Ryan's POV
I had made up my mind about what my next course of action would be even before I got home that night. The next morning, I was already on my way to Alpha Kavan's office. I had to see Rayna or her father. Preferably both.
I needed to make my position clear on the entire issue.
Clarissa still wasn't picking up my calls, and with Damian completely hungover from a very long night of drinking, I had nobody to go over my plans with. I was just going to have to deal with it myself.
I was shown immediately into his office, and as I pushed the massive doors open, I had no idea what to expect.
Alpha Kavan sat behind his desk a giant oak table, a snifter of amber liquid swirling in his hand, a low hearty fire burned in the fireplace, illuminating the room in a pale yellow glow. The office was as majestic as ever, with great oak shelves filled with books lining each wall, an expensive-looking carpet with the sigil of the pack on the floor, and behind the desk, sat the man himself. His grey hair was tied in a ponytail behind his hair, his even greyer eyes watching me carefully.
"Sit, Ryan." He said, a little smile on his face, "We have much to discuss."
I lowered myself into the offered chair, opening my mouth to speak before he held up a hand, cutting me off.
"I won't waste your time with pleasantries," He said immediately, leaning back on his chair, I could feel the sheer aura of the powerful man envelope the room, but I ignored it. "You and I both know why you're here. Rayna."
I nodded, pursing my lips. So he was going straight to business huh? Very well, two can play that game.
"You are absolutely right, Alpha Kavan."
He stared at me, his stormy grey eyes piercing me as though searching for a weakness to exploit.
"She's a good girl, Ryan. Strong, intelligent, a true Alpha's daughter."
"I have no doubt, sir."
"Then why the hesitation? The pack whispers. They question your intentions."
I scoffed, "Let them whisper, Alpha Kavan. It doesn't matter, not now, not over this. I get to pick who I want and to hell with their whisperings."
"An Alpha who knows when to be one," he smiled, a satisfied look crossing his face, "I am impressed."
Whether or not he was joking, mocking me, or being serious, I wasn't really sure, but I continued.
"With all due respect, Alpha, your… ultimatum… regarding Rayna hasn't exactly instilled confidence in me."
The amusement left his face immediately, his jaw tightening. "Elaborate, Alpha Ryan."
Maybe it was the way he said the "Alpha", like I was just a kid to be ordered around, or the ridiculousness of this entire ordeal, or the fact that Clarissa was still not talking to me, but something inside me turned.
Suddenly, I was angry, my head snapped up to meet his eyes, "I don't like being ordered around, Alpha Kavan."
"It wasn't an ultimatum, Ryan. It was a suggestion. A well-considered one," he defended.
"It disrespects both of us. Me, by implying I wouldn't consider Rayna on my own merit. And her, by suggesting she needs my name to secure her position just because we're mates."
"Nobody questions Rayna's position." He scoffed, "She's my heir, and a damn good one. This is about more than that."
"Then what is it about?"
Kavan rose from his chair and walked to the window, his back to me.
"Our lands border each other, Ryan. We've maintained a fragile peace for generations. An alliance… a true union… would solidify that peace for decades to come."
He turned, his gaze back on me.
"A marriage between you and Rayna would be the symbol of our pack's union. Powerful. Unbreakable."
I raised an eyebrow, "Marriage? We can't even hold a proper conversation without fighting."
"There's always time to work on that, Ryan. Time to get to know each other."
I shook my head, "Love, respect… those things can't be rushed, Alpha. Not for a political alliance."
Alpha Kavan raised an eyebrow, "Politics? Don't be naive. There's always an element of politics in these things. But there's also… potential."
He leaned in, his voice low.
"Rayna is strong and she's young. You… you have a maturity, a presence… qualities she needs by her side. You could be a good match for each other."
"Maybe." I replied, refusing to be hamfisted into agreeing with him, "But forcing it would only lead to disaster. Public displays of affection, whispers of a courtship… a sudden, convenient break-up… it would damage both our reputations."
A slow smile spread across the old man's face.
"Ah, so you've thought about it."
"I had to consider all angles, Alpha."
"And what have you concluded?"
I took a deep breath.
"Here's what I propose. We announce a courtship. Public appearances, the whole charade. For a month. One month to… get to know each other, see if there's any spark."
He raised an eyebrow, "And then?"
I shrugged, "Then if there's nothing… a well-publicized, amicable breakup. We can even stage a dramatic "we've decided to focus on our packs for now" kind of thing. Saves face for everyone."
Alpha Kavan studied me for a long moment, the firelight dancing in his eyes.
"So," I continued, "That's where I am at now. Everybody wins."
"In the short term." He replied, his eyes not leaving mine as his finger traced a circle around the brim of his glass.
"It's s going to work." I insisted, "The long term will figure itself out."
He was silent again for a while, before letting out a deep breath, "A clever solution, Ryan. Protects Rayna's reputation, and keeps the whispers down. But what about your pride? Don't tell me you wouldn't feel exposed, used as a pawn in some political game."
"Maybe," I said. The old man knew exactly what he was doing but did it anyway. "But the way I see it, protecting your territory, Alpha Kavan, requires sacrifice. Sometimes, it's about the bigger picture, not personal feelings."
Alpha Kavan gave me a funny look before letting out a bark of laughter, the sound surprisingly warm.
"You're a sharp one, Ryan." He said, finally controlling himself, "I'll give you that. Alright, your plan seems… workable. One month. After that, we'll see. However, there's one condition."
"Name it."
"You won't just go through the motions, Ryan. You'll give it a chance. A real chance. Get to know Rayna. You might be surprised."
"Yeah, I doubt that Alpha Kavan, I am in love with another woman, and with all due respect to your daughter, she isn't the one."
"Irrelevant," he snorted, waving me off, "With all due respect to YOUR woman, she isn't half the woman Rayna is, as I am sure you will find out."
You have no fucking idea, I thought, but held my tongue. This conversation really didn't need to last much longer.
Seeing I was going to remain silent, he continued, "Just promise me you will at the very least try, you owe me that much."
I hesitated, raising my head to look at the old man, searching for clues of what the hell he actually wanted in his old, lined face. He wanted me to be with his daughter and yet capitulated surprisingly quickly when I suggested this arrangement. That wasn't normal, that was very much unlike him. And now, he was teasing me with the possibility of falling in love with his daughter.
What was he thinking? What was his end game?
If I hoped to be able to get a read from his face, I was disappointed. He just stared back at me calmly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features.
I released a deep breath I hadn't even realized I was holding, "I can't promise feelings, Alpha."
Alpha Kavan shrugged, leaning over to pour himself another glass of the brandy, "Of course not. But respect, understanding… those are within your control, wouldn't you say?" His voice was low and dangerous.
He wasn't asking a question, he was warning me. This might be an arranged thing, but his only daughter, heir to his pack would not be messed with, or disrespected in any way. The message was crystal clear.
I nodded curtly, "Of course."
He smiled, returning the nod, "Very well. I am glad we could come to an agreement, and now, one more thing."
He reached over to press the buzzer on his table, sending the secretary scurrying in, "You called sir?"
"Send for my daughter. Tell her she is needed here immediately, we have news for her." He said, winking at me.
I returned with a weak smile, here came the second part, convincing Rayna that this was a good idea. And for some reason, it didn't look like it was going to be any easier than convincing her father.