From the description given of the member’s wolf-form provided by the representative; it sounds like the wolf that was sighted by our border patrol units. … They’ve assured Alpha Gordon that that member shouldn’t cause any trouble while here; and, will eventually leave our territory and return back to their party, sooner or later. So, in good faith of our upcoming alliance; Alpha Gordon wants us to end the search, and just let them be.”
From the very moment it was first brought up; Bellona has been openly, and quite lividly, against the idea of Pomona being forced into an arranged marriage just to finalize an alliance with some other pack. And, to make matters even worse; it’s a pack that’s fairly far away … down in California. She doesn’t want to be separated from her beloved sister; at least, not under these circumstances.
She scoffs, “What the hell … the alliance hasn’t even been officially finalized, and they’re already trying to take advantage of our goodwill; and, freely roam about our territory without being given prior consent. Talk about being inconsiderately disrespectful. … Just exactly what kind of an arrogantly pompous asshole is my dad sticking Pomona with, anyway?”
A couple of hours later…
**Casper’s POV**
Ever since returning back to the hotel; an agitated Gilead has been restlessly stirring up within me … pestering me over that dowdy-looking, pitiful mutt … who’s still unconscious … a couple of rooms down, on our reserved floor.
“What are you waiting for, Casper; go over there and take her! Mark her; and, make her ours! … Just get it over with, already!”
Give me a break, will you; are you really that desperate to do it with her? … Christ, Gilead; she’s been beaten up and knocked unconscious … hardly in any condition to be mated with now; don’t you think?
“Who cares. She’s our mate; and, we have the right to have her whenever we want … whether she’s conscious, or not.”
Well, you may want her; but, I surely don’t. … Besides, in the state that she’s currently in; it’d be like trying to screw a limp noodle … totally limp, with no way to respond.
“I don’t care! … Casper, admit it; you just don’t want her as your mate … isn’t that so?”
DING, DING, DING; we got ourselves a winner! … Since you know that’s the case; why do you insist on having me take her on as my mate?
“Because, she is our mate!”
And, next week our arranged bride-to-be is moving into our home; so, there’s no way we can take this one on as our mate. I’m already committed to be in a marriage.
“That’s bullshit; and, you know it! You’re the Alpha of the Stratus Pack … and, according to one of the universally shared pact edicts recognized under the Grand Council’s ruling; all Alpha’s are allowed to have as many wives and mistresses that they want.”
That may be; but, I don’t even want to have ‘a’ wife, let alone many. … And, as far as mistresses are concerned; that puny, plain-looking mutt doesn’t come nowhere close enough to meeting even the minimum requirements to be considered as a mistress of mine.
“But … she’s our mate!”
Enough; Gilead! … I’ve already told you, over and over again; I will never accept her as my mate. Never!
“And; what about me?”
What about you?
“She’s my mate, too. And, I want her!”
Well; you can’t always have what you want. So; you better just learn to accept it.
An obstinately headstrong Gilead growls at me, “Fine; if that’s the way you want it … but, you better keep that in mind; and, remember what you said to me just now.”
What do you mean?
“I mean … Casper; you always won’t be able to have what you want, either. … I’ll see to that.”
********
Casper’s personal assistant, Phillip Baxter … and, best friend since middle school … enters with the Alpha’s daughter. He grins at her; and, jocosely quips…
“Pardon the intrusion; but, I’m here with the truant to return her into your custody, Warden.” Then; he gives her a couple quick pats on the shoulder, and remarks, “Good luck; kiddo.”
He leaves; giving the father and daughter privacy to discuss matters involving her recent, unauthorized excursion through the Rainier Pack’s territory.
The Alpha sternly stares at his daughter; and, lets out an exasperated huff before admonishing her…
“You’ve really outdone yourself this time; Brianna. Not only have you disregarded my instructions … flat out disobeying me … and; took off on your own … again … to run around in your wolf-form…”
He starts pacing about; then, raises his voice…
“But; you also took it upon yourself to gallivant through another pack’s territory, without getting permission to do so! What were you thinking?!”
The Alpha stops pacing; ending up standing in front of a large window, staring out at the city’s skyline. Without looking back at her; he lowers his voice…
“I’m really disappointed with you, right now; Brianna. You should know better.”
The seemingly unrepentant nine-year-old offers an empty apology … looking as if she’s merely going through the motions … which ends up sounding more like an excuse…
“You’re right; I suppose I should have known better. Sorry. … But, I really couldn’t help myself … their woods are just so beautiful and majestic, Dad. Way better than any of the woods we have near where we live.”
His ire quickly rises; and, he brusquely spins around and glares at her, as he snaps…
“That doesn’t justify what you’ve done; Brianna! You trespassed into their territory; which violates a globally recognized, werewolf edict that has been agreed upon by all packs, worldwide! … You’re an Alpha’s daughter … no; you’re my daughter … and, you shouldn’t have done that!”
She seems a bit more sincere this time; as she respectfully lowers her head, and apologizes, “I’m truly sorry; Father … I was wrong; and, I will never do that, again.”
The Alpha starts to calm down. “That’s more like it … remember your words. … You’ll never trespass into another pack’s territory, again; right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He calms down a little more; but suddenly, a look of worrisome concern slowly emerges upon his countenance, as he inquires…
“Brianna; I know that you were in their territory earlier today … but; what about last night? Was that also you?”