CHAPTER TWO: THE CONTRACT

CHAPTER TWO

***MEI'S POV ***

The scent of daffodils and roses immediately fill my nostrils as I alight from the car. The air is pure and fresh. I close my eyes and inhale deeply as I let the air calm me down.

Curtis reaches to shut door behind me and I ogle the environment in awe.

It's beautiful.

It's unfortunate this belongs to the alpha of shadow crest—Borin.

I did some research on him and his pack before coming. My informant tells me he was given this how many years ago.

Kind of like an initiation gift.

There are flowers everywhere. Each of different species. This is a huge contrast to my mansion back at Moss city. I never really liked the calm country life because too much quiet led me to think of my bond and rejection.

After I left Vos, I decided the only way to move past the pain was to drown myself in work and surprisingly, it turned out effective. What intrigues me more, is how Borin's estate is very much in the city, but he's somehow managed to turn this place into what I'd like to imagine is heaven.

Curtis' eyes meet mine for a brief second, a smile plastered on his face.

He must enjoy the view too.

Just up ahead, is a path lined with dark purple flowers shaped like bells called morning glory. I do not linger on them though as my gaze grazes across the whole terrain.

Hibiscus. Daffodils. Sunflower. Uhmm...

My cheeks turn red as I catch myself trying and failing to recall all the names of the colourful mass splattered around. I bite my lower lip as some sort of punishment as I usually pride myself in my ability to know and recall a lot of things. I pinch the skin between my brows as I inhale and exhale slowly. I can't get too worked up now, but I make a mental note to go through the whole nomenclature of flowers again.

I jerk slightly as I notice Curtis looking up at me. He always does this even though I've made it very clear I do not appreciate his constant gazes. He's leaning on the black Mercedes parked beside ours in the drive way. There are so many cars here and I assume I'll be meeting a lot of pack elders today.

I glare back at him, a recent tactic I've picked up to make people who stare at me all the more uncomfortable.

It seems to work as he yields and shifts his gaze from mine. Good.

"For what it's worth, I don't know the names of the flowers too." He says, pushing his weight off the car to approach me. A smirk curling up his lips.

I scoff.

That doesn't make me feel any better but damn he knows me too well and sometimes I fear for his safety. The omega knows too much about me and I fear rival packs will come after him to get to me.

"Hey there! I'm Emily, Borin's assistant." A feminine voice calls out. Curtis and I turn to look and I swear I can hear his grunt of approval as he sizes her head to toe. I catch the sound of his nostrils flare, the smell of his arousal becoming intensifying. How rude.

I give him a slight nudge with my elbow.

He immediately readjusts himself as Emily makes her way over to where we stand. He might be on heat but that is no excuse.

"You must be Miss Chatteris." She says extending her hands to shake mine, completely ignoring Curtis. I can't blame her. Not after how Curtis sized her. I will have to lecture him on this issue later. Even though that'd make it the hundredth time.

Curtis purrs behind me and I can tell he's a bit embarrassed.

I reach for her hand giving her brief shake but she doesn't let go as she begins to rant. "Oh my Gosh, it's such a pleasure to meet you, I've heard a lot about you and I really look forward to working with you miss." On a normal day, I would yank my hand and glare or refuse the handshake entirely but I don't do that. Not after how Curtis thought it would be fun to ogle at a woman so openly. Stupid omega.

Her eyes beam and shine as the sun catches in her eyes as she goes on about her admiration. The round orbs revealing a light green for a split second before turning grey.

Moonveil pack.

Why would the alpha of shadowcrest hire a descendant of another pack? Does he not trust his own? Has he done something that makes his people unwilling to serve him? Why is she able to conceal to another colour asides brown.

A thousand questions flood my mind as I try to access the situation. This could potentially lead to a serious problem if his subjects find out. I clear my throat and clench my jaw in an attempt to conceal my emotions.

Curtis shifts his weight from foot to foot. He must have the same thoughts as me.

She doesn't seem to notice our micro communication though.

I take another look at her, trying spot any other clues on her.

I don't. Perhaps, I was wrong. But my instincts are never wrong. I look deep into her eyes, as she rants on. Gosh she's a blabbermouth. She holds my stare for a while before she eventually yields and looks elsewhere. I can't help but chuckle internally feeling victorious, she must be a beta. No wonder she could conceal the colour in her eyes.

