Wolves and Men

Alexander sat down slowly; his full attention was on Kenneth. “Let’s say for a moment I was interested. What exactly are we talking about here?”

Kenneth became very serious. This was the most dangerous part of the game. “What I need to know from you is whether or not I can trust you as far as I can throw you. This thing would be a great asset not only to you but also to my House. If I give it to you I expect to have a ‘friend,’ among the other House Heads.”

Alexander laughed. “There is always a catch with you isn’t there. And just what would this ‘friend,’ be expected to do for you?”

“A few words here, some coin dropped there, eyes averted from that corner over there, nothing much really,” Kenneth replied innocently.

“You really have lost you goddamned mind haven’t you?” Alexander spat. “You expect me to make a deal with you on the promise of something that I don’t even know what it is. I’m just going off your word that it could put me right where I’ve always deserved to be. No more fucking games, Kenneth! What exactly are you talking about?”

Kenneth took a covert deep breath. If Alexander betrayed him he could have the Elder moved to any number of places in the city till Alessandro was convinced that she had never been there. But the warnings that he had received gave Kenneth a chill. Alessandro was going to burn this city to the ground looking for whatever it was he was convinced he would find. He could call Alexander a liar and publicly challenge him on the basis of Natalia. There really was nothing to be lost here, but that Elder had to go. Alexander didn’t know what Alessandro was going to do or how dangerous having the Elder in his house had become for Kenneth though and he needed that advantage.

“I have in my possession, a werewolf Elder. She could be ready for transport to wherever you choose within the hour if you agree to my terms,” Kenneth said plainly.

Alexander stopped, and then laughed. “Oh wow! You had me going man. You were so serious I almost fell for it.” The man slapped at the table top in affected mirth. “Whoo, man that was a good one! I really need to remember that.” Alexander made to get up and leave again. “That was great, really! I enjoyed it but I really do need to get back to more serious matters. Thanks for the laugh!”

“Does it look like I’m joking,” Kenneth said flatly stopping the man dead in his tracks. Kenneth stood and squared off against him. “I don’t joke about things like this you moron. Did I not say it could shift the balance of power for the Houses? Now sit down and try to keep your voice down.”

“I don’t understand. How is this even possible?” Alexander asked. “Where did you capture a werewolf Elder? Is she wolf or human born?” He asked.

“Human born, and she’s quite beautiful,” Kenneth said. “Now, can I trust that you will honor our agreement? The Elder will never be traced back to me so don’t even try. And if you do try to go over my head I’ll rip yours off, that’s a personal promise, Alexander.” Kenneth raised his hand across the table. “Do we have an accord?”

Alexander’s mind was still free spinning. He looked down at Kenneth’s hand but his brain was still trying to comprehend what exactly had happened. Kenneth had just offered him a bargaining chip that could give him real power in his House. But the price for that power was he would always be indebted to Kenneth. How and where could he even play the Elder as a bargaining chip would take a little while for him to figure out, that and where to keep her locked up.

Kenneth saw the man’s mind go through these probable questions but the reward to him was beyond what he could accomplish on his own in even fifty years. Kenneth politely sat there with his hand outstretched waiting for the other man to take it and seal the deal. Ansuya would be too much for him to handle. House Brandt would be weakened from the inside out. But Alexander didn’t have to know that.

Alexander took Kenneth’s hand suddenly, squeezed once and let go. The man was breathing hard as if he had just taken a shot of poison and he didn’t know if he was going to suddenly die or not. Strangely, that was more accurate that he knew.

“Very well, Alexander,” Kenneth said as he stood up from the table. “I will have the Elder delivered to that charming little spot that you do so love to frequent…What is it called again?”

“It’s called, ‘I don’t like your tone’ Bar and Grill and please try to show some of that intelligence you brag about so much.” He shook his head in thought, or disgust Kenneth couldn’t be sure. “Okay, listen drop her off at the loading docks back behind pier Twenty Two. My house owns that turf and I know how to get things in and out without causing too much trouble. Can you do that at least?”

“Of course, anything for an old friend,” he leaned in close so that only the two of them could hear, “She’ll be knocked out, in a crate, delivered promptly at 2:00am tomorrow morning. Don’t be late. Once the package is dropped, I take no responsibility for its contents or the whereabouts of said contents.”

Alexander nodded gruffly. “So, this is what it feels like to make a deal with the devil,” he muttered.

“In this case we’re both devils and we create the nightmares. Goodnight,” Kenneth said and quietly left the club leaving the other man there to ponder just what it was he had done and how best to make it count for him.

He knew that Alexander would claim full responsibility for the capture of the Elder and that was part of the plan as well. He needed as much attention from this away from him and on other things and places.

She wasn’t going to break; of that he had no doubt. The only way for him to get what he wanted was through the wolves themselves. Brian had been very clear and very enthusiastic about their first encounter with other Shape shifters. It should be possible for them to be taught how to hunt other wolves and Shape shifters. It would take a little time but with the help of Alexander he may have been given a little more of the precious stuff. He sat stiffly in his back seat as Michael drove him home. The hour was late, he was tired, and there was still so much left to do.