyes on his now darkened blue ones.

“No, you don’t understand. You’re so damn stunning, Ava - so f*****g distracting that I’m considering canceling the night just so that I can get the pleasure of ripping this dress open and eating you out with those heels on,” he said it in one breath, with electricity and that bloody tension sparking dangerously in the air between us.

My p***y clenched, reminding me just how much I wanted him to do exactly that. But my brain was a real b***h, and it prompted me to push him away before he steals the rest of my composure.

“You never get satisfied, do you?” I laughed, masking my breathlessness. “There would be no canceling, or ripping for that matter. Not until the business meeting is over.”

“So, after then?” He grinned.

I rolled my eyes, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. “We’ll see.”

Draven chuckled, his hand still resting on my jaw, his thumb caressing my cheek. “I like that answer. I have no doubt that you’d be the most captivating person in that room tonight.”

His touch was so gentle, yet possessive, making me feel like the only woman in the world. Nothing like how Wayne had ever made me feel. Sapphire loved Draven’s touch, more than I found healthy. I leaned into him, not wanting to break the spell between us.

“For a man who’s awfully an egoistic asshole, you sure know how to flatter a girl.”

“I wasn’t joking when I said I’d worship you.” Draven breathed. “Now, we need to leave fast. One more minute and I won’t be held responsible for what I do to you.”

And that was our cue to leave the hotel and take Draven’s car to the large conference at the city hall.

***

The meeting room was filled with humans and werewolves, all seated on opposite sides of the room. The President, Jameson Pierce, was needed to sit back at the reserved area with the Lycan king, Draven Thorn.

The setting allowed only the negotiators, that was Rhys Morgan and myself, to stand by the podium where a third party reads out the new offers for consideration for both races.

Draven had long left me and while I ached to be by his side, I knew that my job needed me to be bold – smart. I wondered what Wayne would think if he sees me right now. He hadn’t even called since I’d left.

Rhys Morgan, the human negotiator, was seated at the front of the room, looking as smug as ever. I took a deep breath, put on my game face, and walked confidently to the seat reserved for the negotiators. Mine was right beside his.

Rhys stood up, his eyes raking over me with interest. "Well, well, well. Who is this lovely lady?" He smirked, making a show of looking me up and down.

I ignored his advances and got straight to business. "I am Ava, an omega, and I will be representing the werewolf pack in these negotiations."

Rhys raised an eyebrow. "You? A small spineless mutt like you?"

I didn't let his taunts get to me.

"Let's get on with it, shall we?" I said, pulling out the papers and files that Draven had given me.

Rhys chuckled. "You're in over your head, pup. This is probably your first day here. The humans have the upper hand in these negotiations. "

I smiled sweetly. "We'll see about that."

And so, the negotiations began. Point by point, we were both needed to take a stand at the podium and at first, what started off as a light bargaining, turned into a subtly hostile debate between us.

Rhys tried to push us around, making unreasonable demands and offering nothing in return. He spoke about cutting down the living standards of the werewolves who lived amongst humans, about permanently arresting any werewolves caught turning without a full-moon, and even keeping a few werewolves as house pet!

But I stood my ground, using logic and reason to counter his every argument. Men like Rhys felt like everyone else was beneath him, including we werewolves. And for that reason, I refused to let him win.

As the night wore on, Rhys became more and more frustrated. He couldn't believe that a "little small spineless mutt" like me could hold my own against him.

But I had a secret weapon: Draven.

Every time Rhys made a particularly outrageous demand, I would look over at Draven, who would shake his head and give me a subtle nod of encouragement. He was my backbone, a pillar that held me up even when Rhys tried to crush me.

In the end, we reached a compromise that was fair to both sides. Rhys looked defeated as he signed the agreement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

True pride that an omega like me had made a mark for her people.

As we left the meeting, Draven dragged me into a small empty office room and claimed my lips in a fiery kiss. Butterflies fluttered in my belly, and my excitement mixed with the hunger for him, pulsing through my veins like wildfire.

“Just when I thought you couldn’t get any sexier, you go up there and become a f*****g goddess.” He whispered into my ear, hot breath against my neck.

“Don’t tell me you got hard from hearing me talk political garbage?” I teased with a smile.

“Your political garbage had me by the balls.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “We have about fifteen minutes before Jameson comes for his little pretentious chat. Now tell me, are you always a screamer in bed?”