Chapter 92 The Wager

*Alpha Connor*

My men rushed in when the Lotus Pack wolves entered the mansion a second too late. If it weren't for Emmett, there would have been a battle. Michael, Lucas and Ethan were positioned to draw blood, growling menacingly at the men who were loyal to Chase and Eric Lockwood.

I could see the anger in both Eric and Chase's faces as well as their hesitancy to yield to Emmett's demands. Apparently, the black wolf already had her Beta waiting for her and even if he was older than all of us, he was a strong and powerful mage who actually had an optimistic attitude even though his master was very dark and full of vengeance.

"Come now. We should be celebrating. The black wolf is home again on Lotus Pack territory where it all began. From the look on your faces, you aren't too happy the black wolf is here," Emmett said before taking another bite of the slice of pancakes he had on his fork. "Oh heavens, these pancakes are delicious. My thanks to the cook. Eric, you must try these pancakes. They are scrumptious!" He gestured for Eric to sit down. Eric resisted, scowling at him. Emmett placed his fork and bread knife down and folded his hands infront of him. "Eric, I told you, the black wolf would return. Did you not heed my warnings?

"You obviously forgot to mention that my half-breed granddaughter is the chosen one, old man," Eric spat out. Emmett looked at him, clearly offended.

"Yes, well, it was suppose to be a surprise. Yet, I had thought you knew. Unfortunately, both you and Chase have done the unthinkable to the black wolf," Emmett said while moving his finger from side to side, telling them they made a grave mistake. "And since you tried to take her life, she will extract her justice. As of the moment, you still have a purpose. That's the reason why she didn't maul you in your sleep." Otis came over and refilled his cup with coffee. I could see Otis was genuinely interested in what Emmett had to say. "Thank you, my dear man," Emmett said.

"Otis, sir. I am so honored to make your acquaintance."

"No need to call me 'sir', Otis. You may call me Emmett. I am Beta to the black wolf," Emmett bowed his head at Otis.

Michael, Matt, Ethan and Colt, I could tell, liked him instantly. What wasn't there not to like? He was very polite and knowledgeable. He was like that cool teacher in school who all the kids liked.

"Just don't stand there, you wolves. Eat, eat and repent. If I calculate your blood loss, all of you will be dead in the next 48 hours. At least live the last 48 hours as if it is your last," Emmett said casually.

Eric and Chase moved to the dining table and took a seat, uncertain if they were welcomed to eat. Lucas and Michael, who were already seated, just eyed them warily, sipping their coffee. Emmett pushed the serving plate of pancakes in front of Eric and gestured to them to eat.

I approached my men, who had already kicked out the uninvited wolves out of the mansion, so I could have a word.

"Sorry, Alpha. I was on the phone with the Sheriff. He just dropped off Second at the dungeons in our territory," my Delta said.

"There aren't room for mistakes, men. Until Diana isn't formally Alpha, we need to be on guard. Tell the Gamma to call me once the rogue is in chains and make sure the scouts keep an eye on our borders. I'm not taking any chances," I instructed my Delta.

"Sure thing, Alpha," he said. He bowed and walked out of the mansion to stand guard.

I turned around to head to the kitchen area. I didn't want to sit with Eric Lockwood, so I decided it was better if I ate in the kitchen. I noticed Eric Lockwood looking at his phone. Who could he be messaging so early in the morning? I was about to walk up to him and grab his phone when Harley ran up to me.

"Good morning, Uncle Connor. Where are we?" Harley asked.

"This is Diana's house," I answered.

"Diana has so many houses," he said. I chuckled. "Can I have some pancakes too?"

"Let's have breakfast together. I was about to get a stack myself." I led him into the kitchen where Didi, Athena and another woman were busy cooking.

"Harley, honey, I made you your favorite," Didi said and placed a plate of his favorite peanut butter pancakes with a topping of Nutella.

