Moon Child

One Way Negotiation

- Calum Beckett –

I did my best to discuss the plan to everyone. Not that it was hard though, James made sure not to leave any possibility uncovered nor any stone untouched. The only problem now is the execution.

I can surely rely on James and Gunner during the negotiation, but Adam and Alex are another story. Adam talks too much, I’m afraid he would unwittingly give us away. He also has this very bad habit of rejoicing prematurely. As for Alex. I’m glad he’s here, but he’s not exactly a morning person. I sighed.

“Alex, Adam, I assign you two to security. Alex, you and your team should guard the entrance and exit to the manor. Make sure to account for all of the West Pack Council members that would attend the conference, be on the lookout for spies or members of other packs. Adam, take your team and guard the outskirts of the manor. Make sure that we will not be ambushed nor outnumbered. There’s a big chance that the west pack is not the only pack that we’d have to deal with today.”

They both agreed to my order and moved out to call for their teams. Alex gave me a knowing look before he left. He knew why I assigned him to security. Of course, one of the reasons is – he is my beta, we can’t be in the same room while dealing with these people. At least one of us should survive if anything bad happens. But another reason is – I prefer not to deal with his grumpy mornings. I’d have his team suffer through that.

As if on cue, the west pack council arrived.

- Alex Thorn -

As soon as I left the conference room, I gathered my men and began giving out orders.

“Leo, your team will guard the exit”

“Noah, you and your men will be on the lookout at the entrance.”

“Jake and Kai’s team. We’ll make rounds inside the manor. Be sure to keep all ingress and egress manned at all times. Secure this damn place like your life depended on it. Got it?”

“Yes, beta!” they shouted in unison as they hurriedly went to their assigned posts. Alright, now that that is over. I’ll head out to my post. I went up to the second floor just within hearing distance from the west pack council as they entered the manor. I hid from a column, trying to listen in on their conversation. Damn that Calum, first he wakes me up at 7 am, then he leaves me out of the fun part? 

“I’m glad to see you well, Calum” Roman, the head of the west pack council, said as he reached out his hand for a hand shake. I peeked from the column behind me and saw Calum’s unreadable expression.

“I wish I could say the same” he said as he accepted the hand shake.

“I know you placed your men on your borders. But we’re not here to attack you, Calum. You and your men are so... on edge” the sly fox said as he kept Calum’s hand in his. I swear everything that comes out of that old geezer’s mouth is poison. 

I noticed the slight change in Calum’s expression. I could almost hear him inwardly cursing right now. The last thing we need is to show any weakness. Of course, we’ll send out some men to the outskirts to defend our borders. But that would also mean less defense within. I don’t know exactly what this geezer is thinking but there’s a chance he might be thinking the same. Would it be an attack from the inside?

“Adam” I called out to him using mind-link.

“Hey, are we on speaking terms again?” he asked playfully

“Not the time Adam”

“Why? What happened?”

“Have you noticed anything suspicious” I asked

“No, what about on your side?”

“I’m not sure, but prepare some of your men, I might call for back-up”

“Got you, beta. Over and out”

Ugh. I feel like having a headache from all the tension. Why can’t they talk through the telephone like normal people do. That would definitely save us a lot of time and effort.

“Did you know? About the last talk of the town before the southern pack was hunted down? Why your father was accused of keeping the silver child?” Roman said as he took the seat beside Calum.

They were inside the conference room now and I could sense the death glares Calum gave Roman when he mentioned Calum’s father.

“There was talk, Calum. That your father, kept a witch as an ally” he continued unbothered by it.

“Those were gossips. Roman. Don’t tell me you went all the way here just to spread gossip” Calum said. Every word dripping with hatred.

“Say what you must. But that witch was recently sighted near a certain town. The town’s name must remain undisclosed, of course. Until you accept the job.”

“And the job is?” Calum asked

“If found, bring the silver child to us. Unscathed” Roman raised an eyebrow trying to read Calum’s expression. But if there’s anything our alpha is good at – it’s keeping a poker face. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s something to be proud of at this point. That man needs some life.

“If you already know the location of the witch, why are you hiring us? What’s in it for you?” Gunner said as he leaned forward directly looking at Roman. As expected of Gunner, asking the relevant questions.

Roman chuckled. Some of his subordinates laughed too. “Simple, my child. We don’t like getting our hands dirty.”

“Roman. You can fool a child. But not us. Tell us, really. What are you after?” James joined in.

“Well… I already told you. What is it that you want to hear from me, my child?” Roman answered.

“There’s more to this than you’re letting us on. Tell us or I’ll – “

“Or what? Calum?” Roman cut Calum off.

“Feed us to your dogs?” he sneered.

“This is all the information I can give you for now. So, tell me. Are you going to do it or not?”

- Calum Beckett –

“That was kind of anti-climatic” Adam shrugged as he put his hands on his head. The West pack council has just left. Alex and his team are still looking around the manor to make sure that no one stayed behind.

“Well, sometimes, not having to fight is also a win” James told Adam.

“I don’t know about you guys. But. I have a very bad feeling about this job.” Alex joined in the conversation.

“There’s just something really creepy about that old man” he added.

“Alex is right. This might be their strategy. Don’t let your defenses down” I ordered them before excusing myself.

As soon as I closed the door behind me. I unconsciously started pacing inside my room. My hand found the lamp on my bedside table and threw it on the window. s**t.

I almost lost my composure back then when he mentioned my father. My wolf growled inside me. It has been struggling to fight its way out but deep inside I knew. James is right. Sometimes, not having to fight is also a win. But why would they link the silver child to my family? Did my father really know where the silver child was? Did he have a witch for an ally? As much as I hate to admit it. Roman’s words got to me. I have to sort my thoughts out and prepare myself for whatever information I get from this new job.