Chapter 5

Xander's POV:

I jumped down the window and shifted into my wolf form mid-air. Ever since I had met that girl one day ago in the woods, my wolf was a jittery mess. The emotions she stirred inside me were undescribable and I didn't even know why. She was a mere human being and feeling this inclination toward a human was not ordinary for a Lycan King.

Back in the pack mansion, I went straight to my office to look into the documents regarding business. Flopping down the chair, I grabbed the file but all the words and numbers couldn't divert my mind from that pair of beautiful hazel eyes. Unconsciously, I licked my lips and I could still taste her on my lips. The girl I didn't even know the name of was making me addicted to herself.

There was a light knock on the door and Antonio, my Beta, seemed 50 years old in human appearance but in reality, he had lived for more than 900 years. He was much, much older than me who was 28 years in the human calender but had lived for 300 years.

Antonia looked at the phone in his hand, "Xander."

I eyed the phone and then at him to explain. Taking the seat, he started, "There has been some problem at the port. Our shipments are not getting clearance tonight."

Anger crept under my skin, "Is it Aiden again?"

Antonio nodded, "Aiden gave a tip to the deputy chief of police about our opium shipments."

I leaned back in my chair, "Why are we having a problem with the deputy chief when the chief himself is in our pockets?"

Antonio suggested, "Should I call him?"

Tilting my head to the side, I smirked, "Call Aiden instead. Time to have a little fun."

Aiden picked up on the second ring, "Seems like the news has finally reached your ears, buddy."

I replied in a calm tone, "From where I am sitting, it seems like you have finally lost your mind, little lycan."

He chuckled, "I would love to know why you think so."

I sighed boringly, "Come to my mansion. And I'll let you know."

He snickered on the other end, "Is it a threat?"

I feigned innocence, "Just an invitation." I paused and then said, "Oh, and you would want to be here immediately if you don't want to pack up your illegal business."

Before he could utter another word, I declined the call. Referring to Antonio, I commanded, "Call chief if Aiden isn't here in fifteen minutes."

I was going through my emails when the rotten smell wafted in my nostrils. My fun was ruined by the arrival of Aiden. I was actually hoping that he would refuse to come here and then I would get a chance to play this game on my own terms.

Antonio led Aiden into my office who greeted me by saying, "Does the great Lycan King, Xander Stoneheart, need my help with his shipments?"

With a dangerous calmness, I stared at the bastard. When I remained silent, Aiden proceeded nonchalantly, "You can just kneel down in front of me and beg. And you'll face no such issue ever again."

I could feel the anger steaming off Antonio. As his alpha, I could very clearly tell how he wanted to rip Aiden apart. Getting bored of the show, I finally slid my laptop around and hit the play button. Aiden's face went pale and as the video kept playing, the color kept bleaching off his face. Taking pity on the poor lycan, I hit pause, "Is it enough to bring you back to your senses?"

Aiden's eyes widened, "What is it?"

I smirked viciously, "It does look like the video from one of the private cabins in your casino. And from the looks of it, three well-known politicians are having a little chit-chat about the black money and funds embezzlement."

Aiden's eyes were wide open. Rising from my chair, I continued, "Your casino guarantees 100% privacy, right? Isn't that why it is prospering so fast?"

He stammered, "You bastard...where did you get it?"

My malicious chuckle boomed around the room, "Are you asking me that for real?" Leaning against the desk, I continued, "I can't believe that you ever thought that anything going on in those little casinos of yours can stay away from my eyes and ears."

He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off, "The games you are playing, well, I have come this far by playing those." Folding my feet at the ankles, I stated proudly, "There is a reason why I am the Lycan King whereas you are just an ordinary alpha."

He was still not recovered from the shock.

I asked him curiously, "Now, do you want me to send this footage to the prosecutor's office or these politicians? You can decide for yourself."

The scent of misery and fear was oozing off Aiden as he shrieked, "You can't do that."

For a moment, I nodded my head, and then sighed out, "Of course, you are one of my own kind. You are an alpha and have a whole pack to look after. Leaking this one video would finish your whole business in an instant."

Relief was appearing on his features which was, unfortunately, only short-lived because of the next thing I uttered, "But, dear Aiden, don't you think we all have to pay the price of our deeds?"

He took a step closer and stammered desperately, "Just name it, Xander. I would do anyt..."

"Kneel down. Beg. And have the taste of your own medicine," I commanded him.

All the bravery and cunning left his body as his knees instantly hit the ground in front of me. Lowering his head, he rushed out, "I am sorry, Xander. Forgive me. I beg you not to destroy what I have built in so many decades."

I straightened my shoulders and hissed, "None of us is pure in any regard. And both of us have our hands deep into black stuff. Let's just not judge each other and refrain from interfering in each other's business matters from now on."

He nodded profusely, "I'll keep that in mind."

Without wasting another second, I turned to Antonio, "Take him out of my mansion."

Antonio returned to the office and asked away, "Why did you let him go, Xander?"

I stared out the window into the dark night, "We don't kill one of our own, Antonio. The population of Lycans is already dwindling. I am a Lycan King, how can I set an example to kill our fellow Lycan over anything so small?"

 I looked back at Antonio, "And don't forget that Aiden and I had a history."

Antonio was baffled by my answer, "You are a Lycan King. You cannot be swayed by the events or relations of the past, Xander. And it isn't like you were the one who betrayed him. Aiden was the one who refused to accept you as his king."

Still staring out, I mumbled, "But there was a time we used to be best friends. More than brothers."

Antonio was quick to reply, "And then jealousy got the better of him."

I made my way back to the chair and changed the subject, "About yesterday's attack, who do you think could be behind it?"

Antonio immediately got into Beta mode, "I am still looking into it. It can't be anyone from our kind because the bullets that got you were made of silver and coated with a heavy dose of wolfsbane."

After another minute, I muttered, "I think I know the mind behind that attack."

Antonio's muscles stretched with anger, "Name him, King."

I looked into my Beta's blue glowing eyes before answering, "Daniel Hunter."

He was taken aback by the revelation, "Daniel Hunter? The one who belongs to the Hunter family of the UK?"

I nodded my head in slow motion, "Yes, the same Hunter family who is known about their history of hunting the supernatural kinds in the name of keeping a fucking balance in the world."

Antonio stiffened, "And they are back to hunt more of us. What are your orders?"

Of course, I wanted to rip the fucker apart for attacking me yesterday but it was a great opportunity for me. I must keep my calm and make use of this whole situation, "Let him stir some more trouble before we take him out once and for all."

Antonio was agitated. Something else was bothering him. Leaning closer, I inquired, "What's bothering you so much, Beta?"

Antonio stayed quiet for a long moment and then stared out into the darkness, "I can smell her all over you, Xander."

My wolf stiffened with possessiveness at the fact that another male could smell her. Why? Wolves are only possessive about their fated mates.

When I didn't reply, Antonio asked a simple yet most complicated question, "Is she your mate, Lycan King?"