The quietness in everything lately seemed not normal to what Smallsville was known to be. There was always fighting, blood in some pubs and shootings. Now even the streets and the Alleys will declare that this quietness is helping.
Across the farms, Damien greeted folks working on the lands. He has been left in charge of growth and he has been trying his best to make sure everything goes well and everyone does the Jobs assigned to them.
He sat down close to an old farmer who happened to have hidden away in a dungeon he built on his grange with his grandchildren.
"Damien," he called with a pipe in his mouth, blowing away smokes. Damien nodded at him to speak, as she straightened himself to listen to what the old man has to say.
"You folks should be careful. I saw Maddie Dikkorp some weeks ago buying those lands in the fringe. Most of those caverns. I think he's gonna expand. Those folks have been here longer than anyone around. My father told me about them. He told me his father told him too. Now imagine, with what those folks did in the past, what do you think they could do now…"
"Hmm!" Damien muttered.
"Son, you know that is not the solution. Those folks are evil. My son worked with them. He helped destroyed this city for money. He's dead now. Aiden killed him in one of the raids."
"I didn't know about that." Damien looked puzzled by what he just said knowing he's always with Alpha on any of their operations.
"You didn't know because you were busy at the pub. Reciting poems with my grandson working there. Those were the frenzy days. You all went nuts after inhaling some germ cells."
"Oh, that. I still can't recall what I did back then. Though I have been seeing a boy around and he's claiming to know me."
"He's my grandson. He knows you. He said you are a Baldwin comrade." He smiled and pulled out the pipe from his mouth.
"You want some?" Shakespeare was said to have smoked too."
"Never mind, sir."
"Do something about the Dikkorps. Their expansion here might come with lots more. Not a doomsayer but I know those folks more than you can ever imagine." The old man said, taking one last draw before taking the pipe off his mouth.
"We will see what we can do."
"Better. I have always liked your energy. You should come over for dinner sometimes." He said, making Damien nod and left.
*****
When Damien returned home, he discovered that the Alpha wasn't in his room and his bed looked rough. He also found the closed window to the balcony opened.
"Alpha," he called. "Are you there?" He looked around again then walked back to the open window and found him seated in his wolf form looking at everything. It was twilight already.
He joined him and the breeze was calmer.
"What are you doing here, Alpha? You should be sleeping to get well sooner.
"I don't feel like sleeping. Just found out I can still speak In this form."
"Should I join you?"
"That will be better."
"Alright." Damien transformed gradually into his wolf form. The hairs on his back changed colour as he turned into a golden brown wolf. Both howled and giggled.
"But Catherine won't be able to understand what you are saying if you wish to remain in this form.
"Yeah, that's why I am thinking. It's been mind-numbing."
"You are getting better."
"Don't tell me that, man. Hope, most times is frail. We go get what we want."
"I know. I just think you have to give yourself the chance to heal. Just think you are thinking about it too much, you should give yourself time and forget about every worries. I know Catherine, she'll understand. Well she does understood so stop thinking too much" Damien replied.
"I have missed our chats. And it's like bad luck is coming my way lately."
"I'll allow you to think whatever you think but I know shits happens for other shits to happen. I was at the farms."
"Great, I hope everything is going on well there?" Alpha asked, peering at Damien.
Yeah, I got talking with Christopher, he told me the Dikkorps bought some caverns. They are expanding here."
"Ahh," Alpha groaned. "I'll like to visit where they are buying."
"I don't think you can do that now. You still need rest and he advised we map out a plan. Where do we start?"
"Talk to Catherine, Sam and Sarah. Then a general meeting with those closer."
"Let's see how it goes. It feels good being oneself In this form.
"Of course." They both laughed.
***
"I saw two large wolves on the balcony last night," Tina said while facing Elizabeth. She knew the others, including the poet boy, won't listen to her. Though they hardly see werewolves turning.
"Elizabeth, I saw big wolves last night on Alpha's balcony."
Elizabeth's phone rang. She excused herself from the children who had come to visit the new lab into a room and locked herself inside.
"Hello, what's it, daddy?"
"The Dikkorps are here."
"You mean, Whitney?"
"Her brother, Maddie. He has bought out the closer caverns to us. The werewolves in them now work for him. They are living like kings."
"So, what is it? You sound weak."
"Kelly betrayed me. He sold the pack to him."
"What! He did what?"
"That's what happened. I have been hiding."
"I'll get a way to bring you here, daddy."
"Don't tell Elle this. She might break down. The other guys should be informed but let them know my order."
