Chapter 4: When Your Pack Is Crazy

Bryan didn't want to be here, didn't want to do this, hold a meeting with a bastard, which a bunch of mindflayers telling him what to do. When they could just go outside, turn wolf and settle their disputes.

But that would be too violent and irrational, according to the mediators. As if we weren't primal creatures. What they were concerned about was the humans who are terrified of us. They could get involved and hurt.

So meetings were set by mediators who handle disputes between shifters pack, by giving months of reconsideration before the two packs could rip out their throats.

If the packs can't come to a resolution, they're free to attack each other packs and are to settle their shits once and for all, no postponing.

Today was the final meeting with the troublemaker that wanted his pack for his, and Bryan was just itching to take his throat out.

“So, do you want to concede and accept to be integrated into Logan pack?”

“Should that even be a question?” Bryan retorted.

Logan wanted his pack, with him being the alpha. He had been doing it to the other pack. Killing off their alpha and assimilating them. But was Bryan was a pushover. He could have challenged him in a one-on-one fight for the pack, but he obviously wasn't confident in his victory, so Logan resorted to the mediator means.

Which required waiting months for reconsideration. The challenger could withdraw his challenge during this time, and the challenged could give in to the challenger.

But Bryan wasn't going to give up.

He had started this pack out of nothing, fighting his way out of literal ashes, to create a place he could call home, and now someone wanted to steal it. Yeah, screw that.

“I need a verbal answer, do you accept Logan's demands” the mediator asked once again, in a reprimanding tone, but Bryan gave him a look before saying slowly.

“Fuck. No.”

The mediator was displeased but said nothing.

“Don't be vulgar Bryan, they're only doing their job,” Logan said, but Bryan only glared at him…

“You keep your fucking mouth,” Bryan said, and Logan's enforcers growled pissed at Bryan's disrespectful tone

But his enforcers couldn't be outdone, showing their disapproval as well, and the whole meeting room echoed with animalistic growling.

Powerful vibes choking the room, not an ideal place for a submissive to be in. Luckily, no one from either side was a submissive.

The mediators were immune to the vibes to some extent. How could they with what the job called for?

Nevertheless, it was hard for the most of them to breathe. After all, these two were powerful alphas in their own right.

Besides, it was all a show to intimidate one another. No real action was going to take.

“Then in the next two months you guys are free to settle your disputes, just do it according to the rules,” The mediator said closing. The rules being keeping the battle on pack territory so as not to drag each, and killing each other until one side gives up.

“Sure thing, Bryan said and then stood to his feet, his enforcers' follower.”

“Leaving so soon, at least give me a moment to convince you.” Logan said, but Bryan snorted.

“See you in two months, and try not to die before then, as I'd love to take your life with my hands,” Bryan said as he walked away, and Logan's grin turned into a scowl.

*

Back in the pack.

Bryan slowly sipped a cup of coffee acting oblivious to the questioning gaze of his pack members were giving him, especially his beta, Jeremy. Yeah, that one was hard to ignore.

“What?”

“What are we going to do?”

“About Logan? Don't worry, we can handle him,”

“It’s not him am worried about. It's the dozen of alliance behind him. I heard he's even affiliated with the jackals,”

“Fucking Jackals!” Cherry cursed, she was the only female enforcer in the group and didn't exactly have a good history with the bunch. No one whoever comes in contact with them, those. Everyone hated them as they were all over the place like flies. They got involved in illegal activities like drugs, smuggling, kidnapping…and all kinds of immorality.

Which made them, the major reason why humans dislike and are afraid of shifters.

“It's just silly rumors don't worry about it,” Bryan dismissed it, but Chris chimed in.

“On Bryan it's not. I have confirmed recently he's making moves with the jackal recently. He intends to ally,”

“Wow, what with the mood, are we really going to war?” Theo said, walking into the room with a grin.

“Why are you scared?”

“No I'm just worried the females with cry too much as the loss of such handsomeness,” Theo said and everyone one in the room cringed

“Look, I don't see what the problem is, we can take them?” Cherry said.

“Exactly, numbers don't matter,” Bryan added.

“Yes it does,” Chris said

“Thank God I'm not the only one who understands,” Jeremy said to Chris. He considered the rest of them, crazy. His alpha included.

“You don't expect me to bow to Logan just because he got some jackal backup now, do you?”

“Of course not, what am saying is maybe we should consider seeking alliances of our own.” Jeremy replied, giving him a look, and immediately Bryan knew where he was going.

“You and Amaya what is going on?” Jeremy asked directly and Bryan held his forehead.

‘I fucking knew he was going to bring this up.’

“Nothing is going on,” Bryan said, wrapping his arms together.

“So you two are just having sex, then?” Cherry asked and Bryan gave her a look.

