Chapter 5: Dead To Them

JASPER

“I walked out of the Campbell house into the crisp, night air, and stood under the moonlight with my security team. I closed my eyes as the breeze shook the jungle of trees in the distance, creating a sound that calmed my nerves.

“Why did we leave?” I heard Lupus, my wolf, snarl in my head. “I want to be close to her.”

I sighed. “Is she our mate?”

Lupus paused. “Not sure. I can’t sense her wolf, seems like something’s blocking it but I feel a pull.”

“Me too. She feels different.”

“Exactly. So hurry up and get back in there.”

I rolled my eyes as I subtly shook my head. “I can’t spend another minute in there with her brother, Lupus. He makes me sick.”

“Me too, Jasper. Me too. And if you had let me, he would have been kissing dust by now.”

I sighed again. “I know but that would be a rash move, Lupus, and any bad move could affect Dora greatly. We need to be strategic.”

“Alpha Reed.”

I turned to see Alpha Campbell standing a few feet away and when my eyes landed on his son beside him, I curled my hands into fists.

“I sincerely apologize for what happened in there.” Alpha Campbell began to say, but my eyes zeroed in on the smudge of blood on the edge of his son's knuckles.

Was that Dora's blood? Did this bastard punch her?

Scott shifted his arm behind him and when our eyes met, he flinched before looking away.

“Alpha Reed?”

“Yes?” I answered a little too sharply.

Alpha Campbell hesitated and swallowed, “I was asking about the treaty. I hope we are still moving forward with that?”

I glared at him while pondering about that.

Is having a treaty with the Campbells not a bad idea? I should call it off but then again, won’t that affect Dora badly? Her family will definitely take out their frustrations on her and this time, I had a feeling that Dora might not survive it.

“I’ll sign the treaty but only on one condition.” I said.

The Campbells glanced at each other before looking at me. “What condition, Alpha?” The oldest one smiled eagerly. “We'll do anything you want.”

“Good. Because in exchange for signing a treaty with you, I want Dora Campbell.”

Alpha Campbell's smile dropped, and his son frowned. “May I ask why?”

I shrugged. “Well, I need a breeder to bear me pups, and I think Dora will do great as that.”

Alpha's Campbell’s smile creeped up again. “Surely, if you need breeders, we have lots of beautiful women here who will bear you strong pups.”

“I know, but none of them have Alpha blood running through their veins, do they?” I asked, “No Alpha wants their daughter to be a breeder, and it’s obvious you have no use for yours.”

Alpha Campbell opened his mouth and closed it again. I could tell that I had him in a corner. His son, on the other hand, didn't look too pleased. “Alpha Reed,” He said, “...if you permit me to speak-”

“I don't.” I said with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. In response, he gave a curt nod and looked away.

“Pardon him, Alpha,” his father chuckled nervously. “It's just that Dora is important to us.”

“More important than this treaty?” I raised a brow.

Alpha Campbell suddenly looked unsure of himself. “Please, give us a moment.” The Alpha smiled and went to a corner with his son.

Meanwhile, I used that time to mindlink my sister. “Hey. How is she?”

She scoffed down the bond. “Where do I start from? She’s in need of serious medical attention. She’s traumatized, and also sick.”

I became alert at that. “Sick?”

“Yes. I haven’t ran proper tests on her, but she’s suffering from fever, and one of her wounds has become infested.” I curled my hand into fists again. “You should come see where she’s sleeping, Jas. It’s…terrible. If what she did was so bad, they should have just killed her. Death is mercy compared to this! Please tell me those monsters have allowed you to take her.”

“Not yet, but I’m working on it. We’re not leaving here without her.”

The Campbells later came forward, and Alpha Campbell gave me that creepy smile that made me want to punch him in the guts. “We agree. You can have her as long as you sign the treaty.”

“Good but there’s also one more thing.” I said, and the Campbells eyed me warily. “Having her does not make us inlaws. Once she leaves with me, Dora’s no longer a Campbell. She becomes dead to you. Understood?”

“Yes, Alpha.” The old man smiled and something about that unnerved me. At first, they were hesitant to let Dora go and now they couldn’t be happier to get rid of her? I thought they would put up some fight about Dora being dead to them?

“What more are you looking for?” Lupus piped up. “Do you have an idea how much these bastards stand to gain from a treaty with you? Even an Alpha would sell his left kidney just to sign with you, how much more a tortured slave girl?”

I saw reason in Lupus’ words so I moved on.

___________________________________

After the treaty was signed, I was led to where Dora slept.

The first thing my eyes caught were three to four big rats scurrying into corners as Dora slowly moved around. When I looked up, I found the ceiling thick with mold and mildew, especially above her tiny bed which was about the only furniture in the room.

To a corner, was a toilet and I crunched up my nose as the air stank of mold. Angel was right. Death was mercy compared to the kind of life Dora had been living.

“Forget what I said.” My wolf piped up again. “Just let me out for a second! I need to have a talk with Dora’s family!”