Pretending

William left Cristy sleeping and descended to the area where his friends were waiting. Mike, Darwin, and Lawrence were enjoying William's pricey whisky while seated in his living room. Every month, William imported whiskey. Being a werewolf, they can consume large amounts of potent alcohol without experiencing any negative consequences.

Lily is concerned for Cristy. As soon as she can, she wants to call her or stop by. Though, Mike assured to her that Cristy was safe.

As William crossed his arms across his chest, he scanned the three men. He questioned, "What's with the grim faces?"

Darwin reported that Ella and numerous witches from her coven had arrived.

"The most powerful?" William enquired as he sat down.

"Yes, they are beginning a fight with the warlocks, and they don't want them to be on this territory while they are doing so. Ella is yelling about a species that will destroy them all. I'm not sure. She is never logical. She undoubtedly draws inspiration from the novels she reads," Darwin remarked.

"I'm afraid of Ella, but she always gets it right. See what transpired with William. She predicted that he would rule the pack and that we would be his slaves," Lawrence said.

"Yes, but she also predicted that our good leader will have a strong mate. The last time I looked, humans weren't all that powerful." Mike stated that if Lara approached Cristy, she would break her like a twig. "She is merely a human. Nobody can defend her. She'll be easily killed by them."

"Cristy won't approach this at all. She will avoiding it," William said.

"William, you need a help if you're going to face these folks. They are aware that you are mated. They'll be able to tell you're claiming from a mile away," Darwin said.

"It's irrelevant. I'll conceal it."

His guys were staring at him, and the room was silent.

Lawrence said, "You need Lara."

"I know, everyone is aware that Lara is our female pack's strongest member. But Cristy spent time in my bed, so she now has my aroma all over her. Cristy will present herself to them as my mate. Cristy has to be safeguarded." He questioned, "Have you brought me any males up to the job?"

"You must be kidding, right?" In order to stop him from continuing the talk, Darwin said.

"What are you serious about?" William looked across at Darwin.

"You're going to make us look bad for doing that. Warlocks, witches, and vampires are all not at all stupid. William, if you take this action, it might backfire on us. They'll come up with an excuse to get rid of you," Darwin warned.

"I'm not discussing this. I am still the alpha. You'll follow instructions."

"You're breaking the alpha code, so screw that!" Lawrence got up.

William was the target of his rage.

William absorbed the rage yet gave his werewolf the fuel he needed to exercise dominance. "I'm the leader. Tell me if any of you would like to take over, and the pack will be yours." He turned to face each of the three men. He owned the Dim Forest pack. If necessary, William would fight to the death.

All three of the men lowered their heads and declined the challenge.

"This pack has never had a better alpha than you. I won't mess that up by battling you for it. Even though I'm not the alpha, I disagree that replacing Cristy with Lara is the best course of action. You're pitting your human partner against a tough female werewolf," Mike observed, for once speaking with logic.

"What exactly are you attempting to say?" William enquired.

"Lara might assert herself in Cristy's place. It has been documented to occur. In a battle, Cristy would never prevail. For the chair by your side, Lara will battle."

William gave Mike's advice some thought. "Lara wouldn't do that. I am acquainted with her. She will be content to stand by my side. That will be sufficient."

"Whatever. I need a beverage." Darwin left the room, and Mike was right behind him.

There were only him and Lawrence left in the space. Lawrence remarked, "I hope you know what you're doing, William."

"I am competent in my work. I would never endanger this group."

Lawrence nodded before leaving the room with the other two men. His stomach ached with the weight of their condemnation.

William sighed. In comparison to the creatures of the Otherworld, he knows that Cristy would be no match. After finishing his whiskey, William started looking for Lara. At the edge of the jungle, he found her.

Lara remarked, "I wondered when the human would weary you." She remained facing the forest's edge without turning around.

"I'm not here to playing around."

"Pity. I am aware of your intense need. Cristy is aware of your interests as well, right? Could she even handle what you need?" Faced with him, Lara enquired.

"I'm not talking to you about my mate."

"But you're not with her; you're here with me. Why is she too virginal for your tastes?"

William exploded. Cristy was his mate even though she is human. In his group, nobody would treat her disrespectfully. William hold Lara's throat with his palm, preventing her from laughing.

"That human will be your queen! Remember that!" William says.

Lara's face dropped. "I apologize, Alpha."

Eventually, William released his hold on her neck and looked up at the full moon.

"In a few days, the inhabitants of the Otherworld will arrive. Ella has arrived already."

"What do you require of me?" Lara rubbed her throat and questioned.

"Stand by my side, please. You will only pretend to be my mate for them. Do you understand that you don't have any prior claims or shit?" William enquired.

"Yes, Alpha," Lara responded.

"Good." William left Lara at the forest's edge. He returned to his bedroom. In his bed, Cristy was sound sleeping. William curled up next to her, his arms encircling her frame as he once more surrendered to sleep.