"Sure, daddy. I'll get to you soon."
She ended the call and ran out of the room.
Quickly she dialled Sam's number. Sam was in a meeting with Catherine, Sarah and Damien but he picked.
"Hello, Elizabeth."
"Hey, how are you?" Her voice sounded retrospective.
"I'm cool." He said.
"Are you with Elle? I need you to pick me up at the lab. We are going to the caverns."
"What happened? Elle isn't here. I am with the others."
"Alright. My father just called. He's not safe. He said the Dikkorps bought his pack. So he is hidden. We need to get him."
"I am on my way." Sam ended the call and rushed out.
"I'll be back. You should continue."
"What!" Damien said. "We work as a team."
"I'm not hiding anything. She just said it's urgent. Her dad is in danger. I got to go."
"Whose dad." Sarah and Catherine said simultaneously.
"Elizabeth's. The Dikkorps just bought his pack."
"Damnit!" Damien said. "We are going together. I'll get my gun."
"Faster, man," Sam said.
"I'll go with you guys," Sarah said.
"No! You stay here. Who will run the lab?"
***
On their way, they saw the rapid development happening around. Skyscrapers are being built. Warehouses were pulling up. There were miners mining In some caves. Then they got to a checkpoint named Dikkorps port. There was no one there but the name and some tractors. They were about to drive him when a man in a blue helmet and an overall jacket called their names.
Sam stopped the car ready to open fire.
"It's me." The man said. There were specks of dust in the air and the sun shining through didn't make them see him.
"It's me." He ran towards them. Sam and Damien came down and were ready for anything.
"Who are you? You've got no name?" Damien shouted.
"It's me Alpha." The voice became clearer to them now.
"Oh, daddy," Elizabeth said. She jumped out of the car and ran toward him.
"Daddy!"
He looked tired and his face on the right side was bruised.
"Glad you are here. Guys, thank you."
"You are welcome, sir." They said.
"All of my pack went with them. Our kinds are frail sometimes."
They got back in the car and drove off.
***
On their way, Damien looked back at the old Alpha and said:
"Sir, how much more does he wants to buy?"
"I think as much as possible. He started with Witney's. She's his cousin."
"Wow," Sam said.
"But she's not in the Islands again. She's gone on a tour of the world. You know they are pretty rich."
"Yeah, " Damien said and Sam nodded.
"It's generational wealth. Those folks are older than most of us."
"I heard that too," Damien said.
"So they can do whatever they like. What's more surprising now is that my Beta, my brother, gave In to them. He sold the pack."
"Kelly!"
"Yes, him. I trusted him so much. He used that against me."
"It's fine, daddy. You'll be fine with us."
"Hmm, what we fear most is a new beginning when you somehow don't have anything to fall back on."
"You are right but you have us," Sam said and continued facing the road.
"John, we've successfully taken over the caverns in Smallsville. More workers will work there."
"Good. Hope all the purchases are in your name?"
"Yes, John. I worked as planned."
"That's good Maddie. Take care."
I'll come around when I am back."
John ended the call and went straight into his study. He was informed three minutes ago that Elvira is waiting for him. She wore a jade green dress and high heel shoes as If he were going to a party.
"What's the occasion," he peeked at her and smiled.
"Nothing much. Just trying out a new look."
"Oh, then you look more serious in this." He smiled again. "Your dad would have been proud of the kind of woman you are turning into. But you still need to learn the game of leadership. You can't lead a pack if you aren't strong. The largest pack Is you controlling the world. You know what that means?"
"Lots of decisions to make."
"You are right. Understanding how to do that is an art. You can't lead when you are too attached. You get that?"
"Yes."
"Good. I want you to work in my inner circles. You've not been there before. If you accept, you'll be exposed to the world. This thing is beyond a lone board or chess game."
"Of course, I accepted."
"Good. Now, what brought you here in the first place?" He took out a book from the shelf behind him and passed It to her. "Read this. It's on bio-wars in ancient antiquity. I'll ask you some questions later."
"Alright, sir."
"I sound serious today, right?" He chuckled.
"Yes, too serious."
"You came with that in here." He chuckled again.
"I wanted to discuss myself. I have been overwhelmed lately. With life. And everything."
"I know."
"How?"
"You stopped coming to the library. You stopped stopping by and once I took you home from the club. You were drunk."
"So, that was you?"
"Yeah, it was me." He said slowly.
"But it was Maddie I was with that day."
John smiled and said, "Sometimes I and Maddie are one."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"You'll understand soon. Just make sure you read the book and stick with what I said that day. I think they will help."
