The Taste of Seduction

"Hmm I saw Marcus dragging you into your chambers last night. He couldn\'t wait for the night to end to remove your dress off you?" Katrina winked at Meredith and chuckled.

"Yeah." Meredith replied flatly. She was not in the mood to talk about Marcus. She wanted this meeting to end already so that she could run back into Atlas\' arms, not that it would be easy with Marcus finding out the truth.

Meredith wanted to know how he had found out about her and Atlas. Had somebody told him but who? Suddenly Meredith stiffened as she remembered Maria. Even though Maria had sworn to secrecy Meredith didn\'t know if she could trust her.

"Meredith, are you listening to me?!" Katrina stopped walking and shook her friend who seemed to be in a daze.

Meredith stopped walking but she didn\'t utter a word, then Katrina spoke again. "Merri?"

"Y-Yes. Sorry. I\'m a little tired."

Katrina nodded, "You know if you want anyone to talk to I\'m here."

Katrina said, taking her hands into her own to console Meredith.

"I know it gets hard sometimes and all of this might be too much to bear alone but you\'re not alone. We are all here for you."

Meredith chewed on her lips. Even though she wanted to talk to someone so bad she knew she couldn\'t. No, it was just too much. Like what would she tell the person? That she was torn in between a powerful vampire lord who happens to be her fiancé and her true love?

"I know." She replied as her lips curled into a smile.

"Alright let\'s go."

*******

When they arrived at the meeting room, Meredith saw a grand table in the center of the room with thirty chairs surrounding it. It wasn\'t difficult to determine that only the supernatural beings with the highest status were allowed a seat there - which she was not.

The perimeter of the room had hundreds of

additional chairs, most of which were occupied,

with people Meredith was assuming was the task force or army of the various leaders in case war breaks out.

She was curious why Marcus didn\'t bring a force of his own and only came with Katrina and Timothe.

Meredith fidgeted as she made her way to sit with Katrina. A lot of eyes were on them but one in particular gaze burned her with such intensity she felt her soul shiver.

"You have to sit beside Marcus. I will sit behind you."

Katrina whispered in her ears and Meredith nodded. Ever since she entered the room she had been doing her best to avoid his gaze. She glanced up a few seconds to find him staring at her. Meredith quickly averted her gaze.

Marcus waited until she was settled comfortably in her seat, and then briefly kissed her cheek.

Her heart pounded in her chest. She knew that even though she was angry with him she couldn\'t flinch or move away it would raise eyebrows.

Without saying a word to her, he turned his attention back to the discussion at hand.

Meredith\'s gaze traveled to the other end of the table to find Logan, one of the King\'s council members staring at her. His eyes raked over her body in cruel anticipation and Meredith shuddered.

Meredith didn\'t know what he wanted from her but she knew he wasn\'t up to anything good.

Meredith did her best to avoid his glance, instead she moved on to curiously observe each person. There were far less females than males. Alpha Jaso, the Witch Queen, the King and then Marcus was all present with people she assumed were the various council members were also present.

She listened carefully as Alpha Jaso and the King argue over some land border and rogues. From the way they were talking Meredith was sure they didn\'t like each other.

Maybe it because naturally Vampires and werewolves were enemies.

"I don\'t care. I will kill anyone blood sucking creature who trespasses my land. Warn your men." Alpha Jaso said.

The conversation moved on to other matters,

most of which consisted of land, borders,guns and weapons and territories. Several contracts were drawn up, printed and signed for various agreements. It was surprisingly similar to the many business meetings that she had attended as Atlas\'s secretary.

A few hours in, they broke for an intermission.

Most of the people grouped to discuss what she assumed was business ideas.

However Marcus and the King was engaged in a serious conversation and she could see the tension radiating from him.

Whatever it was she knew it must be bad for Marcus to freak out this bad. Katrina was also talking to Alpha Jaso.

Sighing and feeling out of place, Meredith quietly left the meeting room. She made her way to the washroom.

When Meredith entered the washroom she stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at her.

She was tired and couldn\'t wait for them to go back to the city. She missed Atlas so much. Meredith was dreading seeing Atlas again though the mere thought of telling him she didn\'t love him again was disheartening.

Abruptly, the door to the washroom swung open

and someone walked in.

He sneered, "I thought I saw you come in here. I think it\'s time we had a little fun."

Meredith turned around to face the person and her heart slammed in her chest.

She quickly stepped away from him until she could go no farther, the cold wall hitting her back.

His lips curled at her obvious discomfort as he

snarled, "If you dare scream I will kill you before anyone gets here. Now be a good girl and shssss…"

He said placing a finger on his lips.