right down the shitter.” After deleting the voicemail a crazy idea pops into my head. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m in the truck and driving towards Coal Springs. I pull up to the border of their pack lands and get stopped by three wolves. One shifts and comes to the window. “State your business here outsider.” I hold my hands up in a friendly gesture so that I don’t provoke anyone. “My name is Declan Devine. Oldest son of Joseph Devine the Alpha of Asphalt Bay. I come in peace. I wish to speak to Alpha Bastille.” The guy laughs and says “You’ve got balls coming here. We’ll take you to the Alpha. Just follow us and try not to run over anyone.” He shifts and leads the way forward. I follow him in the truck. Going slowly so I don’t run over him or his friends. He stops in front of a huge house in the center of a circular compound of houses. I park the truck in the circular driveway in front of the main house. I climb out slowly and walk up to the porch. He shifts and says “Follow me.” I follow him inside and he leads me down a hallway to a set of polished wooden double doors. “Wait here.” He knocks then enters the office. The door closes and I wait. A few minutes later, he walks out and says “The Alpha will see you. Go on in.” I nod and slowly walk inside. The man sitting behind the desk looks younger than my dad but just as intimidating if that’s even possible. He leans back in his chair and says “Have a seat.” I sit down in a leather armchair across from him. “You’re a long way from home.” I nod and say “Yes sir.” He leans forward on his elbows and says “So, what brings you here?” I look him in the eye and say “I have a proposition for you.” He raises an eyebrow and says “I’m listening.” “ I’m sure my father has already called you about the trespassers and has most likely arranged another sit down to discuss another fragile truce.” “ Yes he has. Continue.” I stand up and start pacing because I can’t do this sitting down “So, my dad is stepping down in two months. I’ll become Alpha at that time but according to pack law I have to take a mate before that can happen. Since I haven’t found my fated mate and it’s likely that I never will. I have to take a bond mate instead. So, I propose a marriage truce. If I take someone from your family line as a bond mate it will unite our packs through marriage and be the ultimate peace treaty.” I look over at him to make sure he’s still paying attention before continuing “Also, territory lines wouldn’t really matter because we could all live like separate packs but still hunt and run as one across both territories. Therefore, your wolves would no longer be trespassers and the only wolves that would need to be dealt with would be rogues should any pop up. However, I will sever the bond if they cheat on me at any point after we’ve bonded. Same for them if I ever cheat while we are bonded. They have the right to sever the bond from me as well. The truce will still be in effect of course should that happen. This truce will only happen if you agree to it, the person from your family line agrees to it and I become Alpha. If I’m not Alpha when this takes place my dad could decide not to go through with the terms of the truce itself and we’ll end up in a pack war.” “ Are you done?” I stop pacing and look over at him “Yes sir, I think I am.” He nods. “Good. I’ll go over your terms with my family this evening and I’ll let you know our decision. Leave your phone number with Ian. He’s the enforcer who brought you in.” I nod and say “Thank you for your time sir.” I walk out the office and find Ian standing outside the door. “I’m supposed to leave my phone number with you.” He already has a pen and paper ready so I recite my number to him. “ I’ll give this to the Alpha. Just go back out the way you came and take no detours got it?” I nod and head