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.

far to the ground did

do?” Casper asked me, and

we need to do. There

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

council abusing its power. Let us not 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

number. I will call him tomorrow and make my enquiries directly from him or anyone in charge,” I

grateful for was that Enforcer Bryce Golubev did not decide to attack me. It would have been gory. The man looked

find Amanda cleaning Tamia’s room. I was

I was angry and rushed to

and she

the room and air

in there? Why did you do it?”

are not allowed

on with her life, so why can’t we move on with ours?” She yelled back at me, and I

have a life to move on with,” I said and sat on the

hate you, Leo! All you have done since they took Tamia away was mope about. You have been distant. It isn’t my fault that they took her! It

force you into my home. I hurt my wife in ways I can

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

north would have taken her away. You

down my face at the depth of truth she had spoken about me not having the courage to reject her. She was right. I caused it

gave her hope and ruined my marriage. Fate didn’t force me to accept Amanda; I did it

me, but she gave up on us the moment she found out you were pregnant,” I said; she began to laugh, tears still streaming down

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 sorry for trying to make something beautiful out of the misery

supposed to visit my father and return to where I came from, on Kanes Island in the north. I had a job and a good life there. Everything went

couch and bowed my head in

only thought of myself and believed I could eat my

I was smart. I broke my promises

and my eyes welled up in tears. It was

matter how hard I tried to be