"I noticed we have a young wolf. He smells almost like my Alpha though my Alpha can change her scent to your most favorite thing in the world or to a scent that can make you deathly ill," Emmett said, eyeing Harley with interest. "I do worry. Only a few of you are left. Eric there speaks of half wolves as an abomination. Little do the wolves know it's in our half wolf kin where the magic happens. Most mages are born as a half wolf or born from wolves who are either half wolf or have some human in their blood. I only sense there are only a handful of mages left and one of them is sitting in front of me," Emmett said, the blue in his eyes dancing with delight. Didi gasped at what Emmett said and I could see she was wonderfully surprised. "This is why the black wolf protects this little one. So tell me, why are there so few of my half wolf kin?"

"You've been underground longer than I thought," I told him. "Mages were hunted down for wrongful distribution of the "no-scent" elixir and human and wolf relations were outlawed."

"My word!" Emmett sat down beside Harley. "Eric never told me anything about that. I thought staying here would be my best option so I may unite with my master. Little did I know that I have left my fellow alchemists to their misdeeds. It was my ancestor, the Beta of the black wolf, who created the formula of the elixir, however it was only supposed to be use for trade. The humans at that time had a good nose and could smell wolf. What is the use of the elixir now?"

"It's now used mainly by rogues, so they can blend in with the humans," Michael said and he sat down beside Emmett. "I am Michael, Beta to Lucas Lockwood." Michael extended his hand and Emmett grabbed and shook it vigorously.

"Ah, a fellow Beta. Yes, I can smell the Beta on you. As well as those two men. And if I'm not mistaken, that handsome young man," Emmett said while pointing at Ethan, "is my Alpha's mate. And so the prophecy has once again been fulfilled."

"What prophecy is that? All I know about the legend of the black wolf is that the black wolf will return to right the wrongs among the wolves," I said.

"The black wolf will be born in a she-wolf of wolf and humankind. The she-wolf will be kissed by the moon and she will be blessed by the Moon Goddess, marking her with the symbol of the lotus flower. She will mate with an Alpha of the west and with her Beta, the leader of the Alchemists, forge a new world among the wolves," Emmett said. "Don't they teach you this when you were young pups?" He asked incredulously.

"Not anymore they don't," Michael answered. "Sadly, the ones who do know have passed away or are really old, just like my Nana. How old are you, Emmett?"

"Since I have no heir, I have lived longer than most," Emmett answered, "and because I have now united with my master, I will live longer and hopefully produce an heir to lead the next generation, that's if I can still move my hips." We all laughed.

"Well, the humans have made surrogacy possible. They are very talented and have used science to make wonders happen. What was not possible long ago is possible now," I told him.

"And this is why the magic happens in our half wolf kin...the humans have magic of their own. Let's gather my things especially my books, Beta Michael, and start educating the wolves and my new apprentice the proper way."

_________________


*Eric Lockwood *

Alpha Connor's men have Second and are bringing him to their territory. If One wasn't successful in exterminating Connor's pack eighteen years ago, this time, I know he won't leave anyone standing. I took out my phone and sent a message to One to inform him of Second's location while the rest of them had their attention on Emmett.

Emmett suddenly left the table and followed the young boy, who had suddenly appeared, to the kitchen. His face had suddenly lit up like a light bulb as if the boy was an important person. Ick. The boy had the scent of a half breed.

My father when he was alive was searching for the descendant of the Beta of the black wolf to take the green emerald entrusted to his bloodline. It was my father's plan to take the green emerald and the blood pearl and forge it with the ring to make him as invincible as the black wolf. It would make him an Alpha among Alphas, a king. In turn, he would make Lotus Pack the richest and most powerful among packs around the world.

It was the early 1980's and although I needed the money from the oil in the territory, I aslo wanted to find the Blood Pearl.

I found Emmett after the humans had poisoned Josephine's pack as I instructed. He was in the house of Josephine's father, cradling his head on his lap, trying desperately to save him.

"Who are you?" I asked him. I had never seen him before during my visits.

