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

should we do?” Casper asked me, and

and know what we need to do. There is no way I am paying development taxes to the north.” I said, and he

not

I think you should place a call to him directly this time instead of sending a letter.

my head for being hasty. Because I wasn’t over the fact that he was with my wife troubled me and made

make my

would have been gory. The man looked like he ate silver for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I wondered what

home to find Amanda cleaning

you doing in there?” I yelled at her. I was angry

and she was in tears, her hand

and air the space” She

do it?” I said, closing the door

room, and you are not allowed in there,” I

isn’t coming back, Leo. I am sure she has moved on with her life, so why can’t we move on with ours?” She yelled back at me, and I

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

have done since they took Tamia away was mope about. You have been distant. It isn’t my fault that they took her! It isn’t my fault that we are fated!”

I hurt my wife in ways I can never forgive myself,” I

me. Instead, you 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

whether I was here or not, the north would have taken her away. You stood no chance against those soldiers,”

she had spoken about me not having the courage to reject her. She was right. I caused

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

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

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 sorry

north. I had a job and a good life there. Everything went away the moment I set my eyes on you, Leo, so stop making it seem like I was

on the couch and bowed my head in

that Amanda said was true. I was selfish and weak. I only thought of myself and believed I could

smart. I broke my promises to Tamia

my eyes welled up in

tried to be