After Kan hung up I set the phone down on the bed beside me as I lay back staring at the ceiling. It was late afternoon the sun already setting. My pack duties were done for the day and I was getting ready to head down for dinner when Kan called. She sounded so sure someone was watching her but that was impossible part of my job in the pack was keeping track of the boarders. No one entered North Carolina without my knowing let alone getting all the way to Asheville.
The only other possibility would be if it was a pack member but even then I knew where every pack member was at all times. The only red eye pack member stationed in Asheville was Ereni that's one of the reasons why I'd picked it for Kan to stay. I don't know maybe she was just being paranoid. If she couldn't smell anyone then there couldn't have been anyone there. Very few things could hide their scent from a wolf.
As if on cue the scent of steaks drifted into my room. My nose flared at the smell a smile spreading. It was dinner time. Sighing I pulled myself out of bed and headed for the door when it suddenly snapped open.
"Slo dinners red-"
A red haired body slammed into me I hadn't noticed her scent my mind on dinner. I caught her my hands steadying her before she could fall face first.
"Geez Cora when you gonna start knocking before you come barging in?"
Her small frame against my much larger one made my heart race. Her emerald green eyes met my blue ones as she stepped back smiling. I knew she heard my heart race at her touch but I also knew she would ignore it as she always did. Ever since Ver found her as a child and brought her into the pack I knew who she was for me. We were both so young back then I didn't know how to tell her or even if she felt the same way. Now years later it just seemed too late. I don't know maybe I was just a coward. I just couldn't seem to bring myself to reveal my feelings because once I did our relationship would change forever.
"Come off it Sloane I've never knocked before and I'm not about to start now."
I shook my head smiling.
"Typical. boundaries just isn't your strong suit."
"Nope now come on before Ty eats all the good stuff again."
Grabbing my hand she began dragging me out the door and downstairs. The pack house was more like a mansion being one of the biggest packs in America. The red eye packs many investments paying for everyone's day to day living expenses. A big pack meant many mouths to feed. Though there was only ten members that lived at the pack house on a permanent basis the rest spread out all over America. As the king of all werewolves Ver had to dispatch members everywhere to keep tabs on the other packs with constant reports.
When we reached the dinning room the rest of the pack had already started eating. Being wolves we had rather large appetites so meal times were always a rush to get your fare share. Ty one of the worst offenders for scoffing down as much as he can as fast as he can. The wolf in question now sulking in the corner in wolf form. Clearly Ver had already forced him to stay in wolf form for the remainder of the meal. Cora laughed as she let go of my hand passing Ty as she patted his head.
"You'll never learn will you."
He made to snap at her hand but she snatched it back just as fast. My lip curled back in a low growl instinct kicking in to protect her. Not that she needed it. I had to force my wolf down knowing that he was only playing as I too passed him.
"Your going to be stuck that way unless you learn to wait your turn."
His wolf eyes rolled lowering himself to lay on the floor in a resigned heap knowing he would have to wait til everyone was done now. One thing you never did was take the first bite. No that was the alphas privilege. Ignoring his huffs of annoyance I made my way to the table. As alpha Ver sat at its head while Owen sat at his right hand side. Owen was Ver's beta his second in charge. Owen was an ex silver moon pack member. His entire pack had been wiped out, he was the only survivor. Or so I was told.
I sat on Ver's left hand side with Cora beside me. The second I sat down Ver's eyes narrowed as he turned to face me. The red iris's marking his status as king. He was the first wolf in five hundred years to have been born with red eyes. A three clawed scar ran through his left eye leaving the eye in tact but the scar remained only adding to the overall power he emitted. His black hair so much like my own cropped on the sides marred with his bulky frame he was a force to be reckoned with. Being king of all werewolves I suppose it was no surprise.
Kan was right his temper was known all around the world. His misdeeds legendary for their ruthlessness. What most didn't know was that everyone of the wolves Ver killed had deserved what they got and worse.
"What took you so long?"
Grabbing my knife and fork I started piling what was left of the food on the table onto my plate.
"I was on the phone."
His eyebrows raised in curiosity as he watched me start to eat.
"Anything I should know about?"
I forced my heart to stay steady shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly as I spoke around my food.
"No just a friend saying hello."
He watched me in silence for awhile the rest of the pack at the table going silent as well sensing Ver's mood.
"Which friend?"
My lips curled in a quiet growl which I quickly hid with another mouthful of food.
"I'm allowed to have friends Ver you don't control everything in my life."
His hand slammed down on the table causing everyone to shy away, Owen being the only one to place a calming hand on Vers broad shoulder. His eyes that had instantly started glowing died down slowly at Owens touch. That was part of the reason Owen was beta. Vers red eyes gave him so much power it was hard to control. Being from the silver moon pack who were very powerful werewolves Owen was the only one that could help suppress Vers wolf. However even his power could not stop Ver when he completely lost it.
"Sloane when are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours our enemies know that the best way to get to me is through you."
Clenching my fist I fought back my anger with everything i had. I had heard this speech a million times before and I was sick of it.
"Stop treating me like a child Ver I'm not an idiot-"
"THEN STOP ACTING LIKE ONE!"
Ver's eyes instantly glowed again his words coming out in a growl of alpha domination. I pushed away from the table my appetite gone. Cora tried to stop me reaching for my hand but I pulled out of her reach.
