The Alpha's Surrogate

Chapter 8

Ivan's POV

The man at the door wasn't a stranger to me. I knew him before, from my cold past. His name was Ragaz, a council member from the pack I once led as Alpha. I knew Ragaz to be a fierce, disciplined and grounded man. I was aware he was here for an important reason. A reason that would make him track me down all the way to the human world had to be paramount.

After Vanessa had entered her room, I led him into my room. That would be the safest to converse, I believed. I offered him a seat and stared at him, watching for his every move.

“You are not offering me wine, Ivan. That is the custom for visitors…” Ragaz began.

“I am no longer forced to offer every visitor a drink. You will tell me the reason you tracked me all the way here or else I will have no other choice but to walk you out,” I told him firmly.

“It's been a long time since we last saw each other. I believe small talk is paramount. Small talk over some wine, you know…” Ragaz smiled. “For instance, we could talk about the girl you ordered into her room. She is quite beautiful.”

I clenched my fists, “My temper hasn't gotten better, Ragaz. You don't want me to break your skull, do you?”

“Easy, Alpha,” Ragaz smiled.

“I am no longer your Alpha! I am no longer a wolf. You will do well to remember that…” I told him. I stood up now, pacing around the room. “I have had enough of your small talk, Ragaz. Now I really want to hear why you have come to see me.”

“I believe you can guess the reason,” Ragaz stood up too.

“Were you sent to kill me? The new Alpha must want to make sure there are no threats to his position,” I guessed.

“I am not crazy, Ivan!” Ragaz began to laugh. “Even if I had ten lives, I wouldn't enter your dwelling and hope to assassinate you all by myself. I am well aware of your bravery and skill for battle.”

“Right, you are a wise man,” I turned towards him. “As a wise man, I bid you to stop wasting my time. I would rather spend this time sleeping, you know.”

The smile disappeared from Ragaz’s face. He looked grim and bowed his head carefully.

“Nightdale Pack is bleeding, Ivan!” Ragaz told me carefully.

“What!” I exclaimed. “Is it a war? What pack is it? What pack dares to make the almighty Nightdale pack bleed?”

Ragaz looked even more dejected on hearing this, “I am afraid it is a civil war, Ivan. Since you were banished, there was no one to lead the pack. Kyle and Selena used the opportunity to build their own rogue army. It was from our original army and in the past seven years, they have extended their power through the northern part of the pack. Now they threaten the southern part too.”

“The same Kyle I am aware of!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, Ivan,” Ragaz answered. “It is the same Kyle, your best friend or shall I say ex-best friend.”

I remembered the unfortunate incident again. Seven years ago at my mating ceremony with Selena, she left me and went with Kyle. I went wild out of anger and almost destroyed the whole pack. I was banished by the Moon Goddess right after.

“So what?” I found myself a seat. “I am no longer a member of your pack. This isn't my business.”

“Really?” Ragaz asked. “From what I can see, you seem very concerned. And you should be, Ivan.”

“I was banished. Even if I wanted to, there is no way I can help!” I exclaimed angrily. Ragaz might not know it but I was brimming with anger right now. The anger of being able to do nothing when I wanted to.

“There is a way…” Ragaz said calmly. “The Moon Goddess spoke to the healer that as the true blood Alpha of the pack, you have to come back and set things right.”

“She wants me back?” I asked, stunned by what I just heard.

“There is a condition!” Ragaz replied. “You have to bring an heir with you. If you satisfy this condition, your position will be restored immediately.”

“Why do I need an heir to return?” I asked. “Does she not trust me? Does she think I will go wild again and get banished? She must believe that an heir is needed to replace me when that happens.”

“I am only a messenger, Ivan. How can I dare try to understand the thoughts of the moon goddess!” Ragaz exclaimed. “You will honor the condition if you wish to reclaim your position.”

I stared at Ragaz. Right now, he was in control. I had to take back control.

“Tell the Moon Goddess that I, Ivan, will not honor her condition!” I told him firmly. “I am doing comfortably well in the human world. I have enough money and here, money makes you well respected. I have no family in the pack after all. It is not my business.”

Ragaz's face went pale. I sat down comfortably and watched him. Ragaz fell on his knees.

“A strange curse is ravaging the pack, Ivan,” Ragaz began to say. “It makes some wolves go mad when it's the full moon. The northern part of the pack has been the most fruitful but right now, it is in the hands of the rebels. The southern part is on the verge of falling into their hands too. Our pack members are escaping to other packs and when they do, they are persecuted there. You are our only chance and I, Ragaz, will do everything I can to bring you back.”

I took a deep breath.

“Rise, Ragaz!” I ordered.

“I shall but only when you accept to come back, Ivan,” Ragaz told me, his mind made up.

I stood up, looking sharper than ever, “I am Ivan, a wolf of Nightdale pack. I shall return as Alpha.”

“Allow me to pay homage to you, my lord,” Ragaz bowed fully. “Please accept the loyalty of your servant.”

“Swear the oath!” I ordered.

“I, Ragaz, born under the Red Moon and under the guidance of the Moon Goddess swear my loyalty to you, Alpha Ivan! From this day, my sword is yours, my life is yours, and your word shall be my command…” Ragaz brought out a knife and cut himself. “I swear this oath with my blood and I swear to abide by it from this day until the end of my life.”

“Rise, Ragaz!” I told him. Ragaz stood up, head bowed. I stretched my hands now and we hugged.

“Alpha!” He called again.

“We are now brothers!” I told him.

“Brothers and Soldiers!” Ragaz added.

This was the first step. I would be going back to where I belonged soon.