Chapter 47

Atlas View

Not only was I worried about Kash with his current medical issues, but now my uncle had arrived earlier than expected. And as he promised, he was not alone. Zion had been quiet and I did not want Kash to overhear so I decided to step out of the room. I could feel Kash's eyes on me as I left, but I could not look back hoping he would understand. "Spit it out Zion. You're too quiet."

There were some shuffling sounds from his end before he spoke up. "He brought another Alpha. Another royal that borders us. We have kept little to no positive contact with that Royal due to constant land disputes. It is Alpha Heil boss."

I was pissed. My uncle avoided all proper protocol for Royal visits and just showed up at my door. "How many guards did they bring?"

"You mean the ones they show us or all?" When I growled back Zion knew I was not into any form of games. "Twenty they told us and showed but intel has found another fifty at least."

"Zion. That's not normal. Fuck! What am I supposed to do? I have to help Kash but my uncle is forcing me to play nice with a potential declaration of war in my own house." I had started to pace outside the door and never noticed Kash standing there watching. "Alpha Martin may have found a way to help Kash but I will be indisposed for maybe a week? Not sure, it would depend on Kash's system. Is there any way to have them shorten the visit or come back?"

Zion started to grumble. "Sorry boss. They claim they come to stop the land disputes and call a truce. From what I can tell it is not a short visit either."

"Atlas?" Kash's voice spoke up from behind me and I jumped. "You don't have to worry about me. I need you to worry about your pack now. You can allow Alpha Martin here to get things started and then lock it down. I will stay in the room, you don't have to worry about me."

"Zion I have to go. Give them the usual tour and I will text you when I am ready to meet in the office." I hung up and walked up to Kash. "How much did you hear?"

"I didn't mean to listen in. But you were very loud. You think they mean war? There has not been one in a long time. At least not one that looked this aggressive." Kash was shivering, but when I stepped forward to get closer he stepped back. "You have things to do, and if I let you get too close I'm afraid I would try and prevent it. I trust you to keep me safe. So please keep the rest of your pack safe." I could not hide the shock when Kash closed the door on my face.

My uncle was in for it now. He needs to be put into his place. Family or not, he knows the rules. He wants games? I will play, but this time it is for keeps. I called out through the door. "I am gonna finish this Kash, and when I do, be prepared. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will separate us."

Thinking back on how well timed my uncle's visits have been I could not help but think I had a mole. He had to know at least some of what had been going on. Where we have traveled, when we come back. It was too often his visits coincide with it all without him calling to find out. I needed to discuss it with Zion about the possibility right away. Heading down the steps I texted him. 'Heading to the office now, have Alpha Martin meet up. As one to join our alliance by family he can be allowed to assist in the matters.'

My next step was to prepare the documents I had for the land disputes with this Alpha Heil. Not once have we met in person. Today will be a wake up call to those who continue to oppose me. If I can get this finished fast enough I can be there for Kash and that is what mattered most to me right now.

Speaking of Kash. 'Kash. Please be safe and know that I plan to be there for you soon. Drink plenty of fluids and I will see you this evening for dinner.' I did not expect a text back, Kash would be very upset no matter what he tells me. I was sure I heard him crying when he closed the door on me. Ahh…Shit. I guess the inducing will be delayed some as well with the meeting.

"Alpha Atlas, you sly dog." I looked up from my phone to see the one and only Alpha Martin. "You think that me being here will help at all? Or are you just trying to hold off on what we discussed earlier?"

I had to sigh. "I honestly never thought of the delay I would be giving Kash until just now. I even told Kash to drink plenty of fluids until I arrived this evening. What I did think about was what place you could hold in our new alliance."

This time Alpha Martin chuckled. "I will message my sister. She should be here for this. I have been training her to take over for sometime now."

"Oh! I did not know that. I apologize." This was news to me of course, but why would he do that?

He must have seen the question in my eyes and spoke up. "I never had the interest of being pack Alpha, she does. I had to wait for the passing of my parents of course to do anything, but I know the pack as a whole supports the choice as well. How could I not give myself the freedom if she wants the shackles?" He laughed. "Well it has allowed me to do a little more anyways; I will still be an Alpha of one pack."

His smile was infectious. "Alright, I guess we can get to know each other more later. I shall fill you in with what is going on."

"No need. Zion was very thorough in his text. I know Alpha Heil, and I don't like him. I think the feeling is mutual. He loves to use underhanded methods to say the least." The look in Alpha Martin's eyes was very dark as he remembered something I did not know. "Kash is guarded, yes? I don't mean to patronize your duties in anyway, but I don't trust the guy."

"I tripled guard for that area before I left. I also increased guard from the outside including roof. They won't get close to him." I huffed as I thought about any issues there could be with my guards. "I am worried about a possible mole, and what it could mean for Kash's safety."

"I can have my intel look into it. The less they think you know, the better we can use that to our advantage." Alpha Martin hummed. "You know this visit might be something we never thought of?"

