Chapter 8 A Deal With The Devil

• Chapter 8
• Miles POV
• "Fine, let's go," I answered walking ahead of him to the door.
• I walked into my office, my presence commanding attention. Endrick Waller, a powerful and influential wolf, and his secretary were already seated comfortably like they own it.
• "Alpha Miles," Endrick said, standing up.
• I stood, greeting Endrick with a firm handshake. "Endrick, thank you for coming; it was nice of us to meet each other for a common goal and interest."
• Endrick's grip was equally firm. "Miles, always a pleasure; anything of interest to me is always willing to stress me."
• We exchanged formalities, but the tension between us was palpable. We were both aware of the importance of this meeting.
• As we sat down, I gestured to the refreshments on the table. "Please, help yourself."
• Endrick declined, his eyes locked onto mine. "Let's get down to business, Miles."
• I nodded, matching his intensity. "Agreed."
• I nodded, gesturing for him to spill the cat out of the bag. "Endrick. What brings you here?"
• Endrick smiled, his eyes gleaming with calculation. "I see you're still as direct as ever, Miles."
• I took my seat behind the desk. "Time is valuable, Endrick. State your business and proposal and let's get done with this meeting to face ourselves with other important stuff." I replied without hesitation.
• Even though I know deep down inside me that Endrick's proposal might be a high-risk, high-reward one, I can't ignore the potential benefits that it may lead to.
• I agree to the meeting, but I don't know if I can.trust Endrick; I never had soft feelings for him, but I do feel uneasy anywhere around him. His air of aura is intimidating.
• He's always a master of strategy and he'll do whatever it takes to advance his interests. I will need no other option than to dig deeper into Endrick's motivations if his proposal does not sit down well with me.
• I weighed my options, considering the potential gains and losses. A partnership with Endrick could secure my pack's future, but at what cost would it be?
• I only have one way to find out: to listen to what he has to say. I wouldn't let my guard down, not even for a moment.
• Endrick leaned back in his chair. "I've been reviewing our company's interests, and I believe it's time I present a solution to the problem "
• My instincts screamed a warning. Endrick's businesses often walked the fine line between legitimate and shady He steepled his fingers on the table, "I'm sure you're aware of the current market shifts. Our companies can benefit from a strategic partnership."
• I raised an eyebrow. "A partnership? That's a bold move, Endrick." I said, pretending as if I didn't have an idea he would suggest it.
• Endrick smiled, his eyes glinting. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, Miles. We both know the lunar mining industry is the future."
• Endrick's secretary, a petite woman with a sharp gaze, spoke up. "Our proposal involves merging our companies' resources to expand into the lucrative lunar mining industry."
• I raised an eyebrow. "Lunar mining? That's a high-risk venture. Do you know what lunar mining is in the first place and the danger surrounding it?"
• Endrick chuckled. "High risk, high reward, Miles. With our combined strength, we can dominate the market."
• I studied Endrick's expression, searching for hidden motives. "And What makes you think I'm interested?"
• Endrick leaned forward, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. "We can offer each other something the other needs. You have the resources; I have the expertise."
• I studied Endrick's expression, searching for hidden motives. "What's in it for you? I am sure you are not suggesting the idea for its sake; do you want or is it after something?"
• Endrick's smile grew wider. "A share of the profits, of course. And... other benefits."
• I sensed a trap, but couldn't quite pinpoint it.
• And so I decided to follow other means, I countered, "And what about our... history?"
• Endrick's gaze never wavered. "Water under the bridge, Miles. This is business."
• But I knew better. Our past rivalry had left scars.
• "I'm listening," I said, my tone cautious.
• Endrick nodded, pulling out a folder. "Our proposal outlines the terms. We'll share resources, expertise, and profits."
• As he spoke, I analyzed the proposal, searching for potential pitfalls.
• Endrick's secretary, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "We're willing to negotiate, Alpha Miles."
• I glanced at her, then back at Endrick. "I'll consider it. you know this is not something one just jumps in and agrees to; you will have to give me time to figure out if this is the right to do; you know I have to consider your proposal," I said, stalling.
• Endrick's eyes narrowed. "I expected more enthusiasm, Miles. Perhaps you're not aware of the... incentives I'm offering."
• My hackles rose. "Incentives? Clarify."
• Endrick leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Let's just say, Miles, that this partnership could benefit your... personal life."
• My gaze locked onto Endrick's, a warning growling in my throat. "I don't mix business with personal affairs."
• Endrick's smile returned. "Excellent. I knew you'd see reason."
• The tension between us remained, but I sensed a shift. Endrick was willing to put aside our differences for now. As I watched the duo snack through the cookies on the table, I couldn't shake the feeling that this partnership would come with a steep price. But was it worth the risk?
• We both are wart of each other, and neither of us is willing to trust the other's word, knowing that any agreement would take the balance of power. If I state my terms to take full possession and power of this so-called partnership, he might see it as a way of me being his leader thereby his refusal, and if he does the same for me, I wouldn't want to trust him, too.
