Chapter Ten
1116 Words
Hunter
"Where the hell did you go? I thought one of these alpha bastards had snatched you!"
It wasn't like Luke to worry. He had caught me coming round the corner of the gardens, looking very guilty. I could see him take on my state and conclude very quickly.
"You just can't stay away, can you?"
His familiar smile was back on his face, running his hand through his golden hair. I ran a hand through my own hair, finding it also ruffled. Serina seemed to like having her hands in it, and I wasn't complaining. I turned to Luke, who was clearly looking for an explanation.
"Would you believe me if I said I was out a run and happened to scent her through the window?"
He looked back at the mansion now. Clearly scoping the grounds as I had.
"Happened to just squeeze in a third-story window, brother?"
Shit. He had me there…
"I think this girl is making you lose your touch, Hunter; that's twice I've caught you now."
He was smug; at least he was finding all this entertaining.
"One day, you'll be in my position and understand everything."
His face changed at that comment, but he said nothing in return.
Not like Luke.
We walked together around the gardens and into the front yard of the main packhouse. The Redmoon territory is surrounded by a vast forest. Within the forest, members of the pack had built grand but smaller cabins to their liking, spread around the main pack house. It was quiet compared to our home, still with nature and serine.
Cassy was walking along the drive and spotted us. Instead of any greeting, she raised her head and marched right past. Not even looking in our direction. The action made me chuckle, but Luke looked fit to burst beside me, his knuckles clenched, and he was clearly fighting with his wolf. I was still trying to find out what had happened between them last night, but I would make sure I would when this was over.
"I'm off for a run. You'd be better go for a shower. I can smell your girl all over you."
He turned in the opposite direction of Cassy entering the mansion and walked off, not even waiting for my response. He was right; all I could smell was Serina. It was not that I would ever complain, but someone might in the formal meetings today.
Much to Alpha Marcus's annoyance, he had to accommodate us in the mansion with him and Serina. Walking in from the heat of the sun and the forest, the cool marble floors were a nice contrast.
Walking up the grand staircase that led to the first-floor rooms, I really got a look at the place. There were no pictures or images of the family there. It was cold, much like the fancy floors.
I looked forward to taking Serina away. Introducing her to a warm family in the grand castle I grew up in was far different from this life.
The high packs meeting was more tedious than I had imagined. A bunch of stuffy elder alphas and their entitled sons squeezed into a room with not enough air. Naturally, I sat at the end of the high table with Luke to my right and Alpha Redmoon to my left, brooding.
The meeting was going the usual way. Someone wasn't pleased with their territory; someone moaned about rogues and not enough help. It seemed the rouges were a threat everywhere, yet Marcus changed the subject whenever they were mentioned.
Interesting...
I had taken a look at the shine coming from my polished shoe, crossed over my leg, my tie long taken off, looping it in my hands.
Maybe I'd use this tie-on, Serina, her moans filling the room…
Marcus Redmoon stood abruptly, tearing me from my thoughts. Luke gave me a questioning look. Marcus cleared his throat and looked at the table, awaiting full attention. With all eyes on him, he spoke.
"Thank you all; at the end of today's meeting, we all agreed there are issues with our pack. Following this, I cannot think of a better time to announce our special news."
The grin on his face made me nervous, especially when he cast it at me and looked down at the table once more.
"Following several agreements, there will be a pack joining."
This had the room in uproar, alphas uneasy.
"Silence"
My word was command, and none would deny it. I was their prince. Nodding to Marcus to continue.
"I have no heir other than my daughter Serina."
Shit, the old man had balls; here he was, announcing his plans to all.
"I have been in meetings with the Moon pack, and Alpha Emmott and I have decided to unify our packs, creating a stronger border. Eric Moon and my daughter Serina will be married."
The room was quiet; you could cut this with a knife. Until Luke spoke, surprising us all.
"Of course, Alpha Marcus, you have not asked permission from the crown?"
The eyes of the room turned to me; Eric, in particular, stared me down. Luke's expression gave nothing away. I picked the table, pretending to think it over.
"The crown grants full permission for a marriage; a united pack will benefit all in the future."
The look on all of their faces was priceless. Marcus turned again with a smile.
"Wonderful, we can arrange the wedding."
The room nodded in approval. Luke was still staring at me.
"You may all be dismissed; tonight is the midnight hunt. Go and get ready. We meet in the clearing in the forest. Then tomorrow, at our final ball there, we will announce the engagement."
Luke came racing to my side when they had all left the room.
"How could you approve this! We can't have those packs aligning; this could spell an all-out war for us, not to mention yours."
I cut him off before he could say the rest.
"I had no choice, Luke; the other packs are unaware of the missing wolves and rogues being connected; they only see it as a united front for further defense in this war. That's exactly what Marcus wants us to see. We need them to take this step to truly find out what's going on behind the scenes. We need to wait until they expose themselves."
He seemed to understand now, looking at the door where all the alphas had left to prepare for dinner and the ball to come.
"What about Serina? Will you let her become a pawn in all of this? You need her."
I left the room without an answer.
- Writer
