Chapter 164 Conquer Thy Enemy
923words
I watched as my mate left the ballroom, an unfamiliar itch beginning to take over inside my chest the moment she stepped out of the hall with her childhood friend. I didn't want to interfere; I already felt like a jerk for taking her away from her friends and family. However, leading the pack by my side as Luna was her destiny. This was where she was meant to be. She had a duty to both me and the pack—a mate and pack that adored and respected her. I sighed as I turned back to Alpha Blake, unsure whether to call him a friend or foe. I saw the way he threw daggers with his eyes at Adeline and me. He was on my territory and could have shown a shred of respect.
I chose to push it under the rug. I knew I needed to ask a favor of him. My pack was too big, and my mate could very well be with pup. We needed a pack doctor delivered to Midnight Moon at any cost. Truth be told, it would have been easier to ask for a pack doctor from Alpha Christian since his pack was smaller and closer to Midnight Moon. After all, I pushed the whiskey to my lips and chuckled when Alpha Blake wasted no time engaging.
"My men tell me your pack is in need of our assistance, is that correct, Alpha?" he asked in his thick accent. I wanted to punch him in the face as I felt his pride radiating against me and causing my wolf to snarl inside. This man would stop at nothing to see us bow down to him.
"Correct," I replied through a clenched jaw. "An unfortunate situation has taken place with my pack doctor. I have medical students ready to jump in but fear they aren't experienced enough to handle the needs of an entire pack. I needed a pack doctor—yesterday, Alpha Blake."
He tried to hide the grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he carefully placed the crystal tumbler back on the bar. He knew he had me. He knew he could manipulate the situation any way he pleased.
"Very well. And what could Broken Ridge see in return for our goodwill?" he questioned evenly.
"You know I'm a businessman. Your goodwill would be repaid—generously, no less," I said and slid the tumbler toward him. I waited to make eye contact with the bartender but noticed he was already ahead of me, pouring two more glasses of whiskey and placing them in front of us.
"Excellent service, hmm," Alpha Blake muttered under his breath. I made a mental note to find this bartender later; he couldn't be older than twenty-one. Packs prided themselves on being good hosts, especially when visiting Alphas were in town. It showed structure and leadership, primarily, though as Alphas, there was always a faint need to outdo one another.
"$25,000," I said, lifting the tumbler. Alpha Blake's face went white, as if he'd just seen the Moon Goddess appear before him. I knew he'd take it—it would be stupid not to. Heck, I'd even give up my own pack doctor for that many dollars. But stupid seemed a common trait lately.
"No deal," he said, reaching for his own glass.
I pressed my lips into a tight line. "And why would that be, Alpha?" I asked curiously.
"Quite bluntly, Alpha, it's a delicate game of cat and mouse. You see, I have something you need. I have yet to see something you have that I need. Maybe when I see an offer worth enough value to my pack, I would gladly enter negotiations with you."
I was far from an idiot. I built this pack with my own two hands. I had to learn lessons early that most Alphas don't learn in an entire lifetime. If this guy wanted to play games, I was here to tango.
"So you want an official alliance? Am I following correctly?" I asked, knowing there was just enough spite in my question to trigger him. Alpha Blake always wore his emotions on his sleeve; however, he still led the biggest pack in Europe.
"You've caught my attention, Alpha. I mean, it would be a shame if your mate was with pup and you had no medical professionals to look after her. After all, I made sure my mate received the best of the best when she was carrying my little darlings," he explained. I resisted the urge to wrap my hands around his throat until life was sucked out of him.
"And what exactly leads you to believe my mate is expecting, Alpha?" I asked, cocking my head as I waited for him to falter in his body language. I was seething with fury right now. No one knew that Adeline might be expecting. We weren't even certain—that was why I needed a damn pack doctor.
"Let's just say the rumor mill knows all," he chuckled. My jaw clenched tightly, and my hands balled into fists. A moment of silence slipped by between us until he finally broke it.
"An alliance and fifty thousand," he said. I didn't bother to reply, knowing it was a shabby deal and his man was delirious to be reaching for the stars like this. I turned to leave the bar to find my mate when he called out behind me,
"Trust me, Alpha, a time is coming very soon when you'll wish you had Broken Ridge on your side."
