Chapter 4

ALPHA DARIO

The inner dining area where Alpha Xavier and his entourage, which consist of mainly females, were housed had a different energy. I sat down and took it all in before summing up the energy to engage him.

"I am certain that you are aware that the Zuzkies are attacking my pack at the borderlands."

"Yes I'm aware, I liked the fact that you've not allowed the war to come home." Alpha Xavier smiled mischievously, which made his statement a bit of a backhanded compliment.

"What you probably don't know is that the Zuzkies are almost decimating my pack, the last line of defense won't hold for long anymore. When their main fighters failed to break through our defenses, they pulled back, packed up their camp and left in the middle of the night. For ten days nothing happened but then we started seeing females traveling and offering to rest for a few days. We couldn't suspect a thing, in twos and threes they came and before long they started having intercourse with the males. Little did we know that they were fierce fighters, and when their numbers had grown they attacked that camp from within and we had to retreat. I am certain that they will break through our defenses sooner than I expected." It was better that I painted the real state of things to him so he'd know what he's up against.

"You paint a rather dire situation, why host the Belleteyn festival and jousting tournament, if there's war on the horizon?" A very beautiful female seated next to him asked.

He turned sharply, I guess he was not expecting her to interfere. "Because, fear when weaponized can do the greatest harm. He wanted to get their minds off the rumors of war." Xavier said thoughtfully, not waiting for me to answer. "It's the same thing I'd do."

"I'm glad you see my reasoning, but that's not why I'm here, or why I invited you to the Belleteyn festival in the first place." Alpha Xavier had a reputation in battle and was the leader of Wolfshade, who had the best fighters in the universe.

He smiled, "Well, pray tell, Alpha Dario."

"I need your help." I cut in almost immediately, "hear me out." I gestured for him to hold on.

"You have my attention." He relaxed his back and adjusted his sitting position.

"I need you, I need your men, I need your fighters, and in return, I'm willing to offer half of my pack’s wealth and half of my yearly tributes as payment for your help." I had the feeling I sounded desperate but Alpha Xavier was my meal ticket. If he refuses to help me, I'd have to kill everyone in Thornridge rather than allow the Zuzkies to kill us.

He gave a sign and Marita brought some wine and served us. "Dario," his voice was steady but I saw his grip on the goblet tightening, "I understand the danger that threatens your pack and your kingdom. But merely offering your pack's wealth and tributes is not enough." What was he talking about, I have given him virtually all of Thornridge.

My expression was a mixture of frustration and desperation. "Xavier, it's a substantial offer. We can't give more. What I've offered would leave us vulnerable already."

He leaned forward, his gaze locked with mine. "You know that my assistance comes at a price. I'm willing to help you protect your pack, but I need more."

I hesitated a while, then let out a heavy sigh. "What do you want, Xavier?"

"I want it all," He declared, his voice strong and dominant, his intentions unwavering. "All of your pack's wealth, your yearly tributes, and the hand of your daughter, Isabel, as my mate." Alpha Xavier declared in a tone that suggested he was serious.

A heavy silence hung in the air as his proposal settled in. There was a pause in my entire system, the conflict between my love for my daughter and the responsibility of protecting my people. I was caught between giving in or facing the humiliation and shame that would come if the Zuzkies prevailed over us.

"Xavier, Isabel is my only child," My voice was filled with anguish. "I love her dearly, but I can't ignore the needs of the pack. Please, reconsider. There must be another way." I waited for him to say something but presumed he was going to insist on having his way. "You know, her mother, my wife had a dying wish, which she had me swear to her. None of it included marrying Isabel off at this stage in her life."

He smiled and shook his head, unwilling to compromise. "There is no other way, Dario. If you want my help, those are my terms. I'm sorry if you feel it's too one sided, but you should know how I am by now." He said with a note of finality.

"This is ridiculous, even for you Xavier." There was pain in my voice. I wished I had another option, I wish I had other friends who can come to my rescue. Alpha Emrys has a nonalignment policy, he'd most likely refer me back to Alpha Xavier.

"Well, I want what I want." He said with a smirk on his face. He was mocking me and willing me to do my worst. How could I let Isabel be mated to Alpha Xavier, a male she probably just met.

"How can you demand this of me, knowing she's all I've got. I thought we were allies?" The hurt in my voice was palpable.

"I'm sorry Dario, but those are my terms." He repeated, unwavering and resolute.

I took a deep breath, deep in thought and drank more wine. I needed to find a way to get a commitment out of him that won't require Isabel getting married to him. "How about I give you all my pack’s wealth, my best estates, the deeds of Thornridgen investments in other kingdoms and all my yearly tribute, and in return, you hand off my daughter."

I hoped he'd have compassion on me, Isabel was the only family I've got and her mother would never forgive me even in her grave if I gave her up. "That is a nice offer Dario, and I am almost tempted to accept it. You have the best estates and produce in this part of the country."

I heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you Xavier." I muttered softly.

"I'm afraid you misunderstand me, I said I'm almost tempted." He raised his glass to me. I had never felt so powerless and humiliated, yet here he was, rubbing it in.

"Xavier, don't be like this. For the sake of our bond and fellowship. I implore you to reconsider." I pleaded.

"Dario, please, don't think I'm a bad person, but these are my terms." He kept looking at me and soon I felt perspiration soaking my tunic, the cold room suddenly became too hot.

I took more wine, I wanted to try every negotiation skill I've learned through the years that has worked very well for me. I'm usually an excellent negotiator but I knew I had failed even before I stepped foot into Alpha Xavier's room, simply because I was desperate and had made the mistake of making my desperation show. "Xavier, I've fought beside you countless times. We've both saved each other's life more than we can both remember. I don't want-"

He quickly cut in while I was still speaking. "Let me stop you right there. We have been allied for quite some time, but here is the truth." He paused to collect his thoughts. "I have an alliance with the Zuzkies, just as I have with you. So, you can understand that getting involved in any way will automatically-"

I interjected immediately, "it will mean that you have cast your lots with us and have declared them your enemies too."

"Exactly," he said with a bit of excitement but I had doubts that it was genuine excitement. "You can see why my hands are tied. I can't in good conscience take away all your pack's wealth, that would be wickedness, except I expect you all to starve to death." He paused and looked into his wine. "I'm not a monster, and I definitely don't want to incur the wrath of the moon goddess. So, I'm going to take a third of both your pack's wealth and your yearly tributes, and Isabel. You can keep all the rest."

"And Isabel will be safe and well taken care of." Marita, his favorite maid added.

"Well," There was sadness in my voice. "I need more than your words that Isabel will be safe." This was the first time I was getting in bed with Alpha Xavier, I needed all the assurances that I could get.

"Dario, take a look around you." He pointed me to the direction of his girls. "They are all well taken care of, but none of them is my mate. I want Isabel as my mate, that should at the very least, tell you how much I will take care of her."

I smiled for the first time, "You are good with words, and a skilled negotiator, but I'm not easily swayed. However, you've left me with no choice."

He shook his head. "No Dario, we always have a choice. You choosing to accept my terms is a choice."

"Very well, you'll have Isabel as your mate."

"Alpha Dario, please come." Sara tapped me and I came back to reality. I had been flashing back to how I arrived at this day, it was a tough choice, a hard choice, a difficult one. One that had to be made even though I felt it should never have been made deep down.

"What is it Sara?" I demanded in a very dominant voice.

"Isabel, she's missing." She whispered and ran away. My heart skipped a bit the moment the words left her mouth.

I caught myself and quickly followed in her wake to the adjoining room where I had last seen her. "What sort of embarrassment is this?" Alpha Xavier demanded, his voice strong and dominant. The anger and disappointments etched on his face was obvious for anyone to see and I immediately started calculating the implications of Isabella missing.

"What happened here?" I turned to Sara, her closest friend. I had never expected Isabel to run away, she always kept her duty to her pack and to me regardless of the cost. Why would she run away now of all times, when her pack and the entire kingdom needed her most.

"I don't know Alpha Dario, we were talking and then I stepped out to get something, but she was gone when I came back." She explained with a shaky voice and I could see further implications of her disappearance on my pack playing before my eyes.

"Xavier, the marriage must go on," I turned swiftly to him. "You have to honor your words."

"You have to hold up your own end of the deal first, for me to keep my words." He piqued back. "I'm afraid all of this might have been a waste of time. I'll ride back immediately to Wolfshade."

"No!" I said almost immediately, trying to think on my feet. He was right, Isabel was the key to my pack staying alive and defeating the Zuzkies. "Sara, fetch me the mating prelate."

I turned to Xavier, looking at him pleadingly. "I know I have no right to make this demand of you, yet I'll make it. The ceremony will be done and she will be declared your wife even though she's not present here." The mating prelate arrived and was listening to my instructions.

"You find her, by whatever means you wish to employ, but you find her and honor your words when the time comes." Suddenly, there was an air of agitation in the atmosphere, everyone seemed to be on edge as the necessary rites were performed.

Xavier walked slowly outside, after the ceremony was done and ordered all his men to mount. "Fellas, my new wife has gone missing. All of you have been with me for longer than I can recall and are the best trackers." He collected a piece of clothing from me and handed it to them. "Here, take in her scent and follow her anywhere under the sun. Cedric and Astrid, ride north. Alaric and Renata, ride east. Valerian and Thalia, you ride west. I'll go south and head back to Wolfshade." He mounted and turned his horse to look at them. "You find her, and return her to me unharmed. You bring me the head whoever has harmed her if she's harmed. If she has a scratch on her body, you bloody well have an explanation." He nodded to me in acknowledgement and I returned his nod. "We ride!!!”