“Sterling and Schaffer join our pack, and we claim the land between their territory and ours. We install Sterling as deputy alpha of the new part of our territory and keep you down there to monitor him.”
There was a noise coming from the other end of the line, and then suddenly Dylan heard Ryker’s voice.
“Are you insane?” Ryker hissed, furious. “You want to claim half of Montana?”
Marcus looked tiredly smug. “Yes.”
“The Chicago pack will consider it an act of war.”
“I already cleared it with them. Their alpha owes me a favor, and this was me cashing in. Besides, they know that we’re not interested in Chicago. No one is challenging any of the original borders.”
“You’re insane.” Ryker sounded like he was on the verge of a panic attack. “This is neutral territory!”
“And it will continue to be so, except for the part that you already claimed and everything north of it.” Marcus licked his lips. “And where was this obsession with neutral territory when you up and declared the whole north part of the preserve as your own?”
“I didn’t-” Ryker cut himself off, flustered at the challenge to his actions. “That was just for the full moon! And I didn’t officially claim it. It’s natural for-”
“It’s natural for alphas to claim territory, yes, I agree,” Marcus interrupted him. “So here’s what I want to happen. You will come here, to Fairbanks, where you and your mate will officially join our pack. You and Schaffer will measure yourself against our hierarchy and see where you fit in. From what my sources tell me, you will rank highly enough to warrant a position as an outer territory deputy alpha. Since you’ll also be mated to my little brother, no one will question why we gave you such a favorable position. Once you and your mate have been integrated into our pack and mated to Steve, the three of you can go home with your omega and live happily ever after. Does that sound acceptable?”
“No!”
“Then I keep Steve’s omega here, Steve comes home, and you can figure out some arrangement between the four of you that doesn’t involve you or your mate violating my pack’s borders.”
Ryker didn’t say anything, but Dylan knew he was still on the line by the sound of his angry breathing.
“I went to a lot of trouble, Sterling,” Marcus said, his voice stern. “Anenormousamount of trouble. This way, everyone gets what they want.”
Ryker made a noise of derision. “You more than anyone. How long have you been planning this?”
Dylan blinked, looking at Marcus with surprise. Ryker was making it sound like this was some sort of scheme.
“Since you invited him to run with you on the full moon and he accepted.” Marcus looked tired. “This isn’t some plot to expand my territory, Sterling. If we wanted the northern half of Montana, we would have taken it. I only want Steve to be happy, and if playing house with you is what it takes, then that’s what I am going to make happen.”
“And what if I say no, and keep William and Steve here until you give Dylan back?”
Even to Dylan’s untrained ear it sounded like Ryker was bluffing. Marcus laughed.
“You’re not going to do that.”
“I won’t?” Ryker was wavering.
“No, and since we’re going to be family soon, I’ll do you the courtesy of not listing all the reasons why you don’t want to test me. Now, do we have a deal?”
Marcus looked at Dylan, sending him a smile like everything was going to be okay. Watching him list out his plan, Dylan was inclined to believe him.
Marcus might not have counted on his dad kidnapping Dylan, but he’d worked up a plan that solved all their problems.
Dylan wondered why he hadn’t let his dad in on it.
“I need to talk to Steve. You’ll have my answer in a few minutes.”
“I want your answer now,” Marcus said, his voice turning hard.
“You can give me ten minutes. Now please hand the phone to Dylan, August wants to talk to him.”
Marcus considered the request, and then he huffed out a little laugh.
“I like you, Sterling. I think we’re going to work very well together. I’m passing the phone to your boy.”
