Chapter 18: Chapter 18

BLAKE:

Blake still stood there, reminiscing about what Vampire Keat had said when Ian came to meet him.

"Alpha, are you alright?" Ian asked.

"I need to talk to you and Neil right now," Blake said.

"Okay. I will send the guards to call him. He shouldn't be faraway," Ian said and left.

Blake returned to the meeting room with his hands folded at his back while pacing forth and back. The door to the meeting room opened slowly, and Neil's head popped in.

"Stop wasting time and get in already!" He snapped.

Neil glowered at him and entered, followed by Ian. Blake gestured to the seat in front of him for them to sit down, but they refused.

"Aren't you going to sit?" He asked.

"Of course, we are," Ian said and they took their seats.

"We are here. What is it that you want to discuss with us?" Ian asked, and Neil added. "I am all ears and ready to take in whatever it might be."

Blake sighed and began, "There is a private conclave meeting scheduled to hold in a few days and they have invited me."

Ian and Neil exchanged shocked glances, but didn't say a word. Blake studied their expressions before proceeding. "I would like if you two would accompanied me to the conclave meet."

They exchanged glances again.

"Sorry to ask, Blake. But isn't the conclave meeting headed by the witch queen?" Neil asked.

"Yes." Blake answered.

"And since it is a private meeting, powerful witches are gonna be there?" Ian added.

"Yes, you're correct." Blake nodded.

"Don't you think this is a bad idea?" Ian asked.

"What do you mean by that, Ian?" Blake asked.

"A private conclave meeting with powerful witches and the witch queen as the head spells doom. I don't think it is necessary to attend the meeting. Besides, they are not going to say anything concerning the wolves," Ian said.

"The witch Queen is not trustworthy at all. For her to call a private meeting means she has an ulterior motive. Even if she isn't the one that called for the meeting, her being there is enough reason for us to be worried. She might try something stupid," Neil said, hoping that his words sounded convincing enough.

"We need to go for that conclave meeting. We will try our best to be cautious of her and her plotting. They might discuss a lot there to our advantage," Blake said.

"That doesn't make attending the meeting with the witch Queen in attendance any less dangerous. Please, reconsider your decision and let's just forget about this." Ian suggested.

"We are not going to forget about anything. It is a must for us to be in attendance," Blake said.

"I am mostly worried about your safety." Neil cooed, stealing meaningful glances at Ian who just ignored him.

"Remember that it was in the same conclave meet that the former Alpha was murdered. We can't take any chances!" Ian said.

"If you are worried that what happened in the past would repeat itself, then you need to be prepared. We are going to that conclave meeting, Ian; dangerous or not," Blake said, hoping that they would get his point now. Their reaction was gradually pushing him to the wall.

"Blake, it is a bad idea. You have to listen to us, to me!" Neil said.

Blake turned abruptly and looked attwo of them straight in the eyes. "I am the Alpha, and my word must stand. You two will accompany me to the conclave meeting and that is final!" He snapped, using the Alpha authority on them for the first time. Ian and Neil stood transfixed on the spot.

"I am sure that I have made myself clear," he said right after, gazing at them.

They glanced at each other without saying a word. Blake took that as a yes and adjusted in his seat.

"Good! You may leave now," he said.

They bowed and left the meeting room with shocked expressions on their faces. Shocked in the sense that, since Blake became the Alpha of the Velvet Moon Pack, he hadn't used his Alpha's authority on them in any way until today.

Blake was also surprised. So, this was what using the Alpha's authority felt like? He sighed and stood up from where he sat down. He sighed as he looked around. Since the festival was over, people wouldn't go home yet. Some will hang around corners, while others will go to have drinks with their friends. He headed for the door, and opened it, then left to find Ivy. Maybe she would be with Meredith, since she was not close to anyone else in the pack.

He found Ivy having a drink with Meredith and smiled before going to meet them. "Ladies!" He called out, and they turned back to see him. Meredith smiled.

"Hey, cousin!" She waved and he smiled.

"What brings you here?" Ivy asked.

"I came to see you girls. If you are done with your drinks, I should spend some time with poison Ivy," Blake said, looking straight at Ivy, and Meredith smiled.

"We aren't done yet, so—"

"Nonsense!" Meredith interrupted Ivy. "Of course, we are done. We were just about to leave before you got here. I'll leave you two to yourselves. See you later, Ivy!" Meredith squealed and left them.

Blake looked at Ivy, and she sighed. "Shall we?" He asked and stood up.

"Yes." She answered coyly and followed him out.

They walked for a while before settling down under an oak tree. The grass beneath the tree was soft and comfy, so they sat down there. Ivy didn't look his way, while he kept his gaze fixed on her the whole time.

"You look beautiful tonight." He complimented.

"Thank you. You aren't looking bad yourself." She replied.

"So, what did you think about our moon festival?" He asked.

She paused for a while before answering. "I-I I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh!" Blake said, but still watched her. She was not acting like her normal self, and he couldn't figure out why. There was an awkward silence for some minutes before Blake broke into telling her about the conclave meet. "There is going to be a conclave meeting coming up in a few days." He started and she turned to look at him. Blake continued, happy that he had finally caught her attention. "It is a private meeting involving powerful witches and the witch Queen."

"Uh-huh?" She hummed, admonishing him to continue.

"Well, they invited me to the meeting, but it seems that my Beta and cousin are worried about me being in attendance," He said.

"So?" She asked coldly.

"I have decided to go, anyway. Attending the conclave meet would give me a better chance to know how I'm going to exert my revenge on the witches," Blake said.

"I really don't get how this is any of my business." She replied curtly.

"I just wanted to make my plans known to you," he said, regarding her with a raised brow.

"That is not necessary." She replied and looked away.

"Of course it is necessary. We are friends and I expect us to give advice when the other makes his or her plan known," He said with a small smile.

"Oh! That's your belief, not mine," she said.

Blake was confused. Why was she acting cold towards him? If he could remember correctly, he had done nothing to offend or get her upset. What could be the matter with her? This was so unlike her. Did he say something wrong? He only told her about his plans to attend the conclave meeting. Or is she in disapproval of that? He looked at her and studied her expression. The surrounding aura was not the friendly one he usually got from her. It was cold. After another minute of silence, he broke it again.

"Poison Ivy?" He called.

"Hmmm?" she answered, not sparing him a glance.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes, why did you ask?" she asked.

"Because I am confused. I am finding it hard to comprehend why you're giving me a curt reply. Did I do something wrong?" He asked, and she shook her head. "What about words? Did I say something wrong?" He asked. She waited for some time before shaking her head again. Blake sighed. "Then what is the matter?"

"Nothing. I am perfectly fine." She answered.

"If you are, then tell me the reason you are acting cold towards me." He insisted and heard her sigh.

She turned and faced him, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ears. "I don't know what else you want me to tell you or how you want me to convince you that there is nothing wrong. I am fine, okay? Perfectly fine," she said through gritted teeth.

"There is nothing wrong, right?" He asked.

"Yes, nothing wrong." She answered.

"Alright," Blake grinned and looked at her. The strand of hair she put behind her ears came out and stuck to her face. He reached forward to pull it behind her ear but she moved back, so his hand wouldn't touch her.

"Relax, I just want to remove a strand of hair from your face," he said and stretched his hand again. She moved back again and stood up and then put it behind her ears by herself. She looked at him and started walking away.

"Wait! Ivy—" Blake called, but she didn't answer. He rushed for her and pulled her back by the waist, making her fall against his chest.

She looked up and their eyes met.