"I understand your excitement but I don't appreciate Mei standing out here under the sun for too long, at least usher us inside...Will you?" Curtis interrupts, his tone curt and possessive. I let out a brief sigh as I maintain my gaze but I'm internally happy to be rid of this unnecessary bore. Emily looks embarrassed to say the least. Her cheeks turning crimson.She glares at Curtis but flashes me a timid smile before ushering us inside the house. I doubt she and Curtis will be getting along for a while, but that's okay. We'll find out if there will be a need for them to get along soon enough.

*****

If I thought outside was heaven, then I have no idea what this is. This house is stunning. The walls are all plain white. There are touches of olive green here and there. It must be the theme of the house. There aren't a lot of furniture in the house, it's very minimalist—which I very like. The only things that stand out are the figurines on the left and right side of the living area and the huge floor to ceiling window at the far end of the room. It basically lights this whole room up and the view is a breathtaking garden I'm yet to see.There's a beige coloured couch at the left end of the room.

I doubt he even uses this room. There's no TV or unnecessary decor. I might have to change that....if this contract works out though.

But other than that, I could see myself living here.

I bit me at my lower lip to curtail my skyrocketimg emotions.

Am I getting excited?

I don't bother about Emily catching my scent though. I know Curtis has me covered. Perks of being a true shadowcrest I guess.

"Please right this way." Emily says gesturing to a turn at the other end of the room, Curtis and I follow as she leads us to another room.

How many rooms does this mansion have?

She opens the door and Curtis steps aside so I enter first. It doesn't get past me how she quickly shoves Curtis aside to enter through the door next.

These two are about to be a headache.

"Ahh...miss Chatteris, it's an honour to finally meet you." A voice says, immediately I step into the room. It's a wide room, a long table placed in the middle with pack elders—I assume—seated on either sides of the table. The male whose voice I heard seats at the head of the table and the aura he exudes confirms he's the alpha—Borin.

The rest of the pack elders say nothing, perhaps because the scent of Borin's aura is suffocating.

"Please have a seat" he says again, gesturing to the seat opposite his at the other end of the table flashing me a warm smile.

Good.

"It is indeed my pleasure." I say, plastering the most genuine smile I can muster as Curtis brings out the chair from the table for me to sit. He sits on the empty chair next to me on my right. My gaze sweeps through the whole room as I access the place. There are mostly beta elders here...all of them having grey eyes. The only omega in the room sits by my left, he flashes me a timid smile and I nod my head in acknowledgement. His hazel brown eyes struggling to meet mine. He's also a shadow crest, but the omegas have Hazel brown eyes—like my Curtis.

"I assume you'd like to get to the point." Borin speaks, his voice is velvety and raspy. He clears his throat as he continues. "But we have a lot of time don't we? Perhaps you'd like a drink?" His smile makes me uncomfortable. Is he trying to humour me?

"I don't drink alcohol." I say with a stern face as I match his gaze. I hate how I can't tell what he's thinking. I can't even smell his emotions or any of the betas in this room. The shadowcrest pack have always been known for their ability to conceal their emotions and that of even the people around them.

Tsk. Tsk.

I'm not worried about being exposed, none of the betas would dare sniff me and even if they did, Curtis is strong enough to mask both our emotions. We train for situations like this.

"Of course....how about some grape wine?...or oxen blood if you'd like." He suggests. There's a slight crinkles on his nose. Is he nervous?

All the betas look at me in anticipation of my choice.

"Grape wine please." I say turning to one of the chauffeurs standing at the far end of the room.

"Yes ma'am" he says, turning to the fridge and reaching for a big bottle of wine.

Matèes wine. Expensive. Vintage grape wine since the early eighteen hundreds. Run and owned by the vampire lord himself —Dracula.

"We've heard of your many successes and wealth." Borin starts, cutting straight to the chase as the chauffeur places the glass of wine in front of me. "We want your investments, you need our alliance." He continues, his voice louder than earlier.

"Need. You need our investments." Curtis is the one to interrupt.

The whole room falls silent and all eyes turn to look at us.

I fight back the urge to roll my eyes and face palm. Curtis is always angsty when on heat. I should take him to brothel tonight. Perhaps, that'll do him some good.