• "I see you don't trust me, Miles," he twirled the wine his secretary o poured out for him in his glass.
• "And why would you think so?" I questioned back.
• "In as much as you as agree with me on this proposal..."
• "I am yet to say if I agree or not. The last time I checked, I told you to give me time to reconsider your offer, so?" I spread my arms vaguely to the discussion at hand.
• "And why is that so? This is a simple decision you take without reconsidering it?" Endrick pushed further.
• "To some it is, but between me and you, it is not," I replied stubbornly. "How do you expect me to hand over my resources while you go over your Lunar mining stuff I am stuck in the proposal in whichever way," I scoffed unbelievably.
• The conversation took a drastic turn as Endrick was not willing to side in fully on level terms with me, and I was not ready to be his backup or, rather Right-hand man.
• "So I see this proposal is not turning on well and we have been going around circles for hours now, so I would like to suggest a solution to this." He paused and smiled darkly. “The only way I can yield to your terms, Alpha Miles, is... if you agree to marry my daughter.” Endrick's words hung in the air like a challenge.
• "Marry your daughter?" I repeated, incredulous.
• Endrick nodded, his expression unreadable. "A union between our families would solidify our alliance. And besides it will strengthen our proposal and make us trust each other." He nodded.
• Politics? He was asking me to sacrifice my personal life for the sake of our packs.
• I stared at Endrick, my mind reeling. "Marriage? You can't be serious right now, are you?"
• Endrick's expression remained calm. "I assure you, Alpha Miles, I am.
• I had expected difficult negotiations, but this... This was personal.
• "How can you ask this of me? How can you ask me to marry your daughter in support of the aspect of my deal" I demanded.
• Endrick shrugged. "It's simple politics, Miles. Marrying my daughter will further deepen my trust in you and make me feel at peace with this proposal of ours."
• Politics? This was the life he was talking about.
• "I won't marry someone I don't know, come on," I protested.
• Endrick's eyes narrowed. "You'll get to know Sophia. She's an intelligent and beautiful woman. You will like her."
• Intelligent and beautiful? That wasn't the point.
• "This is absurd," I muttered. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're asking me to marry a stranger."
• Endrick's voice remained calm. "My daughter, Sophia, is a remarkable woman. You'll find her... suitable."
• Suitable? This wasn't a business transaction; it was my life.
• "I won't marry someone I don't love," I said, trying to keep my temper in check.
• Endrick leaned forward, his eyes glinting. "Love is a luxury, Alpha Miles. This is politics."
• Endrick leaned forward, his voice taking on a warning tone. "Don't underestimate the benefits of this union, Miles. Our packs need stability."
• Stability? At what cost?
• "I guess I will have to leave you to ponder on our discussion thoroughly. I won't wait long for a response." Endrick stood up and offered me a handshake, which I gladly accepted; he smiled at me and walked out of the office, his secretary trailing beside him.
• As soon as they left and my office was free of their imposing Aura, I sat alone in my office, the weight of Endrick's proposal bearing down on me.
• I grabbed the bottle of wine left and took a deep gulp forcing the contents down my throat.
• The thought of his proposal in acceptance of my accepting the deal; Marry Sophia, Endrick's daughter, and secure our packs' alliance. Or refuse, and risk war. Or it may not come to that at all; he is influential, and I will be the one suffering with my company going down the crash.
• I rubbed my temples, feeling the tension build. Why did it have to come to this? Why does is solution have to be this?
• A stranger. Could I marry someone I didn't know? I have not been able to control Laura I have known for years, so how do I deal with Sofia? Someone I have not seen in my entire life; we just have to meet out of the blue and accept to be a union.
• But what about my happiness Did I deserve to be happy? Or was I doomed to sacrifice my personal life for the sake of duty?
• I know marrying into the Endrick family will solve a lot of problems, like being well-social and advanced in the political aspect of the country and surrounding packs. It will give me more power over every other people, as well as fame, but the question is, is it what I want?
• Even the burden of decision on the proposal lingers heavily in the room like a heavyweight.
• The implications of the marriage would not only strengthen my pack to be feared by others but also make it powerful and very strong in the days to come. And have I also thought about the advantage of it to me? Fame, power, honor, political advantage?
• While this strong alliance can provide me with a strategic advantage, the lesser disadvantage of it all is the idea of marrying for power; to me, it feels hollow and manipulative.
• I should marry for love because I want to and not for some stupid worthless stuff So I have to ponder all this offer but not for long and the little time I have spent thinking about it seems like a trouble to me. Am I going to decide with the way things are?
• "I guess I will have to leave you to ponder on our discussion thoroughly. I won't wait long for a response." his words rang again in my head as a way of reminding me I h ad no time to think thoroughly about it.
• But I can't avoid making mistakes.
• The pressure of this from all sides is closing on me and I feel like I am going to tear apart.