Thorne's POV
Being Alpha sure has its perks, but to ensure my lifespan in the game, I've had to master the art of discipline. Sometimes, that means ignoring sweet temptations that are dangled just within my reach.
My latest temptation? Luna Serene, the mate to Alpha Matteo, who was my long time business rival.
Matteo hated me, It wasn't personal, not at first anyway. He despised how I kept expanding all my businesses, swallowing territories, and, unintentionally, his dreams and aspirations. The man was ambitious but clueless when it came to strategies. His wife, however, was the real mastermind, Serene's sharp mind and sharp tongue often compensated for Matteo's shortcomings, which was why he had begun sending her to negotiate with me instead of showing up himself.
But I wasn't fooled, Matteo might be the Alpha of his pack, but Serene secretly ran the show.
The first time Serene walked into my office, she was all poised and professional. Her dark hair pinned back in a tight bun, her business suit sharp and modest. By our third meeting though, the suits had given way to dresses that hugged her thick figure, and her lipstick turned to a shade of red that was scandalous.
I'll admit it, she was a fine woman, confident and disarming. But some battles aren't worth the fight, and laying a hand on another Alpha's Luna is just a shortcut to war.
Today, she had really outdone herself. She sat across from me in a dress so sleek and form hugging it left very little to the imagination. The slit up her thigh climbed dangerously high, and when she crossed her legs, she held my gaze with a small, knowing smirk.
"So," she began, her sugary tone smooth and persuasive, "what do you think about this land lease, Thorne? We need it for just five years. And in return, you'll earn interest on every transaction made on it during that time. After the lease period ends, we'll finalize the payment and the land will be ours."
Her voice was sweet as honey, carefully designed to lower a man's defenses. But I wasn't some teenage lovestruck fool.
"Now why would I lease my land to a rival, Serene?" I countered her, my tone casual but firm. I leaned back in my chair as I watched her closely. "Your husband refuses to admit it, but he hates me and everything I stand for. He's jealous of me, and it's so painfully obvious."
I stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the immense expanse of my territory with pride. I didn't need this deal, Matteo needed me, and not the other way around.
"Jealousy is such an ugly word, Thorne," Serene said behind me, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Let's not reduce this to pettiness. This deal isn't about personal feelings, it's about making profit. So surely you're not going to turn down a juicy opportunity just because Matteo bruised your ego one time or two."
I smirked, although she couldn't see it. She was clever, I'd give her that. Her words were calculated to appeal to my pride, to bait me into taking the deal just to prove a point.
Turning back to face her, I crossed my arms over my chest. "You seem really invested in this, Serene. So tell me, is this really Matteo's idea, or are you the one driving this little scheme?"
She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward toward me, her elbows resting on her dainty knees. The movement was deliberate, drawing attention to the curve of her neckline and her ample cleavage, then her voice dropped to a lower and more intimate tone.
"Let's just say Matteo and I share common goals, but I have my own personal ways of achieving them."
Her admission hung in the air like a loaded gun. I narrowed my eyes into slits, studying her.
"You're bold, I'll give you that," I said with amusement, moving back to my desk. I leaned against the edge, keeping my tone light. "But boldness without caution can be dangerous, Luna. You're playing a very risky game."
"Am I?" she asked with an innocent smile, tilting her head. "Or are you just afraid you'll lose?"
Her words were meant to sting me, but I chuckled instead. "I don't lose, Serene. That's something your husband should've warned you about."
Her smile wavered for just a second, but she quickly recovered. "Then prove it. Take the deal and show Matteo that you're the bigger Alpha, literally and figuratively."
I almost laughed at her audacity. "You think flattery will sway me? Try harder please."
Serene sighed and stood up smoothing the creased fabric of her dress. She walked over to my desk and stood just a few feet away. Her eyes met mine squarely, and for a moment, the air between us crackled with heavy tension.
"Fine," she said, her surgary voice soft. "If the deal isn't enough to tempt you, then what exactly will it take, Thorne? Tell me, what do you really want?"
Her words were a like challenge, she was daring me to break the unspoken rules we were dancing around.
Before I could respond, an urgent knock at the door interrupted us. One of my guards entered, his expression was urgent.
"Alpha Thorne, we have a situation."
I held up my hand to silence him, my eyes never leaving Serene's. "I'm busy. Whatever it is, just handle it."
The guard hesitated. "It's urgent, sir. There's been… an incident near the northern border. And Alpha Matteo's men are involved."
At the mention of Matteo's name, Serene stiffened immediately.
I straightened up, my instincts now on high alert. "What kind of incident?"
The guard hesitated again, glancing at Serene as if he was unsure whether to speak in her presence.
"Speak freely," I commanded him.
"There's been a raid and several of our outposts were hit. Matteo's men were spotted, but…" He trailed off again, looking uneasy.
"But what?" I demanded impatiently.
"They weren't alone, Alpha. There's another faction involved. It's… unclear who's leading them."
I glanced at Serene, whose face had gone pale. Her earlier confidence was gone, replaced by something close to fear.
"Looks like Matteo isn't contented with business rivalries anymore," I said to her coldly.
Serene opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, another guard burst into the room.
"Alpha, we've captured a prisoner from the raid. They're demanding to speak with you directly. They said… they have a message from Matteo."
