A bite from an Alpha King

Chapter Two

Valerio

“Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”

“I’m aware,” I reply.

Alpha Michael shakes his head and rises from his chair in front of me, walking toward the window overlooking his backyard.

“Even having you here puts me in danger. It puts my pack in danger,” he murmurs.

“You’re known to be one of the alphas with some of the most powerful warriors. I’m sure you can keep yourself safe should it come out that I have been here,” I remark.

Glancing over his shoulder, I know Alpha Michael doesn’t miss the indirect flattery, yet I can tell it doesn’t sway him.

“I’m not concerned about anyone finding out you’re here. My pack is loyal to their alpha,” he says.

“Then why mention it?”

“I mention it so you understand the risk I take out of respect and loyalty to your father. He was a true king.”

I feel the jab sent my way, but I refuse to let it make me feel small. Rising, I lean one hand on Alpha Michael’s desk, meeting his eyes.

“And I’m sure we both know that respect and loyalty serve no purpose with him in the ground now. You wouldn’t have accepted my request for this meeting if it hadn’t been because you were dissatisfied with our mad king.”

Alpha Michael watches me for a moment with that familiar, sharp, inspecting alpha gaze I have seen many times, especially with my father. It’s as if they see right through every barrier you’ve ever erected.

“You’re correct. I’m not satisfied. Only a few years on that throne, and his madness has already spread. He barely leaves the territory, and every decision is made by the council, something I’m sure they are satisfied with. A bunch of p*****s sitting around a nice little table, filling their cups while letting others run empty,” he spits.

“You could be on the council,” I offer, seeing a spark light up in his eyes. “You deserve it. The seats have always been reserved for the most powerful alphas.”

Alpha Michael groans before sitting down in front of me again. “Perhaps it was once about proving strength to earn a seat, but those sitting there now are supporters of Mad King Xavier. That’s why they sit there.”

“Then you should feel cheated out of a seat. You supported my father!”

“Yes, but my family was never very interested in politics. We take care of ourselves,” he remarks.

Yet I can tell his words aren’t entirely true. Looking at Alpha Michael, he doesn’t strike me as powerful because of raw strength. In fact, he isn’t very large for a descendant of a long line of alphas. No, his power comes from leadership, keeping his pack united, bound by strong loyalty. He is more of a social alpha than a warrior alpha. And that is exactly why I know a seat is what he desires, unlike his predecessors.

“Anyone who helps me and supports me will gain a seat, proving their strength and right to one.”

Alpha Michael smirks, leaning back in his chair. “And who will support you, young king?” he mocks. “So far, from what I hear, you have nothing but a tiny group of loyalists behind you, barely enough to take on even the smallest of the alphas on that council. And it’s the council that should be your biggest concern.”

“It was Alpha Xavier who took—”

“It doesn’t matter what he did. A mad alpha is already a dead alpha,” he states, proving his intelligence with just a few words. “No, it’s the corrupt alphas sitting on that council who are your greatest concern. Do you really think that just because you slay the mad king, they will willingly step down?”

I remain quiet, falling back into my seat, I contemplate his words.

“You’ve already spent three years fighting. And where has it gotten you? Except your group growing smaller and scars on your body to remind you of your defeats?”

I look away, suddenly feeling small because his words strike deep. However, I don’t cower for long. Meeting his eyes again, I see surprise flicker in them.

“That’s why I need more allies. That’s why I need alphas like you on my side,” I say. “Help me reclaim my throne, my home, and I will have more warriors under my command, a pack again. The council will have a reason to be afraid then, because I will come for them all afterward.”

This time, Alpha Michael leans forward, folding his hands as he contemplates my words.

“You’re young,” he remarks, more an observation than mockery now.

“I grew up the day I lost my home,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “You’re seventeen, and this war could continue for many more years. Are you prepared for that? Are you prepared to give up your youth, your childhood, for it?”

I tighten my hands into fists. “What childhood?” I say between gritted teeth. “He took it all away.”

“You could leave. Go far away. You’re no threat to them anymore. Change your name, change everything. Become someone new.”

“It won’t bring back what is already lost.”

“No. But war has a price, Alpha Valerio. Are you willing to pay it?”

“Are you?” I shoot back.

