Chapter 4

ALPHA DARIO 

"I am certain that you are aware that the Zuzkies are attacking my pack at the borderlands."

"Yes I'm aware, I liked the fact that you've not allowed the war to come home." Alpha Xavier smiled mischievously.

"What you probably don't know is that the Zuzkies are almost decimating my pack, the last line won't hold for long any more. I am certain that they will break through sooner than I expected." 

"You paint a rather dire situation, why host the Belleteyn festival and jousting tournament, if there's war on the horizon." Marita, his favorite maid asked.

He turned sharply, not expecting her to interfere. "Because, fear when weaponized can do the greatest harm. He wanted to get their minds off the rumors of war." Xavier said thoughtfully. "It's the same thing I'd do."

"I'm glad you see my reasoning, but that's not why I'm here, or why I invited you to the Belleteyn festival in the first place."

I smiled, "Well, pray tell, Alpha Dario."

"I need your help." I cut in almost immediately, "hear me out."

"You have my attention."

"I need your men, your fighters, and in return, I'm willing to offer half my pack’s wealth and yearly tributes as payment for your help."

He gave a sign and Marita brought some wine and served us. "Dario," his voice was steady but I saw his grip on the goblet tightening, "I understand the danger that threatens your pack. But merely offering half your pack's wealth and tributes is not enough."

My expression was a mixture of frustration and desperation. "Xavier, it's a substantial offer. We can't give more. It'll leave us vulnerable."

He leaned forward, his gaze locked with mine. "You know that my assistance comes at a price. I'm willing to help you protect your pack, but I need more."

I hesitated awhile, then let out a heavy sigh. "What do you want, Xavier?"

"I want it all," He declared, his voice unwavering. "Half your pack's wealth, yearly tributes, and the hand of your daughter, Isabel, as my mate."

A heavy silence hung in the air as his proposal settled in. There was a pause in my entire system, the conflict between my love for my daughter and the responsibility of protecting my people.

"Xavier, Isabel is my only child," My voice was filled with anguish. "I love her dearly, but I can't ignore the needs of the pack. Please, reconsider. There must be another way."

He shook my head, unwilling to compromise. "There is no other way Dario. If you want my help, those are my terms."

"This is ridiculous, even for you Xavier." There was pain in my voice.

"Well, I want what I want." He said with a smirk on his face.

"How can you demand this of me, knowing she's all I've got. I thought we are allies?" The hurt in my voice was palpable.

"I'm sorry Dario, but those are my terms." He repeat, unwavering and resolute.

I took a deep breath, deep in thought and drank more wine, I needed to find a way to get a commitment out of him that won't require Isabel getting married to him. "How about I give you all my packs wealth and all my yearly tribute, and in return, you hands off my daughter."

I hoped he'd have compassion on me, Isabel was the only family I've got and her mother would never forgive me even in her grave if I gave her up. "That is a nice offer Dario, and I am almost tempted to accept it. You have the best estates and produce in this part of the country."

I heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you Xavier." I muttered softly.

"I'm afraid you misunderstand me, I said I'm almost tempted." He raised his glass to me. I had never felt so powerless and humiliated, yet here he was, rubbing it in. 

"Xavier, don't be like this. For the sake of our bond and fellowship. I implore you to reconsider." I pleaded.

"Dario, please, don't think I'm a bad person, but these are my terms." 

"Xavier, I've fought beside you countless times. We've both saved each other's life more than we can both remember. I don't want-"

I was still speaking when he cut in. "Let me stop you right there. We have been allied for quite some time, but here is the truth." He paused to collect his thoughts. "I have an alliance with the Zuzkies, just as I have with you. So, you can understand that getting involved in any way will automatically-"

I interjected immediately, "it will mean that you have cast your lots with us and have declared them your enemies too."

"Exactly," he said with a bit of excitement. "You can see why my hands are tied. I can't in good conscience take away all your packs wealth, that would be wickedness, except I expect you all to strave to death."

"And Isabel will be safe and well taken care of." Marita, his favorite maid added.

"Well," There was sadness in my voice. "I need more than your words that Isabel will be safe."

"Dario, take a look around you." He pointed me to the direction of his girls. "They are all well taken care of, but none of them is my mate. I want Isabel as my mate, that should at the very least, tell you how much I will take care of her." 

I smiled for the first time, "You are good with words, and a skilled negotiator, but I'm not easily swayed. However, you've left me with no choice."

He shook his head. "No Dario, we always have a choice. You choosing to accept my terms is a choice."

"Very well, you'll have Isabel as your mate." 

"Alpha Dario, please come." Sara tapped me and I came back to reality. I had been flashing to back to how I arrived at this day, it was a tough choice, a hard choice. One I felt should never have been made.

"What is it Sara?" I demanded in a very dominant voice.

"Isabel, she's missing." She whispered and ran away. My heart skipped a bit the moment the words left her mouth.

I followed in her wake to the adjoining room where I had last seen her. "What sort of embarrassment is this?" Alpha Xavier demanded, his voice strong and dominant.

"What happened here?" I turned to Sara, her closest friend. I had never expected Isabel to run away, she always kept her duty to her pack and to me regardless of the cost.

"I don't know Sir, we were talking and then I stepped out to get something, but she was gone when I came back." She explained with a shaky voice and I could see the implications of her disappearance on my pack playing before my eyes.

"Xavier, the marriage must go on," I turned swiftly to him. "You have to honor your words."

"You have to hold up your own end of the deal first, for me to keep my words." He piqued back.

He was right, Isabel was the key to my pack staying alive and defeating the Zuzkies. "Sara, fetch me the mating prelate."

I turned to Xavier, looking at him pleadingly. "I know I have no rights to make this demand of you, yet I'll make it. The ceremony will be done and she will be declared your wife even though she's not here present." The mating prelate arrived and was listening to my instructions.

"You find her, by whatever means you wish to employ, but you find her and honor your words when the time comes." Suddenly, there was an air of agitation in the atmosphere, everyone seemed to be on edge as the necessary rites were performed.

Xavier walked slowly outside, after the ceremony was done and ordered all his men mount. "Fellas, my wife has gone missing, Cedric and Astrid, ride north. Alaric and Renata, ride east. Valerian and Thalia, you ride west. I'll go south." He mounted and turned his horse to looked at them. "You find her, and return her unharmed." He nooded to me, "We ride!!!"