"That's ironic, coming from someone underdressed for a meeting." Borin practically growls, his words sharp ,sarcasm laced in his tone.

What's wrong with his outfit? We are literally in his house having this meeting. It's not my fault they all like to wear suits and act so old.

The alpha relaxes into his seat as he narrows his eyes on Curtis. I don't need to smell him to know he thinks so poorly of my best friend.

Curtis stiffens and my hands instinctively reach for his legs under the table. He might be bold but he yeilds almost immediately under the alpha's gaze like the omega he his.

I know how much he hates that.

He doesn't like being told what to wear during times like this and I know his sudden outburst is because he's on edge.

"My omega will wear whatever he wants." My words cut back, my voice unnervingly low as I mirror Borin's actions. The alpha has entered dangerous territory for talking to my best friend like that. I feel Curtis flinch a bit from my use of "omega" but there really is no denying it.

The room falls silent as Borin and all the other betas continue to stare at Curtis. The atmosphere laced with anger from their aura. I squeeze on Curtis' thigh, and attempt to offer some comfort for the suffocating aura.

"Làpéi....show us the analytics," Borin speaks after what seems like a thousand years, his voice dropping an octave, smoothing over the tension like silk over a blade.

​

The male seated two chairs away from Borin rises to his feet, carrying a stack of documents to the centre of the table. Each beta, reaches for a copy of the documents. Emily reaches for a copy too for Borin and herself. Curtis stands to do the same and I place my hand back on his thighs as soon as he sits.

"As most packs are aware," Làpéi clears his throat, beginning, now that everyone's settled. "Shadowcrest currently maintains formal alliances with sixteen packs across the continent. We oversee the largest neutral trade corridor and act as guarantors for six standing peace treaties." He pauses for a bit to let the information sink in as he points on the slides from the projection on the wall. "Any caravan travelling through our territory is protected under Shadowcrest law." He continues looking at my direction now. He points at a few facts and figures here and there on the projection.

I open my copy of the document and glance through at it. I'd already gone through the document the night before but I skim it again anyways.

"Our allies trust us because we have never broken a treaty." Làpéi's voice continues to echo in the now quiet room. My focus is still on my copy of the document as I flip through the pages in silence.

Revenue.Trade. Military expenditure. Alliance obligations.

Everything's organised, I'll give them credit for that.

I raise my gaze to look at the projection when I noticed Làpéi's stopped talking.

"I see." I lean into my seat, my face straight and my gaze unflinching.

Làpéi smiles and I'm almost convinced he's glad he didn't shit his pants all through the presentation.The excited aura from the betas doesn't go unnoticed by me though, as deep purrs erupt from a few at the other side of the table.

"I'm glad you—" he starts , a smile of what I'd assume is victory creeping up his lips.

"You've been bleeding money for three years." I quickly interrupt.

The smile vanishes and silence settles over the room.

One of the elders frown, but I pay no attention to it. Did they think it'd be that easy? Money doesn't fall from trees.

"I'm afraid you've misunderstood the figures." Làpéi says in a last minute attempt to secure the investment.

"I rarely misunderstand numbers." I turn another page.

"Road maintenance."

Another.

"Border patrol."

Another.

"Military aid to allied packs."

I close the folder.

"You're spending more honouring your alliances than you're earning from them."

Borin simply watches me. His gaze darting between mine and the notebook placed in front of him as I counter Làpéi. He's unnervingly calm despite all of this and I don't like it. I don't like it even more that I can't tell what he's thinking but I keep a straight face and carry on.

No one speaks.

Interesting.

"So this is really why you need me," I murmur, I can't help the smirk creeping on my lips. I'm pretty sure they can hear me.

"You're asking for sustainability." I continue as a few elders exchange uneasy glances.

They are aware I've caught on.

I lean back on my seat and squeeze Curtis' thigh. I can almost taste the victory sweet on my tongue. How shall I celebrate tonight? More grape wine or meat?

As if he can read my thoughts, Borin pushes forward from his chair and signals to Làpéi to sit. He flashes me an evil grin before walking toward me with a tablet. Curtis lets out a low growl which he ignores as he places the tablet on the polished wood in front of me. I look down, expecting charts, revenue projections, and asset valuations.

