Seven

Alex was dismayed and disturbed when he lost the mystery man. He felt outsmarted which was not a feeling he was in any way accustomed to.

When he finally gets a hold of him, he'd ask him how he had managed the disappearing stunt.

As pissed as Alex was about the whole ordeal, he was also intrigued to know how he had done it.

His interest had been spiked and he'd do anything to find out just who and what the hell that person wanted. He wanted him dead, that was for sure, but why?

"Sire." Alex was pulled out of his thoughts by Gerald.

"We're here," Gerald said, pointing upward at the Great Hall Of Counsel.

                        ••••••••••••

Alpha Jayden

Alpha Jayden was beyond pissed and all his anger was directed at one man. The same man who had invaded his thoughts all through the day before and even plagued his dreams. Alexander Heartsman. How could one man yield so much power?

They had all been kept waiting for him for almost thirty minutes and just when Alpha Jayden was about to stand and express his anger, the door was flung open by a palace guard–Alex's guard. and the young Alpha all but strolled in.

His presence was alluring as it had been the day before and Alpha Jayden felt the pull to cower in his presence once again.

But he was also an Alpha.

He would never let himself be reduced to a cowering mess.

He looked at the seven elders to see if they were feeling even an ounce of what he felt.

He wasn't wrong 'cause they all did but the lad had been in their presence long enough to get a tad accustomed to his power and they yielded much power themselves so it was easier to stand in his presence.

"Alexander, you're late."

Elder Kaleb, the head of the council pointed out rather fondly to Alpha Jayden's disappointment.

'They should be upset not smiling at him fondly like a bunch of proud fathers.' Alpha Jayden snapped in his head.

"I apologize, Elder. I had pressing matters to address," stated Alex.

'Is that his excise?' Jayden snapped in his head. 'He didn't even stand to address the Elder, he just sat there looking at the man fondly too like a bag of expired rice.'

Alpha Jayden didn't think Alex was capable of emotions.

"Okay, boy," the Elder said and a smile graced his lips. "Let's proceed."

Elder Kaleb was really happy to see the boy as he hadn't in years.

"What?!" Alpha Jayden yelled frantically. "You're just gonna let this insolence slide?"

Jayden clenched his jaw; anger brewed in his veins.

"This boy set a meeting, which should not even have been possible for a young Alpha but for the urgency of the situation, he was allowed to, yet he strolls in almost an hour later and you all are just gonna welcome him warmly with smiles when he doesn't even have the decency to give a good explanation as to why he's late to his meeting?!" Jayden fumed, face turning red and panting heavily with both anger and fatigue.

Alex just stared at him in amusement.

"I agree with Alpha Jayden,"

One of the elders, elder Tole began. "The young Alpha should at least, be made to explain himself."

They were all well aware of Elder Kaleb's fondness for the young Alpha and many of them envied him because of it.

The short black man with a voice strong and words full of wisdom, said, "Well, you need to understand that Alpha Alexander is new to the system but if he must explain himself, he shall." He motioned for Alpha Alex to begin and Alex obeyed.

He remained seated, however, and when Alpha Jayden was about to point that fact out, Alex glared at him so deeply that Alpha Jayden's mouth shut on its own accord.

"I once again apologize for coming late, but I was attacked on my way here and that delayed us a bit," He said, simply ignoring the gasps of the old men. He knew who truly cared for him and who didn't. They could pretend all they wanted but he wouldn't be fooled.

"How do we know it's true?" Alpha Jayden deadpanned.

"My boy doesn't lie," Elder Kaleb said, becoming irritated by the Alpha's constant antagonism toward his boy.

Alpha Jayden kept shut. The last thing he wanted was to be on the elders' bad side.

"Do you have any proof of your claim son?" Elder Kaleb asked all the same.

Alex motioned for Gerald who had been standing behind him all along to produce the poisoned arrow. Gerald placed it on the table gently so that everyone could see it.

"It's a poisonous arrow so be careful not to touch the spearhead," Alex warned as the arrow was being passed from one elder to another for proper examination.

"Now that that's been cleared, can we begin?" Elder Kaleb asked and Alpha Jayden could feel the man's old eyes on him.

Alex was quick to relay how they had lost five wolves each and their suspicion that whoever the killer was, was after a war between the two packs.

"Hmm." Elder Kaleb hummed thoughtfully.

The elders each exchanged thoughtful looks.

"We'd go to our private room and come to a decision," The Elder said as he rose to his feet.

They all rose with him. Alex and Alpha Jayden remained standing as the elders all exited the room.

When they were gone, Alex took his sit and Alpha Jayden did the same, feeling uncomfortable to the core. He didn't like being in this man's presence, especially not alone.

He tapped his fingers on his thighs and then thumbed his ear while throwing furtive glances around.

Alex however, seemed comfortable and relaxed.

The elders re-entered the room and Alpha Jayden couldn't be more grateful to the moon goddess.

"We have concluded,"

Elder Kaleb announced.

Alex and Alpha Jayden waited in silence for their verdict.

"We have agreed on an alliance between the two kingdoms." Elder Kaleb gestured.

Silence befell the hall as the two Alphas took in their verdict.

"This would help counter the plans of whoever perpetrated this evil. There would be no war whatsoever as you both would be bonded by an alliance." Elder Kaleb explained and they all nodded their heads in agreement.

Alex squinted his eyes, staring intently at the old man. Mischief was radiating off him in torrents.

"What kind of alliance?"

Alex asked, already knowing the old man's answer before he said it and spread descended upon him like a flood.

"A marriage," Elder Kaleb said unable to keep the excitement out of his tone.

"No way!" Alpha Jayden slammed his hands on the large table, rising to his feet with a contorted face.

Alex, however, remained seated in anger with his lips pressed into a grim line. There was no arguing with the council. Their words were law. What sort of trick was this old man playing?

"It was not a question, Alpha Jayden." Elder Kaleb said sternly, looking at Jayden. "And neither is it up for debate." Now, he was looking at Alex who looked like he could explode with rage any minute.

"There has to be another way. It doesn't have to be a marriage alliance." Alex's voice was low with anger and the power radiating off him increased.

"Do you have any other alliance in mind?" Elder Kaleb asked with a raised brow at Alex. "Besides, what better way is there to ally?"

"But-" Alpha Jayden attempted to reason with them but was cut off by elder Kaleb.

"This is our verdict,"

Elder Kaleb said in finality that neither Alpha Alex nor Alpha Jayden was willing to accept.

The old man jumped down from his chair and so did the other elders and they made their way to the exit.

It was settled. Elder Kaleb's words were law and anyone who dared disobey would have himself to blame for the consequences that would befall not just him, but also his Pack.