Chapter 132 No Longer a Secret
947words
"You know it isn't that simple. He knows you'll rip him apart if he dares to challenge you," Alpha Blake retorted in his heavy accent, and I felt my agitation begin to grow at his outright defiance. There was truth in his words, however; there wasn't a single Alpha I knew who would have the guts to challenge the notorious Blood Alpha. I owed it to the reputation I harnessed—it had kept my pack safe all these years. I stepped into the cage, and a blood-chilling growl escaped my chest. "I want you off my pack territory, Blake. All of your men. Now. Or I'll announce war between the packs."
I noticed the look of fear spreading across his face, and I couldn't help but scoff at how pathetic he looked right now, his face contorting into something helpless and far less noble than I was used to seeing on the face of an Alpha.
"Come on, Alpha Jaxon, you know how long our packs have been in negotiations. Beverly, for one, knew how important the alliance was—to link the west and the east. Don't tell me you forgot," he explained and began to bow his head. The next thing I knew, I had my hand wrapped around Blake's throat, his feet dangling above the concrete floor. The sound of his labored breathing echoed throughout the concrete walls of the cell, satisfying my wolf deep inside. No one dared to move around us; the cells went deathly silent as Alpha Blake continued to struggle for air. Even with my tunnel vision focused on him, I could still feel the burning glares around us.
"Alpha," my Beta Don choked out, taking a step toward us. He knew better than to get involved; he knew my wolf was dangerously close to surfacing. However, he also knew it was imperative that he step in for the sake of the pack. As my second in command, he was one of the only shifters with the ability to calm me down. Sometimes even physically wrestle me, if needed. Heck, it wouldn't be the first time he had tried.
I heard Beta Don clear his throat, as if warning that if I squeezed my hand just a little bit tighter, it would result in something I might regret.
"Beverly was never the Luna of this pack. Her words are worthless. Whatever agreement you had with her is your issue because, as you know, she's dead now. Don't forget, though—you need Midnight Moon more than we need a pack on the other side of the world," I scoffed.
I felt a large hand pat my back; my wolf recognized the scent as Beta Don's.
"Now that we're all acquainted with my Alpha here—tell us why you were really found lurking along our territory lines," Beta Don demanded. I didn't miss the confidence in his voice. He knew more than he was letting on. I contemplated reaching for his throat, desperate for answers. I was in no mood to play these games.
I stepped toward Alpha Blake and saw the dread play in his eyes.
"What would you do, Alpha?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. I felt the vibration of my Beta Don's growl echo along the concrete walls.
"Answer the question," Beta Don responded through gritted teeth. "I won't waste any more time with you and your games."
Alpha Blake flashed me a sinister smile while still maintaining his strangely collected composure.
"Tell me, Alpha. What would you do to keep your little red wolf safe? From what I hear, she might be worth a pretty penny."
The entire cell went eerily silent. I felt my wolf begin to pant inside. My mind immediately spiraled, imagining what it would be like to spill his blood all over the concrete floor, to leave a permanent stain. I wondered how sweet his blood would taste pouring from his body as my canines tore his flesh open.
I felt my heartbeat pick up pace as the words rolled off his tongue. I could feel Beta Don's panic radiating from him in violent waves as he stared wide-eyed at me in utter shock. Alpha Blake knew. He was aware that Adeline had a red wolf, and to make matters worse, he knew how rare a red wolf was. If he knew, his second in command must also know—among other higher-ranking shifters in his pack. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Adeline's life was now in danger.
My mind fluttered back like an open book, pages flipping in the wind, to the death of my father. It felt like I could feel him near. It felt like I could feel him reminding me what made a good Alpha. I knew what I was forced to do, even though it wasn't what my wolf wanted. He was an Alpha wolf; it wasn't easy to calm him down, but I knew I had to keep my emotions in check.
"She isn't the first red wolf, nor will she be the last. What are you getting at, Blake?" I responded, fighting to steady my heartbeat.
A smirk played on Alpha Blake's face.
"You know an alliance would protect your mate... ensure your mate's safety at all costs. It's a fair price, if you ask me."
I felt my hands ball into fists as I bellowed into the cage,
"This is not a place for negotiations, Alpha Blake. You know where we conduct our business."
It was as if Alpha Blake was aware he'd hit a nerve, because a smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
"So she is a red wolf after all."
