Chapter 85
Diego’s POV
I crack my brows up as confusion brims me.
“Done?” I reinstate their words, wanting clarity. Marching down a few more steps. I come to a halt before them.
“What exactly is done if you’re alive and hearty?”
Gonzalo offers me a cruel, unrefined smirk.
The welcome test of war, Fridolf responds.
“Then? Where are their remains? Your spoils of war?” I ask, not believing them.
“Oh, their entourages and leader are outside, waiting to be welcomed into the park house,” Gonzalo says, a hint of irritation in his voice.
He moves from my space, putting distance between us.
“I must tell you, beta Diego. No matter what. Our decision as the councilmen stands. We don’t want association with the lycanwolves
With that, he leaves, followed by his cohorts. They leave of stench of blood in their wake.
I move closer and peek outside, there, I see the entourage they speak of, also drenched in blood
The scent coming from behind informs me of the gamma’s presence.
Without looking back, I order.
“Take the leader lycan to the guest room. Ensure they don’t move from their chambers.”
Then. I walk away.
Ashton’s POV
I expected that grand welcome of fangs and paws. Of blood and wounds.
I came prepared
You don’t go into your enemies territory without a shred of preparation
So, when they struck their angry paws at us, we responded by wedging the attack.
I’m not here to spark a war. No.
It won’t benefit my people whose concerns I came here for.
I’m here to strike a deal. Propose a trade–in grain with the Double Moon pack.
The first children of the moon goddess.
I’m surprised by the beauty without a touch of modernity I see here. Every facade of the buildings is baroque. Every piece of furniture is rustic yet screaming beauty.
The gardens? Almost well watered and glistening.
Their vines are nothing to write home about,
It’s ancient yet a true epitome of beauty and perfection. I give it to the Double Moon pack, they did a great job maintaining all this. Maintaining what defines them as the first children of the moon goddess.
After our caricature of war, the pack members find their way back into the streets.
Of course, they sill have the look of fear lurking in their eyes even as we have declared our peace meeting with their elders.
Several pups, mothers, and men, all return to their activities.
My goddess, I love this pack. Unique. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
As I, my elders, and three of my enforcers stand before the grand pack house, I peek a little inside and see those elders who came to wage war with us talking to a man
My guess is that the man is their beta
The one I came here to see.
“This is a bad plan from the beginning. I knew it.” Mr. Bashar says.
Ugh! This man again?
Why can’t he drop this argument!
I mean, he has been ranting all the way here.
I’m sick and tired of it.
“I know right!” Another elder seconds Bashar’s words.
Squeezing my hands into fists, I mutter through clenched teeth. “Bashar. Dolf. Silencel
They both seal their lips and we watch on.
Inside. I see those elders move.
I turn to one of my enforcers, saying something to him. Before I turn back, I see a man moving back and I guess it’s the beta.
I miss seeing his face again, ugh!
Afterward, someone comes outside.
“Welcome to Double Moon pack. I’m the gamma.” The man introduces himself.
“I was asked by the beta to show the lycan leader to a guest
4 госп 1. And the rest, to the inn.”
Stepping forward, I gesture for the gamma to lead the way…
Some enforcers from this pack come forward and lead my people to the inn
We saunter through the grand staircase and hallway. There are several paintings on the walls, looking beautiful and strong.
The atmosphere of cool, just how I like it.
We arrive before a single door and the gamma flutter it open, marching inside.
I follow him in tow.
In shock, my eyes move around the big room that has a little touch of Egyptian interior setting. The king–sized bed has
Egyptian cotton bedding.
The chandelier is ancient and beautiful.
The window is wide and allows in air.
The gamma searches the room before turning back to me.
“My work here is done. You have to wait for the beta.” His suspicious gaze holds mine before I shrug.
“Cool Thanks, gamma.” I murmtir.
With a warning glare, he makes his way outside.
The soft scent in the room wafts into my nose, making me sigh.
At last, we’re here.
I just hope it turns out great.
I strut to the window and peer outside a hit. As in about to walk back to the bed, my hand hit a picture frame, knocking it out of the Persian cabinet it was resting on.
My brows scrunch as 1 bend, picking up the picture.
Slowly. I whip it around and my eyes land on the list of women with unique brown hair and hazel eyes.
I read through their names and figure they’re the pack’s enchanters from ancient times.
However, the last of them makes my eyes widen.
It’s ber.
“The woman who gave up her life to save mine.”
My fingers run over her frame.
“Vixenda’s mother. The girl under my care at the rehab…” I hum to myself.
How that woman gave her life for me and her daughter still shocks me.
Also, the fact that she pleaded with me to find her missing daughter is another shock.
I think that the missing daughter of hers is the one qualified to be the enchanter.
Where could she be?
Suddenly, the door flutters open and I quickly drop the picture back on the cabinet. Then, I face the door as the person
walks in.
Islip my hands in my pocket, waiting for him to show his face and when he does, the breath snaps out of me.
It can’t be….
Standing before me is the man I saw kissing my mate sometime ago.
The man dining with her at Hell’s Kitchen.
Her boyfriend and fiancef
“You?”
The both of us chorus at once, squaring our shoulders.
For the first time, I agree with Bashar. This meeting is a bad one.
I can’t believe I’m standing before my biggest rival in Josie’s life.
My very own mate.
“Wonderfui. The waiter? He mocks.
“Watch your words, wolf,” I growl. I hate the way he addressed me.
“Oh? Isn’t that what you’re?” He taunts, chuckling.
“I repeat. Mind your words”
“You know. I really do not know much about you” He begins, shoving his hands behind his back. “But I at least know you’re my woman’s ex–mate. The one that rejected her…”
In three strides, I close the distance between us and bite out in his face.
Josie Ward is mine. My mate. My woman. You know nothing about our long history
He isks. That’s where you got it wrong.” He smirks. “You know Josie Ward, the pathetic girl you rejected. I know Rose the woman who wouldn’t fall back in love with a man who rejected her no matter what.
His words are like knives slicing through my gut and heart. Hell, it’s hard to talk.
“You know nothing I snarl, my chest puffing. I advise you not to waste your time on her. Leave her. Because no matter what, the bond we share is still there. Very much alive..”
His face shrinks, letting me know my words reached his bones
“Never on earth will I do that. You lost the opportunity. I take the opportunity.”
We stand off, staring and snarling at each other.
After a while, we stand back.
“We’ll see how that goes.” I wink at him.
“Sure. And about your interest in trading grains with us. I’m afraid the council of the Double Moon pack refuses any association with the lycaneolves. It won’t be possible.”
My fists ball as he talks and I feel another round of anger. I do my best to cover it up.
“Not bad, I guess. I can still trade with other packs interested, I let out, my teeth grit, “Goodbye, beta.”
At that, I storm out of the room and the pack house.
I sniff my members and find them outside their inn.
Seeing me, they rush to my side and ask.
“Did it work, alpha? Did they accept to trade grains with us?”
“No. It’s a dead end, I announce and they all swear sand gasp.
“I knew it. Those bloody tricksters!” Bashar howls. “Ordinary wolves have dared us. I hope to the moon goddess they’ll not cross our part. If they do, I’ll take instant action.”
I know what he means. Any ordinary wolf that’ll commit a crime against lycans will be killed swiftly.
