Chapter 2: Power and Payback

Chapter 2: Power and Payback 

MICAH's POV

“You're late Micah. I thought we'd all agreed to make it here before midnight.”

“You of all people know how important today is. If we don't get an opening tonight, he'll elude us once more.”

“And why did you bring ‘her’ with you” yet another thinks it smart to question me. “When push comes to shove, you of all people know how strong she is. What if she sides with the Lycan King and—”

“Are you scared, Roman?” I cut in, and the Alpha of the White Water Pack momentarily hesitates. 

“Scared?”

“Alex is my fiancée. Isn’t that your wife gossiping with the twins over at the bar?” I gesture, toying with his temper. 

“We both know that's a different case.”

“Why?” I tilt my head, pulling a glass of wine offered by the Omega beside us. “Why can you bring Helen and I can't bring Alex?”

“Because—”

“I wasn't talking to you Jacob” I glance at the Alpha of the BlackWood Pack… the one who signalled me from Alex and started this conversation in the first place. “I think you three must’ve misunderstood me when you asked for my input at our last meeting. This is not a team, and I do not consider any of you equals.”

“Harsh” Benny, Alpha of the SlaughterHounds mutters with a smile. 

“Oh, and as far as your plan to go after the Lycan King goes, be my guest. You said I should take some time to think about it right?” I down the glass of wine in a single gulp. “Well I'm telling you now exactly what I told you three days ago: I couldn't care less.”

For the longest time, I've considered every Alpha in Skyridge nothing more than bleating sheep. Like hell I'd join forces with a single one of them.

“You're gonna regret this, Micah.”

“Is that a threat?” I turn to Jacob, but before he can reply, someone interrupts. 

“Alpha Micah!”

The unfamiliar voice trickles in from behind, and we all turn to glance. 

She… doesn't look familiar, but in a single glance, her flowing red gown with a slit high enough to raise eyebrows gives her motive away. 

“It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Is this supposed to be some sort of plan b to convince me?” I mutter to the Alphas behind me, but all three of them look equally confused. 

“I'm Adriana. Adriana Heart. We finally meet. I've been looking forward to it.”

“Heart?” I stare at her outstretched arm inviting me for a handshake but ignore it. “You're—”

“Alex's sister. I doubt she's mentioned me before, but that's fine” she retracts. “Could we maybe speak in private?”

I eye her top to bottom. Nothing stands out…

…nothing but the eerie darkness peeking through her dark brown iris.

“Not interested.”

Right before I can brush past her, she speaks up again.

“It’s about my sister” her words root me to the spot. “I think you'll want to hear what I have to say.”

I glance back, not because of her, but because I pick up the change of scent from the Alphas. Their questioning stares confirm it.

Slimy roaches. I'm pretty sure they'd drool at the first opportunity to get some leverage over Alex.

“You can always—”

“Make it quick” I cut in before Roman can gesture her closer, and she replies with a smile… a smile that reeks of secrecy.  

“Come with me please.”

She leads me upstairs, past chattering guests and a certain figure that seems to give her the eyes, but I pay it no attention. 

“I don't plan on trailing the entire mansion because of you. Here will do.”

I stop right across from the hallway, just opposite the shaded path leading to the second floor. 

“Unfortunately, this isn't where I want us to—”

“Here. Will do.”

She turns back to me, shielding her discomfort with a smile that soon fades. 

“In that case, it's better I go straight to the point. I want you to reject Alex as your mate.”

She says it with so much confidence, I'm almost stunned silent. 

“Is this what you led me up here for?”

Taking a step towards me, she cuts the distance between us to a couple centimeters. “I know what you two share isn't love. You can fool everyone in the clan but you can't fool m—”

“God, you’re actually being serious right now” I take a step forward, towering over her before whispering into her ear. “You know, now that I think about it, your dark eyes would stand out with your head on a stake” 

Not caring much for a reply, I help her adjust the thin hands of her gown. 

“Whether or not you’re her sister is none of my business. You waste my time with this again, and I promise… I won't think twice before—”

“Alex isn't the true Luna of the Blood Moon Pack, I am!” She answers with authority, this time, actually managing to stun me silent. “I'm the first daughter of my father, and the true heir to the throne. Alex, is my half-sister.” 

Heh?

Now within kissing distance, she brims in confidence. “If you marry her, you can kiss your chances of becoming an Alpha by rite, goodbye. The only way you can truly assume that position… is through me.”

For the first time in quite a while, I don't know what to say.

“Make me your fiancée instead of Alex. Reject her in front of everyone tonight, and I'll expose the truth behind everything. That includes the stupid mask she's used to hypnotise all of you.”

I stare at her for a while, then lean back a bit. 

“What if I say no… and kill you right here before you can do anything about Alex? What then?” I smile, but the emotion dissapears the moment the darkness in her eyes return.

“You want power, and I want payback. We both know you won't say no.”