Alpha's Arrangement (Troubled Fork Shifters (Book 2)) Read online

  Alpha’s Arrangement

  Troubled Fork Shifters 2

  By Gabrielle R. Demonico

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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  ***

  “Uncle… Please.”

  “No. My decision is final, Emma.”

  “But… why? Why me? Any number of females in the pack would be willing…”

  Albondiel Braithwait, Emma Easterdale’s uncle and leader of the Troubled Fork wolf clan, interrupted and said, “Because you are the one that I can trust to do this for me. Now is not the time or the place to discuss it. We will talk about it tomorrow.”

  Emma turned away from him, faced forward and pressed her back into the church pew. She crossed her arms at her chest and as she did, a flurry of organ music filled the grand hall of the Troubled Fork church. Within moments, everyone in the assembled throng rose to their feet as the wedding procession began to make its way down the aisle.

  It was the event of the year and it was all anyone had been able to talk about in recent months. The Ritual of the Claw had been a success and it appeared as though humans and shifters had the sanction of Nature to mate. The first such union of that kind would take place in the next few minutes.

  Honey Thompson and Brock Walters were at last to be married.

  All that gathered turned to look as Honey made her way down the aisle. After a few moments, she reached the altar and took her place next to the rugged bear shifter. They both turned to face Preacher Mitchell.

  Tears pooled in Emma’s eyes as she watched, but she was not emotional at the sight of the nuptials about to take place before her. Unable to contain herself, she turned towards her uncle once again.

  In a hushed tone she pleaded, “I don’t want to be with someone like that. Please, anyone but him. I…”

  “I said tomorrow.” He snapped.

  Satisfied that the ceremony could start, the preacher turned his attention to the congregation.

  “You may be seated.” He said.

  A dozen rows of hundred year old pews groaned in unison as everyone took their places. Once the attendees had settled in, the preacher began…

  “Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to witness the eternal joining of this man and this woman in matrimony…” He paused and looked towards the couple. “Would you please face one another and join hands?”

  As Honey and Brock took each other’s hands, the preacher continued, “Will you, Honey, take this man to be your husband and to live together as one in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you promise to love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”

  Honey looked up into Brock’s eyes and replied, “I will.”

  The preacher turned his attention to Brock. “And you, Brock, will you take this woman to be your wife and to live together as one in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you promise to love, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”

  Brock nodded, “I will.”

  Next, the preacher looked in the direction of a young boy who held a small pillow in his hands and motioned for him to approach.

  “May I have the rings please?” he said.

  The boy walked towards the trio and extended the pillow upwards to the couple. They each took their respective rings and in one smooth motion, slipped them on one another’s fingers. Once they’d finished, Honey gazed into Brock’s eyes and smiled.

  As she looked on at the happy couple, Emma drifted away into her thoughts…

  Alexander Malthorn.

  It was a name, a man and a wolf that she was quite familiar with and not in a good way. He was next in line behind his uncle for alpha of the Silver Gulch pack. And there wasn’t a single female within five hundred miles that didn’t know it. And, if they didn’t know who he was, he made sure they found out all about it - whether they wanted to or not.

  A smattering of terms came to mind when she thought of him. He was arrogant, conceited, egotistical, pompous and damnit to hell, sexy. The last one is what bothered her the most. It was an awful combination.

  Why did it always seem like the most beautiful of men had such awful personalities? Disgusted, she bit her lip and shook her head. This was the man who she was to marry? Him? Of all the wolves her uncle might have picked. This was unrivaled suckage at its zenith.

  She imagined how awful their first meeting would be…

  Ugh.

  Alexander, meet your bride Emma, the chunky girl from Troubled Fork.

  Awesome.

  The preacher concluded, “And now that this man and woman have given themselves to one another as signified by the exchange of rings, I hereby pronounce that they are husband and wife. Brock, you may kiss the bride.”

  And Devon…

  Shit.

  What the hell was she supposed to tell him? Things weren’t serious between them yet but, this?

  She imagined the conversation she was going to have with him.

  Oh hey, yeah a movie sounds good. By the way, do you mind if I marry someone else? No? Super! I love dating you!

  After a kiss and collective swoon from all in attendance, the bride and groom made their way back down the aisle and as they did, everyone stood. Everyone that is, except Emma. Instead, she dropped her elbows to her knees and held her head in her hands. As the wedding party passed by, Albondiel reached down, placed his hand upon her shoulder.

  He leaned in towards her ear and said, “My office. Tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock. Now, come with me. Let’s have fun tonight, my dear.”

  ***

  As she drove to her uncle’s office, Emma reflected on the prior night.

  It had been a beautiful ceremony and Emma was sad she couldn’t have enjoyed the evening like she’d hoped. Emma was happy for Honey and Brock, of course, as well as what this meant for the future. For too long, shifters had lived double lives. She was optimistic that this would be the first step towards the end of that way of life - once and for all.

