Mira's POV
The news came in five words. "Alpha! The shipment's gone!"
My pen froze on the paper for a second. I didn't look up from the document I was signing.
I twirled the pen, a less smooth, precise line, finishing the signature with a sharp flick of my wrist.
"Which one?" I asked gently as I set the pen tip down on the table. I raised my head, staring at the man talking beside me.
He wiped the sweat off his forehead and responded quickly. "The northern route Alpha. The police had gotten information that we would be there and seized the Rotterdam port."
I stayed relaxed, biting down on my jaw.
"And the second deal?" I asked calmly.
His hesitation gave the answer. It was longer this time. "The Crimson Sparrows took it, Alpha."
My hand tightened into fists and I slammed hard on the table. "How did they get it?"
My voice was cold but still low. The guard blinked, like he was having second thoughts on what to say. "I don't know, Alpha. The Crimson Sparrow's showed up before our men. It seems the Mexican syndicate switched hands."
"Hmm," I breathed. "That's unusual. And the police?"
"I feel someone informed them too," He answered.
The pen snapped in my fingers. The room went quiet and I breathed in.
If I hadn't anything in this world. Then it was the betrayal from partners and anyone I trusted.
The Mexican syndicate was always neutral. The deal was to get there first but I also expected loyalty.
No one had ever beaten my men to a deal. Not ever. And that meant only one thing.
"Summon all the men that were present during the deal. I want to see them now!"
The man bowed and dashed out of the room. I stared at the table, the ink spilling from my hand to the paper.
Then I glanced at the big window. They had better not cross me.
~
The room was filled in minutes. The guard closed the door and I gestured for the men to take a seat at the long table.
"You summoned for us, Alpha," the oldest among the men, probably in his late forties, spoke casually.
"Yes," I answered, studying their faces. My men were mostly wolves, all killers and had sworn loyalty to me.
"Marco, bring the file," I ordered. The guard bowed and walked over with the file, handing it to me.
I flipped the first pages then dropped it open on the table facing the men.
Everyone sighed, and crossed their hands.
"I believe you all know why you're here?" I breathed. They kept quiet and I continued. "Alright, let me go over it."
I sat upright, and interlocked my fingers and spoke. "Does anyone care to tell me why there are missing funds and we have been losing shipments to the Crimson Sparrows?"
They turned in their seats, looking at each other. I kept talking. "And it's weird the police intercepted one of the deals."
I lifted my eyes, letting my gaze drag over each face. "That kind of information does not leak by magic."
A loud silence followed.
I glanced at Victor, the first one. He was bald with a red mustache. He had been in the circle for ten years. "Did you talk to anyone?"
I stopped in front of Viktor first. He was big. Scarred. Loyal for ten years.
"No, Alpha," he said immediately, his face serious. "On my blood. I remain loyal to the pack."
They all sang out the same answer. My wolf snarled, and I grew angry.
Did they think I was that stupid?
"Very well. Since you're all innocent," I said, standing up from the seat and listening for their heartbeats. "I don't believe you all are innocent. Someone sold me out and I want answers."
"If you confess now, I might make this quick and be forgiving," I stopped, studying the movements on their faces.
No one spoke. That did it. Something crawled inside my chest, released the ugly, wicked being inside.
My wolf snarled again., "No! Xavier, don't let him out!"
I did. My demon took control as I walked out of my seat. "Since you all want to lie. Then let's finish this."
A heavy wind blew around the room, turning it dark for a second. My eyes felt different, redder.
They panicked, not moving from their seats but staring in horror. The demon crawled up in my skin and in seconds, I was standing at the second to the right end of the table.
My hand rested on the blonde man, the shadow rising with my body. He shook, and I spoke. "Andre. Why did you do it?"
Andre gulped, his voice trembling. "Alpha, I…"
I didn't let him finish and present claws into his skin. He groaned and pushed himself away, his wolf taking his form and he lunged.
I was quicker, catching him in the air, my long claws around his neck and slamming him against the wall. His wolf returned to his human form quickly, shivering.
"I hate lies," I grunted, my nails digging
deeper and his screams filled the room.
The sounds of bones breaking and blood spilled on the room.
I took out my napkin and cleaned my hand then walked back to my seat. The men stared in horror at me.
My demon purred lazily, "I need more."
"You'll have none," I replied back. My head hurts with a loud headache.
"Xavier, you shouldn't have killed him," My wolf complained. "You're feeding the demon."
"He deserved it," my demon argued.
"Shut up!" I yelled inside and raised my gaze to the men, blocking out the voices.
"I want all border controls tightened. See to it that this doesn't happen again. Am I clear?!"
"Yes, Alpha!!!" They answered in union
.
"You can leave," I said. They stood up and headed for the door but I stopped them. "Wait."
They halted and I pointed to the body of the dead man. "Get rid of him."