Chapter 3. The Deal

ERVIN’S POV

Screams filled the air. Happy screams and excitement as everyone in the eastern part watched as their Alpha walked with his Luna. It was the wedding day of their Alpha. Stella had come to understand my point of view. She knew her duties to the pack. Even though she loved me, she knew it was the right thing to let me go. It was hard on me too. Seeing her getting married to my brother got to be one of the worst days of my life. As werewolves, our emotions are heightened. My wolf had grown attached to like her too so he also felt the heartbreak. It took everything in me to watch my brother kiss her and hold her the way I used to. My wolf was ready to tear them apart but he understood that it was for the best. It was a sad day for me and a happy day for my brother.

Stella on the other hand did her best to act happy but I had known her long enough to see the sadness in her eyes. I do hope that they grow to love and cherish one another. A merry time was over. Stella and Charles would be having the best night of their lives at the moment and I really needed to take my mind off things, so I threw myself into work.

After my Dad’s death, my Uncle tried his best in taking over the pack to become the new Alpha. He felt that my eldest brother, the rightful next-in-line Alpha was not capable of carrying the pack since he was yet to get his Luna. He was able to get the western part of the pack to his side. Now, he rules over them. Why my brother Charles rules the Eastern part where we resided.

***

It was a sunny afternoon. I was in my office doing my research and mapping out strategies on how Charles could get back the whole pack, when it got to my knowledge that my Uncle, Cain was making plans to gain total control of the whole pack.

He was making allies with other Alphas of other packs. I felt rage build up in me. Why was my uncle being wicked and vile? We never had issues when my Dad was alive. The way he suddenly changed after my parent's death marveled me. His sudden hunger and thirst for power.

Sometimes, it made me wonder if he had a hand in my parent's death. I did think about it, but there was nothing that could tie him to it. It was just a sudden unlucky happening. I knew I had to make allies too. Strong allies just in case he might want to pick a war.

My Dad has always taught me to be on the offensive, but I decided to be on both sides. Be strong enough to fight and win and also be strong enough to defend when attacked. I came across one of the letters sent to my Dad. It was sent in about three months ago from the Silver Moon Pack.

“Oh.” I breathed. Isn’t this great? The silver moon pack was strong. My dad was close to their Alpha. He would make a good ally. I quickly arranged the documents on my table and left my office. I sighted Stella and Charles walking by from a far distance.

Charles was beaming with smiles. He did love Stella and it calmed me to know that she was in good hands. He must have said something funny that made her laugh. Her eyes flickered to me and the smile disappeared.

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath and hid, sneaking out. I swiftly left a message with one of the guards to inform the alpha that I was going on a trip to Silver Moon Pack to create allies as Cain was secretly doing the same.

***

The trip to Silver Moon Pack was a short one as I have been here a couple of times with my Dad. Their pack was a sophisticated kind. They had lots of water bodies. I found it odd because werewolves were supposed to love bushes and forests but I saw few of those here. Anyways, I got to the pack house and Jaden, the Alpha of the pack was happy to see me. I had sent a message out to him quickly and he was ready to welcome me.

“Good afternoon.” I greeted him, bowing my head in reverence. Apart from my brother, he was by far the youngest Alpha I had seen.

“Welcome, Mr. Ervin of the Blood Moon Pack to the Silver Moon Pack.” Alpha Jaden greeted tapping my back. “What was so urgent that you had to come too quickly? Is everything alright?”

I could see the genuine worry in his eyes. No wonder he was friends with my dad. My dad only kept genuine good alphas as close pals.

“All is right Alpha Jaden,” I said with a smile.

“Oh call me Jaden.” He said dismissively and turned away, urging me to follow him. We headed into his pack house that was so huge and very sophisticated. It looked like walking in glass because everything shined, reflected, and sparkled.

“Have your seat.” He said as we walked into his office. I appreciated him and sat down. “Tell me, Ervin. What’s wrong with the Blood Moon Pack? Once again, my condolences for the loss of your Dad, the former alpha, and your mum, the Luna. I know what it is like to lose your parents.” Jaden said as a tinge of sadness struck his features.

I sighed. “We are having a power struggle in the pack.” I began.

“Siblings rivalry for power? You want the alpha position?” Jaden asked, his eyes boring probingly into mine.

I laughed. “No. My brother is the new alpha. He just mated his Luna and he would be sworn in soon, but first of all, we would need to get back control of the western part of the pack.” I explained.

“What do you mean?”

“Well. After the death of my parents, Cain took over as the beta filling up the role of the alpha, but slowly, he began to take more and wanted to be the new alpha. My brother Charles found out and tried to take back his right, but Cain had already gotten the western part of the pack to his side. I and my brother secured the eastern part.”

“Oh.” Jaden nodded in understanding. “So why are you here?”

“It got to my knowledge that he is gathering allies and I am doing the same just to be ready for battle. I know you had the same troubles but with your twin brother. I wanted advice on how to win as well as make you an ally.”

Jaden stood up immediately, heading straight to what looked like a safe. He placed his thumb on it and it unlocked. I watched as he grabbed some files and came back to sit down opposite me. He shifted the files to me. On it was a picture of a man. It was none other than the Pirate King.

