Chapter 4

　　Hunter's POV

　　I sat at one of the conference seats and resisted the urge to fold my aching arms on the table and lay my head down. It was a sealed decree that every retired Alpha becomes a member of the council elders but I did not have the energy to listen to another of Hade's lengthy lectures about whatever decision he wanted to make, I was nothing more than a withered dry bone.

　　There was a mixture of irritation and anxiety etched on the faces of the council elders as they shifted awkwardly immediately after Hades entered the conference chamber.

　　He made his way to the head chair but didn't sit on it, instead, he leaned on it and stared at each of us as though we were having a staring match. When he felt like he had dominated the environment, he chuckled and sat in his chair.

　　"I have an important announcement to make, so I would appreciate it if everyone would listen attentively," he ordered, while fixing one of his left-hand cufflinks.

　　"You guys are already aware that our growth in the pack has been dormant for the past decades. We have not acquired any new land or taken over any of the weak packs and our population and riches have not increased significantly. We are all dwelling in old glory and it's time for all that to change." He said, and sent an intense glare in my direction.

　　"Just to inform you all, I have signed an alliance that would increase our pack lands by seventy percent and also double our population." He smirked and watched us with his prideful look.

　　All the council elders stared at him in confusion and I equally felt my eyes widen more than usual,

　　"I had sealed an alliance with Edward Jones Alpha of the Starlight pack," He smirked again and his chest puffed out.

　　"What kind of alliance?" I asked, my suspicions increasing

　　"A breeder and mating alliance." He answered proudly. "You see Alpha Jones doesn't have a male heir, and it's an added advantage for me. I will marry his first daughter and in return, I will take over the pack to shield them from unseen forces or battles. That's a brilliant step, hitting two jackpots at the same time."

　　I hated this whole idea of arranged pairing, nothing good ever comes out of it. Even if the person's wolf ended up accepting the chosen partner, the feelings can never be compared when you are with your true mate.

　　I forced my weak and tired body to sit upright "But she's not your fated mate?"

　　Hades looked at me with anger and irritation visibly etched on his face, "That shouldn't be a topic of discussion but since you wanted to know, she hasn't found a mate yet and their pack doesn't crown she-wolves as an Alpha so this arrangement is equally an advantage to Alpha Jones, if her daughter brings forth an heir while in my possession."

　　I felt pity for the she-wolf who was being tossed around in this deal. I never expected Alpha Jones to use one of his daughters as a pawn to get a political alliance to protect his pack. What kind of a father throws her daughter to someone like Hades?

　　I shook my head in disbelief and looked around at the other council elders hoping for some sort of backup but some were nodding their heads in agreement and others seemed scared to air their opinion. I sighed audibly and asked the question that kept ringing in my head

　　"What happens when you find your fated mate? What then becomes of Alpha Jones's daughter?"

　　"I don't need to wait around for a love match," he sneered, hitting his hands on the table. "In my opinion, having a fated mate only makes you weak and vulnerable."

　　"You are wrong," I roared in frustration. "A fated mate makes you stronger, it shapes you into a better version of yourself."

　　"Really! What then happens when she dies?" He smirked wickedly

　　His words were like a slap in my face. This was my reality and there was no lie in what he said. Losing Hera crumbled my world, my strength, my zeal to live and left me utterly useless but still, I cherished every bit of all the memories we shared together.

　　I blew out a breath that I didn't even realise I was holding and reminded myself that I was no longer the Alpha of Darkwood pack. Whatever Hades decides to do and with whom shouldn't concern me. This was his domain now, and I wasn't part of it. I was more like a mist waiting for the right time to vanish forever.

　　I let my eyes wander out the window to the gardens. The roses had begun to bloom and immediately a memory of Hera kneeling and pruning the garden while soiling her dress with dirt flashed through my mind.

　　"Hera," I called out in my mind. "Why did you leave me?"

　　I was abruptly pulled out of my reverie with the loud bang on the conference table and I pulled my eyes away from the garden back to the conference room.

　　"Let me make this instruction clear to you all," Hades growled. "Miss Jones would only be a Luna in title, no real power over the pack will be conferred to her and I want everyone one of you to keep that in mind when she arrives. She would only serve as my breeder and nothing more."

　　I suppressed my groan and hiss from the nonsense that Hades was spewing out. A Luna in title, and a breeder only. What kind of evil plan was he up to at the moment?

　　"When are we expecting her?" I asked, forcing myself to keep my tone low

　　"She is arriving next week," he said, looking annoyed as though he was repeating information he had already put out.

　　"Good!" I uttered and pulled myself up, taking a moment to balance my weak body. "I would like to retire to my chambers now so if you will excuse me, Alpha, Council elders. I would like to take my leave now."

　　I nodded at them before I turned and slowly gaited out of the room. I couldn't bear to listen to any of the cruel and vicious plans he was making. And I couldn't help but think about the fate of the poor woman.

　　Would she be able to cope or would she run away once she finds out the kind of monster that awaits her?