​Instead, the screen displays satellite feeds of my main manufacturing hubs in Moss City. Red crosshairs blink over every single facility. Surrounding them are thermal heat signatures—dozens of them, moving with the terrifying, coordination of a hunting pack.

​Iron Claw.

They've been surveying my company? Since when? Why haven't I received any calls yet?

​My blood turns to ice, but I force my posture to remain perfectly rigid. "What is this, Borin? A parlor trick?" Some elders growl, probably because I've addressed their alpha by his name.

Who cares?

​"It’s reality, Miss Chatteris," Borin says, leaning forward before resting his weight on the wall opposite me. "You built a beautiful empire out there in the human world. But werewolves are territorial—Iron claw especially. The Iron Claw pack doesn't care about your bank accounts. They smell a lone wolf with a massive hoard of gold, and they are already mobilizing to strip you bare."

​Curtis tenses beside me, a low, defensive growl vibrating in his chest, but I subtly press my hand down on his knee to hold him back.

​"I have the best private security money can buy," I say, my voice steady, though my stomach is doing backflips.

​"Human guards with silver bullets won't stop a horde of feral Alphas," Borin counters smoothly. "My pack can protect your assets. We can absorb your security forces, station our warriors at your borders, and turn your empire into an unassailable fortress."

​I can't help the smirk that creeps up my lips.

Fuck.

He's done his homework.

I scoff.

I'm conered.

My initial plan was to corner them and ask for an alliance in return for my investments thus having the upperhand and maintaining control, but Borin's beat me to it.

I say nothing, fully aware whatever I say now would have a lot implications. I need to choose my words carefully.

​ Borin lets out a dry, dark chuckle that sends a strange shiver down my spine.

The pack elders look dumbstruck but their purrs tell me they're just as impressed. This is what it must feel like to be a Veil— descendant of shadowcrest. They hoard and mask information, scents and emotions and wait for the best time to checkmate you. It's no wonder they have so many alliances.

"We might as well cut the chase, Miss Chatteris. We both need each other." Borin says moving back to his seat.

"Then allow me to ask you something, Miss Chatteris" Borin continues, his tone becoming more quiet as he purrs.

Is he enjoying this?

Curtis shifts in his chair but doesn't speak. He knows when not to interfere.

"If you've already realised all of this, which I'm sure you have...why are you here?" He asks after a brief moment, a full on smirk plastered on his lips.

He wants me to admit my need for his alliance.

I hate his guts.

I don't answer immediately. Instead, I reach for my glass and take a slow sip of wine. My mind simulating my possible options and how'd they'd play out.

I smack my lips, louder than intended as I place my glass of wine back on the wooded surface.

Excellent vintage.

"You seek the protection of Shadowcrest's alliances." Borin continues— lifting his gaze from his note book to look at me— in what I'd assume is an attempt for me to yield.

Never.

"I seek certainty." I bite back.

"Clever." He responds tapping his pen on the table in a rhythmic manner.

"I prefer practical."

He gives small nod and crinkles his nose. He knows.

"You've considered Stormfang?" A ginger haired elder to my right asks. I stiffen as the question shocks me to my core. How dare he bring up stormfang pack? How dare he bring up anything related to the mate who rejected me?

Curtis growls and bites back at the elder. "Read the fucking room, red head." His tone is curt and sharp.

No one else dares to interrupt Curtis, they know red head has crossed the line. The omega to my left glances at me with an apology written over his face.

Curtis reaches for my hand on his thigh under the table. I take in a deep breath and swallow as I look down at where we're connected. Only then do I realise my nails have elongated and drawn blood.

Fuck, this bastard has awoken my wolf.

I inhale and exhale deeply in a bid to calm her down quickly or else things might get bloody soon.

I look at Curtis in an attempt to apologise when I feel my nerves calming. He nods and flashes me a warm smile not even caring about the staring eyes on us.

I raise my head and my gaze quickly settles on the red head. The memory of his words cross my mind again as I remember his cocky tone. He probably think they have the upper hand but whether or not I choose to invest is my decision to make.

Another elder clears his throat awkwardly before speaking.

"There is only one arrangement capable of satisfying both parties permanently."

Nobody interrupts but I catch Borin staring at the elder.

I might not be able to smell any of their emotions but the look on the faces of the elders—red head especially —tells me they're in for their alpha's wrath.

