The Alpha's Chosen Bride

CHAPTER FIVE: Calling In Accounts

Sergio sauntered his way into Dante's penthouse, acting for all the world as if he had done nothing wrong. Dante shuddered inwardly at the knowledge that, in his mind, he hadn't. Sergio thought that, as a powerful member of a wealthy clan of wolves, anyone and anything he wanted was his. He never thought there was accountability or responsibility. Sergio's mother and Dante's stepmother, Isabella Gianbanco, had spoiled Sergio beyond redemption. She had treated Dante with distaste and outright cruelty when they were children, while Sergio was given gifts of polo ponies, trips to Europe for expensive clothes, and Dante was sent to boarding school in England. She had convinced Dante's father that it was best not to coddle Dante if was going to be head of the clan. At the time, she had done it in spite, and she had no idea how right she had been. Dante grew to neither need love nor affection the way most wolves need from their clanmates. He became self-sufficient and his mind, which had always been brilliant, was nurtured in a way that it would never have been had he stayed at home.

Dante's experience was far from the horrible, lonely one that Isabella had hoped he would experience. In fact, he had met with a school master named Isaac Corbyn, who was also a wolf. Though he had been expelled because he was the twin of the Alpha, which made him a very awkward member of the pack, he had the innate ability to lead without another to teach him. He was Dante's teacher, mentor and eventually, as boys turn to men, his friend.

Sergio had never had any of these gifts, and would never have recognized them as gifts. He would have scoffed at being friends with a teacher, someone he regarded as lowly as a mere servant. He didn't recognize servants as people at all. In his world, they were only there to bring him things and make sure that his life was as uncomplicated as possible. Women were the same for him. They were there to serve his s****l needs and that was all. The fact that Patricia wouldn't sleep with him until they were married mattered little to him. Marriage to him was nothing, because what else were attorneys for if not to deal with his legal matters? He had wanted Patricia and that was the only way to have her and so the problem was solved. Her little brat was rather difficult, but it wasn't a bastard, just a halfling. Who cared about them?

His outlook changed rather abruptly when he saw the look on his half brother's face. It was true that most of the world didn't realize they were only half brothers, as Dante's mother had died during his birth, but in the hierarchy of the clan, it meant everything. Sergio was always going to be the younger brother and never the Alpha, something that enraged him, but at the same time, it absolved him of responsibility, a thing for which he was grateful. Now was one of those times, because it was clear that Dante had discovered his marriage and was furious. Well, he thought to himself, might as well get the nasty part over with and face Dante's wrath so he could get back to Monaco. He wanted to race his new yacht and he could hardly do that while he was holed up in this backwater.

Dante seethed inwardly at his brother's careless and handsome visage. He knew that if Patricia and her son had both died today, nothing could have made him happier. Oh, but when he found out what lay ahead for him, he wouldn't be so careless. Poverty wouldn't suit him at all and that's what he was going to be facing if he didn't comply with the new limits that were to be levied. He would find that much that he had taken for granted over the years was going to be lost, because none of it truly belonged to him. Everything he owned, down to his underwear, had been at Dante's discretion since the death of their father. Even the lovely new boat Sergio had purchased with family money was at this moment being sailed towards Roquebruen, France, where Dante kept a villa. He was going to take Sunset for a rest there, so that when the change occurred, she wouldn't be attacked by the she-wolves of his clan.

The females of his clan had all been jockeying for the position of his Luna since his birth. His father had refused to name one for him, as he didn't believe in arranged matches. His father had believed in the ancient tradition of the goddess choosing an alpha's mate and when they met, they would be bound to one another for life. For a human to receive this coveted role would cause enormous resentment among his clan. He had no doubt that Sunset could handle the attacks that would surely come her way, but not during her change. That time would be fraught with confusion and pain enough. The full moon was coming and he had to get her away before that night, but first he had to deal with Sergio. He exhaled in irritation and frustration.

Sergio saw his brother and, instead of cowering as he should, smiled indolently at him before inquiring, "How are you my brother? You seem as though you still have the world at your fingertips and me as well. How can I be of service to my master?" The sarcasm in the last bit was not lost on Dante, but it made not the slightest difference to him. He was silent, letting Sergio sweat out the reason he had been summoned. Oh, he was not forced and yet, he was forced. He knew that when his brother called, he had to come or face a wrath so harsh that he would feel it for centuries later.

"I have spoken to your wife and met your son. Did you ever plan to introduce us, or had you planned a different fate for your little family? Patricia is seriously ill, so perhaps you were simply going to leave her to her fate while you raced your little boat? What had you planned for your son? The same fate perhaps?" Dante's voice was deceptively soft, as if inquiring about the health of a neighbor's mother. Sergio was no fool though. He knew what lay beneath that silken tone and if he hadn't been afraid before, he was now. He answered as though innocent of any wrongdoing, "So I married the girl? So what? I thought I was in love, but I realized quickly how wrong I was."

Dante's expression remained unchanged and he said nothing. Sergio grew more agitated and he whined, "I didn't know the little b***h wasn't on birth control, she let me think she was or there would be no child. He's fine with his mother and if he turns out to be there, I'll deal with it then."

"You'll deal with it NOW!!!" Dante's voice was as sharp as a knife and the blade went straight to Sergio's knees, which turned to water. He sank into a chair that was thankfully there to catch his weight. The time had come to pay for his sins and he knew in his bones that he would be lucky to come away with his life. His voice gone, all he could manage was an obedient nod. He managed to control his bladder and not wet himself, but he hurried from the room to be violently ill in the bathroom. His face was pale and sweat ran in rivulets down his face and back, making his clothes stick to his muscled frame. He wasn’t a weak man physically, but he was no match for his brother, who could tear his throat out in seconds.

He had much to account for and the time had come to pay.