A smile reaches his lips again, but I already know how this meeting will end. Taking a moment to study me once more, Alpha Michael begins to nod. Thinking he will aid me, I start to relax, only for him to speak.

“I want more than just a seat, though, if I am to join your cause.”

I stare at him. Unsure what else there is to offer, I ask, “What is it you want?”

My fingers drummed on the steering wheel as I drove. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to what was about to unfold, but a promise was a promise, and I intended to honor it.

“Feeling nervous?” Garrett grinned as he glanced at me. His cheeky smile was framed by deep dimples, giving him a boyish look. I knew people often misjudged him because of it.

“Why would I be nervous?” I replied, keeping my eyes on the road.

Garrett chuckled softly, clearly finding the situation amusing.

“Well, getting mated isn’t exactly a small thing.”

I shook my head. “And what do you know about that?” I snapped, a bit more irritated than I had intended.

Garrett shrugged, avoiding the question. But I knew deep down he was a romantic, sometimes letting that part of him guide him.

“It’s just business,” I muttered under my breath.

“Maybe. Or maybe she really is your mate,” Garrett remarked, staring out the window.

“I’ve met Selene before. She’s not.”

Garrett fell silent, seeming almost disappointed, though I wasn’t sure why. A true mate meant having a weakness, something I couldn’t afford.

“Perhaps she will still be a good mate to you, loyal.”

I sighed, annoyance spreading through me.

“It’s not me the females find hard to stay loyal to,” I murmured, only then realizing how foolish it was of me to say that.

Glancing at my friend, I saw he had turned his whole face away, a clear barrier between us.

F*ck, I thought, but I didn’t have the patience that evening to try to soften my words. Instead, we remained silent for the rest of the ride.

It soon became obvious when we crossed into Alpha Michael’s territory. The strong scent marking the borders of another pack was almost overwhelming. It served as a clear warning to rogues and unwelcome visitors to stay away. The road was dark as we approached the pack house, but the lights from the mansion shone brightly in the distance. The closer we got, the brighter they became, until we finally arrived in front of the imposing structure.

I parked the car, spotting Alpha Michael, his daughter, and a few of his warriors waiting outside. He looked pleased as I stepped out. Garrett joined me as he exited the vehicle, while two more cars parked behind us. Five men stepped out. Damian had driven the car directly behind mine and walked over, followed by the rest of my most trusted warriors.

Well, I trusted almost all of them, except one.

“Alpha Valerio!” Alpha Michael called out cheerfully as I approached the mansion.

He descended the stairs to greet me, a sign of respect, especially considering we were on his territory. I nodded in acknowledgment and shook his hand. As I glanced up the stairs, I caught a glimpse of a pair of blue eyes watching me. The moment our gazes met, Selene quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with color. I felt a small smile tug at my lips.

She’ll be easy to control, I thought.

“It’s good to have you here,” Alpha Michael commented as he began ascending the stairs.

I had just taken a step to follow when a scent hit me out of nowhere, stopping me in my tracks. My heart raced, and my temperature shot up, making my palms sweat. My wolf stirred inside me—restless, agitated. Something was off, but I couldn’t quite place it.

I glanced over my shoulder, noticing that my men seemed unaffected, confusion showing on their faces as they stared back at me.

“Alpha?” Garrett inquired, but I ignored him.

I pushed past them, moving away. The scent struck me again, sending my wolf into a frenzy.

What the hell is going on?

I turned in a slow circle, scanning my men once more. They still appeared unaffected.

How can they not smell the intoxicating fragrance of a warm summer night? It is f*cking fall.

Yet there I was, enveloped in this heavenly scent while they remained clueless.

Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed past, and before I could register what was happening, I had turned at lightning speed, grasping something small and delicate in my hand. A rapid pulse thudded beneath my fingers, and the skin beneath them was softer than anything I had ever felt.

Is this where the scent is coming from? I wondered.

As I looked down at the slender yet surprisingly strong figure I held by the throat, I was met with a pair of silver eyes blazing with fury. Fury like I had never seen before. But the intensity of her anger only made something inside me stir. For a moment, it felt as though my heart had stopped and the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us.

One word echoed louder than anything else in my mind:

Mate!