Claudius' perspective
Codrus chuckled at me while my eyes remained serious.
“What a bizarre choice of words.”
“Bizarre it may sound, but that is the truth.” Codrus shifted in his seat and slightly bent his upper body forward to the table.
“To your eyes, it may seem like I am treating you like a pathetic dog, but it doesn't change the fact that being my pathetic dog gives you power and a slight control over the realm.”
I laughed heartily and shook my head at him while I battled with my wolf because it's now craving violence.
“Do you take me for a fool, Codrus? Ten percent of shares in every business that is owned and regulated by Regulus won't give me power.”
“Oh, boy. Do I look like I am trying to strike a deal with you? I am giving you this to be lenient as my final attempt to keep the peace in the realm, but you know that I am not obligated to be merciful to you. I can have you and your little army of wolves killed.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Does it sound like a threat to you?” He asked back.
“You may be a powerful Alpha in Thorne, but this is not that place.”
“I was born with a right family name, and under my name are millions of dollars and tons of property. I have a rightful claim. If you'd pacify me, I think it's only fair and just that you become more generous with your offer.”
Codrus sighed exasperatedly and the corner of my lips curved victoriously.
“Let me hear it then. What do you want in exchange for you to bend the knees to me and my heir?” He massaged his temple.
“That's more like it,” I mumbled.
“I want twenty percent of your shares in all the companies that Regulus owned.”
“Are you insane? Did you really think that I would give you a huge share in my company?” He spat. I lifted my finger to make him pause.
“I am not yet done. I need you to give me a position in your small council. You'll acknowledge my ownership of the howling island. You'll formally declare me as an Alpha, so everyone else in Regulus will acknowledge me in my pack.”
“I am not doing any of that,” he cut me off.
“And you'll give me the permission to set my foot in the palace whenever I want too.”
“In short, you want to have your little residence at my court?”
“If that's how you see it, then yes.”
Codrus shook his head, and I nodded before I rose to my feet.
“You wanted to tame me, Codrus and to do that, you must dote me more. If you don't give me what I want, then there will be no deal between the twp of us,” I said to him before I left the room.
Caspian quickly followed my steps.
“What happened? What did he tell you?”
“That fucking old hog. Not only he's taking my birth right for the second time around, he insulted me too.” I slowed down and faced Caspian.
“He wanted to give me a fucking ten percent of his shares in the companies owned by Regulus, and in return, he wanted me to forget that this place and his seat were mine.”
“I should have just killed that old thing right there and then,” I mumbled, while I was eyeing the door to the room where I left Codrus.
The wind blew, and I caught a whiff of a familiar sweet scent.
“Mate,” my wolf growled.
“Mate? What are you saying? Adeline is here?” Caspian inquired.
“Not her, but Eero. I smelled her scent. She is here.”
Caspian's eyes were dead-panned.
“I was standing here with you and I know what your Luna's scent smells like, and I didn't smell it. She isn't here.” I moved closer to his ear.
“I need you to call the spy that you installed here. My wolf can't be wrong. Eero was here.”
“But Alpha-”
“Are you certain that your spy is bringing us reliable sources? Or he might be playing with us too?”
Caspian looked around the King's epsilon.
“We're in the realm. The Alpha King and his beta have their eyes all over the place. If we demand our spy to see us, we'd surely be caught, and then we are screwed,” he whispered to me.
“We are leaving. I can't do this-fuck!” I cursed frustrated and stopped my steps.
“My deltas and warriors won't be enough to start a war with Codrus, but I couldn't bring myself to bear with what he wanted to happen.”
“Lord Cormac?” I turned my head to Jack.
“The Alpha King was once again requesting for your presence in the room. He told me to inform you that he said yes.” My eyes widened with delight.
“I'll be right behind you.” Caspian and I exchanged meaningful gazes before I went back to the room, where I found Codrus in the very same spot where I left him.
“You called for me again?”
“I'll ask my Beta to draft a formal agreement between the two of us. I'll do everything that you want, but you must finally bury your desire to rule over the realm and the pack.”
“All of it?”
“The twenty percent shares in the companies. Permission to have your residence at this court. The howling island will be formally transferred to your name too, and I'll acknowledge you and your pack.”
I chuckled and Codrus gave me a confused look.
“This heir of yours. He must have meant a lot to you. Do you adore him that much that you are willing to hand me everything that I asked for in order to secure his safety?”
“Now I could not help, but wonder who is the lucky guy, Alpha.”
“You'll meet my heir in a matter of hours. You just need to be patient, like everyone else who came here for the coronation.”
I stood up from my seat and offered him his hand that he only stared at.
“Do you have a mate? A family of your own.”
“I do… I left my mate on the howling island,” I lied.
“If you show me any sign of treason, know that your mate will be the first that I'll execute. I'll take everything from you and lock you up in the silver hell where you'll suffer for the rest of your life.”
My jaw clenched, and my eyes darkened, “There is no need for such a threat, Alpha, but know that I'll come for anyone who'd dare to touch my mate. If anything happens to my wife, I'd automatically pin the blame on you.