He was aware of the respect he commanded as soon as he stepped into the manor. He could feel the air stilling when he passed through the long hallways.
The entrance of the manor was lined with servants with their heads bowed as he made his way past them, not a single person daring to breathe until he’d passed them by. He reveled in this attention, the fear he was able to elicit in members not only in his pack but further than that, extending here to the Dark Wood Pack.
He was met at the front of the stairs by the girl, his warriors parting to give her the chance to speak to him. His eyes ran over her. She had grown a lot more than the last time he’d seen her.
Her womanly curves were now prominent, and she carried herself with the ease and grace of an Alpha’s daughter. Maybe it was time to get this one to find her mate, and if she didn't, he could think of several Alphas who might be willing to take her in, and the fact that they were all sickly and aged was even better.
“Elena,” her name rolled out of his tongue with ease as his eyes accessed her.
She bowed down in customary greeting to him.
“Take me to your brother,” he said, and with a nod, she rose and led the way up the stairs.
“It’s good to have you here,” she began in a quiet voice. “Alexander hasn't been the same ever since the incident.”
He glanced at her and said nothing, the only evidence of his anger was in the way he clenched his fists by his side. He was seething, the rage thumping as one with his heartbeat. If there was anything he hated more than idiots and cowards, it was people who were a mix of both.
Alexander wasn't fit to be an Alpha, that much was. Being a Beta for years and having unofficially taken the role of an advisor to different Alphas, he knew best about those who could rule a pack, and Alexander had proven he wasn't up to that task, seeing as he couldn't keep a girl by his side for fifteen years without ruining it and almost getting himself killed in the process.
Bile rose in his throat at the memory. He was disgusted beyond belief by Alexander’s downfall.
“So close,” he muttered to himself. He has been so close to achieving his goal. All he had asked was that Alexander and Sophia mate, and now it had all exploded in his face.
One of the warriors pushed the door open, and Elena waited until he had gone inside before attempting to come in after him. “Wait outside,” he said, nodding his head at the warrior to shut the doors.
His eyes wandered around the room before settling on the figure who lay on the bed. At the sight of Alexander, his eyes darkened. Slowly, he moved closer to him and settled himself on the seat by the bed. Alexander was lying face up, his eyes staring up at the ceiling unblinkingly.
“You dared to lie in bed shriveling after destroying things for us all,” he said in a low voice. The baritone of his voice conveyed his dangerous tone.
The only evidence Alexander was aware of his presence was him blinking once, twice, and after that, he remained still.
The man took in a breath. This was going to test his patience in more ways than one. “If anything, I had expected you would have sent your men out there, invading the Black Tide Pack as stealthily as possible with orders to return with the girl.”
Alexander turned to him. “And have the news of what has happened spread further? You have no—”
“This is not about your ego!” he roared. “This is about getting what you deserve, and if there is anything you do, it is the girl by your side where she truly belongs. Do you understand that?”
With a heave, Alexander hoisted himself from the bed, and the man watched him with sharp eyes as he began to pace the room in distraught movements.
“She is no longer in our lands,” he mumbled, running his palm over his face discouragingly. “I can't provoke a war with the Black Tide Pack. That is the worst thing I could do now.”
He eyed Alexander for a few minutes wordlessly. “Sit down,” he ordered, and without a second of hesitancy, Alexander sank onto the bed.
He could see how deeply affected Alexander was by the whole situation. Sophia was quite the girl not only to have elicited such strong, possessive emotions in Alexander but to also have been able to escape him. But it wouldn't be long now—it was a solemn promise to himself. She wouldn't be the reason his well-laid plans would turn to dust, and whether it was by physical compelling or emotional, she was going to return to Alexander.
It was a good thing she and Alpha Callan were yet to be mated. It made everything so much easier because, in a few days, he was going to make a stop at the Black Tide Pack and do what was necessary. And if the girl was as he remembered, gullible and nice to the depths of her heart, it was going to be an easier task than he had feared.
“Look at me, Alexander.” When Alexander did, the man continued. “I have gotten you everything you desired, haven't I? In the face of your brother being the Alpha instead of you, I intervened and got you in this position, causing him to disappear.”
Alexander paled slightly at the memory of his brother but nodded at the man’s words.
“You have done your part in trying to keep Sophia with you and now I shall make you a promise.” He took in a breath and ran his thumb on the cleft of his chin briefly.
“Rest assured that like I have made you Alpha of the Dark Wood Pack, I shall also take it upon myself to make Sophia your Luna, and then you will punish her for all the trouble she has caused you. Do you trust me?”
And eagerly, Alexander nodded. “I have no idea how I could ever repay you for all you have done for me, Silviu. The Dark Wood Pack is forever in your debt.”
And slowly, a smile formed on Silviu’s face accentuating the fine lines in the corner of his eyes.
“I have many ideas,” he whispered to himself.
“The Mystic Hollow and Dark Wood Pack is nothing but an extension of one to another,” he said out loud instead.
And in a cold tone, he added, “It is why my niece must become your Luna, otherwise for her is certain death.”
No one was going to get away with wrecking Silviu Alden’s plans, not even his blood.