1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter XVII

Elysia Wolfe

He is as annoying as they come. I knew Alistair was reading my mind and that he was only trying to grind my gears to get a shred of attention from me because of our dreams and my silent treatment. I knew it because I feel like I know him like the back of my hand. After doing research on him from the Zeta; I realized he wasn't like the rest of his people and I hated that.

I hated that I was attracted to him.

I realized I liked him.

I realized I liked his snarky remarks and his insatiable stare.

I also realized that I could semi-trust him.

He saved my life.

Alistair Wardwell; the man of my dreams and nightmares saved my life.

I wanted to kiss him badly but Cade came and if Cade saw I knew a war would break out. A witch and a Lycan being together is uncharted territory that's never been reported before. Our people were enemies and if me of all people was seen fancying the enemy, they'd paint me as bewitched or cursed with a love potion.

If you told me this five years ago or a month ago, I'd think I was insane.

I think of this while in a meeting.

Ries was presenting on his strategy to hit the highest rabid Lycan point near our border in Nereus City. The Alpha Crescentridge family from Karo Clan also wanted to hit that point because a small section of Nereus belonged to them for trade purposes. They wanted to meet at the tall border and discuss matters but I know my Alpha; things either go his way or nothing.

"Any suggestions on battle strategy or negotiation Beta Wolfe?" He asks Jasper. Jasper was a mentor to people in training and a tactical strategist in fighting and war. He trained me and the rest of the delta's. I was a head soldier, leader of my troop and always kept them in order for any situation coming our way.

Jasper nods, "We need to bring all our troops to negotiate with the Crescentridges—maybe intimidate them. I want all corner of Nereus to be covered with Epsilons and Delta's alike. Also I think we shouldn't really wait to talk through it with them. You know how Crescentridges are; we should tell them straight away; we are hitting this point because it's our land. If they disagree, we strike—simple as that."

"That's a horrible idea." Cade jumps in to say. Cade takes a sip from his bourbon and looks at Jasper smugly. Even though Cade was my best friend; he only ever acknowledged me and Lennox with respect.

Cade and Jasper had a rivalry some may say.

Their history was complicated in my eyes. Let's just say a girl I was friends with a long time ago, caused a shift between them and ever since they've practically hated each other.

Men are so possessive it hurts.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Jasper snarks.

"We are not striking them if they hold a certain resistance to us. Our troops need to fight the infected; not our own—" Cade bit back with a glare.

"Sounds like you don't like a challenge—" Jasper shrugs.

"What is that supposed to mean?"