Slap For Slap [7]

Zev’s POV

“The Thornbriar Brood throne is waiting for Sienna,” Remus said, his fingers tightening around the head of his cane. “She is the rightful heir, and I have no intention of allowing this matter to continue any longer.”

I remained seated, watching him without much interest.

“And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?”

His eyes narrowed.

“Send her back.”

A faint smile touched my lips. “You seem to have mistaken this meeting for an opportunity to give me orders.”

“I am not here to exchange pleasantries with you, Alpha. My daughter has been away from her people for three years, we both know you are behind it, and now she has returned with your child.” His anger was flowing through his words 

I leaned back in my chair.

“You are free to believe whatever you want. It doesn't change the fact that Sienna is here because she chose to be.”

“And you intend to keep her here?”

“That depends on what she wants.”

He let out a bitter laugh.

“Don't pretend to be a gentleman now. I know enough about you, Zev Valerius. I know the kind of man you are”

The room went quiet.

My expression didn't change, but my eyes settled on him.

“So that's what this is about?”

“Stop keeping her here!”

A few of my men shifted behind me. I lifted one hand, and the room settled again.

The old man was angry, but I wasn't about to let his temper dictate the course of this meeting.

“My personal arrangements are none of your concern,” I said. “And neither is my relationship with Sienna. If she wants to leave, she is free to do so. But you will not come into my territory and decide her future.”

His face reddened.

“She is my daughter! You can keep your bastard child with you!.. I want my child back!”

My jaw tightened, and my hands curled into fists.

I could have cut his tongue out for those words if he weren't Sienna's father.

I got up stepping closer, my voice law, I was barely controlling myself from making him regret his birth.

“I don't care who you are or how powerful your Brood is. You insult my daughter one more time, and I swear you'll regret ever stepping into my territory. Now get out before I forget that you're Sienna's father and put you in a coffin myself.”

His expression turned cold.

“Then consider this your final warning, Zev Valerius. If Sienna does not return to the Thornbriar Brood, there will be war between our packs.”

I looked at him for a long moment before answering.

“Don't threaten me with a war you haven't thought of.”

“You think I'm afraid of you?”

“Let me explain something to you.” My voice remained even. “The Moon Pack didn't become one of the most dominant territories in the werewolf world because its Alpha spends his time entertaining threats. I have spent years building this pack, and I have no intention of allowing anyone to walk into my territory and dictate what happens here.

The moment Remus walked out, I turned towards Wilder, who was standing near the door.

“Keep an eye on him. I want to know where he goes, who he meets, and what he's planning. Don't let him know he's being followed.”

Wilder nodded. “Understood, Alpha.”

I dismissed him and leaned back in my chair, letting out a slow breath.

I had no intention of letting Sienna go. Not after spending three years searching for her, when I finally found her, I couldn't even think of her disappearing from my sight again, not even for a second.

Three years. Three fucking years without her. I had spent every one of those days searching, wondering where she was, whether she was safe, and now that I had her within reach, I couldn't bring myself to stay away. She had become the air I breathed, the one thing my life had been missing. I wanted her near me, wanted to hear her voice, see her face, even if all she had to offer me was anger.

It was already evening, and I hadn't returned home. I had been caught up in an unexpected visit from Remus. 

But for the first time in years, I actually had something to look forward to.

Home.

I wanted to see her there.

Though I already knew Sienna wasn't going to make things that easy for me.

I didn't care. I was going to ask her myself.

The drive back felt longer than usual. I kept checking the time, impatient to get there. It was strange. I had returned to that house countless times over the years, yet today, for the first time, I was actually eager to walk through its doors.

The moment I entered, something felt different.

Perhaps it was because I knew she was inside. Perhaps it was because the place that had felt like nothing more than four walls for so many years now had something I had been missing.

“Where is Sienna?” I asked the maid who approached me.

“She is upstairs, Alpha.”

I nodded and started towards the staircase.

For the first time in years, I was going home knowing that the woman I had spent so long searching for was waiting somewhere inside it.

I reached the upstairs hallway and found Sienna standing face-to-face with my stepmother. They were clearly arguing about something, though I couldn't make out their words.

I slowed my steps, watching them.

I knew how cruel that woman could be, and I remembered how Sienna used to be frightened of her.

My stepmother suddenly raised her hand and slapped Sienna.

My fists tightened, and I stepped forward.

But before I could reach them, Sienna's hand struck her cheek.

I stopped, momentarily stunned.

Sienna hadn't stepped back. She was staring straight at the woman she had once been afraid of.