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.

to have a serious talk with our people and

taxes to

the Wolf Lord, Alpha,

would not want us to make a mistake,” he said, and I frowned at my beta, “He did not attack us when Devin and

the council

not

call to him

do based on his response.” Casper said, and I realised he

my head for being

the fact that he was with my wife troubled me and

get me

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

that Enforcer Bryce Golubev did not decide to

would have been

ate silver for

wondered what they

returned home to find

I was livid.

the fuck are you doing in there?” I yelled

the room, then entered the

and she was in tears,

to clean the room and air the space”

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

Tamia’s room, and you are not allowed in there,” I said, and she began

coming back,

moved on with her life, so why can’t we move on with ours?” She yelled

herself up, we wouldn’t have a life to move

have done since they took Tamia away

You have been distant.

her! It isn’t my fault that we are fated!” She said, and I

your father so he could force

never forgive myself,” I said, and she

blame me for hurting Tamia,

should have rejected me instead of

how much you loved her and

Instead, you held out.

my way in because your lack

made me believe you wanted me, and she was the reason you were

it what you

hope to fight

me for her sadness or what you

That was you, Leo.

pay for your

I was here or not, the north would have taken her

against those soldiers,” She

tears streaming down my face at the depth of truth she had spoken about me

She was right.

I caused it all.

reluctance gave her hope and

to accept Amanda; I did it

us the moment she found out you

not climb on top of myself to

You did.

me out to be

the lie I told against her, which you did not believe, I did absolutely nothing

before she left physically, and you know

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

am sorry for trying to make something beautiful out of the misery fate brought upon us,

to stay in

my father and return to where I came from, on Kanes Island in

and

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

down on the couch and bowed my

was ashamed

that Amanda said

was selfish and