"What do you mean by that?" I huffed. My uncle's visits were never just a visit. "I find it interesting that an outsider can guess. My uncle's visits never are just that. But what it could be this time, I am unsure." I could hear the voices approach and so I sat down motioning Alpha Martin to do the same. Hushed under my breath I could not help but speak my thoughts. "So the game begins."

I looked up at the door as it opened. Zion led the way followed by Alpha Martin's sister and my uncle. Behind him stood an Alpha that raised my hackles. Almost taller than me, maybe less than half an inch, with broad shoulders. The man had scars that showed he fought on a regular basis. Fresh cuts on his chin proved that. His dark eyes held no light or color. If I was to go back in time, when our ancestors still held much of the territorial wolf, that would be this man. His pheromones tried to over power the room with dominance. That I would not allow.

"Since you are a guest. I would remind you that using pheromones in my territory to over power another is not polite. I have many Betas and Omegas that would become uncomfortable if Alphas did this regularly. So I would like to politely ask you to mask them." I then stood up. "Welcome Uncle and Alpha Heil is it?" The man nodded. "I assure you that if proper protocol was followed, this meeting would have been better prepared so that you could go back to your pack in a timely manner. As it is, I have already pulled the files of disputes along with geological surveys and land owner maps. Along with any old contracts and treaties from previous Alphas."

"Atlas, you do not have to get down to business right away. We plan to stay a few days. I promised to help you out while you deal with your, well, the issues you have been having." My uncle sat down and motioned for Alpha Heil to follow.

Zion looked at me before proceeding. "Since it is our understanding the reason for the visit is the land disputes, we have already arranged for the proceedings to take place. You are welcome to visit after we have finished the meetings." Zion then walked to his side desk. "I have already typed up meeting minutes from the information gathered when you first arrived. It should not take more than three days to finish, less if everyone agrees." He then started to hand out the sheets and I almost chuckled at his no nonsense attitude.

"If I may, Alpha Atlas. Who are these two sitting in? We have not been introduced fully." Alpha Heil's request had me frown. He assumed I would not do proper introductions.

"Proper introductions will follow shortly. I am sure my uncle has already informed you of the alliance between the two packs." I waited to finish when Zion sat down. "Right then. This is Alpha Martin and his sister, Princess Grove. They are the pack members of my mate who adopted him and who now can't be here at this time. You know my Beta Zion and myself of course."

"Should they even be involved in these pack matters then? Technically they are outsiders." I grinned when my uncle piped up.

"Truth be told they are already welcome members from an alliance and the ceremony has been set to officiate this. They are more than welcome to this meeting. If you decide you do not like that, we could proceed with the proper protocols instead and set this at a later date. Of course. They will be invited either way as it involves the future Luna as well, who would also join us at a later date." I could see my uncle frown at the unknown information.

"Are you telling me your mate has been adopted into a new pack? What happened to his old pack?" Alpha Heil was grinning. "I find it strange for a pack to have a stray pup as Luna."

"What is involved with my mate can wait to be discussed when he is here. Until then, you have the information you need. Shall we continue the talks?" I had to hold back a growl. "I would also like to inform you that it doesn't matter what lines or pack he comes from. He is my mate and I love him for who he is."

"Dear Nephew. You do understand the Royal's point of view, yes?" My uncle had decided to continue deflecting the talk. "It is not well thought of to bring in lines without royalty in them. Especially with one of your standing."

"The issues here are land disputes. I have cross referenced what the claims have been and currently are. There has never been a breach from our side. We have even allowed the collection of forested land to be handed to your growing pack needs. Which, we have yet to receive proof of those needs or land being used as such. The contract stated the required proof would be validated within a certain timeline. The date of which has long past." Zion had taken control now. "We are willing to drop those breaches if you drop your current claims and any in the near future."

"I do declare. Your beta has some good bark to him. I wonder if his bite is just as feisty." Alpha Heil laughed at his own joke. "You. Alpha Martin. Since you are part of these so called, dare I say, talks. What is your opinion?"

Alpha Martin glared at Alpha Heil for a little before responding. "You seem more set on taking land or some other agenda. You are not looking over the papers in front of your face. So far you have teased the Beta and ignored the discussion at hand. I will respectfully decline on fully answering your question until I too have read through what has been handed out. Of course. If you have any intellect to add to what we have, please enlighten us."

I struggled to hold in my smile. I could see Alpha Martin and I getting along well. What surprised me was Princess Grove adding her thoughts. "I have scanned over these, and I do see a one sided contract. Alpha Atlas has been very generous and offered you land with stipulations of course. It should not be hard to prove needs with annual statistics being conducted. From what I understand you came here to try and take in a pack, currently under command and care of Alpha Atlas. What may I ask, is the reason for this if you needed land only two years ago due to pack size? You would then require more lands, which many packs are not willing, or able to surrender."

"You Princess should learn your place." Alpha Heil growled. "That pack belongs to me. Along with one you claim to have taken in. I came here to speak of another more important item. You Alpha Atlas, have taken my omega from me and I demand his return along with the complete control of the pack that breached their own contract."

My skin crawled as he tossed contract copies to Zion. I was watching him as he read it and his face dropped. This visit was one of war. War over my mate.