The Supreme Alpha

Author's note: This is from Seraphina's point of view

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~ Milan ~

From a bustling urban street, I entered a spacious restaurant.

Red drapery obstructed the windows and natural light, and I had a feeling that I stepped a hundred years (or more) into the past.

Slow piano music reached me as I observed the space illuminated with candles and based on the heavy fragrance of honey and roses, I could guess that candles were scented.

Mosaic flooring, pillared galleries, a stage with a grand piano and one man sitting behind it… all tables were pushed on the side, leaving one in the middle that had candles on it, and there was Lazarus, standing with a bouquet of red roses.

"I'm glad you could make it, princess. You look lovely.", Lazarus said with a smile while walking to meet me halfway.

He took my hand into his and kissed the back of my palm.

I rolled my eyes. Why the heck is he making it sound like I had a choice? Or like I'm glad to be here? Or like this is a real date.

Is this one of his fantasies coming true? It would be better if he shifts, and I have this dinner with Alex.

"I hope you like it.", Lazarus said while giving me the flowers, and then he gestured at the space around us. "It's the best I could do considering the tight timeline."

I accepted the flowers. "The flowers are lovely. There was no need to book the whole restaurant, Laz."

Lazarus groaned. "You should tell that to Mateo. He insisted on this setting. Security. Not that I mind, but he had so many conditions that I nearly gave up."

I blinked in confusion. Why the heck would Duke want me to be alone with Lazarus? But then… the staff must be here, somewhere. Other than the pianist, I didn't see anyone else.

On the other hand, it was easier to watch over us if there are no other patrons. Maybe Duke installed cameras? He is good with technology.

I decided not to overthink it.

Duke was moody all day and not telling me anything. I didn't even see him when I left home. He said that he will be busy the whole afternoon but I still expected him to be there when I was leaving for Milan.

I will have my meal, see what Lazarus wants (other than this dinner), and go home. 

Lazarus pulled a chair for me to sit, and a waiter appeared next to us to pour wine.

The bottle had no label, and I looked at Lazarus questionably.

Lazarus raised his glass and glanced at mine, silently indicating to me that I should take it.

"This is something special I acquired some time ago."

It smelled fruity and it reminded me of the Blueberry flame that Fynn served me on the first day we met.

After clinking my glass with Lazarus's, I took a sip and the sweetness hit my tongue for a moment before it morphed into smoldering heat that slid down my throat and spread through my system. Yup. Just like Blueberry flame, but this tasted more like raspberries. Do werewolves have a thing for berries?

I smirked at Lazarus's expectant gaze. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"It depends", Lazarus chuckled. "What kind of a drunkard are you?"

"I don't know.", I said honestly. I never got drunk.

"I took the liberty to order a seven-course meal for the both of us. It's the specialty of the house.", Lazarus said. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, I don't. Since you ordered food, how about we get down to business?"

Lazarus cocked an eyebrow at me. "Are you trying to cut this date short?"

Busted!

"Of course, not.", I lied with a straight face. "I just wish that we get the business out of the way so that we can enjoy our meal in peace."

Lazarus nodded stiffly and I took that as an OK from him to proceed.

The waiter came and brought us our first dish. It was a seafood soup, slightly sour, perfect for opening the palette and awakening the appetite.

Too bad that I would rather have some blood.

…

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...

Unsure who is watching (or maybe it's better to say, listening), I cast a sound barrier around us, and I saw Lazarus staring at my left wrist that still had runes dancing over my skin.

He didn't ask what I did, but he definitely noticed that the piano music as well as any other sound was muted, leaving us in an invisible sound-isolated bubble.

"This is so that no one overhears our conversation.", I explained briefly. "Let's start with a few questions. Did you meet Damiano?"

"Yes.", Lazarus responded right away.

"Was he able to influence you with his aura? If yes, how much?" This was important. I knew that Lazarus can't be affected by an aura of an Alpha, but the Supreme Alpha is more powerful, hence the 'Supreme' part.

The Supreme Alpha is like a king to all werewolves, and he should be able to make other Alphas submit to him.

Lazarus thought for some time before responding. "I could feel the suppression, but I was able to resist the order. Do you think that Mateo will have Damiano's traits?"

"I'm not sure.", I said honestly. "But I want to prepare how much I can."

"If I understood you correctly, his wolf was poisoned two decades ago. How certain are you that you can bring him out?"

"Nothing in this life is guaranteed, Laz.", I said. "There is a risk that the procedure will fail, and it might cause harm to Mateo, but this is his choice, and I am doing whatever I can to increase his chances of success."

"So, what will you do in case it succeeds? Lead werewolves to a bright future?"

There was no such thing. "Mateo has no interest in leading anyone. Regardless of the species, his power was sealed, his parents were murdered, and things that should belong to him were stolen or sold on auctions. He just wants to get what was taken from him a long time ago. Wouldn't you?"

Lazarus shook his head with a mocking smile which told me that he doesn't believe it.

I didn't want to continue this conversation that was going away from the point of why we were here.

"What do you want in exchange for helping us, Laz?"

"In case it fails, nothing. In case it succeeds… I want to be an Elder in your pack."

I blinked. "What pack? Didn't I tell you that Mateo has no interest in becoming an Alpha?"

"How naïve of you, princess. Regardless of what you want, if he awakens his wolf, other werewolves will come to you. Eventually, the word about Mateo will spread, and more and more of them will be coming. Your choices will be to allow someone like the Council to control you, or someone from the shadows to kill you, or to accept all those loyal soldiers who are coming to your door and use them to defend yourself."

It's not that I didn't think about it, but in my imagination, it was not so dramatic.

In a way, his logic was sound and it made sense, except for one thing. "You want to be an Elder? Why?"

"That position will allow me to know what's going on in the pack, and Mateo won't be able to make any major decisions without approval from the board of Elders. Also, I will get to nominate additional Elders."

I frowned. Assuming that Duke forms a pack, Lazarus wanted to have some ability to control him. 

"I understand that you are asking for an executive position where you can influence Mateo and the pack, but you will also pledge your loyalty to Mateo. Are you ready to take the blood oath?"

"I will never pledge my loyalty to him.", Lazarus said with finality.

I was confused. "How can you be an Elder in this imaginary pack if you don't submit to the Alpha?"

"I will pledge my loyalty to you, princess.", Lazarus said, and I gaped at him.

"Eat, before the soup gets completely cold", he reminded me. "Those are my conditions. Supreme Alpha or not, he is dangerous without anyone to control him. Damiano had a big target on his back because he alone wielded too much power. It took them centuries, but eventually, they got to him. Compared to Damiano, Mateo is like a toothless pup. They will take him down before you know what happened, and they will target you as well. I want the board of Elders to be loyal to you, and I will lead them…"

I sipped the soup that was already chilled, but I barely noticed.

Was Lazarus really worried about me? Or was he power-hungry? Or was this his idea of sticking close to me?

I tried wrapping my head around it, but it didn't make any sense.

Lazarus didn't know about Aldus's condition. Why would he want to protect me with Aldus around?

Was it really about power? Lazarus could easily start his pack and he was wealthy like a number of smaller countries.

Sticking close to me after Duke's wolf awakens would be suicidal.

What was Lazarus's agenda?

I wished that Ash is here so that he can read Lazarus's thoughts.

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