Chapter 1: The Pact

The bar was small, but cold. The faint aroma of stale beer clung to the air, despite the fact the tavern had been closed for several hours. Vivian stood by the front door, looking from the water stained, warped counter to the myriad of cracks in the ancient vinyl booths that lined the far wall of the bar.

"This is an interesting choice," she remarked, frowning slightly.

Claudia let out a soft chuckle as she emerged from the darkness, her pale hands folded neatly in front of her. "Tom, the human who owns this bar, is not particularly skilled with security. And this tavern is dead center in the Overlap."

Vivian nodded, scanning the tall, slender woman with her amber gaze. "As neutral a territory as is possible. Shall we sit?"

"Please," Claudia said, indicating a burgundy colored booth halfway between them.

"I can only assume you know about the attack yesterday," Vivian said as she sat down. "Have you heard how many?"

"Two dead, and the third is still in the ICU, or so my sources say," Claudia grimaced. "They get more brazen with each attack."

"And more public as well," Vivian said, tucking her long salt and pepper hair behind her ear. "If they continue this pattern, we will be exposed by year's end."

"Exposed, hunted, maybe even driven extinct," Claudia said, sighing heavily. "Both of our packs could be systematically wiped out."

"I'm beginning to suspect that is their goal," Vivian nodded. "Forcing us out into the open, I mean. Showing the human world that we exist among them. But to what aim?"

Claudia leaned forward over the table, her deep blue eyes somber. "I've thought long and hard about this. My theory is that they tailed someone...someone on the Council. They somehow found out about our secret pact with the Mayor, and Chief of Police."

Vivian cursed under her breath as she clutched at the edge of the table. "They think we are answering to the humans. And they intend to stop it. This is even worse than I feared."

"You and I have our differences," Claudia murmured. "We have fought over Overlap territory for years now. But we have always agreed it is imperative our kind remains a secret. Otherwise, chaos would ensue. We must come together on this. Our packs must come together on this. Bad blood be damned."

Vivian nodded again, her lips drawn tightly together. "Pack before pride. Whatever it takes." She reached her hand across the shabby table.

Claudia's pale, slender fingers met hers halfway. "Whatever it takes," she agreed.

The Alpha wolves exchanged faint yet hopeful smiles. Vivian's was the quickest to dissolve. "You know there will be some degree of dissent on both sides," she murmured. "How do we get our packs to agree to our plans?"

"I see no other solution than what we have previously discussed," Claudia replied. "A true union between our packs. A marriage that will permanently bind us all."

It was Vivian's turn to sigh. "I'm afraid you're right. They won't unify unless we are permanently bound. There's too much history, too much animosity. I foresee no other way."

Claudia dipped her ash blonde head in agreement. "Our survival depends on it. One day our packs will understand that."

"And our children?" Vivian said, looking at the other woman with clear misgivings.

Claudia raised her slender shoulders in a shrug. "Ezekiel was named my heir when he was seventeen, after my eldest son passed away. He strives to make his brother, and myself proud. He has agreed to our plan. What about your daughter?"

Vivian stared down at the table, as if searching for the right words. "Azia has been significantly more vocal about her...uncertainty regarding our plan. But she was named my heir the day of her birth. She has grown up learning full well what her future responsibilities entail. She, too, has agreed to the union."

Claudia offered the other woman a small, reassuring smile. "Let us hope that is half the battle, hm?"

Vivian's amber eyes scanned the woman's face. "Yes, let us hope. Although..."

"Although...?" Claudia asked, tilting her head. "What is it?"

"It's nothing of consequence," Vivian said, waving her hand in dismissal. "I just hope your son is as good humored as you seem. My daughter can be challenging at times. Frankly, I'm surprised she hasn't already barged her way in here, to ensure I'm still alive," she chuckled.

Claudia sat up straighter in her ancient burgundy booth. "Your Heir came with you? My son came as well."

"Oh, no," Vivian emitted a small groan. "Let's hope they're not killing each other in the street right this very moment."

"A short honeymoon indeed," Claudia laughed as she eased herself to her feet. "Shall we get them? Let them introduce themselves?"

"Now is as good a time as any, I suppose," Vivian replied, and shifted her way out of the booth. "Before they both become corpses."

Claudia laughed as she walked towards the back of the bar, slipping into the darkness. Vivian turned towards the double glass entrance doors of the bar, and heaved the nearest one open. She poked her head outside, momentarily overwhelmed by the smell of ragweed in the air. Fall was in full bloom.

Azia was leaning against the ancient red brick wall of the building, biting at her fingernails. Upon seeing her mother, she stood up straight. "Are you alright? Do you need help?" she asked, walking towards the door.

"All is well," Vivian said, resting her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "We are in agreement. Come. There is somebody you should meet."

"Oh, God, now?" Azia asked, brandishing her hands. "I have to meet him right now?"

"As opposed to what? Meeting him on your wedding day?" Vivian asked, arching her brow. "Believe me, this is better. Get your butt inside."

Azia groaned and followed her mother into the bar. A tall woman with shoulder length blonde hair stood in the center of the room with her fingers laced in front of her. To her left was a young man, as equally pale as his mother, but with short, spiky black hair. Vivian made her way towards them, and Azia huffed along after her, glaring down at her boots.

Claudia smiled at them both, then turned toward her son. "Ezekiel--Zeke--I would like you to meet the Bronson Alpha, and her heir. This is my son, heir to the Knowles pack."

"It is nice to meet you, Ezekiel," Vivian said, zipping her head in acknowledgment. "May I present my heir, Azia. Say hello, Azia," she added, layering her voice with a command.

Azia rolled her eyes upward, then finally narrowed her gaze on the other heir. She barely had time to register the, admittedly, handsome features of his face before his gray eyes settled onto her ochre ones---and began to glow. Azia's mouth dropped open in shock. Deep in his pupils, she could see a reflection of her own eyes, glowing like two golden suns for all the world to see. His expression mirrored her own.

"I can't believe it," Claudia whispered, raising her hands to her mouth.

"The Mate Pull," Vivian said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Claudia looked from Zeke to Azia, and beamed. "The two of you are Destined."