Xavier
The call came in as soon as I stepped through the door. I took out my phone, answering the call while I locked my bedroom door.
"Alpha," my Beta spoke wearily. Even through the phone receiver I could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "We have heard from the Greyhound Pack."
Another message from them?
I growled.
"Unless it's important then I don't give a damn what message they have for me. Have they lost their fucking minds?"
They had already pissed me off by their previous actions. If I cared enough, they were easily crushed by me if I made just one move. Only my mercy kept them alive. Especially that damn Alpha and his family.
Derek paused and then added, "It seems to be important. Perhaps they have new information about… her."
Her.
I paused. I had been undressing, having returned from a long day of training, meetings at the company and handling Pack matters. My hands paused on my shirt buttons.
Sienna Greyhound. My mate.
The only woman that had successfully evaded me without a glimpse. One night and that was it.
It frustrated me to no end, and I hated how much it did. I wasn't someone to fall prey to desires or talks of passion, much less the expectations of having a mate. All I wanted was to solidify my position. And the longer that she remained elusive, the worse rumors around me grew. I had stopped searching for my mate after all, stopped hosting extravagant parties merely to meet companions.
I had heard a lot of those rumors from my Pack members and also other neighboring packs. One week I was gay, the other I was widowed early in life. It would have been amusing were I not aware of the truth.
"Very well. I shall leave the arrangements to you. Schedule a visit," I stated to Derek over the phone.
"Yes Alpha," he said.
"And," I paused. "Investigate their Beta Victor's movements."
I had kept my eyes on them since only to find out that the Greyhound Pack's movements have even escalated to even entering human cities and towns. Something was up with them and I would find out what.
"Of course," he agreed, and the call ended.
I tossed the phone and flexed my strained muscles.
Shirtless I walked over to the wardrobe, glancing at my reflection in the full length mirror. The scar on my shoulder had yet to fully heal, looking red around the edges. Another attack from Goddess knew where. I had endured enough from those who had allies all around and desired to take over my position.
I knew not all of them were outsiders; even some of the Elders might have their own agendas. I wasn't a fool. But for now I still had a weakness they could exploit, one that I had to find a solution for sooner rather than later.
It had been six years since I discovered my mate. I had made up my mind this year that if I didn't find her before my 32nd birthday, I would arrange a marriage with a powerful ally.
It wasn't exactly conventional, but it would ensure my reign grew stronger.
I moved to the bathroom, taking a shower. The water was turned way up on the hot side, and I hissed in relief. These days I have had to defend my borders more and more. Everyone was watching, waiting for me to show weakness. My pride wouldn't let me place my men on the front lines without being there myself.
Thinking about my plans after installing a Luna by my side, I couldn't help but mutter, "Sienna."
She had been beautiful, and her body was even sweeter. I had been with other women before and after her yet none could somehow compare. She had set a standard that no one else could match.
Sighing I grasped my length in my hands, letting my arousal take over. My breaths created a steamy fog in the shower, obscuring my vision.
When I was spent, I rinsed myself off, pursing my lips. It was less satisfying than having someone next to me. But each time I tried to find anyone there was a strange void within me that would expose itself, a lack of completion that gnawed at my sanity. So I stopped trying. If in the end I had to marry someone else I would contend with this feeling every single day.
I exited the bathroom with rivulets of steamy air behind me.
As soon as I entered my eyes went to the desk, stopping short.
Another envelope.
I moved over to grasp it, examining it. Just like the previous times, the body of the envelope was black embossed paper with gold leaf at the edges, lining the envelope and giving it a luxurious feel. The sealing wax was a red colour. The crest…
I examined the crest once more, refreshing my memory on it. I already knew it and could draw it without any references. But the identity of what this crest signified was another matter. I had yet to find out who had been sending these letters after all.
I broke the seal with a swipe of my claw, and I took out the folded parchment that lay inside.
The letter read:
'The new moon shall bring surprises for you, Wolf King. Pay attention, and settle scores with old foes. Do not let them free or you shall regret it.
In other words, there is word of a rogue group. Their target is you. With you gone, there would be no reason for them to fight the others. Do take care not to fall into their traps.
In exchange, I require your aid: a quarter of this year's spring harvest for my people. Tomorrow night.'
The letter ended, and I exhaled sharply.
Whoever this was, had never failed me in giving off warnings before, in gathering information. The fact that they did so in exchange for resources was better than giving it for free: it made them more trustworthy. Thus, I had forged an unwitting alliance with whoever this was.
I grabbed my phone, dialing Derek's number.
"Find out about any rogue group in the region. Track all their movements. Everything that concerns this territory, inform me," I ordered.
…