Playing The Alphas

Chapter 69: The Hostile Cunningham’s

"I do not trust him," Kayden thought. "Ketem is known for wars. He starts them. He funds them. He profits from them. And when the fighting is over, he walks away clean while others bury their dead."

Kayden’s hand tightened around his cup. The fermented sap trembled.

"He is not here to help me. He is here to use me. To use my people. To use the wolves’ hostility as an excuse to spread his influence."

"But I have no choice. I need his ships. His weapons, his gold."

For now.

"You are staring," Kayden said, signalling to Ketem to respect his boundaries. Aliens had not lived much among humans to know boundaries but Ketem was well travelled. He should know.

"I am admiring," Ketem replied. "Your skin. It glows like a human’s own. A healthy human."

Kayden set down his cup. "My skin is none of your concern."

"Everything about you is my concern. We are allies, partners and brothers in trade."

"We are business associates. Nothing more." Kayden had to remind Ketem he was not his brother. Lizards were known for being too sneaky. He didn’t want anything to do with Ketem.

Ketem smiled. It was a mischievous smile. A smile that would soon remind Kayden of the very words he said in his palace today. "As you say."

Kayden leaned forward. His golden eyes narrowed. "You wanted to discuss business. So let us discuss business. How do we strengthen our packs?"

Ketem shrugged. "Trade routes. We should open them, expand them and protect them."

"Our trade routes are already under attack. The Cunningham wolves raid our caravans. They steal our goods. They kill our traders."

"Then fight back."

"With what? My warriors are strong, but the Lycan triplets are stronger. They have magic, they have an army and they have the favor of their moon goddess."

Ketem waved a hand. "Magic is overrated. Technology is superior. My ships could destroy their palace in a single night."

"And start a war that would engulf the entire region. The other packs would not stand idly by while you bomb their neighbors. They would unite against us."

Ketem’s smile faded. "Then what do you propose?"

"Alliances. We need more allies. Other packs. Other species. Anyone who hates the Cunninghams as much as we do."

Ketem laughed. "Everyone hates the Cunninghams. They are arrogant. Violent. Unpredictable. Even their own kind fear them."

"Then we should use that fear. Turn it into action."

"How?"

Kayden stood. He walked to a map on the wall. It was drawn on animal skin.

"Here," Kayden said, pointing to a territory in the north. "The Frostfang Pack. They have been feuding with the Cunninghams for generations."

"They are also weak. Small and isolated."

"Here." Kayden pointed to the east. "The Shadowmoon Pack. They trade with us already, discreetly."

"They trade with everyone discreetly. They have no loyalty."

"Here." Kayden pointed to the south. "The Emberclaw Pack. They control the mountain passes. Without their permission, no army can cross."

Ketem walked to the map. He studied the markings.

"The Emberclaw Pack is neutral," Ketem said. "They have never taken sides in any conflict."

"Then we give them a reason to take ours."

"Such as?"

Kayden turned to face Ketem. "Gold. Weaponry and land. Whatever they want."

Ketem was quiet for a moment. Then he shook his head.

"You think too small, Kayden. Alliances take time. Trust takes time. War is coming now. Not next year. Not next decade. Now."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Ketem walked back to the center of the room. He spread his arms.

"Weakness," he said. "We show weakness. We let the Cunninghams think they have won. We retreat, hide and wait."

"And while we wait, they grow stronger."

"They grow complacent. There is a difference."

Kayden’s jaw tightened. "I have been waiting for three hundred years. I am tired of waiting."

"Then you will make mistakes. And mistakes will get you killed."

Kayden said nothing.

Ketem’s eyes moved back to Kayden’s face, admiring the smoothness of his hands. He wished to be like him. Besides, Ketem also swung both ways, he wondered how soft and juicy Kayden’s bussu would taste. He secretly licked his lips.

"You still have not told me your secret," Ketem said. "How do you look so... healthy?"

Kayden crossed his arms. "I told you. It is none of your concern."

"Everything about you is my concern."

"Then concern yourself with something else."

Ketem laughed. It was a hollow sound. "You are impossible."

"I am busy."

"Too busy for an old friend?"

"We are not friends."

Ketem’s smile disappeared. "No. We are not."

Ketem turned back to the map. "The Cunningham triplets. Tell me about them."

"They are three," he said. "Jayce is the oldest. Arrogant. Cruel. He enjoys inflicting pain."

"And the others?"

"Finnian is the middle. Cold. Distant. He watches everything and says nothing."

"Darlington is the youngest. Soft. Gentle. The others protect him."

Ketem nodded. "Weaknesses?"

"Jayce’s arrogance is his weakness. He underestimates his enemies. He overestimates himself."

"Finnian’s detachment. He does not form attachments. He does not care about anyone or anything. That makes him unpredictable."

"Darlington’s gentleness. He hesitates. He second-guesses. He is the easiest to manipulate."

Ketem walked back to the throne. He stopped in front of Kayden.

"You have studied them well," Ketem said.

"I have hated them well. There is a difference."

"The difference is irrelevant. Hatred and knowledge often go hand in hand." freёwebnovel.com

Kayden leaned back. "What about you? Do you hate them?"

Ketem shrugged. "I do not hate anyone. Hate is inefficient. It clouds judgment. It leads to mistakes."

"Then what do you feel?"

"I feel nothing. I observe. I calculate. I act."

Kayden studied Ketem’s face. The alien king’s expression was blank. Empty.

"You are a dangerous man," Kayden said.

"I am a practical man. There is a difference."

Kayden laughed. It was a bitter sound. "We are alike, you and I."

"We are nothing alike. You are driven by emotion. I am driven by logic."

"And yet, we are both here. In this swamp. In this cave. Plotting against wolves who do not know we exist."

Ketem smiled. "They will know soon enough."

Kayden stood. He walked to the entrance of the throne room.

"The Cunninghams have been attacking my scouts," he said. "Killing them. Capturing them. Torturing them for information."

Ketem followed him. "How many?"

"Seven in the past month. Maybe more. Some have not returned. We do not know if they are dead or captured."

"And what have you done in response?"

"Nothing. At least, not yet."

Ketem raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"

"I am waiting, gathering information and building strength."

"The wolves will not wait for you to be ready. They will attack when you least expect it."

"Then I will be ready."

Ketem was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded.

"I should go," he said. "My ship is waiting."

"So soon?"

"I have other matters to attend to. Other alliances to build."

Kayden turned to face him. "You do not care about the wolves, do you?"

Ketem’s expression did not change. "I care about power. The wolves are a means to an end."

"And what end is that?"

Ketem smiled. It was not a kind smile.

"Ask me again when the war is over."

He turned and walked toward the entrance of the throne room. His soldiers fell in behind him.

Kayden watched him go.

Mira emerged from behind the throne, her hand finding Kayden’s arm.

"Do you trust him?" she asked.

Kayden shook his head. "No."

"Then why do you work with him?"

"Because I need him. For now."

"And when you no longer need him?"

"Then he will learn what happens to those who cross the lizard Alpha."