In the gathering hall
The gathering room was buzzing—people chattered in hushed tones, throwing glances at Cormac and his two familiars, who stood tall in the middle of the hall, waiting with calm defiance. Five minutes in, and the tension was palpable. No Kiel.
After some few minutes he walked in. The hall went quiet. Every person shot to their feet, greeting their alpha. Kiel didn't glance at Cormac face,his face was carved from stone, no drama, no games. He strode to his throne, and settled down on his throne, and with a sharp nod,he commanded, "Proceed."
He turned to Ash, eyes brief but clear. "Summit the rules. To Cormac."
Ash stepped forward, smooth movements, pulled out a parchment. Handed it to Cormac, who took it with a small incline, eyes locking onto Kiel's.
_The rules._
1. No Witchers outside after *9:00 PM*.
2. No building or setting up stalls in the markets.
3. Any Witcher found roaming the palace? Burned on the spot.
4. Host a party? Inform me _first_.
5. No contact with pups or elders. Without permission.
Cormac looked up, a smirk twisting his lips. "Are you trying to let me in… or drive me away?"
Kiel leaned back, cool. "Your choice. You pick."
Cormac raised an eyebrow. "Why are you not allowing up out after that time?"
Kiel's gaze narrowed. "You aspect me to allow them out, and someone vanishes by dawn. Hmm."
Cormac's smile faltered, a spark of offense. "Do you think we're some kind of dirty witches that kill people without reason.
"Who knows?" Kiel cut in, low and deadly. "If you're not okay with it, you can leave.
The hall froze. Cormac's eyes flashed, but he didn't back down. And Cormac's smirk sharpened, challenging. "If you don't allow my people in the market, how do you expect them to make a living?"
Kiel leaned forward, his gaze cold. that your business not my.
Cormac nodded, a hint of amusement. "Fair enough. But I won't accept the 3rd and 4th rules."
Kiel's voice dropped, flat. "Then you can leave."
Cormac's eyes flashed, a bite in his tone. "How can you say you'd burn them on the spot? What if they came to deliver a message? Warn you of danger? And if My people wrong you, I should be the one punishing them not you. Even if I'm selfish, they're my people. I can't just ignore them because of my selfish reason.
He leaned in, voice low but sharp. "And the party? Why inform you when we do it on my land?"
The hall breathed tension. Kiel's jaw tightened, the air thick with unspoken threats. "You don't get to argue or negotiate with me , Cormac. You take the rules. Or leave.
Cormac took a step closer to Kiel, his voice low and husky. "You don't have to be like this, Kiel. I know you hate my kind, but we're not as bad as you think. Just give me a chance. You wouldn't regret it." His eyes burned with intensity. "I'm not here to destroy what you've built over the years. I'm here because... I love you. I want you. I want to be by your side. Please, just allow it."
Kiel's face was a mask of fury, but Ash didn't move. The hall was eerily silent, everyone frozen in place. Kiel's gaze snapped to Ash, then back to Cormac. "What did you do to my people? What game are you playing now?"
Cormac's smile was infuriatingly calm. "I just compelled them to think we're not in the hall. I shut their brains off for a few minutes so I could talk to you." He moved closer, touching Kiel's hands. "I know you can feel the mate bond. You're just ignoring it. Why don't you get to know me first, Kiel? Don't push me away."
As Cormac's hands slid up and down Kiel's arms, the alpha's resolve wavered. He took a step closer, drawn to the spark between them. But when Cormac's fingers brushed his neck, Kiel jerked back. "What are you doing to me? Don't use your magic on me like you do to them."
Cormac's eyes gleamed. "I didn't compel you, Kiel. You know I didn't. You just want to deny the connection between us. But I've confirmed it – there's a place for me in your heart. I just have to prove I'm not that bad. You won't regret having me in your life."
Kiel's voice was ice. "That'll be in your dreams. Let me make one thing clear: I don't like you. I hate you. You and I will never have anything together. This is the last time you'll get this close to me. If you try it again, I'll send you flying."
Cormac just smiled, and the hall snapped back to life. The people blinked, confused, unsure what they'd missed.
After signing the rules, Cormac and his familiars left the hall. Kiel dispersed the crowd, leaving only Ash. "Is there something bothering you, Alpha?" Ash asked.
Kiel's gaze was distant. "I'm afraid. After breaking this rule, I'll break more in the future."
He stood, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to be alone."
With a fluid motion, he shifted into his wolf form and vanished into the woods, leaving Ash with a worried gaze.