Erik's pov
"How did the meeting with Kael go?" Callum, my advisor and friend, asked as we sparred.
"As well as you could expect, the man was aggravating." I revealed as I missed a jab to my side.
"Were you able to strike a deal?" Callum inquired and groaned as I hit him right at his abdomen.
"Yes, at least the meeting ended on a mutual agreement. The stonewall pack is now an ally." I announced.
"One good thing came out from your aggravation then." Callum shrugged. He straightened his stance and attacked me with full force as I slowly backed away in the defensive.
"Think fast." He blurted out seconds before he attempted kicking my side. I gripped his ankle, twisted and in a second he was lying flat on his back.
"Yield." I placed a leg on too of his chest.
"It's the stupid Alpha strength that's aiding you." Callum muttered as he pushed my leg away.
"I never took you to be a sore loser." I chuckled as I helped him to his feet.
"I'm not." He shot back, dusting off his clothes as we walked out of the ring.
"I know we have an agreement with Alpha Kael now but my spirit just doesn't sit right with him." I commented.
"What do you mean? Did something happen during the meeting?" Callum inquired and I stopped walking and turned to face him.
"He was eyeing one of the omegas all through the meeting, part of me thinks that's why he easily agreed to all the terms we laid down because he was distracted." I explained.
"So he was staring and probably attracted to an omega, so what? You should be the last person calling him out." Callum quirkeda brow at me and I cringed, knowing he was talking about the reputation I had gained as a flirt and seducer.
"Firstly I don't sleep with people below my station, talk less of an omega. Any female who comes into my bed comes willingly and not because I'm a superior she can't say no to." I pointed out.
"That doesn't make you any less of a womanizer." Callum retorted.
"That's not the point Callum." I rolled my eyes are him.
"Okay, Alpha Kael has a thing for servants, how is that any of our business?" He asked.
"After the meeting he suggested taking the girl with him...back to his pack." I revealed.
"And what did you say?" He quirked a brow at me.
"I shot him down of course but right before he entered his car he told me I would want to do anything possible to ensure our alliance lasts. It almost sounded like a threat." I divulged and Callum remained silent.
"For now we'll just have to watch and see what happens. I highly doubt an alpha would break an alliance because of an omega." Callum said and I nodded mutely. He was right and maybe I was merely overthinking the situation.
"I should go, I have a meeting with the council." I informed him as we fell into step once more and walked towards the pack house.
"I wonder what they could possibly want this time." Callum chuckled as my lips turned downwards. We all knew what they were going to say, they would talk about how I hadn't chosen a mate and how it wasn't good for the pack. I had heard that speech one too many times but they were relentless.
"Why don't you just take a mate andbe done with it?" Callum asked and I sighed.
"And leave all the other ladies heartbroken?" I quirked a teasing brow at him and he sighed.
"Erik." He looked at me flatly and I sobered.
"What would happen if I chose a mate now and I found out I had a fated mate one day?" I asked.
"It's been years Erik. If you were meant to find your fated mate I think you would have found her a long time ago. You can't leave the pack vulnerable because you are waiting for something we aren't even sure exists." Callum explained carefully and I rubbed my palm over my face.
He was right, I knew it but my wolf just seemed unsettled at the idea and I was unsure what to do.
"If your mate eventually shows up we'll figure out something but for now you need to do what's best for the pack." He looked at me pointedly.
"Good luck chap." Callum hit me at my back before he walked away.
I contemplated his words as I walked towards the boardroom where the council was already waiting for me. I barged into the room, not caring that I wasn't properly dressed for the meeting.
"Alpha." They all rose as I made my way to the seat at the head of the table.
"Speak." I commanded once I was settled, already feeling aggravated.
"I'm sure you know what we wish to speak of Alpha. You need to take a mate." The elders among them began.
"Ruling without a mate makes you weaker and leave the pack vulnerable, an image I'm sure you wouldn't want associated with you or with this pack." Another said.
"I've been ruling just fine without a mate haven't I?" I quirked a brow at them as they looked at each other.
"It's not just about ruling properly alpha. As much as we don't wish for it anything could happen to you at any time and without a mate and subsequently an heir, the pack would be left in disarray." They explained.
"We have tried to be patient with you and give you all the time you might require but this cannot go on anymore-" They announced and I knew they were about to give me an ultimatum.
"I'm guessing you already have someone in mind?" I cut them off.
"Clara, your beta's daughter." They informed me and I nodded slowly.
"Fine, set the ceremony. I'll mate her and make her my Luna." I informed them before rising from my chair and exiting the room.