Page 48 of Cursed Wolf

“As I mentioned, my home is open to you for as long as you need it. I do need two things. One is an agreement that once you secure the Savage Sector, I will have clearway to travel through your land anytime to easily reach the northern countries for my trades.”

“You got it,” I confirm without hesitation. “What else?”

“If anyone in your pack harms my pack or I discover your visit is anything other than security, I won’t hold back from eliminating them. Anyone who stands in my way will face the same fate.”

My exhale is shallow, but I agree just as quickly. “I have nothing to hide from you, but I do ask if you find something you disagree with that I’m informed first to avoid action taken from a misunderstanding.”

Dušan sips his whiskey.

“I am merely extending you the same grace you did on our last visit.” Then he’s on his feet. “As such, I’m calling for a blood oath to seal our agreement.”

I stiffen, well aware a blood oath is an agreement that should either of us break, the one Alpha automatically claims dominance of the other’s pack and Omegas. This comes in the form of attempting to take over each other’s packs during my stay here.

Dušan is not an idiot, that much is clear. On our last visit, I threatened him, and as much as I hate the notion, right now, he has my balls in a vice. With Narah so close to birth, I can’t risk having her anywhere else.

Grinding my teeth, I study the Alpha, who isn’t grinning, telling me he’s not enjoying this, either. I don’t hate the guy, but fuck, I loathe making such deals out of pure concern that no one can control fate. Lately, she’s been a fucking bitch with everything going haywire.

“So, do we have a deal?” he asks.

I swallow my pride and get up. “Yes, deal. I have no intention of bringing any harm to your Ash Wolves.”

“Good. I’d prefer to think this is the beginning of us trusting each other for future dealings.”

I can’t help but laugh at his words when I’ve just agreed to a blood oath.

“Agreed. Let’s do this.”

Against my better judgment, I have no other option, and if there was an Alpha I’d willingly do such an agreement with, it’s Dušan. The things I heard from Jae about his loyalty and how he treats his pack give me nothing but appreciation for him.

He crosses the room and grabs an empty glass along with a sharp blade. Once he’s set the glass on the coffee table between us, we take a seat across from each other and lean forward.

“To put you at ease,” Dušan begins as he lifts his hand and the blade over the glass. “Once everyone from your pack leaves my home, I’ll burn the proof of our blood oath.” He slashes the blade across the meaty part of his palm, not grimacing once, then curls his hand into a fist and lets the blood drip into the glass as he hands me the knife.

“I’d appreciate that.” The sharp bite of the blade cuts across the top of my palm. Dušan moves his hand back, and I add my blood portion to the oath. We then shake on it, our blood mingling. The oath is more than proof in a glass—it is entrenched down to our wolves.

My wolf rouses, grunting in my chest with acknowledgment, though he growls against my decision. However, I’m no longer the man I once was. I have more than my pack and land to worry about. I have a family and a newborn on the way. For them, I’d risk everything—even my life.

“We’ve agreed to a blood oath between our wolves,” Dušan states. “If the oath is broken, our wolves will also honor the agreement—your pack and Omegas will bond to me. And should I harm your family, you will own all that I dominate.”

“Agreed,” I growl, shaking his hand as more blood drips into the glass before we pull our hands back. He gives me a rag to wipe my bloody hand, then does the same. I take that as my cue to leave, which is for the best as irritation curls in my chest.

“Thank you for taking us in, Dušan. I will not forget your generosity,” I say, not wanting him to think I’m bitter. That’s not how partnerships are formed, and this Alpha holds a lot of power and connections I can use.

“Good night, my friend,” he says with a yawn tugging at his mouth.

I see myself out of his room, shutting the door behind me. Cracking my neck, I breathe easily. I have no issues with Dušan, but it’s not in my nature to play the submissive in any relationship.

Narah’s beautiful face swims in my mind. I miss her terribly, but my pulse is on fire, and I need a few moments to remind myself why I’m out here, why biting my tongue and living with Dušan’s threat is a necessity. So, I stroll onto the outdoor balcony that sweeps outward in a circular motion.

He has his family to protect, and I have mine. I stare down at my cut, where the blood has already coagulated and stopped bleeding.

Tilting my head, I stare at the immense woodland. It’s barely indistinguishable from the night, with only the silvery glow of moonlight brushing the tops of the canopies giving away the forest. It’s quiet outside, but there’s war in my mind. I clench my jaw. I’d planned every goddamn move in taking over Savage Sector for a long time, and not one thing has gone to plan. Things have definitely moved in our direction, but in ways I never expected.

I left Denmark to establish my own pack and will not return home until I’ve completed my plans. Despite the death we’ve encountered so far, I suspect it’s only a fraction of what’s to come. I have no idea what chaos Martell will create or how many packs he’ll destroy if they don’t bow down to his dominance.

And I can’t do a fucking thing about it, which leaves me furious as hell, shaking with anger.

A storm’s coming, yet with our baby on the way, for now, all I can do is remain low. I’m thrilled to become a father, even if it’s the worst fucking possible time.

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