Chapter 9

Damien

“Beta Rolf,” Jenn smiled as she sashayed past, leaving the scent of our escapades trailing behind her. Rolf looked at me out of the side of his eye, smirking.

“Jenn, always a pleasure.” And at that, she left, closing the door behind her.

“Damien, you need to be careful with that one, she’s relentless.”

“Oh, don’t I know it, but there is no need to worry, my friend. She’s fun for Sargon, but not a mate.”

“She might not be a mate, but she can still bear a pup.”

“I’ve had the healers see to that,” I reminded.

“And what do you think your wife will think of the arrangement you have with the Leashed?”

“It is not her concern. Ours is a pragmatic union that is bound by tradition. I saw to it that we could both seek mates outside of the marriage. So, what can she say? Plus, there is no guarantee that I’ll even want her Leashed, and she is an Alpha in her own right.”

“It’s been 100 years since the last union with Iceclaw, but it was one of ours becoming Luna to theirs. I must admit, I would be more comfortable if tradition was being fully honored, with one of theirs becoming Luna to Silverburn, not an Alpha Luna, divided between two packs.” Where will her loyalty lie if she must choose?”

“It’s been on my mind, as well, Rolf, but I’m not sure that it truly matters much. My mother still assumes the Luna duties of the pack, albeit reluctantly. So, other than by being married for our alliance, I assume little will change. If anything, it will allow us to call upon Iceclaw’s strength at will should it be needed.” Rolf rolled his eyes.

“Like we would need that,” he laughed. “Speaking of, the detail will be following behind in case they are needed during the Ceremony.”

“If anyone attacked, they would certainly be fools,” Sargon added mentally.

We left the office and walked past the pools, through the hedge garden, and to the helipad where three black helicopters were waiting to lift off. Rolf and I climbed into one of the waiting choppers and put our headphones on.

“Welcome aboard, gentleman,” the pilot said, “We will be in the air for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. The weather in the human lands is a sunny, mild spring day. The cars will be waiting for your arrival, and if there is anything we can do to help your flight be more comfortable, do not hesitate to ask.” At that, the blades whirled faster and we lifted off the ground, circling Silverburn manor and flying South.

Rolf understood that I wanted to sit in silence, and I watched as the icy landscape gave way to tangled, ancient mountainous forests, then sloping, rolling foothills that flattened into the sprawling farmlands. Up ahead, I could see the shimmering barrier that separated our realm from the humans’ world. The packs to the South of the human lands forbid any vehicles that flew, so taking the helicopters any further wasn’t an option.

As we passed the barrier, I felt Sargon shudder. Beyond the barrier and in the human lands, magic, while still accessible, was dulled. For wolves, it felt like they had had a little too much to drink, became a little slower to shift, and the lights and concrete jungles of the cities were disorienting. Though many wolves tried to make homes in the human lands, it was uncomfortable and hard existing without a pack, leading most to return. It was more common for wolves in the South to try making their way there, which made sense since their settlements were significantly closer to the borders.

I had known for my whole life that I would marry the daughter of the Iceclaw Alpha, but I had not thought much about it or them until recently. I didn’t know anything about her, other than her wolf was unusually large for a she-wolf, but she was an Alpha, so it made sense. Sargon had imagined a wolf equal in size to us, one who was battle scarred and marred, and he had already determined she would not be our mate. The Southern packs were notorious for their fighting, and Iceclaw was especially known, especially for their clashes with their rogue population. I had to agree with Sargon, I half expected her to be scarred or missing a limb given the news we got about their packs. “It’s for the good of the alliance,” I told Sargon, ‘nothing more, ever.”

We began flying over small homes that were close together, “suburbs” the humans called them, and they gave way to a tangle of roads that stretched to the city in the horizon. The late morning sun danced off the glass and steel that stretched to the sky as the helicopter made one last loop and landed on a large H on the tallest building, Silver Tower. We had long had business interests in the human lands, and they had paid off over time.

I told the pilot I would return tomorrow afternoon. A woman, Clarissa, attractive enough for a human, welcomed us to the tower. Her long brown soft curls were styled and draped town around her shoulders, just touching the neckline of her grey silky dress. I could see the outline of her nipples, pushing out the thin fabric and the way her dress laid on her bony hips. “Her narrow ankles would snap with one bite,” Sargon noted. Human women were too skinny, unhealthy.

“Good morning, Mr. Silverburn. The cars are waiting in the garage. Would you like a beverage or meal before you depart for the Southern border?”

“No, thank you. Let’s just get on with this trip. Please schedule a meeting with Mr. Evergreen for tomorrow morning. I have some business to discuss with him.”

“Absolutely,” she said brightly, “Is there anything else I can assist you with before you depart?”

“I should be back from the South by midnight,” I replied, “Please have the penthouse ready.” I gave her a quick wink.

She giggled. “Very well, Sir,” and with that, she watched us walk to the stairs from the roof that led to the elevator.