"My name is Emmett Von Schwarz. I am a descendant of the Beta of the black wolf. And you are Eric Lockwood, descendant of the black wolf. Shame on you, Eric, for doing this," he said. He placed Josephine's father's head gently on the floor and closed his eyes.

"You have no evidence that I instigated this crime. It was the humans who did this to him," I argued.

"Ah, yes, the humans under your instruction. How much are you to profit from the sale of this property? Since you are married to his daughter, you inherit this land. How much, Eric Lockwood?" He asked me gently. I was surprised he didn't even raise his voice nor did he speak to me condescendingly.

"Millions," I answered truthfully. I decided it was best to tell him the truth. "I have long been searching for you. Finally I have you right in my grasp." I nodded to my men to take him. He raised his hand to stop them.

"I will go peacefully. I just ask that all my things be brought with me. It is in a small hut not far from here. I moved here because the Moon Goddess had sent me." He stood up and turned around. He was older than me wearing a fedora, a leather jacket and khaki denims. He was obviously dressed like Indiana Jones. I noticed the white in his hair had begun to clash with his dark brown hair. It was his blue eyes though that struck me the most. There was an optimistic twinkle in them. "Eric Lockwood, one day you will have to repay the millions you will gain. If not monetarily, by blood. What was taken will have to be repaid."

"I'll take my chances. The black wolf isn't due to come in my lifetime. I will have already lived a life of luxury by the time the black wolf comes," I replied. I was surprised when he gave me a big smile.

"I like those odds. How about a wager then? If she does not return in forty years, I will help you find what you seek and make you Alpha among Alphas. But if she returns, you will right this wrong and give back what was wrongfully taken."

"Wrongfully? By law, this land is mine," I yelled at him.

"Then I guess that means you agree to my terms of the wager? Hmmm..."

I stared at his smiling face. He looked like an old coot who had a few screws loose. He was definitely taunting me. Fine. I decided I'd agree to his terms.

"Sure, whatever. Let's shake on it," I extended my hand for a handshake to seal the deal. He grabbed my hand and with a long sharp wolf's nail, scratched my palm and his.

"There. The wager has been sealed in blood. May the scar remind you of our agreement, Eric Lockwood. Now let us leave before law enforcement arrives. As for the Blood Pearl, you will not find it here. It is closer to you than you think," Emmett said.

Since then, Emmett Von Schwarz has lived in my bunker. I give him whatever he wants, talk to him when I need a different perspective and when I'm feeling generous, I let him out sometimes to pick the herbs he needs for his elixirs. I actually thought of having him make the 'no-scent' elixir so I could profit from his stay, but Emmett wasn't the type of wolf I could corrupt or threaten.

The ring and the artifacts that make the ring the most valuable and powerful piece of jewelry was in the hands of my granddaughter. I had told Lucas when I gave him the ring to keep it in the vault at all times. The ring was not allowed to leave the territory. Unfortunately, when Lucas left, the ring went missing. I knew Lucas took the ring, but Chase said it was impossible since Lucas didn't know we had plans to kill him.

My phone vibrated and I moved my wounded arm to take it out of my pocket. I felt a sudden jolt of pain and winced. I rested my arm on the table, opened my hand and noticed the thin scar on my palm, the scar of the pact I made with Emmett.

"Ah, you remember our wager. Time is ticking, Eric. You may repay what was wrongfully taken by answering to your sins to the black wolf," Emmett said while pointing to Diana who was quietly having a moment with her mate, Ethan, in the living room, "or you can succumb to your injuries and let your death repay what was wrongfully taken. Either way, I win." He winked at me then walked towards the direction of the garage with Michael right behind him.

My phone vibrated again and I took a look at the screen. It was an incoming call from the High Lord Wolf's assistant.

"Elder Lockwood, the High Lord Wolf would like to see you in his office this afternoon after lunch. Please be punctual. Good day," Cavendish said and hung up.

The High Lord Wolf thinks he can take my position away.

We'll see...