15

EASTON
“Why should the alpha’s meeting be held in a murderer’s pack when he should be getting trialed in the court of the werewolf council instead? This is fvcking ridiculous.” I slammed my hands on the table in anger, alerting my beta who was fast asleep.
I wasn’t one to be angered easily, but having heard all about Alpha Zane of the Blood Moon pack, I automatically harbored hate and contempt for him. I hated everything to do with the likes of him. The raiding of packs, killing of innocent people, and selling the women to earn money was a disgusting thing for an Alpha, or anyone at that to do. But alas, no one was willing to go against him. They all feared for the safety of their packs.
“Cowards!!” I yelled out. Only cowards would do what they’re doing, cower in their packs, and wait for the day danger would no doubt find them. Warriors and leaders take the fight to their enemies, not hide like fvcking whimps.
I, Alpha Easton Dawnson of the Crescent Pack had promised to protect my pack members from the likes of Zane, but with each news of a new raid and massacre, I grew more and more inclined to serve him a taste of his own medicine.
I heaved a sigh as I stared out of the window of my office, the sight of children laughing and playing with their mother’s watchful, pride-filled eyes on them. So much was going on in every possible corner, everyone going about their days peacefully, and I wondered what would become of us if Zane, that calamity was to ever befall us. What would happen to my people, their families, and the lives they’ve come to know and accept as theirs?
“Easton… you worry too much. Without you saying a word, I can tell what you are thinking. I am sure he knows never to go against you. The last time Alpha Zane came to us was to strike a deal. He knows we are not weak. He wouldn’t want to loose his men to us. That would be a stupid move,” Laycon said, and I scoffed.
I wasn’t the type to quiver when in danger, but I wasn’t one to sit down and fold my hands while packs are being destroyed, people being annihilated, and their young girls being sold just to fatten his pockets, all while the council remains silent, expecting me to do the same.
“Easton, you are going to the alpha summit. You are going to behave yourself and listen to whatever the alphas are planning. You are not going to bring up the topic of him destroying packs to satisfy his greed. It’s none of our business. If the council members have decided to turn their backs on their people, then you should continue to protect yours silently too, ” Laycon advised. He was right. It wasn’t any of my business.
Alpha Zane knew my pack was to be feared when we had an encounter during the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Crest pack Alpha. He had shown interest in one of our lands and was willing to pay any reasonable amount for even half of it, but I had bluntly refused. Threats were made later on, and I made sure he was aware of what I was capable of, too. I would watch his pack burn to the ground without batting an eye while he died a slow and painful death by my feet, and judging by our reputation, he knew better than to take my words lightly.
I knew I’d gotten my message across when he stopped trying to get on my good side for his own selfish reasons. Good riddance.
“Easton!” Laycon abruptly yelled, startling me, “Are you with me on this one?” he asked, and I nodded curtly.
“I will try to go by your words, but if it happens that I am blessed with an opportunity to strike, I want you to know that I will not hesitate to take it,” I announced and he smiled.
“There won’t be such an opportunity because you definitely do not associate with his kind or his people. So, obviously, nothing will make you want to attack Zane, and nothing will make him want to attack you. You have told him what you would do to him if he tries something stupid and your message has been delivered to him, and I’m sure at the mention of your name, Zane will definitely tremble. So, for the last time, Easton, stop trying to start a war and focus on getting ready now. I will be in the car and if in five minutes you are still not ready to go, I will be coming back in here to kick your ass” he threatened lightheartedly, already beginning to make his way out, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Says someone who was sleeping not too long ago. If I hadn’t slammed my fist on the table, you would have still been snoring your ass out,” I teased.
“Whatever, just go to your room and get dressed, I will be in the car,” he said as he stormed off. He was about to open the door when I called out to him again, making him turn to look at me, “what now?”
“Are you going to the summit with me dressed like that, you look like you have just survived a bear attack” I noted, my smile growing as I pointed at his messed up hair to buttress my point, also the shorts he was wearing were definitely an eye sore, and he seemed to realize it too when he looks down at himself and his eyes grow larger.
“Fvck!! Meet you in the car in thirty minutes. And stop laughing!!” he yells before slamming the door hard.