“Believe me Ervin when I say I understand your plight.” Jaden began. “You mean well for the pack for you to embark on this journey and not for your selfish gain. I admire that. I am sorry Ervin, but I can’t be of any help to you. My pack had lost more than enough during the battle between me and my brother. We are not even strong enough to stand on our own, not to talk or help you.”

My countenance fell just like my heart.

“The only thing I can do is introduce you to the backbone that helped me win my brother,” Jaden said pointing at the picture.

“You know the Pirate King?” I asked completely dumbfounded. The pirate king was a very respected figure even though he was not an alpha. He had power, riches, and a good army under his command.

“Yup. And I suggest you get to him first before Cain dies. I’ve never really liked that Cain of a guy.” Jaden suggested casually.

I nodded. “So how do I find him?”

“He is my pack right now. And yes!” Jaden exclaimed. “You came at the right time. Today is the tenth year since my reign so we are celebrating it in his empire. I suggest you meet up with him and make your alliances.”

I nodded eagerly. “Congratulations,” I mumbled regarding his alpha reign anniversary. He nodded appreciatively.

“But you should blur that he never does things for free. There has to be a treaty. You would do something in return for him and I know just what he would appreciate.”

***

“No!” I exclaimed. “No. No no no never.” I shook my head in disbelief. Jaden had just explained and told me that the Pirate King had a daughter that was born without her wolf. Although she was beautiful, strong, and had some abilities but her abilities were not as strong as we that are fully wolves. No one wanted to mate her and he wanted me to mate her as my part of the deal.

How the hell was I supposed to enjoy my fatherhood? What of the mate bond? The shame! I could not even imagine such a life with someone that had no wolf. Her children would have no wolves too! Would she even be able to bear a child?

“I would rather find something else to use and strike a deal.”

“Trust me, whichever male that went to the Pirate King for help for the past three years has been given the same offer. That is the only thing you can do at the moment. If you do not mate her, I’m sorry, the Pirate King won’t help you. I am certain your uncle would have no problem in having her just to keep his alpha throne. So, Ervin, what’s it going to be? Alpha Cain or Alpha Charles.” Jaden said.

I sighed thinking hard. This was very wrong! In all ramifications! I could not imagine doing this but I knew I had to. For the future of the pack, I was going to sacrifice my love life.

“Damn it!” I gritted punching the table hard. My hands went through it due to the impact. I looked up at Jaden and he was smiling at me.

“You are a good man Ervin. I trust you have made the best decision. Your pack is lucky to have someone like you.” Jaden said with a proud smile. I could see that he meant every single word.

“When is the party?” I inquired.

***

I watched as Jaden gave his speech from the podium at the party. The party was a very elegant and luxurious one. I have been to so many parties and this has proven to be the best and most extravagant I have ever been to. There was no doubt the Pirate King wielded immense wealth and power.

Just then, the Pirate king climbed the podium with a young girl beside him and he began to speak. My eyes were focused on him as he spoke with such elegance and poise.

“….I want to make a proposition. Whoever chooses to mate her, treat her right, and love her as their own, would be rewarded greatly. You would have the full support of the Pirate king as well as up to one-third of my empire and riches.”

Murmurs and whispers filled the air. This was ours. The ultimate moment that would determine the future of my pack. I sighed deeply before muttering the words that would seal the fate of the Blood Moon Pack.

“I’m in.”

Everyone turned to look at me in surprise.

“Meet me in my chambers.” The Pirate King bellowed and walked down with his daughter towing behind him. My eyes flickered to Jaden and he nodded at me encouragingly. With another sigh, I joined him. The girl that was with him had disappeared. To where? I had no idea.

“Have your seat.” The Pirate King said immediately after we got into his office. I did not even look around to admire the splendor. My mind was fully in business mode.

“Ervin right?” The Pirate king said. “Second son of the dead alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. May his soul rest in peace.”

“Yes sir.” I was genuinely surprised that he knew me that much. “How-”

“I keep a record of every important person in the werewolf community.”

I nodded in understanding. Of course, he does. Knowledge is power, so they say.

“What do you want? I am certain a man like you has no intention to marry my daughter just for one-third of my empire and whatever it was I said out there.” I smiled. He was a wise man too. Nice.

“You are right. I need your help as an ally to the Blood Moon Pack.” I said, my face showing all seriousness.

“You need me as an ally?”

“Yes, I do. You are known to have a vast army at your command. Weapons. Technology. Wisdom and above all, you wield immense wealth and power.” I answered maintaining my facial expression.

“Why?”

“Power squabble.”

“Oh. Between your brother and your uncle Cain.” He said nodding. My eyebrows furrowed. How the hell does he know so much? It was infuriating, terrifying, and intimidating at the same time. “So you are willing to marry my daughter if I pledge my assistance to ensure your brother secures the throne?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Is that all?”

“No. There is a clause. Mating your daughter would take away the shame and disgrace from her. Help her find her place in society again, but she doesn’t have to live with me. She can have her life here and I, in my pack. We could hang out together in public just to keep up with the show till all eyes are away from us. I am certain it is what is best for both of us.”

The Pirate King stared me dead in the eyes, his gaze piercing and intimidating. I have seen such come from my father and I knew better than to turn away, so, I maintained eye contact till he sighed relaxing back into his chair.

“I guess you are right. That could work.” I smiled inwardly. Good. I could feel my wolf whining in sadness but he and I shared the same view. It was for the best. “We should begin to make plans for the mating ceremony that would happen soon.”