Alpha Zane Steele

“Alpha Steele, Alpha Winters is on the line,” Zane’s beta announced, entering his posh office. 

“I am unavailable to take his call,” Zane replied gruffly.

“I think you’re going to want to take this call,” Beta Paul urged.

“Why would I make time for our enemy?  Unless he’s officially waging war, then I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“He says he has a peace offering.”

“Which is?”

“His daughter.”

“Is this some sort of a joke?” Zane growled, throwing his pen on the desk.  “Camilla Winters is dead.”

“Camilla Winters is confirmed deceased, but Alpha Winters is claiming to have another daughter that he wishes to bargain.”

“Give me the phone,” Zane eagerly replied, snatching the phone out of Paul’s grasp.  Zane motioned for Paul to leave with his hand.  “This is Alpha Steele.  I heard you might have something for me?”

“As you may have heard, my daughter, Camilla Winters, was brutally murdered, and my daughter, Amari Winters, is suspected of hiring an assassin to get rid of her.”

“When did you get another daughter?”

“Amari is 18.  I kept her secluded since birth.”

“What is her motive for killing Camilla?”

“Jealousy.  Camilla discovered her mate was Alpha Beaumont, and Amari couldn’t accept this.”

Zane released a humorless chuckle.

“This isn’t a laughing matter,” Alpha Winters growled.

“It is.  I call bullshit, but lucky for you, I don’t give a damn.  Why are you attempting to pawn your secret child on me?”

“I’ve heard throughout the grapevine you could use some more staff after the last attack on your pack land.”

Zane gritted his teeth and could feel his canines elongate from the mention of the attack on his land from a pack they had been allies with.  Zane had invited them for a weekend of fellowship, and what did they do?  They attacked them in the dead of night while everyone was asleep.  Zane awoke to the sounds of blood curdling screams echoing throughout the castle.  Many of his faithful maids and guards lost their lives trying to protect the women and children and get them to safety.  The White Claw pack disbanded after their unexpected blitzkrieg, leaving Zane to pick up the pieces of the deadly aftermath. 

The pack blamed him for the attacks and accused him of being too trusting and incompetent.  The sad thing was…they were right. 

Zane had spent the next several weeks trying to earn the trust of his pack back.  He reassured them they would have their revenge; however, most of the wolves were becoming antsy for blood.  He feared a group of covert wolves would seek vengeance without his approval.  He made sure his beta and delta kept a close eye on everyone.  His subordinates reported there hadn’t been any illegal activity yet, but Zane refused to relax. 

“So…let me get this right.  You want to gift me your daughter to work for me?  What’s the catch?”

“There is no catch.  She disgraced the pack and as a result, we lost Alpha Beaumont as an ally.  I need Amari gone.  She is of no use to me.”

“Question.”

“Answer.”

“Is she hot?” Zane questioned.

“I wouldn’t produce unattractive children,” Alpha Winters scoffed.  “When can you get her?”

“Tonight.  Just know I still hate your guts, and this doesn’t mean shit,” Zane growled, before ending the call.  He looked up to find Paul patiently waiting for orders.  “Tell Susan to prepare a room for a new maid.  We’re leaving in thirty.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Paul replied before leaving the office. 

******

Zane and his entourage arrived at the border of the Blood Moon pack and went through the necessary security procedures.  Once they were cleared, they were escorted to Alpha Winters’ office.  Zane’s eyes immediately zeroed in on the young woman chained to a chair with duct tape on her lips.  Even from her distressed state, Zane could appreciate her beauty.  Her skin reminded him of the moon and her dark hair flowed down her back in coils.  Zane couldn’t wait to peel back the tape from her lips.  He just knew she had a set of plump, kissable lips underneath. 

“Thank you for getting here so soon,” Alpha Winters greeted.

“It wasn’t a problem.  As you say, I am short on staff.  I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“What the hell is wrong with her hand?”

“Alpha Beaumont took certain liberties with Amari while she was imprisoned by him.”

“Did he—"

“No, he did not inappropriately touch her.  She is still chaste.”

Amari shook like a leaf during a windstorm while the two men discussed her.  She wanted someone to end her.  She had heard countless horror stories of how ruthless the men of the Steele family could be. 

“We’ll take her off your hands.  I’m sure we can find something for her to do,” Zane said with a menacing smile on his face.

Amari shook her head in fright as Alpha Steele slowly approached her.

“Shhhhh,” he whispered, gripping her jaw with his strong hand.  Amari winced in pain.  Her jaw was still fractured due to the backhand she received from Alpha Beaumont.  The silver was still circulating through her system, slowing down the healing process.  Zane reached for the tape at the corner of her mouth and slowly peeled it away, revealing one of the greatest gifts known to man.  As he suspected, Amari had the most beautiful lips. They were chapped due to dehydration and split from being abused, but once they were restored to their full glory, they would be a sight to see.   

“I am Alpha Zane Steele.  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”  Zane patiently waited for Amari to say something back.

Amari was confused.  Alpha Steele had a soft look in his eyes and a pleasant tone in his voice.  She couldn’t help but believe it was all a façade.  However, she was now enslaved to him and his pack and she would do whatever she had to in order to remain on his good side. 

“I am Amari Winters.  The pleasure is mine.  C-can we leave?” she whispered. 

“Eager, are we?” Zane chuckled.

Amari’s eyes darted to her father and back towards Zane.  She gave Zane a self-assured nod. 

“As you wish.  Will I have any trouble from you once you’re released from these chains?”

“No, sir,” Amari replied weakly.

“Very well.”