Payment

Chapter 3 - Payment

Zane

I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to follow throught with a contract my parents had made years before they died before I killed them. or at least everyone though I did., I never told them any different.

I had spent months trying to find a way out of this contract but Hayden, my Beta, my father's Beta. He insisted that there was no other way.

To marry into the Silvermoon pack still gave me the territory to use. It also gave me the allegiances I needed if a war between neighbouring packs broke out.

So I reluctantly agreed to come out tonight. Accept the invitation Carter Silver extended to me so I could get this over with.

Sophia, the woman who should be a Luna of the Redmoon pack, attended with me. If I could have claimed her as my own, I would have. But the contract forbade it and thought I was one to throw caution to the wind. My beta begged me to consider otherwise.

My wolf, Clay and I agreed that just because we had to marry some she-wolf and make her the Luna of the Redmoon pack didn't mean we had to accept her.

I would only fuck her when it was time to make an heir, and that was it. It was what my father did with my mother. And what his father did before him.

Power was everything, and we didn't have time for mates and love. That was for fairytales and the dreamers, not the realists in this cutthroat world. Once you reached the top of the food chain, everyone would try and take you down.

Stay alert and three steps ahead, and you stay at the top laughing at all the fuckers who try their best to catch you.

"I'm so glad you agreed to meet, Zane," Carter's attempt at sounding pleased to see me snapped me out of my thoughts. His eyes moved from me to Sophia, his eyes trailing down her body. The black dresses she chose for this evening hugged her curves, and the slits on the front and back of the dresses left little to the imagination. A perfect distraction for all the males here. Especially for the males like Alpha Carter, who were about as faithful to their mates as the sun was to the moon.

"I can't wait to taste you later. This suit of yours is making me ravenous," Sophia purred through our link. I ignored her, focusing my attention on Carter.

I gave him my award-winning smile, which always stole the lady's heart and had them falling into my bed night after night. Especially women like Sophia, ones eager to please. She was at the top of the list, but we had an agreement we weren't exclusive, even if I had chosen her as pack Luna.

He returned the smile, believing I was having a good time and enjoying his company. When in reality, I just wanted to be out on my bike, letting the wind take away all my problems as I road through the mountains. Or pounding their faces in, depending on the person, day, and mood I was in.

And today, it was the pounding in faces kind of mood.

"Of course, I would be a fool to pass up such an excellent opportunity to ally two packs. especially one that is almost as large as my own." I added. Carter gave me a wide smile that didn't reach his eyes. Something dancing in his eyes that I couldn't put my thumb on.

I tilted my head slightly, narrowing my eyes, watching as I sat in the worn-out leather chair across from him. Carter was a nut, obsessed with artifacts and magic. From what we could dig upon him, he was always hunting for the next big thing.

I cleared my throat, my patients thinning.

"So where is this future bride of mine anyway? I was expecting to see her at dinner," Sophia's grip tightened on my hand. A slight movement that didn't go unnoticed by Carter.

"You know my Colette. She is always so busy helping around here that she loses track of time. It's a wonder how I even get her to eat half the time. But, I'm sure she will be here any moment," I nodded, not buying a single word. He was hiding something, and I'd be damned if I didn't find out what it was.

A soft knock sounded at the double doors before they swung open. A small brunette entered the room, followed by a girl who was way too thin to be the Alpha's daughter. Not unless he neglected her on purpose, so I had a weak Luna by my side.

The small brunette bowed before leaving the room and leaving the frail-looking Blonde in the doorway. She was skin and bones, her face sunken like she hadn't had a proper mean in her entire life.

I could smell the fear coming off her, mixed in with another smell I couldn't quite detect. It piqued Clay's attention as he started to stir.

"Ahh, there she is. The soon-to-be bride. My eldest daughter, Colette. Please have a seat," Carter said, patting his hand on the leather cushion beside him. I could sense the hesitation as she looked at me and then her father. A weariness filled her eyes as if she was as uncomfortable to be here as I was, and something told me it wasn't because of my presence.

But instead of speaking up about it, she nodded and submitted to his request. Something I tested in a female who was meant to lead. They speak up and do as they want, not as they're told.

"This is who we have to be out, Luna, Pathetic," Sophia hissed in disgust. I let out a low growl.

"Sophia," I warned.

"It's the truth, she is a worthless waste of space," She snapped through the link.

"Another word and you will regret it," I snapped back.

My jaw tensed as Colette sat down. I didn't want to be here any longer than I had to, Sophia only adding to that annoyance. But now that my bride was here, I could leave.

"Colette, this is Alpha Zane, the man you are to marry. And you, more than anyone, understand the importance of this allegiance. It was what we raised you for," Colette nodded.

"When do I leave?" Her voice was shaky as she spoke, irritating me further.

"Now," I cut in before Carter could speak. I stood up, holding out my hand to Carter.

"I have important matters to attend to back in my territory. I will send for her stuff when we get back. But the papers have been signed, and I would like to take my property home now," Carter stood and shook my hand. His demeanour was oddly relaxed for someone who had just traded their daughter for a chance to survive a future attack. But I didn't have time or the patience to care for it right now.

"Of course, Zane. It is a pleasure doing business with you, as well as you Sophia. I'm sure Colette will make a fine Luna," Colette flinched ever so slightly. If I wasn't watching, I would have missed it entirely as he wrapped his arm around her and tugged her into his side—no emotions in her eyes as he kissed her forehead and stepped away.

I walked through the double doors, Sophia close behind. I only turned around when I noticed she wasn't following. I let out a heavy sigh, shoving my hands in my pocket.

"Are you coming, or do you not know how to walk unless you are ordered to?" Irritation flashed in her eyes, and I swore she was about to say something but to my disappointment, she didn't.

Sophia let out a scoff as she continued down the hall, not bothering to pay me any attention now that I pissed her off.

"Such an obedient little wolf," Clay growled.

"Yes, such a disappointment," I muttered back as Colette followed me down the hall towards the exit of this godforsaken place with my soon-to-wife and new Luna of the Redmoon pack.