Page 69 of The Alpha Dire Wolf
Noel, for his part, looked more composed, as I expected of the only wolf to put up a challenge against me in the trial to become alpha. Unlike the elders, who acted from what I believed to be fear, Noel held a different set of opinions, ones that clashed with mine. I did not approve, but I could respect that nonetheless. Usually.
But when my eyes locked on to Noel’s, the other dire wolf did something unexpected. He smiled. Broadly. Broadcasting his eagerness for the meeting to get started spoke of a deep confidence in the outcome.
Time to shake that.
Instead of looking away, or seeming unsettled, I paused my scan of the room, leveling my gaze at Noel and not letting it move. Then, ever so slightly, I smiled at the edges.
Watching his pupils dilate in surprise, I allowed myself to feel a sliver of the disdain I carried for him to shine through.
That’s right, you bastard. I know exactly what you’re up to. But you have no idea what I’m going to do.
The meeting was brought to order properly this time by Elder Germander, who said some solemn, respectful words about the gathering of the pack and a focus on unity. But the instant he finished, Noel shot to his feet, demanding to be allowed to speak.
“Of course,” I said, taking the reins back from Elder Germander and giving a lazy wave to my biggest opposition. “Be my guest.”
Noel’s forehead wrinkled ever so slightly in confusion at my tactic, but he hurried to the front of the amphitheater without any hesitation.
“My fellows,” Noel said as he addressed the majority of the pack. “I come to you today with grave news. News of betrayal. News of disobedience and disregard for the council of our elders and traditions. I come to you with news of treason and literal sleeping with the enemy.”
I wish,I thought, taking a nanosecond to enjoy the thought of Sylvie’s warm body writhing beneath me as I claimed her properly. Then I dismissed the thought and focused once more on the meeting before us, raising a hand as if we were in class, interrupting Noel before he could continue.
“Point of order,” I drawled. “I am not actually sleeping with the enemy.”
Sylvie deserved the respect of me admitting to the truth of that.
“Yet,” Cassius said. “It’s only a matter of time.”
I smiled broadly, clapping my hands together twice and pointing at him, enjoying the confusion on both his and Noel’s faces. “Exactly. Not yet. I’m glad you get it. This will make things much easier.”
Cassius looked at Noel for support, but Noel was just as confused and caught flat-footed as his supporter. Instead of telling them my plans, I waited for Noel to gather his thoughts. It made him look weaker that way.
“What are you suggesting?” he finally asked, the background muttering of the pack growing louder by the second.
“I’m suggesting that you’re right on the money.” This was the part I didn’t like. The part that I had to say, but I didn’t want to. Deceiving my pack did not make me feel good. But it had to be done. “My plan is to sleep with her.”
“She is the enemy of our pack!” Elder Jackson shouted. “This is unacceptable.”
“Correction,” I said, pointing at him with a flourish. “Wethinkshe’s the enemy of our pack. We don’t know for certain what the old witch did or did not tell her. We know her and her bloodline are a danger to our pack. We believe she’s up to something.”
“She must be,” Jackson replied. “Else why would she have not left already? She’s staying for a reason, despite her grandmother’s death.”
“Also correct,” I said, agreeing and throwing Elder Jackson off as well. “As you told me, we did not have to worry about the grandmother. She had grown too weak. But we don’t know enough about her granddaughter. And we must learn more.”
Elder Jackson frowned, twisting the tip of his beard back and forth, a sure sign he was agitated. “Is that what you’re sayingyour plan is? That you intend to seduce our enemy to gather intelligence about her plans?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I said, feeling slimy as all hell. “I will get close to her. Gain access to her trust and what she’s up to. The easiest way to do that is to seduce her. She’s already falling for me. It’ll be easy. Once she’s on her back, I can make sure she’ll give it all up.”
I wanted to vomit. That was not the way I viewed Sylvie, and I hated lying to my pack. The entire thing was despicable, but until I could figure out how to stop the paralysis the elders were spreading through my pack, it was the only way forward I’d come up with that ensured I could remain as alpha.
Noel’s face clouded with anger as I completely undermined his entire plan of attack. Numerous heads were nodding thoughtfully in the audience now. More than a majority. I had the support for this, and he knew it. He was just pissed that I’d pulled the rug out from under him so smoothly, when he’dknownhe finally had me with my back to the wall.
“I am working to protect our pack,” I said to everyone. “Not betray it. If I am successful, none of you will get hurt. Once I know her plan, once I have her in my grasp, we can counter it and protect everyone, including our pups.”
Again, I felt dirty for included that last, a clear strike with the mothers and women in the pack. But I was smugly broadcasting my intentions to bed a woman and use her desires against her. I had to show somehow that I still cared, to ensure they would also side with me.
“I am the alpha of this pack,” I growled, choosing my moment to keep speaking perfectly, right as Noel opened his mouth. It was a subtle reminder that I, not he, was in charge. Others saw it too, I was sure. “I will protect you all as an alpha should. Whichwould go smoother if others would stop trying to interfere and risk exposing my true nature to her.”
There was some mild arguing, a symbolic protest from Noel, but I had enough support from the rest of the pack that the issue was never in doubt. I eventually adjourned the meeting and then left as quickly as I could.
