C11 The Trip

Zephyr’s POV:

I leaned back in the plush seat of my jet, with my eyes closed attempting to focus. The hum of the engine was a steady background noise. I am on my way to securing a vital contract with another powerful pack known as the ‘Red Rage’, a deal that could solidify my dominance in the region.

The pack is very influential, and an alliance with them would be a strategic advantage to me. Yet, all I could think about was Amber.

The flight attendants moved quietly around me, offering refreshments, which I waved off absently. I couldn’t afford to be distracted.

I reviewed the details of the contract again, ensuring I had everything memorized. The meeting was set to take place at their pack house, nestled deep in the northern forest. It is a formidable place, much like its alpha, Magnus Blackwood.

When the jet touched down on the private airstrip, a sleek black SUV was already waiting. As I stepped out immediately, I was greeted by Blackwood’s beta, a tall stern man named Gregor.

“Welcome, Alpha Zephyr” He bowed to me with respect and submission. “Magnus is expecting you.”

I acknowledged him with a nod and balanced in the car. We drove in silence through the dense forest, the path winding and treacherous, much like the negotiations ahead.

The Blackwood pack house was an impressive structure, with a blend of modern architecture and traditional elements. The Pack members roamed around freely in the wolf form because the area is very isolated from human civilization and it is less likely that a human would wander off this far.

“Alpha Zephyr” Magnus greeted me warmly, extending a hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“Likewise,” I replied, shaking his hands firmly. I stared down into his eyes to assert intimidation that he should never in his miserable life ever think of crossing or challenging me, I hold grudges forever, and forgiveness is a word I despised. After all, I can’t contain my dark side, I love playing dirty.

We sat down and the negotiation began. It was a dance of power and diplomacy, each word carefully chosen, each concession calculated. I would lend him my strength and in return, he would give me loyalty. Some share also, of his territory.

The next morning, I found myself on the road again, this time heading to the former Lycan’s pack, Amber’s biological father, Ronan. I have dominated whatever remained in the pack after I wiped that bastard off earth’s surface. “The Darkclaw pack.”

After I killed him and the war ended, I didn’t feel satisfied. Heck, I felt like I lost because to date Ronan is still alive in my head, he still haunts me every time I close my eyes. And when it was all over, I avoided this place like a plague. I couldn’t summon the courage to face it. I buried myself in the dark, having no zeal to go looking for answers about Julia but with the support of Xander, I overcame it.

Here I am, the search for Janie still maddeningly elusive, and I am determined to get more answers. I do not remember much after that night and my memories keep coming back in bits, like a cracked cassette. It is absolutely mortifying. The memory of that night I separated from here is still blurry, I needed to piece together everything. I just felt hopeless, at the fact that even gathering my thoughts failed me.

Xander’s ringing tone snapped me out of my daydream. “It’s Martha”. He said before swiping the answer button. I cannot lie to myself to say I didn’t feel a tinge of worry finding its way to my chest.

“Put it on speaker,” I commanded him because Martha wouldn’t call if there wasn’t a pressing issue. She knew we were on a business trip and she knew better not to disrupt our work or waste our time over petty things.

“Xander, it’s Martha,” she said, her voice tinged with concern. “I wanted to update you on Amber. She’s been very sick. High fever, chills. I thought the Alpha should know just in case.

I snatched the phone from Xander. “Is she being taken care of? Have you called the pack doctor?

“Yes, I’m making sure of it. He prescribed some medications for her.”

“Good” That’s all I said before cutting off the call and throwing his phone back at his annoying face. He is pissing me off with the smirks and teasing smiles.

Before he could speak, I beat him at it. “Fuck off, little cunt.” He boomed into laughter and I wanted nothing to do than send him to the gods.

Upon arriving at the pack, the atmosphere was tense. Zumba, the elderly man, and probably one of the legends of the pack that is still alive came forth. He is a stern and imposing figure who upholds discipline and cultural values. He made no effort in hiding his disdain for me but yet I tolerated him a little.

