Page 41 of Fated Alpha Protector

“Yes. I don’t see the need for us to marry for ranks. This is, after all, just for the sake of an alliance.”

Cyrus leans back and chuckles. “I know you’ve been harboring a Blackclaw fugitive on your land.”

A trickle of fear courses down my spine, but I give nothing away. Maintaining my composure, I say, “I am not harboring a fugitive,” I say sternly. “I simply provided refuge to an Omega who had been kicked out of Blackclaw.”

Cyrus perks up one skeptical brow. “Is that what she told you?” he scoffs. “The Omega appears to be a liar, then.”

I refuse to believe a word he says. But I keep a straight face when I say, “It doesn’t matter anyway. I will marry the Omega, and you can do the same.”

The tension in the air becomes daunting as Cyrus leans in. The death glare he gives me doesn’t faze me. Except, I remain curious to figure out his true intentions.

Cyrus clenches his jaw, throwing his Beta a knowing glance. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to marry the Omega in question,” he informs me with brutal sternness in his voice. “She will return to Blackclaw, and the marriage exchange will take place as I’ve offered.”

“The marriage exchange will still take place,” I say in a last-ditch attempt to buy myself time. “And the Omega can remain in Overton.”

Cyrus slams a palm on my desk. I don’t flinch, but I’m shocked at his outburst.

“The Omega is to return to Rocheport,” he demands through gritted teeth. “If not, Blackclaw will declare war on Nightwalker.”

Cyrus gets out of the chair, leaning over the desk with both palms braced on top. “This is a promise from one Alpha to another,” he says as he cocks his head to one side, eyes narrowed at me. “Have I made myself clear?”

Though I cannot understand why the Blackclaw Alpha is determined to have Mia back, the looming threat on our packs remains evident in the form of the human hunters in our custody.

We can’t afford to be at war with the only other pack in the vicinity. A pack that we should have had as allies a long time ago.

And Cyrus seems more determined to have Mia back than he is about the alliance. Confused, I agree only for the sake of having time on my side.

“Understood,” I relent reluctantly as I rise from my chair and stick my hand out to shake on it.

He shakes my hand, keeping a firm grip when he says, “I’ll give you a week to prepare your sister for the wedding. But I want the Omega back by tomorrow night.”

With that, Cyrus and his Beta leave the facility. Leaving me to wallow in confusion and the thought of Mia going back to Rocheport.

Whether or not she’d been kicked out or ran away, she’d faced enough adversity within Blackclaw. Why Cyrus is determined to have her back, I’m not sure.

All I do know is that I cannot place the pack in danger. The risk of our packs going to war is much too concerning.

And the time I bought for myself will allow me to uncover the secrets that Cyrus seems to be keeping.

As soon as they’ve left, I head back home. Dragging leaded feet up the staircase, I barely acknowledge my sister coming down. Brushing past her, I head to Mia’s room.

“Oh, Theo!” she exclaims as she pulls a sweater over her head. “You’re back early.”

I say nothing as I cross the bedroom and pull her into a hug. Inhaling the floral scent of her hair, I bury my nose at the top of her head.

“I had a meeting with Cyrus Savage…” I inform her tersely.

I feel her tensing in my arms, her breath shuddering. When I look down at her, she gulps. “What does he want?”

Sighing, I take Mia’s hand and lead her to the bed. I realize that as much as something had been plaguing her mind, I’ve had worries myself.

Things I haven’t been open and honest about.

When we sit down, I take her hands in mine. “I’ve been in talks with Cyrus about a potential alliance. To protect Nightwalker from the dangers of the human hunters,” I explain while Mia listens intently. “But his terms for an alliance isn’t something I’m willing to accept.”

“Do you need Blackclaw as an ally?” Mia asks.

I nod reluctantly. “I wish I didn’t. But now he’s threatening to wage war on Nightwalker.”

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