Chapter Eight

Alec slept the rest of the day away, his dreams filled with the feisty brown bear that had begun to consume his thoughts. He wanted to see her in her shifted form, to feel the power of her running beside him in the forest. He groaned as he finished showering in the comfort of his own bathroom.

Much like he had promised, he had left the hospital around ten the night before. He snuck back into Victor's room just before leaving and watched the old man sleep for a few minutes.

Someone had helped him get his life together about eight years ago – a secret benevolent benefactor. Was it Victor? Had he known about Alec and Sonya? Would he have the wisdom to set all of this up so long ago? A contingency plan in case his life ended before Sonya was ready?

"Brilliant," Alec muttered to himself as he towel dried his hair. He needed to see Sonya again, and soon. He would meet with the counsel and then invite her to the house for dinner. He would have to be on his guard because she was violent, but after their brief interlude in the hall, he needed more of her – any way he could get it.

By the taste of her desire, she needed him too.

He picked up his phone before walking to the closet. He texted Sandy to get the number to Sonya's cell phone. He would simply plant a seed and let it grow and explode into something that would drive her toward him. She needed his help.

She might not want to admit it to anyone, but it was only a matter of time before other clans found out about Victor's health and came to take what her family had held so dearly – the pack.

He had the number in a few minutes but stopped himself from texting her. He wanted to make sure he was dressed and ready for the meeting before getting wrapped up in a discussion with her, should she actually respond. He finished tucking the black silk shirt into his slacks and checked himself in the mirror.

He looked vicious.

Picking up the phone, he walked to the door, texting her quickly before he decided against it.

Alec: He knew who I was already. He asked for help. I will give it, but you're not letting me. Come to dinner tonight and talk to me. This can be strictly business. Just come.

He got into his black Porsche and threw the phone in the seat next to him, knowing that she would play a game with him. He would be lucky if she texted back at all. He was shocked to hear the phone buzz in the seat beside him. Surely it wasn't her.

Sonya: What time?

Alec: Six sharp. I'll have my secretary send you directions.

Sonya: Don't bother. I know where you live.

Alec: See you tonight.

She didn't respond again and he was glad. His heart beat fast in his chest, his palms growing wet as he thought through all of the things he wanted to say to her, do to her, offer her. He would have to take it slow. She was damaged goods on the emotional front. Her walls were up high and she was not ready to let anyone to break them down.

Alec would focus on business and Varetec. If she offered anything else, then he would welcome it. Nothing personal and no touching her. He needed to build trust and though he was ready to take her company and her pack by force if necessary, he wanted for things between them to be amicable.

He had power and she had a need for it. There was no one else in the world he would rather share it with.

The struggle would be to convince her how badly she needed him.

The council sat at a round table, their eyes all on Alec as he moved to the front of the room from his chair. He was completely comfortable in front of all of them. Not a worry in the world.

He was the Alpha, so ultimately anything he said was the law. The council was a way of providing him with advice in his decision making, which he actually appreciated.

He would never let any of them know that, of course.

"Let's start with our finances. I'll ask Drago to give us an update and then we'll move into a solution I have to help us sustain our future expenditures."

The meeting dragged on as Alec allowed various members of the council to bring up discussion items, his responses well formulated and well received. He had one final discussion point that was sure to ruffle some fur, but it had to be mentioned.

"I have one more item and then we can wrap this up. Prepare yourselves because you're not going to like it, but hear me out." He paused and looked around at the twelve men before him. Jared watched the room like a hawk, his Beta quickly becoming important to the empire he was looking to build. The man seemed to very much be a supporter and willing to serve and protect with nothing more than a nod and occasional snort.

Alec liked him.

"As most of you have heard or recently become aware, Victor Valsek has fallen ill. He hasn't an heir to take his place and though his daughter is quite capable, she's unwilling to challenge tradition."

"Smart girl," someone muttered. Alec turned and let his eyes bore into each of them in turn as the room grew quiet.

"As I mentioned earlier, I will be working to take over Victor's advertising firm, Varetec, and will seek to find union with the Brown Bears. We can share future company revenue."

"Why not just take it over and allow our clan to have the revenue? The Brown Bears are nothing to us. A nuisance at best." Drago stood, his arms moving to cross his chest.

"Yes, but it's a waste to have separate efforts here in the U.S. The Brown Bears are strong and hold many things that we don't, like money. I will bring us into a new era, and it will include the union of our clans financially."

"I don't like it. It's going to lead to something much more disgusting, like mixing of our blood." Jarenth stood beside Drago. "That isn't going to happen, right, Alec?"

"I can't see the future, Jarenth, but I do know that you, nor I, will be capable of separating a Brown Bear and a Black Bear should the male decide he's found his mate. It's that simple, really."

"That's unacceptable," someone else added and the room broke into chaos. Alec lifted his hands and let out a growl that shook the walls.

"Stop it. You can fight this all you want, but I'm telling you as the leader of your clan that we will be moving toward financial freedom. We will do so by assisting the Brown Bears in keeping stability in their clan while using all they've learned and built to lift ours up. We will meet in a few days to discuss whether or not we want to challenge Victor for the rights to his pack."

"What? Are you mad? No Black Bear has ever been Alpha over the Browns. They wouldn't accept that and it's far too many bears to control." Drago threw his hands in the air. His drama and antics were starting to wear down Alec's desire for democracy.

"That's not your concern either. What you can focus on is whether we as a people, as a pack, want to step up and take control of another sister pack. Someone will come for them. You've been lucky to have Victor as your 'rival' for the last forty years. The next Alpha will be a bastard and it's going to leave us with a fight on our hands. Think this through and I'll see you on Wednesday."

Alec turned and picked up his keys, walking out as the sounds of his advisors throwing their concerns and distrust filled his ears. Jared caught up to him and walked beside him until they reached the front door of the old building.

"Do you know what you're doing, Sir?"

Alec stopped and turned to face his Beta. "I do. I'm not sure it's going to be good for my health." He rubbed the sore spot over his chest where Sonya's nails had dug into his flesh.

"She's not going to go for this. Victor might have, but his daughter is a black widow, Alec. You're going forward with it anyway, aren't you?"

"I have no choice at this point. The old man is my benefactor. I'm certain of that now." Alec turned and jogged down the stairs, hoping to get home before the beautiful woman he would be spending the night with arrived.

He hoped the night might turn out to hold more pleasure than pain, but with Sonya one could never truly tell.