He never liked me either, but he has to accept the fact that if not for me, they would’ve been wiped out long ago by their Former Tyrant, Alpha Ronan. His reign wasn’t exactly roses. It was full of oppression and insecurity.

“Back again, young Zef.” He asked, his voice cold and I inwardly rolled my eyes with his childish grudge. I always came back to him needing answers because I was certain he remembered what happened that night.

I can remember he was among the workers who would bring morsels of rotten meat to the guards so that we would be fed enough to be alive. We were left to starve but not to the extent of dying from it. Ronan wanted us alive and shattered.

“I need more answers,” I replied, my tone equally frosty. “What exactly happened 17. Years ago, that night, there is something you’re not telling me.”

“I’ve told you everything I know, what more do you expect”?

My patience was running thin and I could already feel Luca raging in my head. “Kill him, kill him, kill him.” He kept chanting at the back of my head. I shut my eyes close for a brief moment, to get him off my mind. And there he stood, his midnight fur and bloodshot eyes. He growled at me and bared his teeth. Saliva seeping due to his insatiable thirst for blood.

I tried my hardest to suppress him, but he kept on raging, more furiously. My mind was becoming hazy when suddenly, I felt a sharp blow at my temple. Snapping out, I turned to see Xander with his hand mid-air ready for another blow. “Snap out of it, Luca” he screamed at my wolf.

I threw daggers his way for having to hit me so hard. Something with the way his eyes flicked told me he was unapologetic about it, he even enjoyed hitting me. Cunning bastard! Ever since we were children, Xander was always there, by my side ready to put a leash on me.

Growing up, I couldn’t control my wolf at all, he overtook my body multiple times, murdered people, and fed on their blood. But Aneyx, Xander’s father saved Me from ME.

He helped me because he raised me by himself. He raised me like a father. He saw way behind my affliction, he didn’t see the monster I was, but all he could see beyond that was a scared child who was scared of himself. He taught me how to turn my anger into strength.

And over time, I learned a little about how to suppress Luca, Xander became my biggest motivation because he is my brother and I wanted nothing more than to protect him with my life at the cost of my cursed wolf. I learned how to suppress Luca for him, the last thing I would want is to hurt him.

Leaving the territory with yet again no new information was a bitter pill to swallow. I felt the weight of my failure pressing down on me.

After arriving at my house, I decided it would be best to go bury myself deep in work rather than some pussy to forget this whole thing while Xander went to do God knows what. He could go suck a dick for all I care.

My phone buzzed with a message from Xander.

*** Xander:*** Got something. Call me when you’re free.

I dialed his number almost immediately, the phone barely ringing once before he picked up.

“ Zeph, you are not going to believe what I found,” he said with excitement evident in his voice.

“What is it?”

“Books. A whole bunch of them.” I hissed because I didn’t see how this affected me.

“So?”

“Thought Amber might like some, maybe keep her busy while she’s recovering.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head at his enthusiasm for something so worthless. I wanted him to hate her, I wanted to hate him for not hating her as much as I do. I don’t want him to see past her being an end product of that tyrant. I am starting to get pissed at him and I wanted to scream at him to shut the hell up and not mention her name ever, to me.

Yet, all I could say is “You’re like an overgrown kid. You know that right?”

“Oh shut it! I’m just trying to help. I should get you some too on anger management. You might need it as well.” He said making me chuckle.

“And I know what you are thinking Zeph, I know you like the palm of my hands. Believe me when I say everything will work out. You will find Janie. I know all that is in your head and I know you feel like you are not punishing Amber enough for her father’s crimes and you feel shitty about it.” He said seriously. Xander knows me more than I know myself sometimes. He read my soul, and I didn’t have to translate it for him to understand. He is my soul brother.

“Everything is going accordingly even if you might not know it, you are living an answered prayer even if you don’t realize it. Don’t forget to loosen up after all, we only have one life to live. And you my dear, are spending it with me till death do us part.” He chuckled at the end, making me hiss and cutting off my phone.

“Idiot, who does he think he is? My therapist?” I smiled to myself knowing, I wouldn’t have been here if I didn’t have Xander by my side.