Chapter 2

• Jayden glanced at his phone. He already knew the jet was scheduled to leave in two hours, so he was not fully surprised when his father wanted to call a meeting at the last minute to go over the details 'again.' Internally, Jayden groaned, hating that his father was going to repeat himself.
• “This is a crucial meeting!” Jayden’s father spoke to him, reminding him of the importance of professionalism as if he had not been told this his whole life. Since he could remember, his father had been pushing his values, A.K.A. the pack values, onto him, making sure he understood the importance of their role in society.
• 'The whole system relied on an economic balance between the aristocrats and the commonwealth. The commonwealth depended on them to make the best deals so that their revenues would continue to build, ensuring that the next year would be profitable.' his father would tell repeatedly once Jayden began his Alpha training.
• As the rulers of their pack, the O'Connors held a great deal of political and economic power. They used their wealth and land to influence changes and maintain values. As the second largest pack in the northern lands, the O’Connors held a great deal of power next to the Alpha King.
• The Armstrongs had held power over the Western continent for over 2,000 years. As the lineage consisted of the Dirus Canis bloodline, no other alpha would dare challenge the crown. Knowing it would be a death sentence if they should try.
• “Alpha King James will go over the agreements that we have now. Re-signing as we always have done since I had taken over as Alpha. Jayden, your job is to make sure you make a good impression.” Alpha O’Connor stated as if it was the first time he had said this.
• Jayden pasted a smile on his face, “Father, relax! We have gone over this a thousand plus times. I can’t screw up. There really aren’t any negotiations going on with the Alpha King.” he gave his father his signature expression of boredom. “One percent increase over the next five years. Sign my name and take the copy home when we leave the Capital! I got this!” he chuckled.
• Alpha O’Connor leaned back in his chair, bringing his fingertips together. As much as he loved his son, he wondered many times if his son was ready to be given the title of Alpha. Like the rest of the youths, Jayden was filled with energy and carelessness. He did not always take things seriously. He could only pray that married life would calm his wild, carefree ways. Understanding that Iris was very responsible, no different from her father. Something he had hoped Jayden would adapt to.
• “That is not the issue!” Dr. Marko O’Brian had added to the conversation. “Signing of the contract is the easy part. Alpha King James relies on our resources as we rely on his. It is your …” he motioned his hand up and down. “You are too lively for many of the seasoned Alphas.”
• “Look …” Jayden adjusted himself in the chair. “Once I put on the business suit the carefree loveable me will calm down. I swear if you two don’t relax you are going to have a heart attack!” he laughed.
• “Image is everything!” Alpha O’Connor frowned at his son. “It's essential for ladies to don elegant attire, while gentlemen should dress appropriately for the occasion. We must present our best selves at all times; perfection is key! Every detail matters, down to the last hair!” he scolded his son.
• “Father, this is not the olden days! We can be a little bit more relaxed in our mannerisms,” Jayden countered, as he had always done when the conversation came up.
• “You are correct, Jayden!” Dr. Marko O’Brian said in a firm tone. “In the past, the only concern was the gossip circulating around the packhouse. Now, however, a single misstep can lead to the whole world finding out. Every observer has something to say. An Alpha must not only safeguard his family but also consider the pack's reputation. Negative reviews can seriously harm the pack's standing. This is why professionalism is of the utmost importance!”
• ‘How does Iris win any arguments against her father?’ Jayden wondered as he stared at his soon to be father in law. “I get it! You are worried that I may do something to offend one of the elders with my carefree ways.” he crossed his leg over as he glared at the both of them. Not wanting to call defeat into the conversation. “Everyone loves me. My personality has won over many.” directing his hand at his father. “All of the other business meetings I have joined with you … not once were there any negative comments. If anything, they were all positive. I have brought up several great ideas that our equals have implemented, even yourself!” he made a point of making sure his father remembered his accomplishments. “You two are worried for nothing.”
• Grumbling, “We will see!” Alpha O’Connor said, not convinced. In the past he knew he was there to calm his son, monitoring his behaviour all the time they were on business trips.
• “There is also the concern for my daughter's safety!” Dr. Marko O’Brian narrowed his sight on Jayden.
• “Alpha King James has assured us that during our time at the Captial … Iris will always be protected.” Jayden reminded Iris’s father. Knowing he was not taking it lightly that she was going to be gone from pack land for six days. “The lawyer has stated that the case is solid and Iris' presence is only needed as the final nail in the coffin, if necessary.” Jayden looked at his phone as he heard the notification. “Iris is waiting!” He spoke to his father, wanting the meeting to end.
• “The court case is not the issue. The fact that Alpha Black O’Donnoly is going to be there is the issue.” Dr. Marko O’Brian could not get out of his mind how the man had disrupted his family's life once again. Getting rid of him was more complicated than he thought. “Alpha Black O'Donnoly will retaliate!”
• Jayden filled his lungs. Again, this was not the first time he had heard Iris’s father go on a rant about Alpha Black O’Donnoly. “Not once will Iris be left alone. And I would not worry about her safety … It should be their safety that you should worry about.” Jayden was not blind to Iris’s abilities to defend herself. From the age of four, her father had taken her to martial arts. Making sure she was able to defend herself if needed.
• From there, Iris built up on her skills. In her free time, she spent her hunting days in the woods, living off the land for days. He knew that if it came to it, Iris could live in the woods for months before anyone realized her location. Each summer, if she was not volunteering at the hospital, she had gone to her grandmother's. There, from what she told him, ‘I received further training.’
• What training that was, he did not know, nor did he ask. However, considering that Iris’s mother's side of the family consisted of hunters and practitioners, he could only assume that she was learning the traditions that were handed down from adult to child. As much as Jayden knew of Iris’s dead mother's side of the family, there were as many secrets, if not more.
• Keeping his tone calm, “Marko,” Alpha O’Connor began. “Alpha King James has told me that he has placed his two cousins on guard duty. They will make sure Iris gets from the palace to the courthouse. They will never leave her side.” he had hoped hearing this would calm his friend down.
• Groaning, “I don’t like this!” Dr. Marko O’Brian huffed. “I can’t get over the feeling something bad is going to happen. Solid case or not. Anytime a Myingan pack member is around … dead bodies begin to show up!”
• Dr. Marko O’Brian thought about the last message he had received. It was just a reminder that he had not gotten rid of Alpha Black O’Donnoly completely. Recalling, ‘This is far from over BOY!’ his father had sent him. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine. He did not know what he had planned. But he knew it was not going to be good.
• “I need to go!” Jayden stood up. “It takes an hour to get to the airport. Which doesn’t leave me much time to pack the car and leave.”
• Jayden already knew that Iris had made sure the preparations had already been made. She was great that way. Always on top of things. Making sure he was always punctual for meetings and deadlines. It could be frustrating at times having her always telling him what needed to be done. But it was always meant for the right reasons. That is why he knew asking Iris to marry him was the right thing to do. Not only to make the bloodline stronger but because they had been childhood friends. Everyone had expected it!