03. All wolves for themselves

Alpha Zayne Steele

Alpha Dartwood was in a bind and hoped and prayed to the Divine Moon Goddess that Alpha Steele could help him out of this bind, and he came prepared with a proposal.

Upon the door opening, Alpha Dartwood shot up and stood facing the door, eagerly looking on. Hoping it was the Alpha this time.

The longer he was in here, his nerves ate him alive. He was a proud man, and asking for help was not his strong suit. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

To his dismay, it was not the Alpha but a handsome young gentleman in his stead. And who might this young man be? He curiously eyed the young man.

Soon another young man came in behind him. OK, still not the Alpha. Where the hell was the Alpha, and who were these two handsome young devils?

His mind suddenly perks up with possibilities. Maybe his daughter won't have to marry the Alpha after all. Perhaps one of these was his son?

His eyes widened in wonder, but it did not matter to him in the end. Once he got what he wanted, he did not care who his daughter would have to marry.

                                         *******************************************************

Third Person POV.

"Good afternoon, Alpha Dartwood," Mekhi acknowledged and gave a quick nod, and Alpha Dartwood nodded swiftly.

Mekhi glanced at the wife, "Mrs. Dartwood," he nodded politely, and did the same with, "Young Dartwood."

Mekhi greeted everyone, as Zayne made his way to his chair behind his big black mahogany desk.

Soon Mekhi grabbed a seat away from Zayne to his right. He watches over the trio.

"Good Evening Alpha Dartwood. How can I be of assistance today?" Zayne casually asks one eyebrow, lifting in question.

Mr. Dartwood needed to be sure of whom he was speaking with. His head rares back, and he asks like someone had royally offended him, "I ask to speak with the Alpha of this pack, and they send me you?"

"I need to speak with Alpha Steele," Alpha Dartwood demanded, not that he was in any position to order things, but he was tired of Alphas treating him less than their equal.

"This is Alpha Zayne Steele, the Alpha of Ragnuff Crescent Moon Community. He took over from his father over three years ago. You will speak with respect!" Mekhi sets the record straight with a sweep of a hand, and his face is set in stone before even Zayne can utter a word.

The trio's eyes immediately snap to Zayne sitting comfortably laid back in his thick black leather chair.

One held surprise that immediately turned to satisfaction, even desire, another pair stared blankly as the wheels turned in their heads, and the other was just pleased.

Zayne's face, on the other hand, was set in a mask of indifference. The space between his eyebrows was formed in a distinctive frown as he casually glanced at the trio.

His eyes did linger a second longer on the youngest of the trio. However, he gave nothing away. His frown and indifference were set in concrete.

She was a beautiful blonde with long flowing hair and blue eyes, the cliche blonde type look that many strive to achieve, she has mastered.

Rose pink lips, a small button nose, and a diamond-shaped face.

His frown deepens after he looks back at Alpha Dartwood. However, Zayne's thoughts were still with the blonde-haired beauty as he wondered and settled on 'she must be one of those spoiled, fake types.'

And just like that, he dismissed her.

Focused now on Alpha Dartwood, he was not particularly interested in what he had to say. Zayne knew this Alpha, he was a scum, and Zayne had called Alpha Thornton selfish, but this f**ker right here won the prize fair and square.

He only looks out for himself, not even his pack, and an Alpha like that is the lowest of the lowest in Zayne's eyes.

"Oh, well, I see, I see," Alpha Dartwood's hand darts up, and he furiously dabs at his forehead."

"Pardon me, Alpha Zayne." He made a quick dip of his head as if bowing.

"Please forgive my insolence and allow me to introduce my lovely wife, Lenora, and my BEAUTIFUL daughter Leandra." Alpha Dartwood ends with a flourish.

Alpha Zayne simply nodded at the women and urged Alpha Dartwood, "state your business, I have other matters to attend to, and you did show up unannounced."

"Yes, straight to the point, I like that." Alpha Dartwood perks up to lay out his proposal.

Zayne simply lifts an eyebrow as Mekhi watches intently at what is happening before him. Taking in Alpha Dartwood's every move, nervous tick, even the beat of his heart.

Paying close attention, as was Zayne.

"Ok, so I am seeking protection for my family and me." He paused briefly and looked at Zayne.

Zayne simply flicks two fingers at him to continue.

"A few weeks ago, one of my warriors realized our phones had been tapped. We also have heard of the attacks on other wolf communities that have taken place. It was slow at first. However, it has ramped up drastically."

"Now," he looks pointedly at Zayne, at which Zayne tilts his chin. "I am inclined to believe that my community is on their radar, and it is only a matter of time before they attack. I am here today seeking refuge until the storms die down."

Alpha Zayne could not believe what he heard, even though he knew this man was selfish. Sometimes people tend to exaggerate a story and even add to it.

Hence, by the time the story gets around, it is either watered down or, for the most part, flourished and bedazzled to draw one in.

In this case, they hit the nail on the head. There was no exaggeration.

This Alpha was here for himself only until the attack happened in his community and was behind him. Then he plans to return, not getting caught in the crossfire.

He would be here safe while his people are left out to hang.

So what about his people now? Don't they need to be kept safe? How can he be so callus in his care for his own people?

"And what is in this for me?" Was all Zayne asked, so he could simply refuse and be done with this fool.

Alpha Dartwood claps his hands, "ahh, yes, what's in it for you? Well, Alpha Zayne, you would be pleased to know that I am prepared to offer you my daughter's hand in marriage."

"Not interested!" He looked Alpha Dartwood square in the eyes, who was currently beginning to regret his earlier joy at the fact that he was dealing with the younger Alpha and not his father.

Maybe his father would have jumped at the opportunity to wed a gorgeous young she-wolf like his daughter.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Alpha Zayne asks, ready to have them escorted out.

Alpha Dartwood was in a jam! He hastily asks, "Please, may I ask then what might entice you to let us stay for a few weeks tops?"

Ok, maybe Alpha Zayne could use this to his advantage. Alpha Dartwood did say that their phones were tapped, and if so, he wanted to trace where the tap was coming from.

For that Intel, they are welcome to stay one month.

However, he would also have to make arrangements for his pack members' safety. Not only him. We can certainly work out the logistics for that in the next few days.

Alpha Zayne had leaned back on his chair, tilted his chin up as he rubbed it, his elbow propped on the arm of the chair as he considered it.

Alpha Dartwood looks on eagerly, anticipating an answer. He was out of options, and to say he was hopeless was an understatement. All he was concerned about was his family.

Things were getting dire for the werewolf communities at this time, and he was not sorry he was selfish in only thinking of himself and his family because, pretty soon, there may not be any more werewolf communities left at this rate.

Why would he try to salvage that community and help his people when it was a lost cause? As far as he was concerned, it was all wolves for themselves.