My blood ran cold and my grip on the edge of the desk tightened, this wasn't just business anymore.
"Hold them in the woods, I'll be there soon" I said, my voice heavy like steel.
The guards nodded and left, leaving me alone again with Serene.
"Well," I said, turning to her with a sharp smile. "Looks like your husband is finally showing his hand. Shall we see what game he's playing?"
Her eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw genuine panic in her face.
The silence between us stretched on and on. I could tell she was trying to gauge me just as I was assessing her.
"I'm going to ask you this once," I said, my voice low, the words sharp. I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the red liquid spin as if it's motion could help me focus. "Why are your husband's wolves stalking my territory at night?"
Selene didn't flinch, her expression was unreadable. She leaned back in the chair, her posture perfect, as if she had no care in the world. I couldn't decide if I admired her strength or hated it.
"I have no idea, Thorne," she answered, her voice cold, the words deliberate as she met my gaze, unwavering. "If my husband had any other plans, he certainly never shared them with me. My meeting with you was scheduled by him. If this is his way of getting you to kill me on his behalf, I wouldn't be surprised."
Her words struck me like a cold breeze. I hadn't expected her to speak so openly about Matteo. Was she testing me? Trying to see if I would take the bait?
"And why would he want you dead?" I asked with an amused tone.
"Let's just say he doesn't agree with my methods lately. Perhaps he feels threatened by my forwardness, or maybe he doesn't know how to clip my wings," she said, a smile curving her lips as she spoke. It was a smile of someone who knew their power, even in the face of danger.
I hadn't expected that answer, but I should have known. Serene had always been a woman of ambition, and with that ambition came the inevitable friction with Matteo's less than visionary approach.
"What do you think the prisoner may have to tell me?" I asked, shifting the conversation. My patience was wearing thin, but I needed to know about this prisoner.
"Like I said, I have no idea. I swear," she replied, her voice earnest, but I didn't believe her for a second. I didn't have time to waste on her anymore, and If she wasn't going to be useful, then I'd have to find the answers elsewhere.
My mind started racing. My hands tightened around the glass in my hand, the feeling of the smooth crystal against my palm only adding to my frustration. Before I could stop myself, I squeezed, feeling the glass break under my grip. The sharp shards dug into my skin, but I barely felt it. The pain didn't register, not when there were more pressing matters at hand.
Serene flinched, and her eyes widened in surprise. For a split second, I caught a glimpse of something in her, fear, maybe? Or was it something else?
"Is it weird that I find that hot?" she asked, her voice tinged with a strange mixture of fascination and something darker.
I stared at her, my expression unreadable. I wasn't in the mood for games. I wasn't even sure why she had said it, or if she genuinely meant it. I turned away from her, walking toward the door, not bothering to spare her another glance.
"Keep an eye on her. She's not going anywhere," I ordered, my voice commanding. I didn't need to look back to know that my guard would obey without question. I could feel her watching me, her chest rising and falling with nervous breaths, but I didn't care.
Outside the room, I found my Beta, Darius, waiting for me.
"Darius," I growled. "Where is the prisoner?"
"He's being held at the northern border, Alpha," Darius answered, appearing from the shadows. "We've kept him there for you."
I nodded, not wasting any more time. Darius followed close behind, matching my pace.
"What's going on?" he asked in a low voice.
"Matteo," I muttered, my jaw tightening. "He's playing something, I can feel it."
Darius didn't respond immediately, as if weighing his words carefully. "What do you think he's trying to pull?"
"I don't know yet," I said, frustration bubbling under my skin. "But whatever it is, it's not good. That meeting was too convenient. The way Serene tried to distance herself from it… she's hiding something."
"And you think Matteo's involved?" Darius asked, keeping his voice neutral.
I turned to look at him, locking eyes. "I'm sure of it. The way he's been looking at my territory, the way he tries to oneup me at every turn… This is no coincidence."
Darius nodded slowly, his brows furrowing in thought. "Do you think Serene knows more than she's letting on?"
"I know she does," I snapped, my voice low but filled with certainty. "She's playing a game with me, and I'll make sure she knows she's not in control. Matteo is just as much of a puzzle as she is, but I'll figure it out."
When we reached the edge of the woods, I paused. I needed to know what the prisoner had to say, anything that might give me leverage over Matteo and Serene. My wolf stirred restlessly, eager to get this over with, but I needed to keep my wits about me.
"Stay close," I said, looking back at Darius.
"This isn't going to be a simple interrogation."
Darius nodded, eyes sharp. "Understood."
Without another word, I called on my wolf, feeling the shift ripple through me. My bones cracked and rearranged, fur growing where skin had been. Within seconds, I was in my full werewolf form, massive and powerful. The wind stirred the air around me, and I bounded into the woods with a single leap.
Darius's footsteps followed close behind, but I couldn't afford to slow down for him. My wolf had taken over, and the chase was all consuming. The prisoner was somewhere deep in the woods, probably anticipating my arrival.
The trees blurred around me as I ran, my paws hitting the ground with heavy thuds, my senses sharper than ever. Darius kept pace, but I was already far gone. Tonight, I wasn't Alpha Thorne, the ruthless leader, I was a powerful wolf hunting for answers. And nothing would stop me from getting them.