“What? No shame in admitting it. It's biological. She's a sexy woman, and you are single with a lot of stress to let out. I completely understand you, my man.” Theo said giving Bryan a light punch, but only met a glare.

“I'm sorry alpha, forgive my transgressions,” Theo grinned, raising both hands in mock surrender.

Bryan shook his head and explained. “It was a one-night stand nothing else. There's nothing going on between me and her. She just expects us to be more, despite telling her before I touched her. Since we're in talks with her father about an alliance. She used that to come here under the excuse of fostering bonds, getting to know the pack. But what she really wants is for us to be mates, which would prompt father to grant the alliance*”

“That's true. If you two you know become mates, it'll mean an alliance for us. More chance at winning the upcoming fight. How about it?" Jeremy asked.

“You want me to take Amaya as my mate?” Bryan asked in disbelief. And he thought his Beta was shrewd.

“Why you don't like her?” Jeremy said, giving him an accusatory look. “The moans I heard the other day say otherwise,”

“You slept with her after she got here?” Cherry asked in surprise.

“Uhm Yeah?”

“It's over, it's all over. You've given her hope, she'll cling to you until the end,” Cherry said.

“Eey... You can't blame him. As a man right, sometimes you get horny and a hot lady is there, looking sizzling, so delicious much, so you want to have a taste of that juicy--”

“Shut up Theo!” Bryan yelled, but Theo simply chuckled.

“Guess, it's your fault she's still hanging around, she thinks you'll change and accept her, and you sleeping with her is like a promise,” Chris added.

“No…no this is more of me and Jeremy's fault," Bryan said, pointing at Jeremy who looked befuddled.

“Excuse me?!”

“Weren't you were the one who advised me to let her stay, saying it could help foster a relationship with her father?”

“Well, I’m not the one banging her.”

“True that,” Cherry supported

“She's probably just attached to your dick. Mistaking it for love. Not that there's any much difference between the two.”

“Dude, just stop talking?” Cheesy scolded.

“What? I got opinions too," Theo replied, and Cherry raised her middle finger. “That's what I think about your opinion,”

“You think of a dick anytime I speak?” Theo asked in disbelief and Cherry's mouth shot open, “Yep, he's hopeless,”

The rest ignored the two and continued their conversation.

“She’s become attached to you and that could be a problem, especially since you don't even want her,” Chris said.

“No, it's already a problem. She treats the females in the pack like a rival. Stupidly, even my mate isn't exempt,” Jeremy chuckled.

“Cherry is her number one suspect. Thinks you two were once a thing,” Theo said.

“Pfft!” Bryan almost choked on his coffee, and that earned everyone laughter.

That caught him off guard. He couldn't imagine a relationship with Cherry. She was like a brother to him. Yeah, that's correct.

Cherry was a tomboy, which was not what he was attracted too.

The thought of them ever being a thing had never even once crossed his mind. He glanced at Cherry, who raised her chin, giving him a threatening look, as if warning him not to imagine it.

He was thinking it alright, and it looked unrealistic as hell, almost haunting.

“Yeah, so in conclusion, Amaya needs to leave,” Bryan said

“It's also saying goodbye to the alliance," Jeremy added.

“They’re other packs, there should be some willing to stand against Logan. Find them and start making contact with them." Bryan replied.

“Alright,” Jeremy said, rising to his feet, head to work, no time-wasting. “But just so you know, it's going to be difficult to convince Amaya to leave, everyone makes it obvious she isn't welcomed, but she still stays. She's a persistent one, that's for sure.”

“I'll handle it.” Bryan said, though, he had no idea how to do that.

Should he just tell her to get out? ‘No, too brash.’

Make it clear he had no intention of taking her as a mate or having any relationship with her whatsoever? No, he did that initially, but she was still hanging around.

Bryan sighed. Relationships were complicated. He didn't understand it, so he didn't chase it. Only ever pursuing women for sex, nothing else.

“That aside, why don't we hold a barbecue tomorrow. Use it to reduce tension as it seems to be mounting among the members. We could also use it to announce our plans.” Jeremy said.

“Oh, great idea,” Bryan nodded. Though Jeremy was a pain in the ass, he was a good beta.

“Yes, finally," Amaya said excitedly. “I’ve been craving good meat,”

“Why didn't you tell me. I have one inside my pants. Though, good isn't what I'll use to describe it, more like a work of art,” Theo said and everyone in the room groaned.

“Hey Theo, I told you to stop with the cheesy line. Do you seriously wanna die?” Cherry frowned.

“Well, I'll let you kill me if you let me drill you," Theo said with a wink.

“Motherfucker!” Cherry rose to her feet to pounce on his, but Chris held her back and Theo hid behind Logan, laughing like a mad man

Bryan shook his head, at his enforcers. What a bunch.

They were playful, cheerful and never withheld their thought despite the power he had, and he loved them for it. They were his family, and he was going to protect them, no matter the threat.