The Dark Alpha: Old Blood

Chapter 20: Theo

Five years ago, on the fourth anniversary of my father's death, Draven sent correspondence to Alpha Silva, inviting him to extend his Luna search to my territory as a sign of good faith. Bryan Silva, like me, was a newer, younger Alpha, and the fourth holder of an Old Blood title—third holder after my grandfather forfeited our own.

Bryan accepted my offer and in due time arrived on Draven territory where he felt the matebond root in his chest almost immediately. Corbin nudged me with a wide grin—finding his mate here would surely create a basis for a future alliance—so we trailed behind Bryan to see who would be Silva's Luna.

Bryan marched right up to my family home and claimed my sister. Corbin and Dan struggled to hide their amusement.

By nightfall, Bryan already had Alexa out of her bedroom and in his guest house, so Corbin, Dan, and I reconvened in my study.

"In my opinion, their bond is a good thing," Corbin said while lounging in the leather living chair in front of my desk. "A family alliance is stronger than a non-familial one; we've practically won over Silva in less than twenty-four hours."

"I wanted to vet him before making any commitments. Allies are few and far between for a reason, and now the kid has Alexa just like that. I invite him here, I give away part of my family, and what do I get? A brother-by-bond?" I shook my head. "Having him take some other Draven girl was a low risk. I don't trust him remotely enough for this."

"Well, the Goddess does," Dan chimed in, sat on the edge of the desk.

"Dan's right. The Goddess has the final say, and she's giving Alexa away whether you like it or not, so we may as well make things work with Silva."

"He's..." My face soured. "He's all talk—I can feel it. He says whatever's necessary to please those around him."

"You've known the man for a day, give it time." Corbin then brightened. "You should visit Silva in exchange to look for your mate; it's not like we can pursue Belrose again until Draven's bloodline is secured."

We all knew we wouldn't let Belrose get away with my father's death and let them carry on presenting themselves as Old Blood; I knew it from the moment I surrendered the war as a newly-instated Alpha. The scheme wasn't voiced right away, however. I spent the first two years of my leadership earning the trust of my pack as a teenage Alpha, which wasn't an easy feat in the wake of a lost war.

Only recently did Corbin, Dan, and I start taking revenge preparations seriously.

"I'm too busy to leave."

Dan stifled a laugh. "Theo's re-entered his phase of not wanting his mate, remember?"

I sat upright in my desk chair. "Even if I found my mate tomorrow, it could be years until I have a son. Besides, there are other things to consider before we take on Belrose like our lack of warriors and their lack of skill. We need at least a hundred more promising fighters."

Corbin scoffed. "There's only thirty or so boys turning eighteen this year and that's not taking into account the warriors that'll be retiring."

"We need to rework all training. There's no reason our men shouldn't be fighting as well as we are."

"Our men haven't had to train for on-coming battle in four years," Corbin countered, "and it's going to be harder to convince them to work so hard again when everyone believes we're in peaceful times."

"Yeah," Dan joined, "what are you going to tell them? Train until you vomit just in case we go to war?"

"I can make it a gradual change."