“Ok, on my way.” Cutting the link, Zayne continued his trek. Mekhi had sat this meeting out as he was taking care of some business with the clubs Alpha Zayne owns.

***

In Alpha Zayne’s office.

Beads of sweat form continuously on the forehead of Alpha Jude Dartwood as he sits patiently awaiting the arrival of Alpha Steele.

He was built, clad in his tailored form-fitting suit, his greying hair receding behind his hairline, five feet ten inches. Dartwood occasionally swipes his handkerchief over his forehead, soaking up the beads as they rapidly form.

His brown eyes sometimes dart around the room, then over his shoulders to the door.

His daughter Leandra Dartwood sat meekly to his left. Her face blossomed with light makeup, clad in a chic dark blue, knee-height dress that highlighted her creamy skin paired with black pointy toes.

She has gorgeous light blue eyes with long flowing blonde hair past her shoulders, neatly styled in a side part. Some hair fell in a sweep over her right eye, accentuating the shape of her face.

Leandra sat with her knees closed, hands clasped in her lap with her bag next to her in her chair. She did not want to be here or want to have to do this, and she hoped and prayed to the Divine Moon Goddess that she won’t have to.

Leandra was hoping that Alpha Steele would turn her father down. Or they would come to an agreement that does not involve using her as a bargaining chip. She waited patiently for this so-called Alpha to show his face.

That old man was known for dealing in some shady business back in the day when Leandra was a child. She could not fathom why her father would want to tie her to that old snooze because he had lost his wife and mate.

There are many other packs he could have gone. Why here? She was livid, but all her temper tantrums were for naught. They still end up here.

So she waited.

And his wife, Lenora Dartwood, sat next to their daughter. She sat poised, back straight in her pinstripe gray suit and pink pumps. Her sleek dirty blonde hair was styled in a low bun.

Her blue eyes glanced at her husband reassuringly from time to time when their eyes would meet. She would always be his support, and she was here to do just that, offer comfort and cheer him on if need be.

***

Alpha Dartwood was in a bind and hoped and prayed to the Divine Moon Goddess that Alpha Steele could help him out of this bind, and he came prepared with a proposal.

Upon the door opening, Alpha Dartwood shot up and stood facing the door, eagerly looking on. Hoping it was the Alpha this time.

The longer he was in here, his nerves ate him alive. He was a proud man, and asking for help was not his strong suit. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

To his dismay, it was not the Alpha but a handsome young gentleman in his stead. And who might this young man be? He curiously eyed the young man.

Soon another young man came in behind him. OK, still not the Alpha. Where the hell was the Alpha, and who were these two handsome young devils?

His mind suddenly perks up with possibilities. Maybe his daughter won’t have to marry the Alpha after all. Perhaps one of these was his son?

His eyes widened in wonder, but it did not matter to him in the end. Once he got what he wanted, he did not care who his daughter would have to marry.

“Good afternoon, Alpha Dartwood,” Mekhi acknowledged and gave a quick nod, and Alpha Dartwood nodded swiftly.

Mekhi glanced at the wife, “Mrs. Dartwood,” he nodded politely, and did the same with, “Young Dartwood.”

Mekhi greeted everyone, as Zayne made his way to his chair behind his big black mahogany desk.

Soon Mekhi grabbed a seat away from Zayne to his right. He watches over the trio.

“Good evening, Alpha Dartwood. How can I be of assistance today?” Zayne casually asks one eyebrow, lifting in question.

Mr. Dartwood needed to be sure of whom he was speaking with. His head rares back, and he asks like someone had royally offended him, “I ask to speak with the Alpha of this pack, and they send me you?”

“I need to speak with Alpha Steele,” Alpha Dartwood demanded, not that he was in any position to order things, but he was tired of Alphas treating him less than their equal.

“This is Alpha Zayne Steele, the Alpha of Ragnuff Crescent Moon Community. He took over from his father over three years ago. You will speak with respect!” Mekhi sets the record straight with a sweep of a hand, and his face is set in stone before even Zayne can utter a word.

The trio’s eyes immediately snap to Zayne sitting comfortably laid back in his thick black leather chair.

One held surprise that immediately turned to satisfaction, even desire, another pair stared blankly as the wheels turned in their heads, and the other was just pleased.

Zayne’s face, on the other hand, was set in a mask of indifference. The space between his eyebrows was formed in a distinctive frown as he casually glanced at the trio.

His eyes did linger a second longer on the youngest of the trio. However, he gave nothing away. His frown and indifference were set in concrete.

She was a beautiful blonde with long flowing hair and blue eyes, the cliche blonde type look that many strive to achieve, she has mastered.

Rose pink lips, a small button nose, and a diamond-shaped face.

His frown deepens after he looks back at Alpha Dartwood. However, Zayne’s thoughts were still with the blonde-haired beauty as he wondered and settled on ‘she must be one of those spoiled, fake types.’

And just like that, he dismissed her.