I couldn't answer.

Words escaped my mind every time I tried to think of an explanation. Seconds before, I felt very sure of my decision, my excuse for entering the mansion sounded coherent, and yet none of it made sense anymore.

His eyes changed to a red color even in his human form and I fell into his trap. Was this what people called the power of an alpha's gaze?

"I asked you a question," he said, tightening his grip on my throat a little.

"I wanted to talk with you."

A touch of confusion passed over his face for an instant. I didn't blame him, my excuse sounded like the kind of explanation little kids would give.

"You could have called me."

"How? I have no way to communicate with you and you're always stuck in this mansion."

Wrong Answer. Almec frowned and placed his free hand against the wall next to my head.

"If I remember correctly, you saw me several times outside my house."

"Yes, but I had no way of knowing when the next time you would deign to show up was." I looked him straight in the eyes. I couldn't let him intimidate me.

"Were you that eager to see me?" He smirked. "A simple tip for next time, when someone from the pack has a message for me they talk to Geldra and she lets me know."

"Good to know. Maybe next time you could explain the rules earlier, say when they're accepted into the pack."

Almec put his mouth close to my ear. "Do you know what happens to the people who enter my property without permission?" he whispered.

A chill ran down my spine and my heart raced. I was frozen, unable to move a single muscle and fear was not the main reason for my condition.

Stop Valentina, this is not the time for this type of reaction.

"Don't you know the answer?" Almec continued. "Anyone who sets foot on my territory is expelled from the pack, no exceptions."

My hands started to shake. "I didn't—"

"Since no one explained the rules to you I guess I can make an exception today. Consider yourself a lucky wolf."

Almec let go of my neck and after looking into my eyes one last time, he walked away. He sat on one of the sofas, spreading his legs and resting his arms against the backrest.

"Have a seat," he ordered me. "Did you want to talk? Let's talk. I'm listening."

It felt like life was returning to my body. When Almec mentioned the expulsion I was ready to leave my pride behind and beg on my knees. I couldn't take away Faustina's chance to be happy, not after seeing her so carefree in the morning. That innocent smile that I had almost forgotten had to be protected at all costs.

Gathering all the courage I had left, I walked to the couch in front of Almec and sat down. If he was really willing to listen then I had a unique opportunity to get what I wanted so badly.

"I heard the hunters are stalking the borders of the pack," I said.

"And this matters to you because?"

"Because the hunters worry me, like every other werewolf in the world. What will happen if they reinforce their numbers and one day attack the pack?"

Almec lowered his arms and crossed them over his chest. "You shouldn't believe so much in rumors. They're just a couple of small groups, nothing I can't handle."

"For now, but what if they decide to attack the pack," I insisted. "I came here so my sister can live in peace, I want her to know what it's like to feel safe."

"Wouldn't it be better if you told me the real reason hunters matter to you? I know you're lying or at least hiding something."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes, you are. I can smell it in your scent."

"Then you are the liar. No one can smell my scent, it disappeared along with my wolf."

Almec remained silent for a moment, he seemed surprised. "Well, if you're not going to be honest with me then the conversation is over."

He stood up and took two steps away.

"Wait!" The fear of losing my opportunity made me react. "I'll be honest."

Almec returned to his seat, the smile on his face showed that he was happy with my decision. "Go ahead."

"I'm not going to feel safe until the Hunter's Order is gone. They wiped out my pack, I had to watch them murder my family and friends. I want revenge, I want to see them fall."

"And only a Lycan can take them down," said Almec, a bit of poison slipped through his words. "You want me to start a war with the Hunter's Order just to get revenge."

"It's not that simple," I whispered.

The scenes that live in my nightmares resurfaced in my mind. Blood, death, and suffering ruled among the images of the pack burning down. I could see the lifeless body of my father, and my mother begging so her daughters would be forgiven.

All that suffering for a lie that continued to be replicated generation after generation. While it was true that humans and werewolves were never on perfect terms, at least they used to live in harmony until humans decided to brand us as beasts. The real monsters were those who invented a lie so they could keep the natural resources of the werewolf lands.

