The Alphas Of The West

Keegan had just finished having a warm morning bath. Dressed in his jewelry - encrusted attire, he sank into a chair and let out a deep sigh that came from the depths of his soul. 

He had a court meeting in a very short time. But as he stayed seated on the chair, he found it so difficult moving a step. 

He could almost feel the sun-warmed stone beneath his feet, the gentle caress of the breeze against his face. 

A serenity unlike any he'd known in years washed over him. Every muscle in his body unclenched with pure relaxation seeping into his very bones. If only he didn't have so much responsibilities, he could sleep the whole day. 

Keegan couldn't fathom where this sudden sensation came from. But what he did know was at what point it started. 

It happened the previous night right after he had gotten off on the new maiden. 

It was wild that anyone could ever feel that way after intimacy. However, he waved it aside as a blessing from the goddess. 

It didn't take too long before his blissful relaxation was interrupted by Kalaril. Kalaril, however, had a disturbed look on his face as he entered the Alpha's chambers. 

"There is something you need to see. It concerns one of the Keepers," Kalaril announced. 

...

Keegan followed Kalaril to the place where the body of the Keeper laid, lifeless. His brows wrinkled in confusion as he tried to wrap his head around it. 

"Luger here noticed he didn't show up at his post this morning and decided to check on him. He was found this way in his room." Kalaril reported before the Alpha asked. 

Keegan turned to the two Keepers present with them, one of which was Luger. "Do you have any idea who might have done this? Had Corvus made any enemies of late?"

Luger shook his head. "Not that I am aware of, Alpha. Corvus was a man of peace, a man who avoided conflict."

Keegan was perturbed. This was the first time anyone was mysteriously getting killed in the Fortress. It was the first time since he became Alpha. 

"Get to the root of this, Kalaril. And for the meantime, I'd want this to remain a secret. We don't need panic spreading through the ranks," he instructed. 

"On it, Alpha."

Keegan left afterwards. 

****†****†

FAR OFF IN THE WEST

****†****†

Alpha Laycoan - Alpha of Whispering Fells - stood with a deep scowl on his face as he glared at the head of his spy which had been sent to him in a box. 

Considering where the spy had been assigned to, he didn't need a herald to know who was responsible.

He spat out - not in disgust - but in anger of defeat before turning away.

"Send for Bran, Cyrus, Thorn, Edmund and Sebastian." He said to one of his Keepers without looking at him. "Now."

.....

The sun had dipped low in the Western sky before the six Alphas finally found themselves settled at the table in the large private room. 

Ruby red wine and a platter of roasted hart flesh was served on the table. And while most of them helped themselves to it, Alpha Laycoan was seething with rage. 

He spent the next few minutes narrating all that had happened to the rest of the Alphas who reacted in turn.

"Blast it, Laycoan! What were you thinking having a spy in Howling Ridge? You, of all people, should know Keegan's temper. The man's pride is as sharp as a dragon's tooth!" Alpha Thorn, a wiry man with a mane of silver hair, said with a huff, pouring himself some wine from the flagon.

Laycoan bristled at the veiled criticism. "Well, may the Fates curse me if it wasn't a necessary risk! He is our enemy, is he not? A viper in our midst, and any Alpha worth his salt would seek to have eyes and ears within his enemy's camp!"

The Western Alphas have been nothing but threatened by Keegan's rule. Even under his father's rule, bad blood has always existed between them. 

The Alphas on the table were men seasoned by age and hardened by countless battles. Hence, they felt bittered that the young Alpha was doing much better than his father. Not just that, he was also a threat to them. 

"I cannot let him get away with this," Alpha Laycoan wrinkled his nose. "Beheading and sending my man's head to me is utter disrespect!" 

"Disrespect?" Alpha Cyrus chuckled. "Perhaps, gratitude is the word you seek, Laycoan, that he didn't come after you himself. We all know who Keegan is - he's not a regular Alpha like the rest of us to be messed with."

"Do not mock us, Cyrus!" Bran hissed. "We are not ordinary."

"Indeed, we are not. But not in the face of Keegan. Eleven Alphas share and rule the West, but how many hold sway in the North? Three. Keegan owns the largest Pack. We are talking about a man who has control over the Ravagers. Clearly, we are no match for him, not in open war."

They knew it was the truth. But of course, it was always a bitter pill to swallow. 

"Alpha Laycoan, was your spy meant solely for defense? Or perhaps you harbored other ambitions in the North?" Alpha Edmund's voice was laced with a sly inquiry.

Laycoan's nostrils flared, a surge of anger battling with the need to maintain composure. "What do you insist, Edmund!? Do you think I play some grand, clandestine game?"

Edmund shrugged casually. "Likely. Considering you didn't tell us you had a spy in place but deemed it fit to call for a meeting when he's beheaded."

"W...Well, it's called a spy for a reason, wouldn't you agree?"

"We've been acquainted long enough to dispense with secrets, Laycoan. I do not think that is reason enough," Cyrus interjected. 

The next sound was a frustrated growl ripped from Laycoan's throat as he slammed his fist on the table. "There are no hidden motives!"

The Alphas went quiet, giving him time to speak. 

He took a deep breath and forced his voice to a calmer register. "We must not stray from our focus here. We have to do something about Keegan." 

"I am afraid there shall be no 'we'," Alpha Sebastian spoke for the first time, grabbing a napkin and wiping the corners of his mouth with it.

Four Alphas from the table looked at him with furrowed brows. 

"Cyrus and I have decided to join forces with Keegan. It's a decision we've considered for some time now, and the most logical course of action." He clarified, his voice devoid of emotion.

A cacophony of disbelieving scoffs and mutters erupted around the table as the Alphas regarded him like he was a joke. Heads swiveled back and forth between him and Cyrus.

Laycoan's expression contorted into a mask of fury.

"What nonsense do you speak?" He growled. "Or is this some elaborate joke to lighten the mood?"

"I assure you it is no nonsense, Laycoan. Keegan leads the largest, most prosperous Pack in the land. Ours isn't doing so well. A little pride is a small price to pay for the benefits such an alliance could bring," Sebastian stated calmly, his voice dark around the edges. 

"We have been his enemies from the very start. Where has that gotten us, gentlemen?" Cyrus added. 

"So, you chose to surrender to him? To be slaves to him?" Bran spat the words like they tasted bitter on his tongue. 

"You call peace slavery? If that is what it takes to get my Pack kicking and stronger than yours, I shall gladly take it." Sebastian's eyes narrowed. 

"Despite how rich Keegan's Pack is, there are certain things he could benefit from us. We'll need each other. And you should know we are not he only ones in this. Otis will be joining the fold as well."

"Nonsense!" Laycoan lurched to his feet, his chair clattering to the floor with a deafening crash. "I shall not sit back and watch you make a mockery of us! Neither of you shall befriend that boy!"

Sebastian rose to his feet, his cold eyes on Laycoan's raging face. 

"You and I, Alpha Laycoan, rule separate Packs," his voice was chilly and laced with finality. "You concern yourself with what's best for yours, as I do mine. But mistake not, your reach does not extend to dictating my choices. That may very well be your last mistake."

The room plunged into a suffocating silence. Laycoan's hands clenched into fists as he glared into Sebastian's eyes. 

A moment passed before Sebastian pulled his eyes away, emptied the last of his wine down his throat and walked away from the table. 

Cyrus stood up and followed him. And as the two men exited the room, not another word was said behind them.