  Yet, in spite of that happiness for them and a positive outlook in general, the dread of what was about to take place overshadowed it. With reluctance, she pulled into the parking lot of her uncle’s office, got out of the car and headed towards it.

  At ten o’clock sharp she knocked on the door. Emma held on to a flicker of hope that Albondiel would have somehow forgotten, or maybe, he wasn’t even in his office.

  Or perhaps…

  “Come in!” Albondiel thundered.

  Crap.

  Emma sighed, opened the door and entered.

  “Emma, sweetheart,” he said as he approached. “How’s my favorite niece this morning?”

  He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. After a moment, he leaned away from her and said, “Did you eat breakfast yet?”

  “Yes.” She replied.

  “Good. Well, let’s not waste any time. Ready to talk about things now?”

  “Yes, but I…”

  While she spoke, he turned and started to walk away.

  “Ah, ah… No. No ‘buts’ Emma. You will do this.” He said. “You are a member of this pack. I may be your uncle but my word is law. Besides, don’t worry. In all likelihood, Alexander will be exposed f
or the fraud that he is long before the day of the wedding or… the night of consummation.”

  “Consummation?!?” she exclaimed.

  Albondiel chuckled as he rounded a large desk and grasped onto an oversized chair. He slid into it and rolled into position behind the desk. He looked up and said, “Emma dear, calm down please. I was kidding. Sit down for a moment.”

  Emma walked towards one of the two chairs that faced Albondiel’s desk. Deep down she knew that her uncle would never put her in a situation that could cause harm. Both of her parents had died when she was a toddler and ever since then she’d been with him. Although she wasn’t his daughter, Emma might as well have been. Albondiel was a fair man. He was tough and stern, as the alpha position demanded, but also kind, loving and warm. The pack had thrived under his leadership and the truth was that Emma loved her uncle more than anything.

  As she sat, Albondiel continued, “Alexander’s father, Colin Malthorn, was a good man and one of his pack’s highest ranked members. In fact, he was next in line to become the pack’s alpha but he died in a tragic logging mishap. Once Colin passed, his brother, Theodore Malthorn, assumed control after the death of their father two years later.”

  Albondiel leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger and said, “Theodore is different than his late brother but nonetheless reliable. The pack has fared well under his guidance. At least that’s what I’ve been led to believe.”

  Emma cleared her throat and said, “So, if things are going well, then…”

  “Then why am I sending you there?” he asked.

  Emma nodded.

  Albondiel paused for a moment and stood from the chair. He turned his back towards Emma and looked out the window of the office.

  “We are indebted to Theodore and his brother.” He said. “Many years ago they came to aid us. Our pack, which includes you, is bound by honor to repay that debt. Theodore has called upon us to help in their moment of crisis as he and Colin assisted us in ours.”

  “Oh.” Emma said. “What’s happened?”

  He turned to say something but as he did, his cell phone rang. He motioned towards Emma and signaled for her to wait as he brought the receiver to his ear.

  “Hello?” he said. “Theodore. How are you…? You have…? Very good… Alright.” Albondiel hung up and said, “Perfect timing. I’ll let Theodore tell you all about it. He’ll be here any second.”

  “Oh. I…” Emma replied but as she did, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in!” Albondiel said.

  After a quick turn of the knob, the door swung open and through it walked Theodore Malthorn. He was the alpha of the Silver Gulch pack and the most unwolflike wolf Emma had ever laid eyes upon in her life. She recalled meeting him years ago but the memory of his scholarly appearance had somehow been lost to time.

  In a word, Theodore was unimpressive.

  Rare for an alpha, he was narrow shouldered, bespectacled and thin. Theodore looked more like an accountant than the leader of a powerful wolf clan. Yet here he was, resplendent in dullness. As he entered, Albondiel rounded the desk to greet him. Emma stood and turned in his direction.

  “Theodore!” Albondiel exclaimed. Good to see you again my old friend. How’ve you been?” Albondiel asked.

  The visitor closed the door as he entered. He turned back towards Albondiel and said, “Hmm, well. That all depends. Do you have good news?”

  Albondiel nodded and gestured in Emma’s direction. “Yes, indeed.” He said. “Theodore, you remember my niece, Emma?”

  He acknowledged her with a smile and said, “Yes, of course. It’s good to see you again my dear, my how you’ve blossomed. How long has it been since I last saw you? I reckon at least ten years or so. Wouldn’t you say?”

  “At least that,” Emma replied. “It’s good to see you as well, sir…”

  Theodore raised his right hand. “Now, now, there’s no need for all of that. Let’s dispense with the formalities. Please, call me Theodore.”

  “Alright,” Emma replied. “Theodore.”

  “Can I get you anything? Would you like coffee, tea or water to drink perhaps?” Albondiel asked.

  “No, no thanks. I’m quite alright.” Theodore replied.

  “Okay, well…” Albondiel said. “I know that you are in a bit of a time crunch. Do you want to begin the discussion right away?”

