Falling for My Enemy Alpha

Chapter 5: Treading on Thorns

Kazamir's POV

"I believe, Sire, that if we stage an ambush at this valley," Drustian placed a wooden wolf head at a juncture on the cloth map spread on an oaken table in the meeting room. "Orvyn and his men will fall into our hands. I only need a dozen soldiers, and his head shall be yours before sundown."

"Orvyn should not be under-estimated," I stroked my beard tentatively, studying the large map that contained the geographical location of the five houses in the realm. "To catch a dog, you throw a bone. To catch a fish, hook a worm, and to catch a power-drunk Alpha..." Lifting my head, I peered into the serious faces of the men in the room, "you give him more power."

"You lost us there, Sire," Franklin, one of my strongest gammas furrowed. "What do you mean by giving him more power?"

I strode to the window, gazing into the green scenery. "We all know Orvyn is not a true Vagamor. He cannot forget how I snapped the head of his father to take claim this throne. I'll never forget the brute hatred I saw on his face. It was heavy with untold promises of a bloody return."

"You still have us at the edge of a cliff, Sir. May we know what your plan is?" Elean quizzed.

"Pledge your allegiance to him. And when you gain his trust," I turned slowly to face them, lifting a fist to my face. "Rip his heart out!" I gnashed, making a yanking gesture ."

"We need a spy to penetrate his camp." Drustian directed. "Send me, Sire." He fell on one knee, head bowed. "I shall be of service."

I walked over to his side. " Be on your feet, Drustian." I lifted him up, catching the devotion masked over his features. "I know I didn't birth you. You were brought to me as an orphaned pup at the Conquest of Flywater. But, the very day I set my eyes on you, I knew you were the son I never had; the son I'd always wanted." I gripped his shoulder, looking into his boyish face. "I cannot send you, Drustian. I need you here with me. I have great plans for you." I turned to Elean. "You shall go on our behalf. Be our eyes and ears. Do not hesitate to tell us what your eyes have seen, and the secrets your ears have heard."

Immediately, Elean's countenance changed. His eyes popped as he struggled for the right words. "Y_ yes, Sire," he stuttered. "I shall be of service."

While planning with my men, we heard boots clomping through the hallway. From the marching sound of the boots, I foreshadowed who it was.

And yes, it was him.

He threw the mahogany door open, fuming through his nostrils, flanked by a couple of enforcers.

"Cassian!" My lips curled into a faux grin and I stretched my hands in the air as if I was pleased by the fool's intrusion. "What a pleasant surprise! We were just talking about you, isn't that right, gentlemen?"

Knowing what I'm capable of, the men cooperated, quietly nodding their head.

He glared at me, seething like a boiling cauldron of soup. "It's a f*****g week already, Kazamir! This was not our arrangement! Where is the Princess?!"

"Believe me, it hurts me more to know my daughter is kidnapped. Whoever did this did it to shame me. I promise you that when they're caught, they shall face my wrath ." I assured, grinding my teeth. "You must be calm, Cassian."

"To what f*****g end, Kazamir? You've said the same thing everyday, yet, there's no sign of the princess, nor of the men who captured her. Was she even kidnapped? Because I'm beginning to lose my trust in you."

I clenched my jaws as I paddled out of the stream of anger welling up inside me. Drustian and the men were already shifting on their feet, waiting for my command to tear them apart. "We're doing all we can to find her." I breathed, taking a step forward. "She's my daughter. You do not expect me to sit idle, do you?"

I know my daughter could be boisterous, if she had the chance. Right from her childhood days, she'd always craved her freedom, away from my protection behind the castle walls. Everyday, I tried to remind her that she's a princess, expected to live like it. However, everyday, she had one new trick up her sneaky sleeves.

Because of this glaring defect, I entrusted her safety into the hands of her maids, instructing them never to let her out of their sights. On the contrary, the good-for-nothing maids chose to ignore my warning. Well, they're facing the consequences of their disobedience at the whorehouse now... just as I promised.

She never wanted Cassian. Forcing him on her was enough reason to hatch one of her dangerous plans to taste that air of freedom she so craved.

Such a brat! I spoilt her rotten.

