A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 7 - Brayden

The plan seemed fool-proof enough. And what warrior would say no to payment? They were well paid for their role within a pack. Their skill. And the way they were willing to put their lives upon the line to defend the pack whenever was needed. Especially a senior warrior such as Niko. But, offer them additional money, and very few would refuse you. They were money-hungry, just like any other lower-ranking wolf. He lived within her pack. He was a lowlife warrior. Therefore, he was an easy target, so in my mind. So, it should be easy to enlist him into my plan. And, this way, I would learn whether the she-wolf I planned to make my bride was in fact honorable enough to become the next Mrs Sterling.

But, as our conversation developed, I began to question my theory. My plan was not going as I had hoped. I did not appreciate his tone as I spoke to him. He seemed almost demeaning. Questioning me. Like he believed what I was doing was wrong. Who the hell did he think he was? He was being offered an opportunity here like no other. Working with one of the best Gammas there was. I mean, I was requesting to work with him, and he was debating the offer? What sort of man was he?!

I was about to tell him to shove the offer up his ass, and that I could easily find a more understandable and co-operative warrior to work alongside, but, once again, his irritating tone disturbed me.

“So, let me get this straight, you want to trick her?” The warrior questioned, causing the anger rippling through my veins to increase. What business of his was that? I was a Gamma, he was a warrior being asked to do an assignment. Should he not be happy to accept it? Especially with the payment I was offering? “Because that is what it sounds like you are planning to do. And, isn't that a little underhand?” He added, bringing a snarl slipping from my lips. I wasn't asking for his f*****g opinion on it. I was asking for his assistance!

“Look, Niko, I am unsure if I owe you an explanation, but, at the end of the day, you are a guy, right? You know how she-wolves can be. She is a Beta's daughter. One in demand, I assume. I am merely protecting myself. So, I need to make sure the woman I marry is an honest one. I cannot marry someone I cannot trust.”

“You expect a trustworthy mate, yet the way you are acting is not particularly trustworthy...” His voice faltered, I hoped, because he realized just how disrespectful he was being. But to my surprise, he continued. "And judging her because she is a Beta's daughter seems more than a little unfair. That is not her fault."

“Hey, now, listen here. Believe me, the girl knows she is lucky to be offered the chance to be marrying me.” I chuckled, as I recalled the adoring ways in which Raven looked at me upon each of my visits. I did not think I needed to question how much she wanted to marry me. “You have not seen it. But, damn, I have her all but eating right out of my hand. And she is a sweet little thing. Do not get me wrong, but that is where the fear sets in. A sweet little thing to me, may well be a sweet little thing to other men. Catch my drift? I do want a girl that plays all the men. See what I mean? That is not an honorable bride, nor mate.”

“Oh, I totally understand what you are saying. I understood that from the very start. I just think it is an odd request, especially for someone in your position.” The boy spoke, and anger rippled through my body once more. He seemed incredibly judgmental for a man below me in rank. I did not think he had thought the offer through. He had the opportunity to earn quite some money if this went the way I feared... "And the way you are describing her is not the Raven I recall from high school." He added a little more quietly, almost like he was reminiscing.

"People grow up, you know." I snapped.

"Oh, I know." He agreed. "But it seems unfair to trick her this way."

Once again, anger flared through me. “Look, I am not asking for your opinion on my plans, Niko. If you don't agree, then that is up to you. I thought you might be willing to help me. Clearly I was wrong about you. Not the man I thought you were. More interfering than assisting." I said sharply. "But that is fine. Easily solved. I can simply find someone else you know. Someone who is willing to assist.”

There was a heavy sigh from the other end of the phone. “What exactly do you need? Proof she is cheating?”

I found myself laughing. The man had worked alongside me before. Did he think I was that simple of a man? “Oh no. It is more complex than that.” I told him confidently.

I was an over thinker. A Gamma. I planned battles. Wars. I had this well thought out. There were stages of my plan. Levels of betrayal. And for each level of betrayal this girl may or may not break, the warrior would receive payment. But, of course, proof would be needed.

Proof would be needed to document the lack of class the woman that had been offered to me held. If she was not the perfectly innocent Beta's daughter, they promised me, then they would come to regret their choice. I would present the failure of their part of the arrangement to her pack. Watch them wither in shame and humiliation while we received the payment of the arrangement, and I would not have to marry. The best of both worlds...

But, I was sure, just as Niko appeared to be, that the sweet little Raven was not such a she-wolf. She had seemed smitten. Now all she had to do was prove herself.