Iron Fist

Killian sat at his massive oak desk, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, eyes locked on the reports in front of him. The dimly lit study was filled with the weight of silence, only broken by the occasional rustle of parchment as the Alpha of the River Stone Pack worked tirelessly to strategize the future of his pack. The room smelled faintly of leather and wood, a stark contrast to the chaos that raged in his mind.

The door creaked open, and Caden, his ever-loyal beta, stepped into the room. He held a thick stack of papers, the latest reports from their operations both in the mystical realm and the human world.

"Alpha," Caden said, his voice steady but with a slight edge of concern. "The latest reports have come in. Our pack is holding strong, but there are some issues we need to address immediately." He laid the stack of papers on the desk, folding his arms over his chest.

Killian didn't look up. He grunted, his mind already working through the myriad of thoughts that flooded his head. He had no time for distractions, no room for weakness. "Get to the point, Caden," he snapped, his tone low and dangerous.

Caden nodded, unfazed by the harshness of his Alpha's tone. "The territory is secure, but we've had a few challenges with our allies in the human world. The gun trade is beginning to get risky, and the rival mafia factions are starting to get bolder."

"I'm aware," Killian muttered, his jaw tightening as his fingers tapped impatiently against the desk. "We've been moving the shipments through tighter channels, but we've had a few loose ends that need to be cleaned up. Get in touch with Elijah, tell him to ensure that there are no more slip-ups. We can't afford any mistakes."

Caden's eyes shifted momentarily, a subtle shift of discomfort in his stance. "There's more, Alpha. It's not just the shipments. The drug market is starting to show signs of weakness as well. Our competition is growing, and if we don't act soon, they'll overrun us."

Killian's eyes finally lifted from the papers, locking onto Caden with a fierce intensity. "Then we do what we always do. We crush them. We take them down before they even know what hit them."

Caden nodded, though there was something in his eyes that still showed concern. Killian, ever the strategist, was always one step ahead, but this time, the rival pack's movements were starting to become unpredictable. And unpredictable was something Killian despised.

"Understood, Alpha," Caden replied, his voice unwavering. But then he hesitated for a moment, glancing at the reports in his hands before speaking again. "There's one more thing. The mating season is upon us."

Killian's expression darkened at the mention of the season. His hands clenched into fists at the thought of it. The mating season was a time when wolves were compelled to seek their mate, a bond that was supposed to be sacred, a bond that was supposed to make them stronger. But for Killian, it was nothing more than a nuisance, a weakness.

"The mating season is in two weeks," Caden continued, oblivious to the darkening aura surrounding his Alpha. "Hopefully, you'll find your mate. It could strengthen the pack, provide some much-needed unity."

At this, Killian's eyes flashed with a deadly fire. "I do not want a mate," he growled, his voice thick with venom. "Those excuses of mates make you weak, Caden. That's the reason why I haven't found mine. The Moon Goddess herself knows that a mate will make me weak, and I will not allow that to happen."

Caden, ever the loyal beta, was silent for a moment before speaking. "Alpha, we need a lunar. We need someone beside you, someone who can help with the burden of leadership, someone to keep the pack united."

Killian's glare could have pierced through steel. "Are you trying to say I'm not enough?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Caden immediately dropped his gaze, feeling the weight of his Alpha's anger. "No, Alpha," he said quickly. "It's just that… you need someone. It would give you more power, more control over everything that we are."

"Watch your tongue, Caden," Killian warned, his voice sharp and threatening. "If you weren't my beta, you'd be six feet under the ground by now."

Caden quickly bowed his head, acknowledging his place. "I apologize, Alpha. It wasn't my place to speak out of turn."

Killian's eyes softened for a moment, though the tension in the room was palpable. "See that it doesn't happen again," he muttered, his tone still icy. "Now, leave me. I have things to attend to."

Caden didn't hesitate to obey. He gave a curt nod before walking out of the room, the door closing softly behind him.

Killian sat in silence for a moment, his thoughts churning. The weight of leadership pressed down on him, and yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. He could feel it in his bones, a darkness that threatened to swallow everything he had built. But he had no time for weakness. The pack, his mafia, and everything he ruled would remain under his control—by any means necessary.

His gaze flicked toward the door, and he knew what he needed. He didn't need a mate; he didn't need anyone who could weaken him. What he needed was pleasure, something to drown out the thoughts that circled his mind. He couldn't afford to be distracted.

He called for one of his servants, his voice cold as ice. "Get me one of those whores. I need to be pleasured."

The servant bowed and left immediately, and Killian reclined in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest. This was his life now. This was what he had become: a leader, a strong one, someone who ruled with an iron fist, who didn't show emotions, and who cared about no one but himself.

But as he waited for the servant to return, he felt a strange stir deep within him. It was the first time in years that he questioned everything he had believed in. Little did he know, the one thing he feared most—the one thing he couldn't control—was drawing closer. And she was going to change everything.