Chapter 3 The negotiator

"Exactly what I wanted to hear. I don't wanna die anytime soon. I don't even have a child yet. No family or anything. I'm just alone! Now, if you want me to achieve that, you'd go out there and find me a teenage girl.” Lottana ordered Durella and dismissed him.

"Yes, my Alpha. May your wish be granted as I embark on the quest of finding you the chosen one to liberate you and break the death curse.” Durella bowed to show his respect and vacated Lottana's chambers.

************* A new day has emerged. The day Lottana has been yearning for. For every minute that goes by, his soul burns in pain and seeks a solution to his problem. He's quite aware of how difficult it is to find a teenage girl who would accept his demand, but somehow he still believes the moon goddess won't watch and do nothing while he suffers condemnation.

*********

The rays of the morning light flickered into Durella's room and interrupted his sleep. “It's morning already. I need to prepare for the task ahead. "He tossed off the bed and prepared himself for the difficult tasks that awaited him. The longevity of the Alpha now rests on his shoulder. If he fails to return home without positive feedback, he might as well start preparing for the Alpha's funeral. After getting dressed, he stepped outside to knock on Lottana's door.

“I know it's you already. Stop playing games. Tell me what you seek. Wait a minute. But I thought I sent you a task. What are you doing here? Proceed with it immediately. I don't have the luxury of time and patience. You need to come back home with her,” Lottana rudely said, without granting Durella permission to speak. What Durella has to say doesn't matter to the Alpha. He just wants positive feedback.

"I know right? I just came to tell you before I depart. I'm ready for the adventure ahead. Hopefully, I'll be back with positive feedback.” Durella disclosed.

"Go in peace! Blessings and favor shall you find in the sight of Selene, the moon goddess,” It's quite challenging to find a teenage girl who would be willing to accept the Alpha's outrageous offer. In the same pack where teenage girls are subjected to promiscuity.

Durella was aware of this weird fact, yet he agreed to risk it all for this dreadful mission. He wasn't going to sit back and watch his Alpha suffer for what he knows nothing about.

It was 9:30 a.m., yet everywhere was deserted with no traders, hunters, or passersby found on the street. The Blood Pack isn't known for absolute decorum or devoid of people on a morning like this. It appears as though every parent deliberately locked their daughters to make Durella's task more difficult than it already seems. Far and wide, Durella journeyed, yet he couldn't find any teenage girl to reach a compromise with. He motioned to different houses and presented the Alpha's mouthwatering proposal. Yet, he was unable to find a family to negotiate with. No family was willing to give out their daughter to the cruelest of Alpha. Not everyone was aware of the curse, yet they refused the life-changing opportunity of becoming the Alpha's bride. “I didn't sign up for this. It has been difficult for me. I never for once imagined it would turn out this way. What will I do now? I gave the Alpha my word. I can't return to the pack with negativity. No, it's never gonna happen. Something needs to be done. I must salvage the situation." Durella soliloquizes beneath in the woods. He has lost all hope of finding a teenage girl. The night is spreading so fast like wildfire as darkness encloses the atmosphere.

Just when he thought of giving up already, he heard some strange footsteps around him. Without hesitation, he stood from the ground, sniffed the atmosphere pointing his sword at an invisible creature. “Who the heck are you? Why are you hiding like a coward? Reveal yourself and wrestle with me to a fight if you're so courageous. And I'd slit your throat with my sword while I watch you slowly bleed to death.

“What an awesome performance. You should consider a career in acting. Please save it, BETA, Durella. You might need the energy later but certainly not now. I'm not here to fight you. I just wanna talk. You might just need my help. So take it slow.” A masculine voice spoke and strolled behind him.

“Talk? Why would I wanna have a word with you? I don't even know you. There's absolutely nothing to talk about. I don't even know you. Who are you, and how did you find me? Speak now before I feed your remains to the vultures.” Durella threatened with full rage and bloodstained eyes.

"Stop worrying about my identity, it doesn't matter. I understand your rage. If I were asked to find Alpha , a teenage girl, I'd be more furious than you. If you keep acting this way, you might go back to the Alpha without positive news. You shouldn't be a stranger to the Alpha's rage. A friendly piece of advice for you. Stay calm” the stranger added and kept Durella in suspense.

"This is unbelievable. Am I dreaming? How did you do...” Durella took a deep breath and widened his mouth in astonishment.

"I know that look on your face. Are you surprised how I found out? I'll tell you. Oh, yes, you did disclose it. Let's just say I had my ears on the ground when you stopped in the neighborhood today, asking parents if they could allow their daughters to marry the Alpha and bear him a son," And I bet the Alpha will be inclined to risk a fortune to find this beautiful teenage girl, right? Hahaha!” The young man laughed mischievously and poked fun at Durella.

“You won't dare do that. Have you suddenly lost respect for the Alpha? Alpha Lottana is gonna pay a dime to have her. She should be giving it out for free. I mean, It's every girl's dream to become the Alpha's bride, and you know that,”