Alpha Desmond novel Chapter 3

I took a sip of the wine in my glass. Honestly, this gathering was the most useless event I had ever sat through. The pervious Alpha King died three years ago. His son had taken over and he was just now deciding that he should meet all the Alphas? This kid was twenty-five and if he thought he was going to get a bow out of me, he was going to be sorely disappointed.

My eyes fell over Alpha James, chatting up the young pup king. I smirked and looked at my watch. It would be another hour when I’m sure he would get the call that his pack had been taught a lesson in humility toward the other races. The timing seemed too perfect and I have Scott working with Victor to take out one of the cities they had in the north. Implementing the plan that they had intended for the fey in the forest.

“Alpha Desmond, it’s good to see you.” I took the hands of one of the Canadian Alphas, Alpha Luka. He and I were at least on treaty terms. Though it had taken about five years to get there.

“You as well. How’s the pack?”

“Thriving. My son, Claude, has been taking over for most of it now. I shall be handing the reigns over to him soon.” Alpha Luka placed his hand on a young man who looked about sixteen or seventeen.

I held out my hand and he shook it. “Good to meet you, Claude. I look forward to continuing the peace your father and I built.”

He nodded. I could see he felt intimidated by me and as soon as I let go of his hand, he stepped back behind his father.

“What about your son Liam? Is he not here?”

I knew it was coming and I loathed it. “Liam is only fifteen. While I have been grooming him to take over, I don’t believe he is ready yet.”

“Did you not take over your own pack at fifteen?”

I took a sip of my wine, forcing myself not to think about wringing this man’s neck. “I did. I also ran my first raid and killed off an entire pack at your son’s age.” I gave him a poignant look. “But not everyone is ready to do that.”

Alpha Luka shifted uncomfortably. “Well, I hope to meet your son soon.”

Smiling, I nodded and watched as he ushered his son away from me. Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the pillar in the ballroom. I was receiving more glares from the other Alphas.

“You are as popular as ever, Des.” I looked up at the werewolf who had sauntered up to me.

I clasped his arm and pulled him into a hug. “Shit, Chris, it’s been years! How are you doing?”

“Still kicking. Somehow. Seriously, how the fuck do you do it?”

I laughed. “Some of us keep up with our training.”

Chris shook his head. “My son is around here somewhere. I don’t know why he dragged my old ass out from the basement but now I’m glad he did. You seem to have made enemies of everyone in the room already. What else is going on?”

“Nothing much to speak of. Just working, making sure that my territory is safe.” I smiled and glanced at my watch. Ten more minutes.

“Oh no, I know that look. What the fuck are you planning?”

I looked at Chris innocently. “Whatever could you mean?”

“Good goddess, Des. We are in the castle of the Alpha King. Try not to start something here. You’re not exactly the most popular person here as it is.”

With my wine glass, I motioned over to the werewolf that had three women draped over him. “If you think I’m going to acknowledge that as a king you’ve got another thing coming. Come on Chris, it’s disgusting.”

“Not all of us have a demon wolf to back us up, Des.” Chris stepped in my line of sight, looking at me seriously. “Don’t start something here. I won’t protect you. My son is the Alpha now.”

I laughed. “I don’t need your protection. Just stay out of my way and all will be well. You and your son.”

Chris shook his head. “Threats from you don’t work on me.”

“The only threat here is Alpha Desmond to our way of life.” An Alpha walked up to me, a glass in his right hand and a tint of pink across his face.

“I’m sorry, you are?” I knew exactly who he was and I watched his lip curl into a grimace.

“Alpha Tanner.”

I let mock shame fall on my face. “Oh my, I apologize. I should have remembered. Forgive this old man, it must be my memory that’s going first.” Chris flashed me a warning look but I ignored him.

“Well, I guess I will have to forgive you this time.” The young Alpha was drunk as he slurred his words ever so slightly.

“Run back to your father, pup. Make sure he chastises you for drinking too much.” I smirked.