*The next day*

The plan is simple. We figured out that if the alpha trusted me, then, the whole pack would. Me, Philip and a couple of soldiers are going to reveal the war situation to them and ask them if they would want to be allies. If they don’t want to get involved in possible fights, which is probable, we’ll just offer them protection in exchange for permission to enrol our younger kids in their school. Who wouldn’t trust someone who asks for help with their kids? That way, we will hit two hits with one stone since we do need a new primary school. Once we are allies, we will slowly poison all the possible alphas so they won’t be able to take care of the pack and I will kindly offer to take care of it. As I revise for a tenth time the plan, Philip knock’s at my office door. “Seb, we are ready and waiting for you downstairs.”

“I’m coming,” I replied. “This better work, Titan, or I swear…”

“It will, don’t worry, be happy”

I scuffed. “Bobby McFerrin? Seriously?”

“I was your favourite song”

“When I was fifteen. I’m twenty now, get over it.”

“Never”

I joined the group I designed to accompany me and reminded them a last time of the mission today: win their trust and make them our allies.

.   .   .

We had to take cars to the Sunset Snow pack’s house so we wouldn’t be taken as attackers. It was a long time I used these cars and I swear, it was the longest ride of my goddamn life. I had forgotten how poorly the air circulated and how the widows were way too much tainted. I could barely see outside. The cars were a gift from an ally pack which I couldn’t save much to my sadness. I’d had taken a liking to one of the sons of the alpha. He was like the nice little brother I never had. However, he is now dead and I am not mourning any allies again. If they are in my pack, I can immediately save them. 

“That logic is is quite bullshit, you know that right?”

“Shush, will you? You were as sad as I was. You even refused to show for a while. Do you want me to remember what the results were?”  

“Geez, relax!”

That wolf is falling on my nerves. “You are lucky I need you for this meeting or you would already be blocked” I grumbled.

“You love me”

“No, I don’t”

“Yes, you do! L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is for the very extraordinary, E is for is even more than anyone that you adore…”

“Are you done? You do know that this song does not work with us? Or maybe you want to tell me something?”

“Ewww. Don’t say that ever again. Me? Loving someone like you? Never!”

“Then stop making noise just to make noise, we arrived anyway”

I was surprised when I got out of the car.  What I had expected to be a village was more like a camping camp with some big army tents instead of houses. The only house was the pack’s house. The whole village fitted in a small glade and wildflowers grew around like they never thought of taking care of their garden. I tried to ignore my scorn and made my way through the tents and, slowly, the activities around stopped and once I reached every one of the sunset snow pack was staring at me with curiosity. 

“Welcome, dear visitors, what can I make to help you today?” I heard a voice behind me, making me jump. 

“I am Sebastian Carter, alpha of the black forest pack. I would like to talk with your alpha, please” I announced with my best business smile.

“Well, alpha Carter, I am Jonh Harris, leader of the sunset snow pack, nice to meet you.”

“I am too, really pleased to meet you.”

“If you would follow me, let’s go to my office to discuss more privately.”