His Mate, His Enemy

Episode 03

Alfred watched as his father cut himself and Julius did the same thing, and they mingled their blood in a bowl. Alfred gritted his teeth. This was an archaic way of doing things, but it was better than any writing and any of them that broke or broke a blood oath was undeserving of honor.

"One last thing," Frederick said. Julius frowned deeply.

"What is the matter? Do you want to haggle after an agreement?" He asked.

"No, not at all. This is not a haggle. It is not that I do not trust your word or your oath, but I would like us to keep a piece of each other, something that…keeps us loyal," Frederick said quietly. Alfred's ears perked at that, and he sat up, looking around.

"What…piece do you offer?" Julius asked him and Frederick smiled a little.

"I will give my second son, Alfred," he declared. Alfred felt like he was slapped, and he almost spoke but remembered to restrain himself as Marcus had told him. He looked at Marcus who smiled at him then winked. He looked at their father who was staring at Julius, silently daring him to match his offer then Julius sighed deeply.

"Hmm, I see. In that case, my daughter will go along with you," he spat. Alfred looked at the hard looking, beautiful girl who stood behind him. He saw her jaw clenching but, to her credit, she did not say anything or disagree, a testament to her discipline.

"Alfred," his father called, and he stood the walked to Frederick who looked at him then nodded. His face was flat and impassive as always. Alfred walked over to Julius' side, feeling like he was lost and alone. None of the werewolves showed concern for him. Marcus had a soft smile on his face and light in his eyes. He watched as the girl walked to stand beside his father who did not take his eyes off Julius.

"Until next time, Frederick. This meeting is finished," Julius said, his voice suddenly tight.

"Yes, yes it is," Frederick said and looked at Alfred for a while then turned to go.

"You don't want a word with your boy?" Julius asked. Frederick did not even turn. Julius walked to his daughter then held her hand.

"I am sorry to have put you in this position, flower. I am truly sorry. I will get you out of it as soon as I can, understood?" He asked her. She nodded repeatedly then he pressed his forehead against hers.

"Yeah okay," she said after a while, she sighed.

"I love you,"

"I love you too, flower," he whispered and turned away from her to face Alfred with hard eyes.

"Let's go, pup," he said. Alfred looked at Julius' daughter who had gone along with the wolves then he turned and started walking with the Switchers, fear and betrayal coursing through him.

****

Alfred stared at the television in the living room. He had never had one in his home before. Not that they could not afford it. The blood fang was a very wealthy pack and his father was a multi-millionaire, but he never really saw any of that money. They were made to live in deprivation. He only ate meat, bitter herbs, fruit and water. He only wore rough, coarse clothe sand he slept on a hard bed within a small room with a single table and a small wardrobe.

Everything in the home felt lavish to Alfred, from the chandelier in the ceiling to the soft chairs and the television that was so thin, it almost appeared to be floating on air. The door closed and Julius walked in with a short, robust man. Alfred watched them silently and though he felt fear and loneliness, he gave nothing away. He shoved them all down and just stared at the men.

"Wow, I guess this is what comes out of being Frederick's son, huh?" The man said. Alfred did not reply. He just watched.

"What is your name, boy?" Julius asked.

"Alfred," he said, surprised that his voice was not shaky at all. Julius sighed and nodded as he came to sit on the sofa Alfred sat on.

"Today I had to give my first daughter away to your father to keep as hostage. Now, as long as you are kept safe, I am assured of her safety, so your safety is as important to me as her own, yes?" He asked. Alfred nodded.

"You are my hostage as well, but you will not live that way. You will have all that you require. Do you go to school?" He asked Alfred who shook his head.

"Home schooled," he said. Julius looked at him strangely then nodded.

"I would prefer that you be homeschooled, but that would not be the right thing. I want this peace to last to future generations and that cannot work if you all keep living a life of seclusion. You will go to school and associate with other kids your age," he said. Alfred's jaw tensed at being called a kid, but he relaxed quickly.

"Damn, I think Frederick has removed the soul from the boy," Micheal said and chuckled. Julius ignored him.

"I know that you have been told to spy on me and send Intel back to your father and how well you might be able to do that depends on how sloppy I am, but I'm warning you now that you do not want to follow that route. You will go straight from school, back here to Michael's house. Am I understood?" Julius asked.

"Yes," Alfred said. Julius kept looking at him like he wanted more, but Alfred knew that he could not add sir to the name of the man who had murdered so many of his kind. He knew the only reason he was still drawing breath was because of the man's own daughter that was at the mercy of his father.

"Good. I am glad that we have an understanding," he said then stood and walked away. Micheal followed him.

Soon after, Michael returned and leaned on a wall and brought out a packet of cigarettes.

"So, how does it feel to be the son of Frederick Blood fang," he asked with a drawl in his voice. Alfred looked at him but said nothing.

"I bet he wakes you up at night just to beat you, eh? You look like what I assume he was at your age, only more…savage," Michael said, but Alfred remained quiet as he studied the man. When Michael saw that nothing he said would get to Alfred, he puffed smoke then waved for Michael to follow.

They walked into a wide room that had a table, bookshelves and a soft bed with a couch to the side. There was an adjoining toilet and bathroom and the walls were painted white with bulbs that could be brightened and dimmed. The floor was covered in a soft rug that felt like foam to Alfred's feet. He frowned at how foreign it was, how comfortable and cozy it felt, and it frightened him. He was not supposed to be comfortable.

"This here was my brother's room. He travelled to Spain a few years ago, won't be coming back anytime soon, so you can use it. I will be watching you, best remember that. The whole clan will," he said then walked away and shut the door. Alfred sat there and felt a headache slowly build up in his head.