  Theodore nodded and said, “Yes, I would like to get to business if it’s all the same with you.”

  Albondiel started to walk back towards the desk and as he did, he motioned towards the empty chair next to his niece. “Indeed.” he said. “Have a seat next to Emma and we can get started.”

  ***

  Over the next fifteen minutes or so, Theodore went into detail about the inner workings of the family business. Emma wasn’t sure why but assumed it would lead to the real reason she was there in the first place.

  Most folks knew the Malthorns were one of the richest families in Silver Gulch. Their wealth came from a combination of extensive land holdings as well as logging and mining operations.

  It seemed Theodore and his brother, Colin, had founded the company more than thirty years earlier. However, the brothers didn’t own equal shares. Because of rankings within the pack, the clan elders determined an ownership structure the brothers had to obey. Their decision decreed Colin would keep fifty-one percent ownership of the business while Theodore would be left with a forty-nine percent share. Since Alexander was still young when Colin died, the ownership passed onto his grandmother, Millie Malthorn. She was to hold the share in trust until it could be passed to Alexander.

  As Theodore’s back story came to a close, Albondiel interrupted and asked, “When is the trust transfer supposed to occur?”

  Theodore nodded. “Yes, good question,” he replied. “The transfer would happen either at the discretion of my mother or as part of an automatic clause upon her death. Whichever comes first.”

  “I see.” Albondiel said.

  “But, I have strong suspicions Alex has grown impatient with waiting for his share of the business to transfer.”

  “What do you mean, Theodore? Impatient?” Albondiel asked.

  “Well as I explained, my mother controls my late brother’s share of the company. It was held in trust for Alex, with her as the trustee but Alex’s behavior has always been… reckless. If Alex were to gain control of the company, there’s no telling what he might do.”

  “What do you mean? What do you fear might happen?” Albondiel asked.

  “It’s a long story my friend but much is at risk. In truth, I have reason to believe Alex has been stealing from the company, but I’m not able to prove that, yet.”

  “Did you confront Alexander with your suspicions?” Albondiel asked.

  “No. At least not this time,” he replied. “I need proof first. Besides, if I was to accuse Alex, it might give him time to cover his tracks. You know, conceal the evidence. But, once it can be shown he’s a thief, his share of the company would transfer to me. At that point, the company would be safe from harm and well-positioned to grow for many decades into the future.”

  “I understand.” Albondiel replied.

  “However, there isn’t much time. My mother is quite elderly and her health is frail. As I explained, if she were to die, the trust would confer ownership to Alex. If that were to occur, everything I’ve worked so hard to build over the last three plus decades would be at risk. That is the reason Emma’s help is required.”

  Albondiel and Emma both nodded as Theodore spoke.

  After a moment of silence, Emma asked, “I don’t understand how I can help.”

  “Don’t worry about the details for now. I’ll tell you everything there is to know when the time is right. For now, what matters is Alex believes you are there for the reason we discussed.”

  “The marriage?” Emma asked.

  “Yes.”

  “And he is okay with all of this? Considering
his reputation with women, I guess I’m just surprised he’s going for this.” She said.

  “Yes, that’s true. Alex has a wandering eye.” Theodore said. “However, he’s not yet found his true mate. If I decide a pack member is unlikely to find a true mate, I have the ability to compel a union for the good of the pack as a whole. Alex has no choice in the matter. Does that make sense, Emma?”

  “Yes. I suppose so.” she replied.

  “Good. I cannot overstate the importance of your role in all of this.”

  Emma nodded.

  “Your uncle has also informed me you are good with numbers.” Theodore said. “Albondiel said that you have kept the books in this business since you were a teenager. Is that true?”

  “Yes. My degree is in accounting as well.” Emma replied.

  “Well that is excellent news.” Theodore said.

  “Why?”

  “Forgive me.” Theodore replied. “I didn’t mention I believe Alex might have help in this criminal enterprise from within the company. I am almost positive about this but I have not been able to figure out who might be aiding him. So, it makes it impossible for me to conduct the investigation on an internal basis. What I need is a neutral third party. It would be someone who reports to me without any interference and I’d like that to be you, Emma. Would you feel comfortable with such a thing?”

  “I suppose I am. But, wouldn’t he be suspicious of me?”

  “No. Before my journey here, I informed Alex of your accounting qualifications. In our pack, it is customary for females to work until they bear young. Believe me; it will not seem unusual at all.”

  “Well, if it will seem normal then I guess I’m okay with it.” Emma said.

  “Very good. We will discuss the specifics of your tasks once we are in Silver Gulch.” He said. “For now, I just wanted to make you aware of everything. Of course I realize it’s an awful lot to ask of anyone. Because of that, I want you to understand how grateful I am to you and your uncle for coming to our aid. This past year has been a very difficult period. It saddens me so to have to be the one to do this to my own nephew. However, not all decisions one makes as alpha are easy ones. Isn’t that true Albondiel?”

  “Yes.” Albondiel said. “It is.”