The Dark Side Of Fate

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.

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.

doing this. How far to the ground did he want to beat me? Devin was right

Casper asked

a serious talk with our people and know what we need to do.

Wolf Lord, Alpha, before making hasty decisions. I would not want us to make a mistake,” he said, and I frowned at

be hasty. I think you should place a call to him directly this time instead of sending a letter. We can then decide what to do based on his response.” Casper said, and

Because I wasn’t over the fact that he was with my wife troubled me and made me quick

will call him tomorrow and make my enquiries directly from

not decide to attack me. It would have been gory. The man looked like he ate silver for breakfast,

returned home to find Amanda

fuck are you doing in there?” I yelled at her. I was angry and rushed to the room, then entered the closet to be sure Tamia’s

and she

to clean the room and air the space” She explained, and I

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

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

has moved on with her life, so why can’t

life to move on with,” I said

about. You have been distant. It isn’t my fault that they

father so he could force you into my home. I hurt my wife in ways I can never forgive myself,” I said, and she shook her

held out. I had to force my way in because your lack of rejection gave me hope. It made me believe you wanted me, and she was the reason you were reluctant. Call it what you want. Your actions gave me hope to fight for what is mine. So don’t blame me for her sadness or what you did to her. That was you, Leo. That was all you, and I refuse to pay

or not, the north would have taken her away. You stood

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

marriage. Fate didn’t force me to accept Amanda; I did

but she gave up on us the moment she

against her, which you did not believe, I did absolutely nothing wrong. Tamia had left you before she left physically, and you know it, so don’t blame me for it. I did not ever plan to live in another woman’s shadow, but that was what fate mapped out for me. I am

and a good life there. Everything went away the moment I set my eyes on you, Leo, so stop making

my head in shame. I was ashamed

weak. I only

keep my wife and my fated. I thought I was smart.

Amanda said was right, and my eyes welled up in tears. It

matter how hard I tried to be happy,