Let's have a chat

Let's have a chat
DECLAN

Staring at the army littered in the compound, I couldn't help but think. To ask questions in my head.

These are men I recruited from literally every inch of the forest in my bid to fight against Vince. They're not soldiers that I grew up with. Those soldiers were already dead.

There's no doubt that these men do not owe their hundred percent loyalty to me. They're definitely more loyal to the rogue clan than to me as an individual.

If the elders ask them to turn on me, they wouldn't hesitate to do it. If they feel like I'm betraying them and this fight, they won't think twice about slashing me into bits. And that reality kinda terrifies me.

Going against the whole army would be my death. I could survive, because of the little dose of powers I got from the ritual process of bringing me back to life after the explosion.

It could keep me alive a little longer. But if I don't get help, then I'm definitely gonna die. And I don't wanna die. I don't have a great life going and most of my loved ones are gone, but I genuinely do not wanna join them yet.

There are only two ways to ensure that I stay alive. Either Vince helps me or I launch the attack on his Pack.

My time is counting. I've got three days and a few hours left to launch an attack on Vince's Pack. But I'm still hoping he's gonna accept my offer. I really do not have the drive to launch that attack.

But then, I don't understand why he's finding it so hard to form a team with me. We'll make a great team. He owes me. And also, this truce will be for his benefit as much as it will be mine.

So why is he letting his ego get in the way? I mean, I shoved my ego way down the bottom part of my heart when I made that proposal. Why can't he just do the same? What's he being so stubborn about?

“There you are,” Beck's voice behind me put an end to my endless thoughts.

“What's up?”

“You have a call.”

“Tell whoever it is that I've retired for the night.”

“It's Vince.” He replied and suddenly I wasn't so grumpy anymore.

I didn't wanna get all excited though. Because what if he's just pulling my legs?

But then Beck wouldn't joke with something that serious. He’s holding the phone too which also makes it clear that he's not kidding.

I hesitate for a second before taking the phone from him.

“Hello,” I said, holding my breath. Why the fuck was I so nervous?

“Come over to my Pack. Let's have a chat,” he said briskly.

For the first time, I wasn't bothered by his bossy tone. Because it doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that he finally wants to talk. Hopefully, he'll help me out.

“Alright. On my way.”

The call ended and I turned to Beck. He was already giving me a questioning gaze. Even without voicing the question, I already knew what questions he had for me.

“If I don't do this, I'll be fucking ruined. You understand that, right?”

“I understand. But the elders are never gonna forgive you.”

“Hopefully, they won't be alive much longer.” I walked past him and hurried out of the room.

I grabbed the car keys and hopped into the car, screeching down the lonely pathway that led to Vince's Pack. I got there roughly an hour later.

I pulled up in front of his massive iron gate but got jumped by a couple of his men.

“Who are you?! Get out of the car and put your hands up!” They yelled at me. I got out of the car and seeing me got them more riled up.

They pointed their guns more intensely at me. The ones wielding knives looked alert and ready to slice me into bits with them.

They couldn't harass me the other night because I was with Elena. Tonight, I'm all alone and they seem eager to tear me apart.

I lifted my hands in the air while I walked closer to them.

“I'm here to see your Alpha. He's expecting me.”

“Bullshit!” One of them barked. “Alpha Vince has no business with dogs like you!”

I let out a chuckle. “Well, it would interest you to know that your Alpha is as much of a dog as I am.”

“Are you blaspheming our Alpha?!” This time, they all pulled out their weapons, ready to send me to my fucking grave.

Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut. And also, it seems Vince hasn't enlightened them of his real identity.

Is he keeping it a secret, even from his own men? Is being a rogue so shameful?

“That's enough!” A firmer, bossier voice yelled. The owner of the voice has just walked out of the gate. The men backed off and the one who'd ordered them came to me.

I know the face. I've seen him before. He's Vince's right-hand man or something like that.

“I'll escort you inside.” He said. There was a clear as fuck disdain in his voice. He was also scowling at me which shows just how gutsy he is. I've always thought he was cosplaying Vince because he talks like him and almost gives off his exact vibes.

I followed him inside, keeping up to his long strides.

“While you're here, it'd be best to watch what you say,” he began. “Don't ever say anything shitty about Alpha Vince. Especially not to the men.”

He's threatening me, which is funny. But also, he knows. He knows about Vince being a rogue and he's helping him keep it a secret.

Such a lucky bastard Vince is. He has friends and men who love him to bits. I don't know if I hate him or if I envy him at this point.

We got into the house and he headed to the staircase. I followed him, but I couldn't keep my gaze from looking around.

The chances that I might see her were slim. If she knew of my visit, she'd definitely stay out of sight. Still, a little bit of me hoped to see her. See if she's doing okay.

I was led into a waiting room and he dumped me there and left. I paced the room for a few minutes before the door opened and Vince walked in.

He wasn't alone. His friends were with him. Elena's father and the other guy.

I wasn't sure how exactly to react to their arrival. Do I say hello or do I just sit and we get down to business?

We've been enemies for so long. It's weird to finally meet as non-enemies.

I figured I should say something. So I started with the first words that came to my head.

“I came as soon as I could. Thanks for calling…” I didn't get to really finish that before Vince landed a brutal punch to my face. “Fuck!”

I turned to him with a feral scowl but was met with another punch. This time, it awakened the beastly side of me and I threw a punch at him.

He caught my fist, forcing my hand down. “That was for all the bruises you left on her face, you bloody swine!”

My anger dwindled instantly. Out of the blue, I caught myself laughing. You gotta be kidding me!

“Did you call me here to beat me up on behalf of Elena?”

“No. I called you here because I wanted to talk to you. But I needed to do that first. You had no right to hit her.”

I couldn't help but laugh again. “You're so pathetic, Vince. I'm beginning to think she pulled some voodoo stunt on you. Why the fuck do you love her so much?”

“You tell me. You're more whipped for her than I am.”

I couldn't argue that. I couldn't laugh anymore either. He managed to silence me so easily.

“Sit your ass down.” He gestured at the couch. He sat on a different one with his friends.

I sat down feeling like a fucking loser. But that feeling got brushed out as I recalled my main reason for coming here.

“So you're gonna help me?”

“A quick question. What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Kill those elders."

Vince arched a confused brow. “Seriously?”

“Yes. I can't do it because I'm tied to my obligations as a prince. But you can do it. I'll just arrange the place and time.”

“Are you talking about silently eliminating them?”

“Yes.”

Vince snorted. “I don't see how that's gonna fix anything.”

“Why not? If you get rid of the elders, I could just tell my people that they committed some grave sin and were killed by the goddess or something. The sorcerers would never go against me if those elders weren't present. I'll evacuate your friend's Pack and we'll return to the deep woods. We'll never come for you again and you'll leave us alone.”

He seemed skeptical. His friend looked more skeptical than him. Elena's father happens to be the only one who seems a little convinced.

“And, I'll never tell anyone of your real roots. I see you're keeping it a secret. I'll do that too. We could also eliminate those sorcerers who knows about it.” I added.

This time, his eyes lit up. He's not even trying to hide the fact that he hates the rogue identity. That feels like a slap to me.

I'm proud to be a rogue. I'd never feel ashamed of it. I hate that he feels ashamed of it.

"So we kill the elders, and the sorcerers who know of my roots, and you evacuate Richard's Pack and return to the woods. That sounds too good to be true."