Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“I don’t.”, James didn’t conceal it. “We have a lot, but to him, it’s never enough. He enjoys life in a luxurious packhouse where everyone bows to him, but the people who are enabling such a lifestyle are warriors and Omegas who work and train until their hands bleed.” James said this last part through his teeth. Only he knew how much he struggled to produce acceptable results. He pushed his body to the point of vomiting, just because his father needed an heir who won’t disappoint him.
“Do you plan to fix the current situation when you become the Alpha of the Red Moon pack?”, Dayson asked James.
Seeing that James hesitated, Dayson cocked an eyebrow and asked, “Or maybe I should ask you if you want to take over the pack at all.”
James snorted. “You sound like I have a choice.”
“What if you do?”, Dayson challenged him. “What if I give you an exit ticket? Imagine a life where you can be whatever you want.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Are you trying to poach me?”
Dayson smirked. “You are a smart kid. Any pack would be happy to have you as their strategist; my pack included. Your bloodline doesn’t define you. It’s what you will do with it that counts. Think about it.”
James shook unnecessary thoughts away. “If I decide to stay here, it will only be one more reason for my father to attack you. He doesn’t have another heir, there is no way he will let me go. And also, I’m not suicidal. Why would I stay in a place that will be razed to the ground?”
A low growl formed in the back of Dayson’s throat. “Are you underestimating me?”
James didn’t flinch. Years of his father lashing at him made him numb to these shows of power. Unless Dayson used his aura to suppress him, James wouldn’t show weakness. Actually, if he was not the young Alpha of the Red Moon pack, James would bow his head in submission and apologize, because Dayson was stronger than James in every possible way, but James knew that submission was not an option. He survived so far by bluffing, and he had no intention to admit his thoughts.
“No. I am only saying what will happen if we don’t handle this carefully. While on the topic of exit tickets, maybe you should offer one to my sister. She can’t go back home. Offer her asylum.”
“How will that appease Alpha Edward?” It was George who asked.
“It won’t.”, James deadpanned. “Actually, it will probably anger him more. However, if my sister makes a public statement that she was a willing participant in whatever happened, other packs won’t support my father, and that will make him think twice before reaching for something that belongs to the Shadow Fang pack.”
James spoke to Dayson, “Invite media to broadcast Marcy’s emotional speech about how she realized that she wants to be a nun or travel the world and that you were a wonderful and understanding host who didn’t trample on her dreams. That will also allow me and George to return to the Red Moon pack, and the most we will get from my father is scolding because we didn’t stop Marcy from straying from the plan of becoming your Luna…”
Dayson sat frozen with Talia on his lap, and he listened to James while thinking how the teenager in front of him is a monster. Did he just come up with that plan within minutes they were discussing this? Scary.
“Do you think Marcy will be OK with it?”, George asked. How he saw this, the blame of everything collapsing will fall on Marcy. Will she be stupid enough to take the fall so that everyone else can pass with a slap on the wrist?
James looked at George like he asked something silly. “She doesn’t have a choice.”
James’ eyes settled on Dayson. “My father studied you and he prepared for you the perfect Luna. Marcy attended the right courses, she was beautiful, untouched, with an unblemished past. A few of her indiscretions that left traces were completely wiped off by my father.”
Dayson’s brows came together at this. If Alpha Edward was keeping an eye on Marcy, it’s no wonder that they didn’t find any solid dirt on Marcy despite the rumors.
James continued speaking to Dayson, “If you were not greedy for the power you would get by solidifying the relationship with the second largest pack in North America, my father was counting that you will be enchanted by Marcy’s abilities as a Luna, or just blinded when your vanity and lecherous side take over. After all, every Alpha dreams of claiming a virgin.” He glanced at Talia. “The only thing my father didn’t count on was that you will find your mate.”
James shook his head and stifled a chuckle. He found it ironic that years of careful planning Alpha Edward did went down the drain because of one woman who was currently sitting on Alpha Dayson’s lap. James couldn’t imagine a fit his father was probably throwing right now. He was glad to be away from home.
“But let’s get back to Marcy. My father will skin her alive if she returns to him without the keys to the Shadow Fang pack. Her only chance of survival is that you offer her something… something that will make her feel safe, outside my father’s reach. Marcy is not bright, but she has a strong survival instinct. That’s why she went along with my father’s plan…”
After brushing up the plan a bit more, James excused himself. He was happy that Dayson told him he can proceed with his day in the human city with Petra, Erik, and Zack. They had a number of exciting activities lined up, and they were set to leave after breakfast.
Talia was happy that Dayson let go of her in order to shake James’ hand. She scooted off his lap and went to sit on her chair. It was awkward to snuggle and cuddle when everyone discussed serious topics.
Before James left, Dayson told him, “George and I will take it over from here. One way or another, you won’t go home for at least another day or two. Use them to your heart’s content. But keep your phone handy, if something comes up we will contact you.”
James agreed and left the study with a spring in his step.
“Was he always this calculative?”, Dayson asked George when the door closed behind James.
“James has his ways to survive, but in the end, he is just a kid.”, George said, and released a low breath, feeling a bit guilty. He saw James being punished harshly by Alpha Edward many times and George didn’t step in to help the boy. It would blow his cover, George told himself, as his goal was to make Alpha Edward believe that George was a loyal dog. Only like that he will get close to the target of his revenge and climb high enough to issue a challenge.
But more than beatings, the worst punishment for James was the mental pressure. George admired James for not snapping. Instead, the boy developed an ability to read the situation and was quick-witted.
“What about you?”, Dayson asked George as his expression turned solemn. “Don’t tell me that you plan a career until you retire as a Commander in the Red Moon pack.”
“No.”, George admitted. However, he didn’t trust Dayson enough to reveal how he wants to kill Alpha Edward. “My plan is still not finalized.” This was the closest to the truth he could say.
“With the news that Marcy is not my Luna, Alpha Edward will be busy. Whatever your plan is, this might be the right timing.”, Dayson said and glanced at Talia. “Take care of Dawn. If anything happens to her, Talia will be sad.” And she will probably give you a swift death.
“I will keep Dawn safe.”, George assured Dayson. “I understand that James communicated in my stead with Alpha Edward.”
Dayson regretted that James left. Acting in George’s place without permission was not right, and James was supposed to explain this, but James was gone, and George already knew, so the only thing Dayson could do was to confirm. “That’s right.”
To Dayson’s surprise, George didn’t raise a fuss.
“What do you want me to tell Alpha Edward? He will expect another report soon.”
“There is no point in concealing what happened last night.”, Dayson responded. “As for Marcy, you can say that you will investigate this carefully and get back to him as soon as you have something. Hopefully, Marcy will wake up soon, and then we can figure out the details with her.”
“Do you know what kind of protection you will offer to Marcy? If she stays in your pack, it will attract trouble.”
Dayson knew this. “I have a few ideas.”
He didn’t want to commit to anything without thinking it through. Marcy became a crucial person in containing Alpha Edward’s rage, but at the same time, Dayson couldn’t forget that she was Talia’s bully and that she came to the Shadow Fang pack with an intention to deceive him. Sure, Dayson was not a saint as he went to the Red Moon pack with an ulterior motive, but this involved Talia and he needed to tread carefully.
George left the study and Dayson looked at Talia who sat in her chair with a troubled expression.
Dayson walked to Talia and squatted in front of her. “What’s on your mind, kitten?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.