Zeff
The last evening light filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting dappled shadows on the ground as I made my way back to my office. The pack was on high alert, every patrol doubled and spread out along the borders. After the encounter with William nights ago, I couldn't afford to take any chances. The tension among the wolves was palpable, and my own nerves were frayed from the constant vigilance.
As I approached the office, I could sense something was off. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, a familiar scent lingering in the air—a scent that didn't belong. I quickened my pace, my wolf senses on high alert. Gaius stirred within me, restless and agitated.
When I pushed the door open, my suspicions were confirmed. There, sitting comfortably on my desk chair, was William. He was leaning back, one leg crossed over the other, sipping from a glass of something dark and expensive-looking. One of the servants was just finishing pouring him another drink, nodding respectfully before backing away.
William's eyes met mine as I entered, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Zeff. There you are," he said smoothly, raising his glass in a mock toast. "You have quite the impressive setup here. Very… rustic."
I glared at him, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you doing here, William?" I asked, my tone cold and demanding. The intrusion into my space was enough to set me on edge, but the way he lounged there, so at ease, only added to my growing frustration.
William took a leisurely sip of his drink, savoring the taste before answering. "Your territory is very intriguing, Zeff. So many hidden gems. In fact, I was thinking of doing a little… hunting."
I felt my blood boil, a low growl escaping my lips before I could stop it. His words were deliberate, taunting, and I knew exactly what he was implying. My hair bristled, my wolf instinctively becoming territorial. "You know the rules, William," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "Hunting on another pack's territory without permission is a violation."
He chuckled, his silver eyes glinting with amusement. "Relax, Zeff. I wasn't talking about game. I was thinking more along the lines of… a mate."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt my body tense. Every muscle in my body was on edge, my instincts screaming to protect what was mine. "You think you can come here and claim a mate from my pack?" I spat, taking a step closer, my fists clenched.
William's smile widened, his gaze unwavering. "I think I can do whatever I want, Zeff. That's the privilege of being king, isn't it?"
I took another step forward, the air crackling with tension between us. "Not here. Not in my territory."
He stood up slowly, placing the glass down on my desk with a soft clink. "Is that a challenge, Alpha Zeff?" he asked, his tone mocking yet laced with a serious undertone.
I held his gaze, my eyes narrowing. "It's a warning," I growled. "Stay away from my pack."
William's eyes glinted with a dangerous curiosity.
"Zeff," he began, his tone casual but dripping with curiosity, "I've been hearing some interesting rumors. Word is you've found your mate."
My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression neutral, unwilling to give anything away. "Rumors tend to get exaggerated," I replied, my voice steady. I wasn't about to discuss Liliam with him—especially not with him.
William's grin widened, sensing my reluctance. "Is that so? Well, if they are just rumors, then there's no harm in them, right?" He studied my face for a reaction, his eyes gleaming with interest. When I remained silent, he shrugged, as if dismissing the topic, but I could see the gears turning in his mind.
He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "You know, Zeff, I wasn't necessarily thinking about hunting within your pack," he continued, his voice dropping to a more dangerous tone. "There are very interesting… humans in your territory as well."
At that, Gaius surged within me, a deep, threatening growl rumbling in my chest. My wolf was on edge, the mere thought of William going after Liliam igniting a protective fury within me. The air between us thickened, charged with tension, and I took a step forward, my eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Stay away from them," I warned, my voice low and filled with menace. "You can't just come here and do as you please, William. Human or wolf, they are under my protection."
William's expression darkened, his easygoing demeanor replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "Control your wolf, Zeff," he said, his voice sharp and commanding. "You forget your place. I'm not here to start a war, but I will remind you who the king is if necessary."
The challenge hung in the air between us, the atmosphere crackling with the tension of our standoff. Neither of us moved, locked in a silent battle of wills. I could feel the weight of Gaius pushing against the edges of my control, demanding that I act, that I protect what was ours.
But I held back, knowing that this was a fight I couldn't afford to escalate—not yet, at least. With great effort, I reined in my wolf, forcing myself to take a deep breath, to calm the storm brewing inside me.
"I'm not forgetting anything," I finally said, my voice cool and controlled. "But don't mistake my restraint for weakness, William. You're still in my territory, and I won't tolerate any threats—implicit or otherwise."
William studied me for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, before a slow smile spread across his face. "Good," he said, his tone almost approving. "I wouldn't want you to be weak, Zeff. It would make things far too boring."
With that, he turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. I stood there for a moment, my fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing.
Gaius growled lowly in the back of my mind, still agitated and wanting to assert dominance, but I pushed him back, knowing that a direct confrontation wasn't the answer—not yet. But I couldn't shake the feeling that William's visit was more than just a casual drop-in. He was testing me, probing for weaknesses, and the fact that he had even hinted at Liliam… that was something I couldn't ignore.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the lingering tension in my body. This wasn't over, not by a long shot. William was here for a reason, and I had to be ready for whatever move he planned next. But no matter what, I would keep Liliam safe—even if it meant going to war.
But for now, I needed to prepare. The next time William decided to test the waters, I have to be ready. And he wouldn't find me so willing to back down.