Bitter Memories

SILVER MOON PACK

ALPHA LUCAS

"Alpha Lucas, Alpha Mateo is here," my personal guard informed me, causing me to straighten up abruptly at the mention of his name.

To others, the name Alpha Mateo signified chaos, but to me, it dredged up bitter memories. Memories of a time when our packs had been closer.

Those days were long gone, buried under layers of betrayal and tragedy.

"Let him come in," I instructed, maintaining a calm facade. I had only a few council members present, but their presence was sufficient. The room, though sparsely populated, felt heavy with the weight of what was to come.

I knew Mateo hadn't come to declare war on my pack. If that were his intent, he wouldn't have approached so calmly. I understood him better than that. War was waged with armies, not words. And yet, the tension in the air suggested that our confrontation would be no less brutal.

The clicking of boots approached, and when Mateo entered, a chill seemed to settle over the room. His presence was a reminder of all that had gone wrong between us, of the trust that had been shattered.

"Alpha Lucas, it's been quite some time for our neighboring clans," he remarked, settling into a chair with the casual arrogance that only he could muster. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of my council members, and then settled on me with a look that sent a shiver down my spine.

My eyes never left him; I couldn't afford to let my guard down around Mateo. Not now, not ever. He was a man who thrived on the weakness of others, and I had no intention of giving him any advantage.

"It's surprising to see you in my clan unannounced, still the same as ever," I replied, aiming a verbal jab I knew would hit a nerve. Our history was littered with such exchanges, each one a small battle in a larger war.

He squinted, a dark smirk playing on his lips. "You haven't changed either. Always spinning words and pursuing women who were never yours," he retorted coldly. I felt my fangs grind together, but I restrained myself from attacking. His words cut deep, reopening old wounds that had never truly healed.

"Why are you here? We have no ongoing trades or common events," I asked, keeping my voice steady. The council members shifted uncomfortably, sensing the undercurrent of hostility that ran between us.

"It seems you're eager to escape from here, Lucas Hendroff," he taunted. His use of my full name was a deliberate provocation, a reminder of our shared past and the enmity that now defined our relationship.

I took a deep breath, restraining my temper. "No, is there a reason I should be concerned about your presence?" I asked, my patience wearing thin. Every second spent in his company was a test of my self-control.

"That's enough, Alpha Lucas. Allow us to speak privately," Mateo declared, his tone brooking no argument. His demand was as much a challenge as it was a request, a test of my willingness to engage on his terms.

I glanced at my council members, noting their silent signals of caution. They were right to be wary; Mateo was a dangerous man, and any private conversation with him was fraught with peril.

Mateo's presence visibly irked me, but a part of me also relished his predictable reaction. He was always so sure of himself, so certain of his own superiority. It was a flaw I intended to exploit.

"If we're to discuss our pasts and their impact on your clan, it's best done without an audience," he growled, his determination evident. His eyes burned with a fire that spoke of old grudges and unresolved conflicts.

Stubborn as I was, I knew certain aspects of my past must remain concealed at all costs. "Leave," I commanded my council members firmly, cutting off any objections. They filed out hesitantly, leaving Mateo and me alone in the council hall.

"You owe me a debt, Alpha Lucas," Mateo stated bluntly. His words hung in the air like a dark cloud, threatening to unleash a storm.

Resting my chin on my knuckles, I struggled to comprehend his words. "What nonsense are you talking about? Get to the point. I don't have time for meaningless discussions," I snapped. The longer he drew this out, the more it felt like a game—one in which I refused to be a pawn.

"The debt I speak of is the legacy you owe me, Alpha Lucas." His tone was calm, almost conversational, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

"Now isn't the time, Mateo. The heir to lead my clan isn't prepared." I spoke with a confidence I didn't entirely feel. The future of my pack was a sensitive subject, one that I guarded fiercely.

"The heir you struggle to accept, despite all Pamela did for you? Do you want me to reveal the truth to your people, exposing the Alpha they admire for who he truly is? You've forgotten yourself too quickly!" he threatened. His words were a knife twisted in an old wound, a reminder of the secrets I fought to keep buried.

My teeth clenched in frustration. "What do you want?" I growled. Every instinct told me that Mateo's demands would come at a high price.

"A mate. What rightfully belongs to me. Jane," Mateo declared firmly, unwavering in his demand. His eyes bored into mine, daring me to challenge his claim.

"You bastard!" I snarled in anger, my claws instinctively slashing across his chest, leaving deep scars. It wasn't the mark I intended to leave—a reminder of how Pamela would forever reside in our hearts.

"Pamela's memory will haunt me forever!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall. Her death had left a void that nothing could fill, and Mateo's words only deepened that ache.

Mateo smirked cruelly. "Don't pretend to cherish her now. You see your own failures mirrored in her. I already know that," he taunted. His words were designed to wound, to provoke a reaction that would give him the upper hand.

"You can't do this," I protested, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation.

"Alpha Lucas, I can and will. Challenge me, and discover how far I'm willing to go." His threat was clear, his resolve unshakable. He was a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

"She loves another. You'll rob her of her life!" I argued desperately.

"Not necessarily. I seek an heir. If she bears me one to inherit my clan, she'll regain her freedom." His words were cold, calculating. He viewed Jane as a means to an end, a tool to secure his legacy.

"You propose solutions that lead to dire consequences. What's the catch?" I demanded. Mateo's plans were never straightforward; there was always a hidden agenda, a price to be paid.

"If she fails to produce an heir, I'll publicly execute her." His words were like a death sentence, a grim reminder of the stakes involved.

"Pamela would never forgive you for this," I stated firmly. Her memory was a beacon of what was right and just, a standard I strived to uphold.

"Only if she fails to provide me with an heir. Otherwise, I'll seek Pamela's forgiveness," Mateo replied coolly. His detachment was infuriating, his willingness to gamble with lives unconscionable.

"This absolves all debts. You've taken enough," I muttered bitterly. Every word felt like a concession, a step closer to losing everything I had fought to protect.

"That's your perspective. The mating ceremony will take place next week, here at your clan. I await my mate and heir," Mateo declared firmly before turning to leave with Liam. I longed to sink my fangs into his neck, to end this nightmare once and for all.

"Don't play games, Alpha Lucas. We're past that," he added, departing without hesitation. His words were a final taunt, a reminder that he held the upper hand.

"Guards! Bring Jane here now!" I barked urgently. Time was running out, and I needed to prepare her for the harsh reality that awaited.

The guards scurried to obey, their footsteps echoing down the hall.