Chapter 9: The Calm Before The Storm

"Ah.. Alpha Grey. Do come in we have a lot to discuss!" Alpha Barry Monroe said at the head of a twenty-four seater conference table. A tray of whiskey and cups in front of him. His expression, collected in a white, fitted suit and shades hanging out of his pocket. Little wrinkles at the side of his eyes told time, a middle aged Alpha with lots of experience...

"Whiskey? It's not the strongest but it sure is spicy!" He offered sending the tray across the table with a nudge.

"Sounds great but I'll pass!" Grey declined taking a seat at the other end of the table, far away from the Alpha authority pressing hard on him. He couldn't feel his Wolf no matter how hard he tried..

"Okay! First time in Equinox, what do you think?" He asked with a smile acting as a front to something else.

"I am grateful for your help and allowing me into your pack but I don't think you called me here for a review, What's the price!?" He tried to stay afloat as everything in him screamed submission. Slowly he eased into it, imagining a shield around him and it worked at least a little bit.

"Here I was thinking of ways to break the ice and you basically just melted it to a puddle!" He went after the whiskey and poured himself a glass full.

"The Alpha Council called for a meeting. They somehow know that you are here, in Equinox and I am sure Alpha Gerald will file for prisoner return. When I refuse there are going to remove Equinox from the council and there is going to be war!" He downed the glass and poured another..

"Why would you risk a war!?"

"Because I am trying to keep my word! So, the council is going to throw everything they have at us which brings us to this deal!" He logged a rectangular suit case to Grey at the other end of the table.

Unlocked with Alpha Monroe's finger print, Grey's eyes rested on the obsidian blade and dagger laying side by side in the cotton interior of the box.

"These weapons contain a substance so lethal and rare my healers couldn't find an antidote. It worked wonders making Wolfsbane poisoning look like a diaper rash. I want you to tell me how to make more!" Pulling a chair from the others he took position next to Grey, keen like a child ready to listen to a bed time story.

"That's impossible. Both weapons were forged by a goddess!" He started the words sounding crazy even to him.

"A what!?" Monroe asked.

"They were made by the goddess Akhlys also known as the goddess of poison. She only made a sword and a dagger which are both sitting in front of you!" Monroe was disappointed he had based all his plans on the making more of this black stone weapons..

"You have a huge pack, sure you have a huge number of warriors!" Grey noticed the disappointment. It crossed his mind before to leave and take the trouble with him but once a pack under the council doesn't perform to their collective interest that pack is no more.

"We have a little over Four hundred but they are still not enough!" He pulled off a framed picture of a map. It showed every pack territory marked and named. Including the great pack of the west.

"The Equinox territory is smacked right in the middle of all the other territories. We share borders with practically everyone which are all potential entry points!" He tapped all six territories.

"Unless you can find another Ally, not all the Alphas will consider it profitable to go war!" He sparked up an idea in Monroe's mind, he thought of Moons Peak and the Alpha Logan, whom always chose peace till war was absolutely necessary.

"Amazing! If we can get Moons Peak off the table, I can position our warriors down the line blocking out the other entry points strategically. Though they will still have the numbers, especially on Lycaon Order axis!" He traced the line where the two packs met.

"What if there was a way to get numbers and reduce theirs!" Grey's eyes fixated on a part of the map.. The part that was once a powerful pack now an empty charred land. He knew nothing of his enemies before that battle but now he has a chance to take tactics by the balls and hopefully win against the whole werewolf faction.

"How?" Monroe asked, interested. Not being able to take the hint of Grey looking into his former territory if there was one.

"How's your pack revenue!" Grey asked taking over, he pulled the map closer.

"It's great! Multiple businesses and a secure Swiss account with several thousands!" He bragged still not getting the point Grey was driving at.

"If you are able to get moons peak off the attack team that will leave Lycaon Order, Rogue nation, ShadowLake and Blood moon. Among these Lycaon order is the most lethal so take them off the map with external resources!" Grey hinted hoping he would understand and get the idea.

"You mean attack right now? That will be stupid!" He still didn't get it.

"No, the Lycaon Order cannot attack if they have another front to go against. We use mercenaries!" Grey pointed out an open area where his pack and Lycaon Order shared boundaries. The drumming of helicopter wings played to the air...

"That's my ride! Let's hope it doesn't come to all these but if it does it will be an honor to fight by your side!" He extended an arm towards Grey. Gesture of alliance and Grey took it shaking his hand with a firm grip.

The two men walked out of the conference room. Monroe made for the stairs while Grey made for the elevator going down.

The stairs took Monroe to the roof where a helicopter sat waiting. Jeremy standing by it's side ready to accompany the Alpha like the loyal Beta he was..

"Sorry Jeremy but you won't be coming along today!" Monroe said stepping high, ready to board.

"You are going alone, without backup!" Jeremy voiced out in worry.

"The council uphold their word and besides...." In a wave his hand burned a bright blue flame.

"Who said I am going alone!"....

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In the elevator Grey tried to flip the switch in his mind, the one that brings his wolf forward to no avail. All he needed before was to channel his anger but it seems like there was none left, his wolf was no where to be found. He felt a slight bit of cold as the elevator opened to the living space..

Ten at the sitting area nose deep in a fashion magazine. She tucked a strand of her hair behind an ear and all worry was lost.

'okay, maybe my wolf's still healing!' he sealed his worry for later.

"What's the trend this season?" He asked sitting next to her. She closed the magazine and set it aside.

"Wow, you are still alive. I was about to come up with body bags!" She said. She had been genuinely worried went he spent more time than she anticipated in the conference room.

"And why's that!?" A dark brown eyebrow went up.

"My uncle can be a little bit harsh especially to outsiders..." She said.

"He was okay far as far as Alphas go.. He's your uncle?" He picked up on the family tie in her a sentence late.

"Yeah my mum's twin! So where do you want to see first!?" She got off the chair taking him by the arm.

"Preferably a place with something hard that I can punch!"

"Well then, to the Training grounds we go!" They walked out of the Alpha Manor on their site seeing trip..