If only she knew the extent of the damage she'd caused. Why couldn't she trust me this once?

Now, I had to stand by listening to a gilded fool drag my reputation in the mud. The height of it!

"I need a f*****g answer, Kazamir. Where's my bride?" Cassian's voice was laden with hurt and anger.

Wearing a plain frown, I advised, "You must exercise patience, Cassian. I'm afraid my enemies struck at the nick of time. Word must have gone out that my daughter was getting wed to you. They used the opportunity to get what they wanted."

"Patience?" Alpha Cassian stomped his feet on the floor in a fit. "I do not have all the patience in the world. This is a breach of our contract! I need my f*****g bride!"

Drustian snarled, darting his orange irises at Cassian. "You'll mind your tone with my Alpha." He warned. "No one raises his tone at him except-"

"Except what?'' One of Cassian's enforcers stepped in front of his Alpha, ready to duel it out with Drustian. He was just as tall as Drustian with a spot-on military physique to his credit. "Your Alpha should be weary of my Alpha getting angry as well. He doesn't like being cornered."

"Enough!" I came between them, arms stretched out. "The both of you will not disrespect us any further." I bellowed, glaring at the hot-blooded men.

Drustian was right. No man born of a woman could look into my eyes, let alone talk back to me in the manner Cassian did. If the circumstances where different, he wouldn't have a head on his neck.

But not now. Not today.

"Cassian, again I apologise for the little inconvenience this might have caused." I gestured to Drustian to stand down. "I assure you that my best men are searching the ends of the realm and beyond for her. In no time, they'll bring her back."

"You'd better be true to your f*****g words this time," he said, a bit pacified. "Because I'm not leaving this castle without my bride."

I forced a smile at the end of my lips. "Have some wine, and get some rest." I patted his shoulder, leading him out of the meeting room through the open door. "Women? How many should I send to your chambers to warm your bed? Isn't it freezing cold tonight?"

He snarled. "I don't want no woman. Olive is all I want."

Liar!

"Nonsense!" I turned to Elean. "You, fetch our guest and his company the best women of Vagamor. Do not delay." He lowered his head briefly and went down the stairs out of the courtyard.

I returned my gaze to Cassian, seeing he fell face-down into the trap. So predictable.

"You need not go through the trouble. I'll await my bride till her safe return. I should be faithful to her even in her absence."

"I'm not taking no for an answer. Take this as a peace offering from me, pending the return of my daughter, your bride." I c****d my head to a corner, winking at him.

"If you insist, who am I to say no?" He let out a throaty ugly laughter that made my skin crawl. "Send them to my chambers. It sure is freezing tonight."

I joined in the laughter as I resisted the chronic urge to burst his small brain out of his large skull. "You haven't tasted the women of Vagamor. I assure you, they'll make you forget your name in one bumpy ride."

He laughed again, exposing a set of teeth browned by only God knows what. "Alphonso," he turned to the enforcer who had earlier challenged Drustian. "Come, let us make merry. Tonight, we shall forget our names and rest on a hill of breasts and a mountain of fleshy asses."

The masculine enforcer didn't say a word. He only acknowledge his master with a slight bow. Something told me he was not in support of Cassian's debauchery.

He'd make a good soldier, fighting my cause.

I bid them good night, as they went down the passage to their chambers. "Send a flagon of wine for the ladies, Kazamir." Cassian called from behind his shoulder, humming a God-forsaken tune.

'You should have permitted me to put the fucker in his place. He cannot talk to you in that way.' Drustian tensed beside me, speaking through the link. 'Give me the order, and you'll have his head on your table at the break of dawn.'

'Patience, Drustian. Patience.' I calmed. 'You'll have your time.'

I raised my voice a little above normal to respond to Cassian's demand. "Very well friend. The wine and the women shall be brought to your chambers without delay."

He waved a hand decked with gold rings before entering his chamber.

"Friend?" Drustian came up to my front, eyes wide open in shock. "You call that fool a friend?"

My eyes were still glued to the closed door leading to Cassian's chambers. "For now, we have to play the fool to get what we want." I tore my gaze away from the closed door, resting it on Drustian. "When the deal is done, we shall have his head."