Decisions: Despair

The envoy from the Sunlit pack arrived a week later, the envoy consisted of seven men and five women with the Alpha included. The Alpha George was a tall huge chunk of a man with bluish black hair that brought attentions to his fiery eyes. He had an intimidating aura surrounding him that screamed for submission. The Alpha Lucien, his son Damien and a few emissaries were present to welcome them. Though of smaller built than George, Lucien was no less intimidating with his pale white skin, cold blue eyes and well-proportioned muscles.

“Lucien, I'm am so glad you could grant us audience.” George said with superficial courtesy.

“I'm glad you could make it. You all must be tired from your journey; my servants will show you to your rooms. Dinner will be served by eight, I will be honored if you could join me.” Lucien said, the picture of a perfect host. If not for the sinister glint in his eyes anyone would have thought he was truly happy to see them.

“Of course, Lucien.” George said then swept past him following the servants.

“What did you think, Damien.” Lucien said once the where they were long gone.

“He’s anxious, his demeanor doesn’t give away much but his eyes gave a little away. Whatever he wants from us, he’ll do anything to get it.” Damien said thoughtfully

“That sounds dangerous, if he is that desperate what if he decides its better to just attack us” Zain asked concerned

“But their envoy is too small to even consider attacking us.” Councilor Gavi said with a perpetual sneer on his face.

“They might not attack us now but they will if they go back without what they want. Their forces far exceed ours.” Zain replied

“Then we give them what they want but not without squeezing as much benefits as we can from it.” Damen said turning to face his father who nodded in approval.

“Tell the maid to prepare the feast for our guest and make sure they are comfortable.” Lucien said to his assistant.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Zain position soldiers to guard our visitors without encroaching.”

“Yes, Alpha” Zain replied before leaving.

The feast was a tense affair as most of the council’s mind was on the possible reason for the visit. The Alpha Lucien engaged in light chatter with Alpha George, trying unsuccessfully to pry useful information. By the end of the meal, the tension was sky high.

“Now, that we are done feasting might we proceed to the meeting room or would you like to push the negotiations till tomorrow?”

“As much as I am eager to discuss the purpose of this visit, I and my envoy are weary from travel.” George said, his weary expression a tad exaggerated

“Of course, I understand. I will let you all retire for the night.” Lucien said with a strained smile.

“Thank you for the wonderful reception. You are but a marvelous host.” George said before standing to leave, his envoy right behind him.

“The bastards are letting us cook in worry and curiosity.” Gavi said annoyed

“It is naught but a scheme, one would think we were the ones in want of a favour.”

“There is no need to fret, come the morrow we shall know of their plans.”

The next day, after breakfast the envoy from the Sunlit pack finally moved to the meeting room to discuss the reason for their meeting.

“I will go straight to the point, I want your third son, Prince Keitha, to be betrothed to my daughter, Princess Aaliyah.”

The meeting room went silent as everyone absorbed the information. George could tell that none of them expected that to be the reason at all. But he couldn’t care less as long as his daughter’s curse was lifted. For seventeen years Amal had been searching for a wolf touched by the sun and for seven years his hope had been fading, so imagine his surprise when he found out the last son of their rival packs’ alpha was sun kissed. Fate had a way of playing tricks on them. Amal had found out accidentally when he had seen the boy on a return trip from another ally pack. The boy and his family had been on their way back to their pack. George had rushed here on receiving the news.

“I do not understand the sudden interest in my son, Alpha George, that will require you to come all the way.” Lucien replied, his voice even

“Where did you even see the boy” Gavi said underneath his breath.

Lucien shot him a warning look which promptly shut him up.

“If you would care to explain what you mean, that would be most welcome.” Damien said in a diplomatic tone.

“My daughter, Princess Aaliyah is sick. She was born with only half her soul and only by mating with her soulmate before her eighteenth moon might she be well. My seer, Amal saw your boy on his return trip from visiting his family when he ran into your son and discovered he was my daughter’s soulmate.” George said.

The story was one he cooked up with his advisor on his way here, Grey moon pack were in too much of a disadvantage not to use the truth against them, even this half truth was already making them too exposed for his comfort. Though even if this was their ally pack, he would never expose his daughter like that, the truth will only put her at risk. He waited for them to respond.

“So, you are suggesting our packs be united through marriage?” Lucien asked tentatively.

“I knew it, this is their true purpose. They want to take over our pack by cooking up some cock and bull story of an alliance.” Gavi said, his tone accusing.

“Councilor Gavi, this is your last warning. Speak out of turn again and you will face the consequences.” Lucien spoke, his voice enraged.

“Pardon my councilor, he speaks with love for his pack and home.”

“Tis okay, I understand.”

“I do not wish to unite our packs, but simply wish to form an alliance, seeing if all goes well, we shall share a bond through our children.”

“So, what do we stand to gain from this alliance?” Lucien asked.

George gestured to his assistant who handed him a file, which he in turn handed to Lucien.

“Once our packs are allied, you shall have access to the resources at the mauri mountains near our borders, trade channels between our packs shall be established, and we will start a six-month healing training program to help train your healers as I have heard you are in dire need of.” George explained as Lucien reviewed the files before handing it to his son.

“That is a lot of benefits for just a marriage alliance.” Damien said, he cast a suspicious glance at the files as he read through it again looking for pitfalls.

“Of course, a marriage alliance isn’t all we want from this. As this is a mutually beneficial contract, we will also be getting some benefits in reward as is stated in the contract.”

“It states there that we will provide the Sunlit pack with wolfsbane harvest thrice a year, and a bride or groom of noble blood to marry into nobility every year and we shall provide your people access into our lands should they need it.” Damien read out for the benefit of the other councilors.

“That is outrageous, seeing as we are doing you guys a favour.” Gavi lashed out unable to help himself.

“Put a leash on your dogs, Lucien or I will leash them for you.” George said, his lips pulled back in a snarl.

Everywhere was tense at the obvious disrespect. George’s calm demeanour was nothing but a mirage, he had the advantage and was ready to flaunt it.

“Get out and await your punishment, Gavi.” Lucien said in a voice strained with barely kept anger.

“But… Alpha, you can’t…” Gavi was cut off with Damien's hand on his throat. He picked up and flung him at the door to the meeting room.

Gavi coughed and glared at Damien with watered eyes. He stood up, dust his clothes and left with as much dignity as he could muster.

“Looks like you need to handle your lapdogs with stricter training before they bare their teeth at the wrong person.” George said, his eyes flashing gold.

“Maybe you could show me a few things, seeing as your dogs are the picture of obedience.” Lucien bit back, his ice blue eyes glowing.

The room was filled with the thick pheromones of two dominant alpha’s clashing, the tension reached a whole new height as everyone shifted uncomfortably, plagued with the urge to shift or bare their necks in submission. The weaker of the lot fell to the floor twitching uncontrollably. For a short tense while none of the Alphas backed down as both were now but few moment from shifting