The Scarlet Witch

Chapter One - The Agreement

“Alpha Damon and newly appointed Alpha Dimitri, welcome to the Midnight Moon Pack. Please have a seat.” Alpha Michael said as he rose from his seat behind his desk, extending his arm out in front of him, gesturing toward the seats opposite of his desk.

Alpha Michael looked like any other alpha male, tall and lean. With the only indicator of his age being his salt and pepper hair, he looked rather good for his age. His mate, Luna April, was seated to his right. She looked elegant and pristine, her hair freshly colored and pulled back into a French braid. She simply nodded her head and smiled at the two alphas that had entered her mate’s office. Everything about the couple screams control and power. They exude an outer persona of being in control and having a certain level of standing that makes them better than other packs. It is something that is so engrained in their behavior that even in the presence of two alphas with direct connections to the royal family, their sense of pride and egos don’t allow them to show equal respect.

Alpha Michael seats back down as the two alphas take their own seats. Alpha Damon was a gentleman in his early seventies. He was the former alpha of the Scarlet Moon Pack. He and his mate had run the pack since they were in their twenties. They only had one child, a daughter whom they were prepared to give the pack to. But their daughter ended up being the mate of the prince and heir to the throne. The Scarlet Moon Pack and the royal family came to an agreement that the couple's first born son would be the next heir to the throne, while their second born son would take over as alpha of the Scarlet Moon Pack. That second born son is the newly appointed Alpha Dimitri.

“Hello Alpha Michael, Luna April. I believe that there was a situation involving your pack that you wanted to talk to us about?” Alpha Damon said, getting straight to the point and leaving Alpha Michael with no time to try and make meaningless small talk. Alpha Damon knew Alpha Michael well enough to know that small talk for him was simply a way to butter his guests up, make them a bit more vulnerable to him.

“Ah yes, straight to the point, Alpha, though I must say that I am a bit surprised to see you here. I thought that this meeting would be between Alpha Dimitri and I.” Alpha Michael remarked, sneaking a side glance at Alpha Dimitri.

“As you have said, I am newly appointed. I figured it would be good to have the former alpha here since this is our first time meeting for business”, Alpha Dimitri answered.

“Hm well, let’s get to business, shall we? I have asked you here to ask for a treaty or agreement of sorts. We here at the Midnight Moon Pack have been experiencing an increase in rogue activity. Though it is not alarming at the moment, we fear that the circumstances could change at any moment. I would like to ask for an agreement of guaranteed protection and assistance from the Scarlet Moon Pack in the event of a rogue attack.”

There was a moment of silence. The two visiting alphas were clearly in deep thought about what was being asked of their pack. They exchanged a few looks at one another and they each got lost in their thoughts. Alpha Michael and Luna April also exchanged a few looks at one another. Though their looks were more so ones that showed impatience for them, it wasn’t an agreement that needed much thought put into.

After a pregnant pause, Alpha Dimitri finally speaks up, “What does the Scarlet Moon Pack get out of this agreement?”

“Well, I am not sure if you are aware of this, but typically with agreements like this, the pack getting protection offers a member of their pack. At times, in order to make sure that the agreement is a life-long one, the pack will arrange a marriage between two members with direct linage to the alphas of each pack. So-“

“Where exactly are you going with this explanation, Alpha? It would be much more time efficient if you just came out with it and said what sort of agreement you want to make.” Alpha Damon boomed, making it clear with his tone that he did not appreciate Michael making it seem like his grandson was not thoroughly educated in these matters.

“In order to guarantee long-lasting protection for my pack, I would like to arrange a marriage between Alpha Dimitri and my daughter-“

“No, I don’t think that I would ever want to marry Melanie. With the way she acts towards the members of this pack, I can say with certainty that she would not last as Luna of the Scarlet Moon Pack.” Dimitri interrupted.

“It would be nice if the two of you would let me finish before providing your thoughts and concerns” Alpha Michael stated, clearly getting irritated with the two. “I was not offering Melanie’s hand, she and her mate, when she finds him, will be taking over my pack. I was offering the hand of my other daughter.”

Damon and Dimitri exchanged a look, showing to each other that they were both unaware of who Michael was referring to. It is well documented both on paper and on film at events that the alpha has only showcased one child, his daughter Melanie.

“And who is this other daughter that you speak of?“ Alpha Damon asked.

“Her name is Amaranth, I am sure that you are aware of the witch that lives here in my pack” Alpha Michael answered.

Dimitri froze, the realization slowly setting in that he was being offered the hand of the girl he couldn’t get out of his head. When he noticed a smirk on the face of Alpha Michael, Dimitri made sure to show no emotion on his face. He didn’t want the alpha to get a hint of the impression that the witch’s hand in marriage was something that he truly wanted. He suspected that Alpha Michael wasn’t offering him her hand out of kindness or love. He turned to look at his grandfather.

What do you think? Should I accept? Dimitri asked via mindlink.

You have wanted this girl for two years now, son. And from what I have heard, I don’t think that she is treated all that well here. His grandfather responded.

Were you aware that she was his daughter?

I have heard some rumors of an affair that he had many years ago. I knew her mother and was aware that her father was a were, but I did not know who.

What should I do?

I think you know what it is that you want to do, son.

Cutting the mindlink off, Dimitri turned to Alpha Michael, keeping his face absent of emotion, simply said, “Deal”.