Chapter Two: Enzo

ENZO

"Tell me why exactly you think this is a great idea." My uncle said as had crashed my meeting this afternoon seething with anger.

"What do you speak of, Uncle?" I asked impassively, even though I knew very well what he was on about. 

"The transformation rite, Enzo."

"Oh that," I shifted in my seat and stroke my chin. 

I had stamped the bill that morning and the news had spread like wildfire already. It was however accepted with mixed feelings. 

"What the hell are you thinking?" He bawled.  

My beta, Kane, shifted uncomfortably beside me. He did not appreciate the tone my uncle used on me. I told him through the mind link to stand down. 

"And why does it have you riled up?" I enquired, cocking a brow. 

"This smart idea of yours is going to tip the system. The omegas? They are as important as they are infinitesimal." 

"I do not see how," I replied. 

"If all the omegas undergo this rite and they pass, who then would take up their roles in the pack?" He retorted. 

In as much as I did not wish to agree with him, he was right. 

"We could reshuffle the system then. Besides, not everyone would pass this rite surely." I argued. 

Even though I wished to help them all, this was true. Anyone who did not pass this rite could not be helped any further. They would remain an omega the rest of their lives. 

I only prayed Claire passed. 

"I only hope you know what you are doing, Enzo. And that this does not backfire." A worried look flitted across his face. 

"I know, Uncle," I gave him a reassuring smile. I hoped I knew what I was doing too. 

He opened his arms, gesturing for a hug. I gave him a quizzical look. 

"Come here, boy. Do not be shy." He rounded the large mahogany desk and pulled me out of my chair into his arms. 

I could hear Kane stifling a laugh as I stayed immobile. 

My uncle gave me a firm pat on the back before releasing me. "You are a great Alpha, son. Your parents would be very proud of you. But learn to make enquiries before making rash decisions. Everyone cannot be helped." 

"I know, Uncle." I reiterated. 

With three pats on my shoulders, he turned around and exited the room. Kane chuckled and took the seat my uncle had just vacated. 

"If only he knew..." He gave me a wry look. 

"That?" I asked, picking up a file from the pile on my table. 

"All this fuss? The transformation rite...is for one person. A certain she-wolf," he crossed his leg.

"I will punch your face in if you do not shut it this instant," I threatened, but the amusement in my voice gave me away.

Kane barked out a derisive snort. "Dude, you have not even spoken to this girl yet. And you have liked her for two whole years." 

I remembered the first time I had seen her at the transformation experience ceremony. She looked so innocently beautiful. And the confusion that had crossed her features when she failed to transform then made me realize how much I wanted to protect her, how much I wanted to make her mine. I had been working ever since to make it possible. The first step was to strip her of the omega status. 

"My sister does the talking for me," I defended, penning down some notes on the file before me.

"Yea. Like you did the talking for me when I indicated interest in your sister," he said sarcastically. 

"You two have that mate bond thing working for you. What if Claire does not feel the same way about me too?" My hands froze over the paper, then I dropped the pen. 

That had been my fear. Nothing scared me, except for Claire's rejection. My chest constricted at the thought. What if she believed in the mate bond and would not accept me because she was waiting for her mate?

"Talk to her first, Enzo. You would not get an answer to your questions if you do not talk to Claire."

I looked up at him. "You think so?"

"The great Alpha who has spoken to millions confidently in his lifetime. Who knew you would be so scared of speaking to a woman?" He taunted me and I threw my pen at him. I almost had him, if not that he caught the pen mid air. 

"Show off," I muttered. 

"Learned from the best." He nodded at me and my mind flashed back to our sparring moments. 

"What new updates do you have for me?" I switched to business mode.

Kane followed my lead, picking up a file he had dropped earlier and put it in front of me. "It is that time of the year. Alpha Dominik would be here in two days for the annual tribute."

I nodded curtly. "What does he request for this year?"

Kane shook his head. "We do not know yet. He says he would inform us once he arrives." 

My brows furrowed in thoughts. "This does not sit well with me. What if he asks for something we cannot give? Press his Beta. We need to have a hint on what he wants before that day, so we can prepare it," I instructed. 

"Yes, Alpha." He responded. 

“Also, have the whole pack know so everyone can be on their best behavior, anyone that crosses him would not be saved by me” I informed him, this wasn’t being cruel but even I didn’t dare cross the tyrannical Dominik.

Kane of the same opinion and we planned the best way to receive him. 

"Now to other matters at hand..." We drifted to issues concerning the pack. Then I instructed Kane to be in charge of the transformation rite and ensure nothing went wrong. He soon left me alone with the heaps of paperwork on my desk and I tended to them. 

I was not sure how long I sat there, signing away papers, when a knock sounded on the double doors. 

"It is Blaire," the intruder introduced. 

"Enter," I said and heard the door creak open. 

"Hey Enzo," Blaire greeted as she entered. 

"Blaire," I responded, not lifting my eyes from the work in my hand. 

"When are you coming home? It is ten pm already." She perched on the edge of the desk, just beside me. 

My eyes whipped to the window. Indeed it was dark already. 

"Hey. No peeking," I scolded softly when I caught my sister peering into the file in my hand. 

"Oh please. It is not like I am interested in your boring pack business," she sneered, but we both knew deep down she meant the opposite. "Let us go home."

I stretched. "I still have quite a number of things to take care of here."

"Can they not wait until tomorrow?" She whined. 

"Nope," I replied, picking out yet another document. "But you can keep me company. Tell me, how was your day?"

That was all the motivation Blaire needed and she begun to drone out the happenings of her day. I half listened, but I was grateful for the company. At some point, she paced around, making hand gestures. 

"Claire says thank you for the dress and wishes," she said and my ears stood in full attention. 

"You don't say," I responded, failing woefully at pretending to be uninterested. I knew from the smile gracing my sister's lips. 

"Yes. She would not stop smiling. You know what I think?" She stalked to me and I watched her every move, hanging unto her every word about Claire. 

"What?" I asked. 

"I think she likes you," she sang. 

I gave her a deadpanned look. Even though an ounce of hope bloomed in my heart, I could not believe whatever Blaire told me regarding this matter.

She had told me once my crush liked me too when we were younger. I had made a move on the she-wolf who rejected me. Although it was a long time ago, I was still not taking chances. Claire was too precious for me to lose by making rash confessions. I would bid my time until I felt it was right. 

Somehow, I could tell that Claire was not at that stage yet.