"Fuck off Ver just because your alpha doesn't mean you decide everything that happens in my life!"
I started to walk away but Ver grabbed my arm his hand changing even as he did. The bones of his fingers extending into claws. I could tell he was fighting his wolf as he spoke through clenched teeth.
"My office now!"
Owen was at Vers side one hand on each of our shoulders his power working it's way to try calm our wolves. He was older then both of us his blonde hair and blue eyes the complete opposite to mine and Ver's black.
"Maybe we should do this another time when both of you have had some time to cool down?"
Vers red eyes never left mine as Owens fingers gave his shoulder a quick squeeze adding.
"Don't forget Vericus we have a meeting with the white tails."
Ver reluctantly let go of my arm.
"This isn't over Sloane first thing in the morning I want you in my office."
Without waiting for an answer Ver shrugged Owens hand off as he turned and headed out of the dinning room. Owen staying behind as he faced me his hand still on my shoulder.
"Why must you bait him?"
Mimicking Ver I also shrugged off his hand.
"You know why."
Owen sighed his eyes showing his many years which if I had to guess was a lot more then all of ours combined. Not that he'd ever reveal his actual age.
"He's only trying to keep you safe."
I groaned at Owens words fully aware that the rest of the pack was still listening in on every word. This wasn't the first time they had witnessed one of Mine and Ver disagreements and certainly wouldn't be the last. Owen seeming to sense my thoughts turned to the rest of the pack.
"Don't you all have something better to do?"
They were quick to return to their meals as Owen pulled me out of the dinning room into the hallway.
"Sloane-"
I cut him off. I really was not in the mood for one of his lectures.
"Don't start Owen it's late and I just want to go back to my room alright."
I tried to walk passed him but he blocked my path his toned human body not as bulky as Vers or even mine but I knew he was way stronger then I was.
"Listen I know it's frustrating but you have to understand after everything that's happened he just doesn't want to loose you. It's getting harder each day for him to control his power and you fighting him every step of the way isn't helping."
I knew he was right, how could I not but that didn't give him the right to keep me in a cage of his making. I said as much to Owen, his eyes softened at my words.
"I know it's hard but it won't be forever just until we get this business sorted with the lunar eclipse pack. Once they are out of the picture you'll have the freedom you so desperately crave."
I growled the sound vibrating through my chest.
"Yea and when will that be? You know more then anyone how hard it is to get to them. This war has been going for ten years. How long do you expect me to wait? How long til I can have a life? Have friends?"
Owen didn't answer just as I knew he wouldn't because like me he knew there was no knowing when the war would end. The lunar eclipse pack were as elusive as ever. Masters of evading the red eye pack. They were like shadows in the night. They attack when you least expect them then disappear just as fast. The lunar eclipse pack were the ones that murdered Owens entire pack. They were dangerous and unpredictable.
"Listen I know you want this war to end just as much as we all do but until it does we all have to do our part. As alpha Vericus needs to think of the whole pack if he looses you the whole pack will suffer not even I will be able to reel him in. Just hang in there alright?"
He gave me one last look before he headed after Ver. Leaving me feeling like the child Ver had accused me of. He was right we had all lost so much to this war and I was acting like an idiot. Being alpha was hard enough during times of war but being king was even harder and I too had to do my part.
Once Owen was out of sight Cora appeared through the door from the dinning room. Just seeing her made my heart skip a beat. The concern on her face making my wolf want to nuzzle into her just knowing that she cared.
"Are you alright?"
Snapping out of it I reeled my wolf in nodding.
"I'm fine don't worry sorry I went off in there."
She waved my words off like what happened wasn't important.
"I don't care about that I'm just worried about you. Are you sure everything's alright? It's not like you to get worked up so fast."
I scoffed she was acting like it was the first time me and Ver had had an argument in front of the pack.
"What are you talking about we go off at each other all the time."
She shook her head grabbing my hand a knowing look in her eyes.
"Not like that. You forget that I know you Sloane we basically grew up together. Your hiding something and Vericus knows it too."
Gently I pulled my hand from hers trying to appear innocent. I couldn't let them know about Kan. They wouldn't understand why I had to keep her a secret. Wouldn't understand why she couldn't request permission to live within pack territory. Her search for her past was the most important thing to her I'd never forgive myself if I was the reason it was ripped away.
So far I'd managed to keep our friendship secret, though with her moving back here it was becoming increasingly difficult. Ver being as over protective as he was knew I was hiding something. As alpha he could easily order the information out of me but I knew he wouldn't do that. As much as he lost his temper there was just some lines he would never cross. At least I hoped he wouldn't, if he ever did I would never forgive him for it.
Smiling I chuckled but there was no humour in it only bitterness about the situation that was my life.
"What could I possibly be hiding? Ver knows my every move, has control over every aspect of my life when would I have time to have anything to hide?"
She stared at me for what seemed like an eternity. Almost as if she was trying to find hidden meaning in my words. Til finally she sighed I knew she wasn't completely convinced but I also knew unlike Ver she wouldn't press for answers.
"Its ok to have your secrets Sloane I just hope you know what your doing."
Turning she left me standing alone in the hallway. My fists clenched as I watched her go. My wolf wanted to follow but I pulled it back. I couldn't think about Cora right now. It was Kan who was in danger. I had to do all I could to throw Ver off her scent. Don't worry Kan I'll find away to keep you safe from my brother no matter what it takes.