“Alpha Vasey speaking,” I answered the phone blandly.
“Alpha Kyle, it’s Alpha Jackson here. I have my beta coming. I was hoping you could politely extend an invitation to him. He just wishes to see his daughter.”
Alpha Jackson's rough timber voice sounded calm, bored almost. So we were right. He didn’t know about Declan yet.
“Ah, alpha Jackson I was expecting your call.” I play it casual.
“So Beta Mitchell has found you already, I see. I hope there has been no problem.” I can hear some light tapping in the background, most likely the strumming of a keyboard.
“There is a problem, actually.” I clenched my fist. It was better than letting out all the rage I had in the first few seconds.
“And what might that be.” His voice is closer, and the strumming stops. I must have been on speakerphone at first.
“The trade deals, along with our peace treaties. They are expecting soon. We will not be renewing.”
I ignore the look of shock on Mitchell’s face. I know he cares about his pack, but I did this for Faith. At least he remained silent.
“ you can’t do that.” Jackson barks.
“I can. In fact, I have ground to ear it up this minute if I do choose. I am being generous in allowing the contracts to expire.
“Generous,” he shouted. “You and I must have a different understanding of the word boy.”
“That’s alpha to you.” No wonder his son doesn’t have any respect, I thought.
“We feel it’s in the best interest of our pack to take our business in a new direction.”
I hear him huff and puff more than a few times through the open line.
“And can I ask why?” He tried to sound as bored as he was before, but he was failing.
“You are a danger to our pack,” I said honestly.
“A danger?” He stutters. He’s either an outstanding actor or stupid. I have the feeling it’s the former. Even if he weren’t currently aware of what Declan had done, he would have to have had put the pieces together when Mitchell asked to visit Faith. She came here a rogue so that neither he nor his son knew where to find her. I have never been so disappointed that, that all went to shit.
“Drop the facade, old man. I am busy.” I called him out with the same disrespect he had shown me.
“This has something to do with that horrid girl, doesn’t it.” Obviously, Jackson didn’t stop to think that her father may be standing here. I watch Mitchell as his face hardens. I don’t want to see him upset, but I do wonder if Jackson can push him hard enough that he defers packs. I kind of hope he does. Mitchell would be a great asset to me.
“Excuse me.” But it gets harder and harder to keep my cool.
“We’re not a danger to your pack. My Luna told me all about how Faith has you fooled into believing your mates. You worried that when she gets off that dangerous game, she’s playing, that she’s going to come running back to my son, her true mate.” I now see who Declan must have inherited his delusions from.
“Hmmm, normally an Alpha tries harder to protect their pack, but I see you out trying to make an enemy of mine,” I warn him.
“You are keeping the two agreements. You are just trying to swindle your way into more cash. Well, I’m not paying it. The agreement will rollover as is.”
I don’t miss the shock and horror on my father in law's face. This must be the Jackson that he knows.
“Jackson. Do you know where your son is right now?”
I chuckle humourlessly. I can’t wait to tell this prick.
“He’s running training sessions all day.” He lies. He didn’t have a clue. Well, I’ll just tell him.
“I think you're full of shit.” I chuckled again. I was about to have some fun.
“How dare you speak to me like that pup.!” He replied furiously.
“I have two warriors on their way home with your son right now. We don’t plan on doing more than tossing him like the trash he is across the line. Now I know you are going to be upset that your boy is a darn moron who got what he had coming, but if you harm those two warriors, I will make it my personal mission to put him in the ground. I will go to war.” And I would.
“What do you mean they will throw him over? What have you done to my boy.” He growls, but I’m not afraid of a bit of spittle. He will have to try harder than that.
“Let me break it down for you real quick. Your sorry excuse of a son found his mate some months back. Instead of cherishing her as any good man would, he hit her, belittled her, tortured her. She had to flee her own home just to save her own life. The bond was broken. She made sure of it. Then once Declan finds her here, he just keeps popping up on my land unannounced, proclaiming his love and pledging to win her heart once more. Only on his last surprise visit this morning, he finds her marked and loses it. Attacks two of my pack members, puts one of them in a coma, and then tries to abduct her. You need to teach your son how to be a good person before he runs you pack into the ground or start your search for a more capable replacement Alpha. Faith is not a toy for Declan to treat in any way which way he wants. I spared his life today. I will never do that again. I don’t care if his next visit, he’s here apologizing all over again. He crosses my borders again if even a hair dangled over the territory line. I will kill him.” And I would too. I’m not sure how my beautiful faith may feel about it, but it’s a matter of her safety. She’ll understand. I’m confident in time that she will forgive me.
“She wishes she was so valuable,” he snaps.
“You wanna say that again?” I growl.
“She wishes she were as valuable as a toy. Cheap fancy looking plastic at least brings people some joy. Faith is a curse, a misery, a stain.” He laughs.
Mitchell’s face is so red. If his alpha was here, I’m sure things would be physical between the two of them right about now.
“Jackson, I hereby tender my resignation as your beta. My family and I will be transferring to Waning crescent immediately.”
I wish he’d been smart enough to get his family out and then resign. I would hate to see Jackson hurt them. But that’s too late now.
“Mitchel, I didn’t know you could hear me.” He stuttered. “I didn’t mean any of that, of course. I was just upset by losing the agreements and the harm that’s befallen, my son.” He excuses himself.
“Save it, Jackson. I didn’t know you were like this or that you felt so disgusted by my daughter. We are leaving. I will call Heather immediately and tell her the news.”
“You are just going to throw away everything you have worked for?” Jackson scoffs, but I’m proud of Mitchell if that counts for anything.
“I’m dissociating from an unraveling pack. Your ship is sinking. I’m jumping off while there is a chance that other packs may still take my family and me.”
He replies cooly. He continues to impress me.
“Fine. We will allow Heather and Samantha safe passage, as long as they want it.” Jackson concedes, but Mitchell and I both noticed the little dig.
“If they want it!” Mitchell snaps, “what is that exactly supposed to mean?”
“You might be ready to call it quits, but maybe Samantha and Heather are relieved Faiths gone. They may want to stay here, and if they do, they can. Your mistakes shouldn’t be their burden to bear.”
He's rather smug about it.
“Their choice, of course, but they will come.” Mitchell snaps and storms from the room.
“Is there anything else, Jackson?” I ask. I want to get back to Faith already.
“You stole my beta.” He seethes.
“No, I didn’t. You destroyed that bond all on your own, just like Declan destroyed his. Good people don’t want to be surrounded by vile Jackson. I will not be keeping any of this a secret either. I have my entire pack lands under video surveillance, try and lie about it. I’ll release the tapes.”
“I’ll make you pay for this.” He snaps.
“You should learn to watch your tongue.” And I hung up the phone.
“That went well.” I grin at David. “If anyone else calls, I’m out for the day. I have a Luna to dote on.”
“Yes, Alpha.” David was a good beta.