Alec’s

Three years later..

r the hundredth time w

I stared at my watch for Hunter. Hunter was not only one of my few friends, but he was also an alpha himself. Our packs have had an alliance since our dads discovered we were friends back when we were around ten.

Our dads had never gotten along, but when they discovered our friendship, despite being enemy packs, they set their differences aside for our sake. Apart from Jason, Micah, and my sister, he was the

only other person I trusted with my life.

“Is there anything else I can get you, Mr. Ashford?” The waiter asked.

I’ve been here for about ten minutes. I hated being late and most importantly, I hated when people didn’t keep the f** time.

“Yes,

another glass,” I answered, my patience getting thin with each damn second that passed.

“Right away, Alpha, sir,”

When he leaves, I gulp the remainder of my whiskey and lean back against the comfortable seat.

My head was buzzing, with my thoughts refusing to give me a break. I’m not one to drink while I have a lot of things weighing me down, I needed a clear head for such situations. That being said, today I just wanted to escape my busy mind. Sure, alcohol doesn’t really affect werewolves, but it does take the edge off a little bit.

I groan again when I check my watch. Hunter was now almost fifteen minutes late and it was **g me off. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was doing this just to pi** me off since he knows I hate ta**s.

Forget my d**n drink. I was about to stand up and leave, when the b**d finally showed up, grinning like an idiot.

“I’m here, baby, did you miss me?” he asked, the**d grin still firmly in place.

I

I fist my hands, just so I don’t swing at him. I was on edge. I was stressed. I was f**g angry. Not only because of him, but because it’s been three g**n years and we’re still not even close to figuring out anything about the curse.

The condition of my pack had worsened. Jason, Micah, and I, being the highest ranks, were the only ones not severely affected. We were starting to feel the effects though and that scared me. I couldn’t be a weak leader. It would spell doom for my entire pack.

14

Since I was desperate, I confided in Hunter about a year ago, hoping he’d help.

“**k Hunter, you know I hate it when someone is t**dy.” I fumed but the a**hole just smirked at me.

“That’s why I did it. You need to chill and stop being serious all the time.”

I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. I don’t know how we’ve gone this long without me snapping his neck.

“Why did you ask to meet me?” I sat down, just as the waiter came back with my drink.

“Because Jason and Micah wanted you out of your office. They said you needed some time to relax, and that’s where I come in,” he answered distractedly, his eyes firmly fixed on a brunette in a tight

short dress.

“Seriously? Why the f**k would they do that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? They are worried about you and so am I. You’re killing yourself with exhaustion, stressing about it, and trying to figure out the curse that you’re barely living. You’re like a d**n robot, always in your office going over texts, videos, etcetera. You barely sleep or eat, and let’s not forget how you seem to be on edge and on the verge of losing it.”

His eyes were now back on me and I hated the intensity. It was like he was trying to search my soul and I f**g hated it.

1

“So what was your plan? Bring me here and get me drunk?” I asked sarcastically. “Alcohol won’t do a d**n thing.”

*Sure, but it will loosen you up enough for me to get you some good p**y. You need to get laid. We both know that sex is a great stress reliever.”

“I’m not going to waste my time f**g a faceless woman when should be trying to figure out how to help my pack,” I growled, Knox near the surface.

*er raises his hands in surrender and bows slightly. He may be an alpha, but I was still more inant. That’s the thing with our world: even alphas have ranks within themselves. Some are more dominant than others.

“Now, if you’re done wasting my time, I’m going home,” I told him, standing up.

“Alec wait”

I stopped and glared at him. My lips pulled back, exposing my fangs. I didn’t want to admit it, but my friends were right. I was always dancing on the edge of losing control. I f**g hated that.

17:15 Wed, 10 Jul G WO

“What now?”

“I’ve been thinking about your situation, and I think you should make an alliance with the Hope Pack,” he said, fidgeting a bit.

He should. He knows I don’t like asking for help and I don’t unless I really have to. I’m usually able to handle things on my own. On most occasions, other packs are usually the ones seeking help from me.

“And why the **k would I do that?” I bellowed, my anger rushing to the surface.

Like I said, I trusted Hunter with my life. That was the only f**g reason why I told him what the hell was going on in my pack. It was the only reason I asked for his help. I knew he wouldn’t betray me. With the other packs, it wouldn’t be the same. The moment they got to know we were weak, they would pounce on us like a pack of rabid rogues.

It has literally taken everything in me and my officials to keep appearances up. Making it seem like we were still the same strong pack we’ve always been.

“Think about it Alec, Hope is a very strong and huge pack. It will be an advantage to have them as an ally. If this situation continues and you don’t get a solution soon, you won’t be able to hide it for long. Soon, other packs, both allies and enemies, will sense the weakness. Having a pack such as Hope backing you up will make sure that none of the others dare cross you.”

I just stared at him. Hope pack is a pack that cropped up around two and a half years ago. Personally, I think Hope is a f**g st**d name to name a pack. Couldn’t the leader find a great name?

No one knows how or when, but all of a f***g sudden it was there. Rumors of how savage, fierce, and fearless they were have been circulating.

No one knows an estimate of how many members they have (but there are rumors that it might be bigger than my pack) or who the top officials are. Even during meetings, the alpha sends representatives. That has caused others to be more curious about them.

“Please consider it,” Hunter all but pleads. “Think of the army that will be backing you up. things don’t go your way.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

in case

The army he’s talking about is the different species in the pack. Usually we stick to our own species, so having a pack that accepts all three species is unheard of.

“Please.” Hunter’s voice pulls me back to the present. “Always have a plan B; that’s what my father taught me. If things fall apart, my pack alone won’t be able to help you. We don’t have that many members.”

Hunter’s pack has a few hundred wolves, while mine has thousands. I get what he’s saying. If other

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17:15 Wed, 10 Jul G W

packs decided to take us down, his help won’t be enough.

Instead of answering, I just nodded, then walked out of the VIP section and out of the hotel’s

restaurant.

The valet had just brought my car when my phone rang. My anger rises when I see Micah’s name flashing.

“When I get back, you and I will have some alone time in the training arena,” I said, not even greeting him.

I hated being controlled, and I hate it when others try to force their f**g decisions on me, assuming they know what’s best for me.

“Alec, did Lola have a crescent moon mark behind her left ear?” he asked urgently, ignoring my threat completely.

I frown. It’s only after he said those words that I realized that something was wrong. Really wrong.

“Alec…”

“Not that I remember, why?”

Theard as air left his lung, like he’d been punched in the gut. Something was fucking wrong and he wasn’t talking.

“Why are you asking me this, Micah?”

His next words left me completely floored.

“Because one of the elders found something in the old texts… Apparently your true mate is supposed to have a crescent mark behind her ear.”