Mated To My Biggest Enemy

Riley's POV

 Father whispered, "Stay close and keep quiet," as we made our way to the designated meeting spot.  "Victor Steele is coming, and I don't have any faith in him not attempting something."

Pack gatherings had taken place beneath the ancient oak tree since I was born.  Scars of furious wolves from generations past were carved on its enormous trunk.  I felt like walking into a trap today.

"Why are we meeting him in the first place?"  Even though I knew the response, I questioned nonetheless.  "The festival committee could have done the particulars without the Alphas."

Dad's rage, barely contained, was bunched up in his jaws.  "Because that snake wants to talk about the festival's 'security problems.'  He most likely intends to make some trouble and would want to test our mettle."

Even when I viewed the Red Canyon wolves, I was able to smell them.  My wolf snarled with automatic disdain at the odor of them.  I remembered everything that Dad had taught me concerning our foes.

As if he owned the tree itself, Victor Steele emerged from behind it.  He was dark-haired, tall, and had cold blue eyes that made me think of winter storms.  His son Asher would have been the shorter guy standing next to him.

My air tightened with tension.  Asher Steele was not the sworn enemy I had anticipated standing before me.  He was hesitant and had soft eyes, as if he didn't want to be here any more than I wanted him to be.

"Marcus," Victor said, his tone replete with false cordiality.

"How good to see that you haven't died yet."

"You won.  I notice you're still as ugly as ever."  

The tone in Dad's voice had been frosty.  

"Let's proceed.  What do you want?"

Like outlaws in an old western, the two Alphas faced each other across the open area.  

I could see waves of hatred rolling over them both.  

The air had become heavy and hard to draw into the lungs.

Victor said, "I want to talk about the plans for the festival."  "Specifically, how we're going to prevent our young wolves from doing something. stupid."

"My wolves are intelligent enough not to intermingle with Red Canyon trash."  Dad's fists were clenched.  "But I can't promise what happens if your wolves cause trouble."

Victor's smile was cutting.  "Oh, Marcus, I don't object to fighting.  There are other kinds of. mixing that worries me.

 My skin crawled at the way he spoke.  Asher squirmed uncomfortably next to him and turned his face away from Dad and me.  He didn't seem as displeased as I was with this interview.".

"What do you mean?"  Dad insisted.

 "Festivals are where young wolves learn things.  things about mates and bonding with wolves who are not appropriate.  Victor's eyes clashed with mine for an instant.

 "We both know what happens to wolves who mate outside their pack."

I had to grab Dad's arm so he couldn't attack when he stepped forward.  "Are you threatening my daughter?"

"I'm telling you facts.  Some attachments are just. unacceptable.  They must be dealt with straight away when they occur.  Victor's voice fell to a whisper and was lethal.  "Forever."

My blood rushed cold through my veins.  He was referring to the killing of wolves that mated with packs of enemies.  I grew sick to my stomach at how easily he spoke of it.

 I said to him, "You're referring to murder," before I could find another phrase to say.

For the first time, Victor's hard eyes turned to me with intense examination.  "Little girl, I'm speaking of holding the dignity of our bloodlines.  There are some things that don't have a price tag.

Dad yelled out, "Quiet, Riley."  But I could also sense that Victor's words did something to fluster him too.  "Victor, even you would not do that."

"Wouldn't I?" Victor's smile expanded.  "Marcus, I have insurance policies in place.  Plans for handling issues before they become disasters.

Dad's face went white.  "Insurance policies?"

"The kind that see traitors get the punishment they deserve.  the kind that maintains the power and honor of our packs."  Victor gave his son a quick glance.  "Asher has a lot of experience with loyalty, don't you, boy?"

Asher seemed on the verge of vomiting.  He continued to stare at the ground while shaking his hands.  It was apparent that he didn't agree with whatever his dad was saying.

Asher muttered, "I know some things matter more than old grudges."

Victor struck him with a backhand so vicious the sound rang off the trees.  Asher lurched but did not struggle.  Part of me wished I could rescue him because of the pure agony in his eyes.

 Victor growled. "You don't get it," Victor retorted.  "But you will.  You'll know exactly what happens to wolves who lose their status after the festival.".

Dad was becoming increasingly angry as he watched this exchange.  "Victor, what do you mean?"

 "Marcus, I'm looking ahead.  a future in which our packs are kept apart and untainted.  As if he had just tried to kill his own son, Victor readjusted his coat.  "I suggest you plan ahead."

 "I don't need to plan to take care of phony problems."

"Oh, but you do."  Victor's voice had turned silky smooth.  "Because I know that you've already been making arrangements for your own insurance.  With certainty. third parties."

Dad froze solid.  That expression on his face, as if he'd been caught doing something awful, was one I'd never seen before.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?  Those midnight sessions you've been attending?  The ones where you talk about ultimate solutions to time-worn issues?"  It sounded like shattered glass when Victor laughed.  "We're closer kin than you'd care to acknowledge, Marcus."

I felt sick to my stomach.  Was Dad secretly having a meeting with someone?  Ultimate solutions?  My wolf, sensing a danger that I couldn't, began to pace uneasily at the words.

"Victor, you're trying to fish.  I haven't made any deals.".

"Have you not?  If I tell you the deals I've made, you won't hate me."  Victor took a step forward towards Dad.

"The kind of deals that bring this feud to a final end once and for all."

Asher gazed up at what his father had stated.  I could detect genuine fear in his eyes, and his face went pale.  His own son was scared of whatever Victor was planning on doing.

"Both of you should stop," Asher stated.  "Nobody's safety is the aim here.  It's about keeping your own resentment going.".

"Silence!"  Victor let out a bellow.  "You'll have your place, or I'll teach you one the hard way."

Dad glared at Victor as if he'd never seen him in his life.  Actually, you've done it, haven't you?  You've made a deal with them.

"Made a deal with who?"  Both Alphas disregarded my protest.

Now Victor's smile was evil.  "Yes, I have made plans.  The kind that guarantees the Silver Moon Pack's total annihilation.

 "And I've made my own plans," Dad said quietly.  "The kind that guarantees Red Canyon is left in ashes."

As the two men looked each other up and down across the clearing, I knew that their conversation had shifted from pack war to something else.  They were discussing something far more grave.  Something that required assistance from the outside world.

I said, "Dad," tremblingly.  "What bargains are you discussing?"

But a scent drifted into the clearing before Dad could move.  Human scent, yet somehow wrong.  Destructive, cold, and metallic.

Victor smiled as though he'd anticipated it.  "Right on schedule."

They arrived men in military attire, their boots thudding through the scrub.  They marched like drill soldiers and carried silver swords.  The commander smiled in a manner that sent shivers through my flesh and his eyes were empty.

"Gentlemen," the head of them stated.  "I think we should discuss business."