No matter how pissed I was, Laycon was always capable of raising my mood either knowingly or unknowingly. He was my best friend, another one of the long list of reasons I made him my beta. It was a bit of a hassle as he made a habit of refusing my offer even when it was already ordained by the moon goddess for him to be my beta. Being stubborn was one of his annoying traits, but with a lot more persuasion, -annoying whining, as he likes to call it- he finally agreed, and so far has never given me a reason to regret choosing him to be my beta, and I knew he was happy with the decision too, he didn’t have to say it, I could see it in his eyes.
I walked into the room that I’d built to be connected to my office. For situations like these, when I get too busy to go back home, have to get ready in a hurry or just generally wasn’t feeling like making the journey back home, I’d spend the night here. Another one of my best decisions, if I do say so myself.
My suit was already laid out on the bed. One of the omegas must have bought it here before I arrived at the office. I stripped out of my clothing without wasting more time and quickly pulled the suit on, knotted my tie, and slipped the shoes on before walking out of the room and heading to the parking lot. When I arrived, Laycon was already there waiting for me.
He smiled at me as I got into the car, and without another word, the driver started the car and we were off to the Blood Moon pack, a pack I hated and wished I would never set my feet on except for when war calls and it is unfortunate that I couldn’t refuse to come to the meeting since it was made compulsory for all the alphas to be in attendance.
When we arrived, we headed straight to the conference hall, where we all waited for the alpha King to come in and once he did, the meeting was kicked to a start, with every Alpha on the seat wanting to get a word in about goddess knows what, obviously avoiding the topic of Zane’s unruly ways. It was obvious no one was going to raise the topic. They were all scared of him. I noticed the tension in the air from the second he walked in. The only ones who had a smile on their faces were the alpha king and Zane himself. Everyone else was stiff as a board, either not to get on his bad side or just generally doing a terrible job at coming off as intimidating so as to avoid being tagged weak and attacked by the brute.
My hands balled into fists as he cut another Alpha off mid-sentence, that condescending smirk on his face, and just as I decided I had enough, Laycon’s palm fell on my clenched one before I could kick my seat and rise from it. I turned to face him, a frown on my face as I watched as he shook his head slowly in disapproval of my brewing outburst. I cursed under my breath before adjusting myself on the padded chair that, if anything, felt like it was filled with pins and needles, having to sit through this. When the meeting was finally over, Zane bangs on the table several times, drawing everyone’s attention to him.
“We all had a long day, and I believe the meeting was stressful for everyone. I have prepared a feast for us all. Where we could eat and get drunk tonight? That is if the alpha King would be so kind as to accept my gesture,” Zane said, smiling as he turned to face alpha King, who nodded.
“I don’t see why not, since you have gone through all the stress of making us feel welcome. Then I will accept your invitation. For today, let’s all enjoy ourselves and get drunk. Thank you, Zane, for your hospitality, ” the alpha King said, and I scoffed.
Now, there was no way I could get out of this shit show. Lighthearted as it may sound, the alpha King’s words were orders, and we were all to follow them without so much as a peep of refusal.
We were led to a large field, there was music filling the air as we got closer, and then there were entertainers dancing toward us as we arrived, leading each person to their designated seats. I rolled my eyes at the extravagance of it all. Trust Zane never to miss a chance to show off the wealth he gathered by killing and looting and slave trading. Drinks were served immediately to quench our thirst, and as I reluctantly reached for the glass that was placed in front of me, it struck me. With the sweet smell of fresh daisies, I could feel Scar starting to grow restless in my head almost immediately, too, and I knew exactly what it meant. Our mate was here… she was close.
Without wasting time, I rushed to my feet and followed the traces of the pheromones, which led me to the kitchen, and that was when I saw her. The prettiest woman I’d ever seen in all my years of life, jet black hair tied into a neat bun, she was so focused on whatever it was she was doing that she didn’t notice when I walked in. I couldn’t help myself as everything in me was clashing and churning and burning. The only words that could escape my lips as I got as close as I could get were, “Mate. My mate.”
I had finally found her, my mate, the one I had been looking for since the moment I knew what those words meant. But everything pulled to a halt when I finally let my eyes wander. It was then I realized she was dressed in one of those ugly green slave uniforms, and a growl escaped my lips. The rage burned deep into my skin. I didn’t care what she would think of me or how I was about to react, I’d be damned if I let my mate spend another second in this godforsaken place. I was taking her out of here with or without approval. I don’t care if this will draw the battle lines. She was mine.