Chapter 10: Chapter 10

BETA XAVIER

I marched out of the house. While I was on my way to my office, I felt someone try to mind-link. I wasn’t in the mood to speak to anyone, but I let it through anyway.

“~Xavier, please come to my office now,~” Samuel commanded before the mind-link was abruptly cut off.

I wanted to ignore this, especially since Samual added Eleanor to the pack without talking to me about it. But I could tell it was important, and my duties took priority, so I made my way to his office.

When I arrived, Marquez was already there.

Samuel took a sip from a glass of whiskey, and it looked like this wasn’t his first glass. Samuel usually never drank at work unless he was really stressed out.

“What’s going on?” I asked him.

“The rogue issue is getting out of hand, Xavy,” Marquez said, and I looked toward him. He was drinking whiskey, too.

“Did something happen?” I asked him, and he nodded his head while he let out an exhausted sigh.

“A rogue entered our pack last night. Luckily no one was around so everyone is safe,” Samuel said as he downed his drink in one go. “We’re in a crucial position right now, Xav. We need alliances with the other packs,” he explained.

“You’re right,” I said and leaned back in my chair. “Samuel, can I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“I think the rogue situation might be something bigger than just random attacks. Eleanor’s mother was killed by a rogue last year. According to Eleanor, her mother was a random attack. She was never mixed up with anything dangerous. Rogues always had a motive before. Now it just seems like they’re going after innocents.”

“Go on.”

“I promised Eleanor that I’d find whoever killed her mother. Since I’m already going to be investigating, I thought it’d be a better use of resources if I take the lead on the rogue issue.”

A thoughtful look crossed Samuel’s face.

“She refused to take the money, then?” Samuel asked me.

“Yep, she didn’t want it.”

“Well, she’s not going to need the money once you fall in love with her,” Marquez teased.

“Don’t start,” I said as I pointed my finger at Marquez.

“That was an…interesting choice. But that’s neither here nor there. Xavier, you can take the lead, but I’ll be checking in frequently. As you both know, this is extremely important for the safety of the pack. But that’ll clear me up to keep our businesses running and maybe I’ll still be able to get some sleep.”

“Have we found the girl who was kidnapped yet?” I asked, and Samuel shook his head.

“Who knows what sort of torture they subjected her to,” Marquez said.

“I know. I’ll see if I can send a few of the trackers to find them,” I said.

“We tried that, but they couldn’t find anything,” Marquez said.

“I’ll find a way,” I told Sam with finality in my voice.

“Get her back, Xavier. We also want to talk about something else with you,” Sam began, and I instantly knew where that was going.

“Don’t meddle with my personal life, Sam,” I told him before I got up from my place, but he did the same and walked to stand in front of me.

“Give her a fucking chance, Xavier. At least talk to her and get to know her. I’m not telling you to accept her as your mate right away. Just start somewhere and see where it goes. Judge her after you get to know her. Not before.”

“Why are you so concerned about it? We’ll get the alliances and we can all move on.”

“This isn’t just about the alliances. We care about you. Everyone knows what happens to betas who are single for their lives, Xav,” Marquez chimed in, and a sinister smile appeared on my face.

“You think I’ll go crazy once Eleanor leaves the pack? That I’d be a shit beta?” I challenged, but he didn’t respond.

“As your alpha, I’m ordering you to give this relationship a chance, Xavier.”

Both of them stared at me, waiting to see my reaction.

In fairness, it wasn’t like Eleanor had done anything to hint at poor character.

“~Let’s give her a chance and see where this goes, Xavier,~” Kyle begged me.

I knew he must be hurting by my actions, so I let out a sigh and nodded my head.

“I’m only doing this just to show you guys that Eleanor isn’t all innocent like you guys claim,” I warned them.

They smiled.

“I’m getting out of here,” I said as I walked toward the door and left Samuel’s office.

When I reached my office, I mind-linked the kitchen to send me a coffee. Then, I began looking through all the paperwork that had piled up on my desk.

I was busy reading a contract when my phone rang. It was Elizabeth.

Right on time.

“Hello, did you get what I asked for?” I asked her.

“Always the impatient one. Don’t you want to greet me and ask how I am?” she asked in a sweet voice.

“I don’t have time for all that bullshit, Eliza,” I told her, getting irritated.

“Fine, I’ve made the concoction. Shall I give it to the warrior standing guard at your pack border?”

“Yes. I’d also like another favor from you,” I told her. I heard some shuffling in the background.

“What do you want now?”

“A girl is missing from my pack, and the trackers aren’t able to locate her. Could you help me find her?” I asked her.

“Well, I have a few spells that can be used. I’ll text you the place and time where we could meet,” she said.

“Thank you,” I told her before she hung up.

I was swarmed with paperwork when I got a text message from Marquez.

Marquez

Samuel has arranged another pack meeting with an alpha. Please be there for lunch with Eleanor.

I texted Eleanor and grabbed my things. When I walked out of the pack house, I saw her waiting for me.

ELEANOR

“Where are we going?” I asked Xavier about an hour into the car ride.

“We’re going to meet Alpha Peter,” Xavier said as he sped down the freeway. It was a two-hour journey to Alpha Peter’s pack. As we got out of the vehicle, a warrior standing at the entrance led us inside.

As we walked down the hallway, I felt Xavier fall into step beside me. Without a word, he slipped his arm around my waist, sending sparks skittering across my skin. It was such a simple gesture, yet it left goosebumps in its wake.

“Alpha Peter is inside,” the warrior said, and we nodded our heads as we walked inside the office.

“Beta Costa, Miss Amato, please come and take a seat,” Alpha Peter said as we took our seats.

“We’re here to talk about the alliance, Alpha Peter. Alpha Derek told me that you refused our offer,” Xavier began.

“This is a rogue situation we’re dealing with, Beta Costa. And I’m not sure if I could rely on you. The Full Moon Pack has never teamed up with another pack before. I’m not sure you even know how alliances work.”

“The rogue has kidnapped and killed several of your pack members, Alpha Peter. And I know your border is weak as well. I will make you an offer now and if you think it will work for you then you can sign this,” Xavier said as he placed the contract agreement on the table.

“I am all ears.” Alpha Peter said.

Xavier grabbed my hand. I supposed it was probably for show, but the tingles up my arm were real.

“I’ll send a few of my best warriors to guard your borders. In exchange, you should be ready to send them to us if we ever need backup. In addition, we share information to help keep each other protected,” Xavier proposed.

“The warriors in the Full Moon Pack are some of the best among us. I think it would be a win-win for both of our packs,” I said, and Alpha Peter looked at me.

“Okay, Beta Xavier, you have a deal,” he finally agreed.