Just like what Axel had plan to do, he brought the Wesleyeian wolves in the Palace. Not as captives, but as guests. He prepared for a feast. He ordered his servants to organize the vacant rooms he selected for them to sleep in. He wanted them to feel at ease, after having to witnessed his cruelty. All because of his ploy
The Wesleyeian wolves knew such special treatment from the Alpha himself had a reciprocation. The Great Axel would not have shown them generosity otherwise. Not when he had almost killed them just by simply lingering around his territory.
Regardless, they had decided to submit. If information was what the Alpha wanted, they would be more than willing to lay out their knowledge; in exchange for their safety. That was how they had always lived up to this day. It was no consequential.
Accomplishing their task was what also what helped the Wesleyeian wolves to decide. They were sent here to confirm whether or not the Western Borders had formed an alliance with another. Not only they will have the chance to live, they could also go back with their little information. It was a success.
Now, all they needed to do was to give them the exact answer they needed, and they can advance. They were just waiting for the Alpha to begin the questioning. But considering how the Alpha left the Palace today meant the date was crossed out. Tomorrow would be the fourth day, and they were hoping the Alpha would make an action by then.
Axel, inversely, was weighing the scale. He was thinking about two things; to form an alliance with the Wesleyian wolves, or to get information in exchange for their wolves’ safety. Axel clearly had the upper hand either way. He was going to get what he wanted to, no matter which way he went. The difference was the advantages. If he was to form an alliance with them, the Wesleyeian wolves will stand as their informant. Which was very favorable to them.
And on the other hand, as a trade-off, the Western Borders, his pack, will be the other party’s strength.
A win-win situation, so it seemed. But Axel was afraid that it would put them in an equal footing. Not that it was disadvantageous. The fact that it was equal made him doubt it. He wanted to take the lead, to make sure the Wesleyeian will not betray them.
He was hesitating. And Axel’s uncertainty was what delaying his final judgement. Hence, on the third day, he talked to the Council. To finally end up with a decision, and to face another, which he had been also detaining for days.
“I see no problem with the Alliance, Alpha.” Ernesto expressed his opinion. “We have nothing to lose. If betrayal is your concern, we can easily kill them as a consequence. Afterall, they need us, in this very moment because of our strength.”
The other Elders, who were sitting beside Ernesto, nodded their head in agreement. Ernesto’s laid opinion was actually rational. In that perspective, they sure had nothing to lose. They are strong, and they will continue to be.
The problem was the future casualties that may befell them. Perhaps, the Wesleyeian wolves were nothing but an insect in terms of strength, but Axel wasn’t sure how long it would take for them to learn. Their ways of utilizing their knowledge for keeping peace was getting rusty. Surely, sooner or later, they would have to come up with an alternative.
“The Wesleyeian wolves will not continue to be weak, Ernesto. Even a behaved animal snap. We have to get the upper hand.”
“We can simply create rules, Alpha. They needed us more than we need them. They will comply.”
Rules…
Axel breathed hard as he started to think about the suggestion he just heard. The kind of alliance they had with Edward didn’t have any rules. But that was probably because there was nothing as a trade-off. According to their laws, an alliance would be deemed effective as soon as they signed the legal papers. And if it’s legal papers, they could easily make rules and restrictions.
“That could work…” The wrinkles on Axel’s forehead flattened. “I shall get in touch with their leader to discuss this matter.”
––
In the Alpha’s shared lair with her pair, sitting a woman whose hair was being brushed by a servant. She was in front of her mirror. Dressed with a white long sleeve puff dress, she stared at her reflection. Her face was void of any make up.
Her hair was still damp from taking a bath. Her new attendant at the moment, was taking care of it by brushing it up and down repeatedly.
Flora, Sophie’s closest servant was not present at the moment, another was entrusted to accompany and assist her till Flora’s tasked was done. Sophie felt uncomfortable. She could not fully express herself due to the lack of bond to the unfamiliar woman she was currently with. Now, all she could do was… wait.
The Alpha personally told Flora to take care of his guests, henceforth, she was now unable to serve Sophie. The Alpha would come back on the evening. That meant she would be with this unfamiliar servant until he come home.
But for someone who had a heavy heart, it was quite difficult.
Sighing, Sophie moved to looked over her shoulder. “I can do the rest myself. You can excuse yourself.”
“My Lady…” The servant stopped for a moment and bowed her head in respect. “I can not do that––“
“I want to be alone, please.” Though Sophie’s tone was soft, finality was evident in it.
She did not want to be rude. But she can not feel at ease while she was around. She had been controlling the face of her muscles to not show even a glint of sadness, but she can not do that any longer. Right now, she was both uncomfortable and unhappy. She had a lot of things in mind and for her to release it, she must be alone.
The servant, who was left with no choice, had to left Sophie on her own.
It was only then Sophie managed to drew her emotions out. She heaved a sigh, and stood up. Her face was still bare.
But using beauty enhancer when Axel wasn’t even here would be a useless attempt, so she let it be.
Sophie moved her feet to walk gracefully towards the comfortable bed. She sat on the edge, with her lips pursed, and right hand feeling the texture of the bedcover. There was nothing but the sunlight coming from the arched tall window was giving the lair a source of light. It peeped at Sophie’s clean and bare face.
Though Sophie had always been a cheerful lady, she can not seem to pull herself together at this moment. The angst in her chest was getting bigger each day passed that their fight was not resolved. What’s more was that Axel did not seem to care. It left Sophie another idea that it might be because she wasn’t that important to him.
Axel was forcing her to be in sync with him each time they were in front of his guests. As if they were a lovely couple like they used to be. They were physically interacting each other, but she can not feel the spark.
Sophie was in the abyss of doubts and rumination. She was in a state where she was in need of a talk that would obstruct her emotions. She had to talk it out with Axel, but unfortunately, for the past days, he wasn’t giving her any opportunity to. Which made the situation more dire for her.
Sophie, who felt set aside and lonesome, looked up and breathed hard. She stood up. The four corners of the lair were giving her nothing but more time to let the dark side of their quarrel get the best of her. If she can’t make herself feel at ease by opening to Flora, who can not be with her today, she would just think of anything else.