"A union." The elder continues. The answer hung over the table before he even spoke it.

Curtis is on his feet before the word completely leaves the elder's mouth.

"Abso-fucking-lutely not."

The atmosphere in the room is tense.

One elder scoffs but says nothing.

"The omega was not permitted to speak." Another snaps, shifting in his seat.

"My omega," I say evenly, never taking my eyes off the elder, " will speak when he wants and you will not" I snap, finally releasing the full extent of my aura, for the first time since I arrived here. All the betas yield, silent whimpers filling the room.

"Go on." I say as my gaze returns to the Beta who suggested the union.

"We the shadowcrests, keep to our words but an alliance can only truly be sealed by a union." He continues, as he barely manages to speak under the scorching weight of my aura.

I cock my head to the side as I examine Borin's expressions. He doesn't seem too surprised, neither am I honestly. I'd done my digging around. The shadowcrests honour their alliances in various ways, but I understand why he'd suggest a union. We'd be unstoppable together.

"I don't dislike the proposal."

Curtis's head snaps towards me, but I ignore him.

Marriage isn't exactly the problem, losing leverage is.

I lick my lower lip subtly, the proposal is enticing. I'd finally have protection from rabid packs, nobody would want to break their alliance with shadowcrest and start a war, more so, I'd have access to various channeling routes and wouldn't have to bother about extra costs again.

I inhale deeply knowing what I must do.

"You don't really want this Mei." He says in an attempt to sway my decision but I've made up my mind.

"Mei?" Curtis coos...he knows I'll regret this later, I will too but I swallow and bring my eyes to his.

"It's okay Cur" I say bring my other hand to where we connect. " we'll figure it out." I whisper but I'm sure the others can hear me.

Curtis looks at me, tons of emotions in those Hazel orbs. I know he's not happy. He's always wanted the best for me since we met at Moss years ago when I almost died from the pain my rejected bond brought.

I squeeze his hand comforting us both. I'm doing this for the people who work for and believe me.

I'm doing this for my empire.

I'm doing the for us.

I give one more squeeze and focus my gaze on Borin.

​"I won't marry for sentiment," I reach for my glass of wine and down the contents, letting the vintage burn a cold trail down my throat. "I marry for strategy."

​Borin's remains silent as he studies me.

"Good." He says. Penning down something on his note.

​"Then you should also know," I say, setting the glass down with a sharp, deliberate clack against the wood, "that a good strategist never signs a contract under duress." I continue shocking everybody in the room. Curtis looks at me in disbelief, but I ignore him and keep my gaze on Borin. I might be a lone wolf, but I'm still an alpha. I won't be swayed easily.

"You think you’ve checked me with this Iron Claw data, Alpha? You haven't." I won't go down easy without a fight. Borin doesn't even look at me, his attention still on his notepad as he scribbles down more words.

What the fuck does he keep writing?

​I stand up, smoothing down my blazer. The purple glint returns to my eyes, only for a split second cutting through the room's suffocating atmosphere.

​ "You want my multi-millionaire empire to sustain your bleeding alliances. I want your military protection. But I am not a prize to be traded to satisfy your pack elders." Borin narrows his eyes on me now, an arrogant smirk plastered on his face.

"I will review your analytics. My team will verify the Iron Claw threat. And if I decide a union is the most profitable venture..." I lean over the table, mirroring his arrogant smirk. "...I will be the one dictating the terms. Not you."

​Curtis is instantly at my side, his posture straight, a look of fierce pride replacing his earlier anxiety. If I weren't looking at him through my peripheral vision, I'd have sworn he stuck out a tongue at the elders.

​

Borin doesn't look angry though. If anything, his gray eyes darken with a dangerous, predatory fascination.

"I don't expect anything less from the woman who conquered Moss City. But don't take too long, Miss Chatteris. Feral wolves don't wait for board meetings."

​"They'll wait for me," I throw back coldly. "We're done here, Curtis."

​I turn on my heel and walk out of the boardroom without looking back, the heavy oak doors shutting behind us.

phoenix here,

Hey everyone!!

I'm so excited for how this is turning out! I hope you are too.

Borin didn't seem to shocked by Mei's decision to leave...

I wonder what he's got up his sleeve...

stay tuned! There's a whole lot more to uncover!