After suffering the invasion of the Order I understood that they were not going to stop until all werewolves disappeared from the earth. I didn't want more people to experience the same pain as me, the kind of pain that follows people for the rest of their lives. So I could understand why Almec refused to help.

"You are the only one with the power to end the werewolves' suffering, why do you insist on staying hidden?" I let my anger escape.

"Don't talk about what you can't understand."

I got up from my seat and approached Almec, standing between his legs. "You are the one who doesn't understand. What do you know about the suffering and fear that those who live outside your precious pack go through?"

"I can't do what you ask, it could be dangerous."

"What could be dangerous?" I yell.

"Me!" he yelled.

"You could be, still, the Hunters are dangerous without a doubt. Are you going to allow others to suffer for something that could happen? If you do nothing I assure you that the Order will find a way to break your security."

"If that happens I will see what to do at the moment. I can take care of defending my pack, I don't need your suggestions," he said. "Besides, we are under the same dilemma. Why would I put my pack at risk by starting a war over something that might happen?"

"I already told you, because there is a lot of suffering out there. Maybe you don't know it because you are always safe within your pack but the world is a werewolf graveyard."

"Why do you keep using that excuse to not tell your true intention? I'm not trying to say that you don't care about others, but I think the other reason is what truly worries you. It's not about revenge either, there's something else you're hiding."

"What do you want from me?" I screamed, desperate. I no longer knew what to say to make it reasonable.

Almec stood up and looked down at me. "I want you to be honest." He took a step forward, our bodies touching each other. "Tell me what you really need me to do for you."

"I need you to protect Faustina, for the hunters, we are still their prey and they won't stop until they catch us or until they die." I looked up at him. "I need you to protect us."

"That's something I can do, don't worry, no one is going to hurt you. I will reinforce the defense of the borders, if I see any strange activity on the part of the hunters I will consider starting the war."

That was all? When I thought it would be impossible to convince him, he changed his mind with just a couple of words. More layers were added to the enigma of Almec, he was very difficult to decipher, and at a certain point that increased my desire to understand him.

"What made you change your mind?" I took a few steps back, being around him for so long was damaging my ability to reason.

"I don't like it when you lie to me," he replied. "Don't think it's going to be that easy either, I have a condition to do what you ask of me."

"Name the price."

Almec sat on the sofa and motioned for me to take a seat next to him.

"If I'm going to promise you protection I want to make sure I have you within my reach most of the time," he started talking after I took a seat. "So if you want my help you and your sister are going to have to live with me."

My brain short-circuited. Did I trust him enough to accept his condition? Almec had not given me reasons to make me suspicious of his intentions, still, I barely knew him. It wasn't just about me, I was also going to put Faustina in the same situation. Making the wrong choice wasn't an option for me.

"Why can't you ask one of the pack members to keep an eye on us?"

"From what I saw and heard most of the pack members don't think highly of you," he said. "I wouldn't feel comfortable if I left your security in charge of one of them."

He was right. Relying on the pack members would be a mistake on my part. We could trust Almec more than the rest, if living with him was the condition to free myself from the hunters then I was willing to give in.

"Okay, we will live with you."

"And you have to quit your job at the inn," Almec added.

"What? I'm not going to quit my job, I need the money to survive, plus today was my first day, I can't quit so quickly."

"Will you ever agree with me without questioning me?" Almec leaned his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. "You don't have to worry about money, I will take care of that, money is not something I lack."

"How wonderful to be you, talking about money as if it grew on trees. I can't live locked up here, the pack already has enough problems with me and Faustina, I don't want things to get worse."

"Then you can go for a walk with Geldra once in a while."

"It's not the same as working, I have to prove that I can collaborate with the pack. Can't I at least work three days a week?"

Almec sighed and opened his eyes. "You can work on the weekend. Wina needs more help those days and I can arrange something to keep an eye on you. That's my final offer."

"You have yourself a deal." I offered him my hand to seal the business.

"Good. You have until tonight to move in." He shook my hand. "Once you are ready I will explain the rules. Don't expect to have long conversations every day, I like to keep my silence."

My adventure had not ended as I had hoped. The good side was that I managed to get what I was looking for, the negative side was that I had just committed to living with the alpha of the pack.

I was going to have to live with the beast of Wild Fangs.