Shadows of Destiny

Enforcer Bryce Golubev ~Leo~ I was sitting in my office when Casper came to me in a hurry.

He seemed like he had rushed there from home.

I had asked him to take the week off because his mate had given birth, so I knew whatever might have brought him to my office was important.

‘Envoys have been sent from the north and have just passed Hill Valley; they are heading here, Alpha.

They say the Lord sent them,” Casper said, sounding nervous, and I knew why.

We had waited for the Wolf Lord to bring his people since he conquered us and took most of our women as trophies.

I thought he had changed his mind when time passed, and nothing happened, but I was wrong.

“Are they officers?” I asked Casper, and he nodded.

“Marlo said they were battle ready.

It seems they believe we might revolt to whatever news they bring, and they are willing to use force if necessary.” Casper said, sounding worried, and I wondered what more Volkov wanted from me.

He had taken everything from me.

What more did he want? I sat in my office and told Casper to go home, just in case it turned into a fight, so he would not be caught up in it.

“I won’t leave you to face those barbarians alone.

What Kyle did to us is unforgivable because he was the one that made that man pick interest in the east,” he said, complaining bitterly.

We sat worried about what might befall us.

Finally, the men arrived, and I offered them seats in my office.

They did not seem like they wanted to stay, so I did not bother to ask questions; I just let them get straight to the point.

“Alpha Albert, My name is Bryce Golubev, a lead enforcer for the northern council, appointed and sanctioned by lord Volkov himself,” He said with pride.

I nodded at him and greeted him.

I wondered why a head enforcer would be sent to me, and it bothered me.

“We are here, under the order of the council by lord Volkov, to collect on the eastern developmental tax,” He said.

I frowned at him, not knowing what the hell he was talking about.

“What taxes?” I asked the man, and he brought out a document with the Wolf Lord’s seal.

“Why are we to pay these taxes?” I asked him.

“This tax is for the regions under the Wolf Lord.

This region has been conquered by the north,” he said and stood up.

“I am not here to chit-chat, alpha Albert.

I will be back in a week to collect.

Please make what is necessarily available.” He said, and they excused themselves.

1 I felt insulted.

Sylvester was testing my patience.

I might be passive and dislike war, but this is too much.

First, he takes my wife from me and now this.

There was just so much a man could take.

I wasn’t over losing my Luna; now he was doing this.

How far to the ground did he want to beat me? Devin was right about this man being a bully.

“What should we do?” Casper asked me, and I sighed.

“Call a meeting.

talk with our people and

am paying development taxes to the north.” I said,

the Wolf Lord, Alpha, before making

frowned at my beta, “He did not attack us when Devin

the council abusing

us not

to him

then decide what to do based on his response.” Casper said, and

I smacked my head

fact that he was with my

get me his office

will call him tomorrow and make my enquiries directly from him or anyone in charge,” I told Casper, and he

that Enforcer Bryce Golubev did not decide

would have been

ate

what they

find Amanda cleaning Tamia’s

I was livid.

are you doing in there?” I

room, then entered the closet to be

and she was in tears,

to clean the room and air

warn you not to go in there? Why did you do it?” I said, closing the door and locking it

you are not allowed in there,” I said, and she began to

coming back,

can’t we move on with ours?” She yelled back

didn’t give herself up, we wouldn’t have a life to move on with,”

All you have done since

You have been distant.

It isn’t my fault that we

“But you lied to your father so he could force you

never forgive myself,” I said,

blame me

me instead of making out with

have shown her how much you loved

Instead, you held out.

to force my way in because your lack of

you wanted me, and she was the reason you

what

hope to fight

me for her sadness or what you did

That was you, Leo.

all you, and I refuse to pay for your crimes.” She

or not, the

no chance against those

down my face at the depth of truth she had spoken about me not having the courage to reject

She was right.

I caused it all.

reluctance gave her hope and

to accept Amanda; I did it

fought beside me, but she gave up on us the moment she found out

on top of myself to get me

You did.

out

which you

she left physically, and you know it, so don’t blame

did not ever plan to live in another woman’s shadow, but that was

make something beautiful out of the misery fate brought upon us, She said

to

was supposed to visit my father and return to

job and a good

I set my eyes on you, Leo, so stop making it seem like I was the one that

the couch and

ashamed of

that Amanda said was

selfish