Chapter 17

ALPHA CALLE

“So, what’s the agenda of this meeting that you had me postpone the training for the recruits?” Beta Degen asked as he joined my office and dropped straight to the chair. He exhaled and smirked at me, his fingers tapping the table like he usually does. “Is it a matter of life and death?”

My elbows rested on the table as my fingers pressed against my lips when I responded. “It is.”

“No way.” His expression gradually turned heavy. “Have you sensed a threat outside the perimeters?”

“It has nothing to do with that, Degen. But I bet this one I’m about to say will surely make a deep impact on our connection. I hope our brotherhood is stable enough to accept a little… adjustment.” I shook my head slowly, my stare never left his face. “But as I said, this is about life and death—maybe not of the pack members, but of one who is seriously connected to me.”

“W-what?” Beta Degen tilted his head. The way his face turned red, I could sense how confused he was. “Alright, you are making things hard to be comprehended. Would you mind saying it straight to the point?”

If only it’s not complicated as it already is…

“Degen…” I exhaled soundly. Damn, this shit was like a thorn in my throat, that I needed to disgorge at once so I could feel easy. “I want to untangle myself from Suzette.”

For a moment, he was lost for words as his mouth slacked and his eyes widened. But after an empty chuckle, he shook his head as he turned his gaze to the door that had just been swung open. With an indignant look, Suzette barged in and banged her hands on my table. Her act instantly annoyed me, but I kept my temper in check for the sake of this conversation to become successful, and so I could get my aim without any more trouble.

“So I believe you have already heard the subject of this discussion, Suzette,” I muttered and gestured for the empty chair in front of Beta Degen. “Have a seat. This is going to be a long—”

“What makes you think that I’m going to accept your decision willingly?” she cried. Although Beta Degen was pulling her arm and trying to make her calm, she continued to hit my tabletop with her hand.

Through clenched teeth, I was about to speak when a distressed voice seeped through mind-link.

‘Alpha Calle, sorry to disrupt you, but you need to know this immediately?’

I massaged my temple. Amelia’s intervention only triggered the thudding in my head. One of the things I despised the most was being interrupted when I was in a crucial meeting. ‘Reserve that later when I get back to you.’

‘But… but Alpha, this is about—’

I blocked the link before she could finish her statement. Whatever her concern might be, I knew Amelia would take action until I decided to attend it.

“Who are you talking to, huh?” Suzette shrieked, already bathing in tears and hysteria. “Is she the reason why you want to break up with me? You can’t treat me like this! I’m the daughter of an Alpha!”

I fisted my fuming hands, controlling myself from setting the innocent oak desk on fire.“I don’t care a damn if your father is Alpha Uriah. So, if you don’t put your sweet as on that chair and shut your mouth, I’ll have you escorted out of my territory at once! You. Are. Not. My. Luna, remember that!” I emphasized every word so it sank in her head.

Suzette forced herself to sit, resisting Beta Degen’s assistance. Her words of protest turned into a silent cry as she cupped her mouth.

Her cooperation lessens the flow of fury in my veins, making me a tad calmer. I took a deep breath, resting my back on my chair, and said, “You are aware that this arrangement isn’t forever.” I took a glance at Beta Degen—who was gazing at Suzette in sympathy—and continued. “Our sick affair just made possible because my Beta permitted this deal. But I believe, everything must come to an end. What we have with you is no longer healthy for our reputation as the leaders of this pack. The same goes for you. So, it is better to cut everything off before it all affects our future.”

“B-but… but I don’t care about the reputation,” Suzette said in a cracked voice as she bounced her gaze between me and Beta Degen. “I want both of you.” She stopped her gaze at Beta Degen. "I still want you."

“You should have told me that before you rejected me,” Beta Degen muttered in a hard tone. “I may be as surprised as you regarding Alpha Calle’s decision. But while I look at you now, I realize that your rejection was for the best.”

Suzette’s eyes grew wide. Her hands slowly crept toward Beta Degen’s arm. “What… What do I intend to say, Degen? Don’t you know that I am gonna revoke my—”

“I, Degen Winchester, accept your rejection, Suzette Cage,” Beta Degen said. His tone was as strong as the mountains surrounding my pack. But as her name rolled around and out his lips, tears began forming on the edges of his eyes. I’d never seen him carry such heavy emotion, not even in the death of our beloved families two decades ago.

I expected Beta Degen to continue his persuasion about what he and Suzette did as I omitted myself from the complicated equation. But here he was—making a painful decision that I didn’t see coming.

The chair collapsed to the wooden ground, making a loud thud as Suzette stood up angrily. “Both of you—you just used me! I won’t forget about this day!” With a snap of her fingers, she disappeared before our very eyes after a lightning-like flash.

I rose from my chair and stepped to the window to get a fresh view of the forest. “You heard her before you stated your acceptance—she was willing to have you back as her mate. So, why did you come up with that decision?” I asked Degen who remained frozen in the chair.

“Let’s just say everyone gets tired,” he said. “I was thinking of accepting her rejection a few days ago. I was only waiting for the right moment to officially say that. So, thanks to you.”

I spun and walked toward him, giving a pat on his shoulder. “She’s not the only woman that will capture your attention, buddy. Who knows, the Moon Goddess is preparing for your second-chance mate by now.”

“I’m not gonna expect.” He shrugged off, then narrowed his eyes as he looked up at me. “By the way, you have never mentioned your mate? You are already twenty-five. Haven’t you found her yet?”

My smile gradually vanished as I turned away to avoid his suspecting gazes. “Not yet. And I’m not looking for one. You know our ultimate goal—that’s to abolish the sick leadership of Alpha Lennon and absorb his pack which is originally ours.”

I should have felt relieved because it seemed that I had dropped one problem. But on the other side, Suzette’s exit left a pinch of anguish in my head. I knew for a fact that she wasn’t an ordinary Alpha werewolf’s daughter. She was also a witch that she inherited from her deceased mother. I just wanted to hope that she wouldn’t use her power against Beta Degen and me, or my pack. Threats from former allies were intolerable as long as the Alpha is me.

Beta Degen grinned. “Seems like we're back on track.”

I nodded. However, as he left my office, guilt began to coil in my chest. I made him dump his mate, only for me to protect mine—that was the stubborn little wolf named Daphne . She already lost her wolf because of me. I didn't want any more harm to pursue her. Also, I didn't want Alpha Lennon to find and claim her before me.

I hope my little secret won't cause a serious gap between me and Degen in the future.

*