Backed Into a Corner

~Meena~

Alpha Lansing sits across from me with a smirk on his face. He’s been trying to convince me to take him as a mate for a while now. First, he would say that his experience would help me give my people what they needed. He’s tried to use his age as a benefit along with his council connections. To be honest, the council means nothing to me. I truly believe they had a hand in wiping out my people. Lycans have always ruled over the werewolves, but I swear it’s never been in a bad way.

We are the stronger species, and we made sure there was peace among all. We helped werewolves whenever they needed it. I guess some people can’t handle not being the biggest and baddest. I have no proof, but every fiber in my body tells me that the werewolf council had a hand in ending the Lycans. Well, trying to anyway because we are still here.

I start to tap my fingers on the desk, waiting for him to speak. I let my eyes linger on the pile of paperwork waiting for me. This is truly a waste of time, and I have more important things to do. “You look good.” I huff but don’t respond. “I’ve been thinking and it doesn’t make sense for you and me to mate.” No, sh.it! He’s old enough to be my father, and that’s reason enough, though it isn’t the only reason.

Alpha Lansing’s mate died some time ago, which is why he never hesitated to approach me about being with him. I’m only 23 now, so I was younger when he approached me. The minute I turned 18, he was right there. It was disgusting, to say the least.

Alpha Lansing leans in, and I wince internally at the scent he’s giving off. It smells spicy, like something older people would wear. “I think you’d be great with my son. He’s about your age and is looking for a strong Luna.” Luna?! Fu.ck that! I’m an Alpha, the Alpha of my pack. There’s no way I would mate with someone and simply become part of the background. I would never leave my pack in the hands of an outsider.

“I’ve told you time and again I’m not interested. I’m sure your son is a nice guy, but I’m waiting for my fated mate.” Alpha Lansing smirks and sits back in his chair. He crosses his arms over his body and turns his head to the side.

“You’re an unmated Alpha Lycan. I know what happens when you go unmarked for too long. You and I both know you need a mate, and my son is available.” I close my eyes and try to breathe. He’s becoming insufferable, and I’m going to lose it.

Let me out.

No, Raven. A dead Alpha won’t be helpful right now. Raven huffs but doesn’t say anything else. I let my head fall while rubbing my temples.

“How about I give you some time to think about things, hmm? I can come back in a few days, and we can discuss this again.” Alpha Lansing moves to stand up.

“Don’t bother.”

“Excuse me?” I let my hands drop, and I slowly lift my head.

“I said, don’t bother. Don’t come back because we have nothing to discuss. I already told you, as I’ve told you many times before, that I’m not interested. I’m not interested in you or your son. It would be best to just leave things alone and move on.”

Alpha Lansing clenches his fists, and a mask of anger graces his face for just a second before it evens back out. He leans forward in his seat with his elbows on his knees. “I will come back. I’ll come back and allow you to make the right choice. I figured you’d need some incentive. Pretty soon, all of your trade routes will dry up. Those you deal with, the ones who help you keep the pack running, will no longer be working with you. They have pledged loyalty to me and will only reach out to you if I give the okay. Pretty soon, you will have to accept my son, or your pack will suffer.” Alpha Lansing quickly stands up and heads to the door. “I’ll see you soon, daughter-in-law.”

I’m stuck, stuck in my seat and stuck in my head. What the hell did he mean by that? What’s going on? I grab my office phone and hit the speed dial. The call connects, and I quickly play nice, asking a few questions. I hang up the phone and dial the next number. The call connects, and it’s an even shorter call. This goes on for a while before my frustration sets in. I grab my phone and hurl it at the wall with a loud scream.

My door flies open, and Kelvin runs in, looking around the room. “What’s wrong, what happened?” I’m breathing heavily, and my head is starting to hurt. This can’t be real….this really can’t be happening. “Meena, talk to me. What happened?”

“We’re screwed, Kelvin. We are in a deep hole and there’s only one way out of it.”

~Alpha Lansing~

I get in the backseat of my SUV and motion to the driver to go. I pull my phone out and dial the number I know by heart. “Yeah?”

“It’s done, son. We are right where we want to be?” There’s silence on the line, and I do my best to keep my composure. “Did you hear me? We are about to wrap this up.”

“Okay.” I sigh and hang up the phone.

I know that William isn’t as excited about this as I am, but he doesn’t know. He doesn’t get what this could mean for us. It’s rare to find a Lycan these days, let alone an entire pack. That pack is rich and has been around for a while. I don’t care about that, though. If those Lycans were part of my pack, they’d have no choice but to fight for me. With a Lycan army, I can do whatever I want. I could control any territory I wanted. I could make these other Alphas bow to me. Controlling the Lycans means controlling everyone else.

I figured William would be appealing to him because of his age, but I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Meena is a stubborn one, and I figured that I’d have to make him an offer she couldn’t refuse. Even though the pack has contact with the outside world, they are pretty isolated. I find out that they source some key things out, things that help them sustain the pack.

I made them promises and reassurances. I threatened those who needed it. I was able to pull their support to the pack. No one will supply this pack as long as Meena remains unmated. Either she gives in and accepts my son, or her pack will be destroyed. Meena has no choice, and I will have the pack I’ve always dreamed of. It won’t be long now until I get what I want.