***
When she got back into her room, she started doubting and thinking about everything. She has been used to thinking about everything but now she went deeper.
'Did he know what I was doing behind him?'
'Did he know I planned to overthrow him after taking Smallsville?
'Did he know I used Andrea to trigger the missile?'
"I don't think so," she said to herself.
She went straight to bed and started thinking.
'What if Whitney could remember I triggered her?'
'Could she have told him?'
Her doorbell rang. She went there. It's a delivery man. She got the package. It was chicken and chips with grapes and berries. It was signed: John Dikkorp. Eat well, darling.
She dropped it on the table and broke down crying. It was torture to her, her thinking. She went into the kitchen and dropped the food there. She couldn't eat it because she was suffering.
Minutes later, John called her.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes," she said.
"Good. Drink enough water and go to sleep. Take care."
***
The next before going out, she called Maddie. Maddie had been away from Smallsville attending meetings with their partners. He was in the middle of a meeting when she called.
"Hello, Elvira. How have you been lately?"
"I have been fine. Just calling to say hello."
"Awesome! I have been away. Hope you are fine now?"
"Yeah, doing well."
"I'll call you back later." He said and hung up.
***
She sat there, at the table, thinking.
'Is he joking with me?'
She opened the book he gave her and ok the first, it reads: To Elvira, my little lilie. Signed John Dikkorp.
Sam was sharing a book with Elle in his office. He seemed anxious and wanted to say it out. He doesn't know how she will receive it a few days after knowing what her father did. or was early in the morning. He gave her the book and cleared his throat like he was going to call out soldiers to front a certain war. Even though Damien and Alpha already urged him to do it, he was still afraid. Then he closed his eyes and said her name.
"Ellena, I have been around you for a while. I have seen how great you are. I don't know if possible you'll like to be my girlfriend. I mean, I don't know. Never did this before."
She laughed at him and walked closer to him and said, "Sure, we can try that out. I'm fond of you too."
She kisses him on the lips and he kissed her back. It was like his head was going to blow away from the top. He has never kissed any girl before. His eyes brighten and they looked like they would fall out of those sockets.
"You are a good man, Sam and I love you."
Sam ran out afterwards dancing in the open space singing to a band that wasn't there knowing that he was going crazy.
Damien and Alpha saw him, they were coming back from hiking. Elle came out and walked past them after they greeted them. Sam was there shouting like he was drunk the night before.
"Man, what's with you," Alpha said. He has regained his speech and he's strongest now.
"Alpha, I have made it in life," Sam said laughing. Damien joined him. He already knew why he was dancing.
"You man just got himself a girlfriend," Damien said. Alpha laughed.
"Damn! You don't mean it," he said.
Sam jumped on the two of them and they all laughed together.
"We are happy for you, Sam." Both of them said. They shake hands and went into the fortress. The fortress is now growing into a conglomerate and getting stronger with more loyal werewolves and humans and Catherine is managing things well.
***
Elle went back into her room to call her father. She has been sending him messages after she was told he betrayed his brother. He told her it wasn't a betrayer but that Alpha signed them all into the Dikkorp's slavery and walked away as a spy.
"So, you mean the Alpha is here to spy on us?"
"Yes, that's what he's doing. I know you trust me. I have never lied to someone. We can't leave here and we can't call outside. I only managed to steal this one."
"Dad, I trust you. Should we come for you?"
"Don't. We are much here. If you want to save only me then it's not practical. Be careful around him and try not to say this to anyone."
"Alright, dad. I will see what I can do."
"Make sure you are fine."
***
She went back outside, Sam, her new boyfriend, is dining with Alpha Aiden and Damien. They looked really happy. Soon they called the poet boy who has became a resident to recite some poems for them. He did, some of his poems and those of others. He still wondered, how could Damien forget his old self. He couldn't even relate with him well.
After his recitation, he walked away and Sam stood up to stop him but he didn't answer.
"Damien," he said. "You know that boy, right?"
"Yeah. He's Christopher's grandson. I heard we recited poems together."
"Yeah, but I think he wants more than you are giving him now. What do you think, Alpha?"
"Damien, I think Sam is right," Alpha said.
Alpha Aiden knows he's not fully himself. The poison has cost him a lot. He now lacks that inner strength he used to have. It's like he's withdrawn from life.
"You guys, know I am still trying to reconnect with my past. Pushing him away is my way of healing. When I find that reconnection then I will indulge him."
"I hope you find it soon," Alpha said and smiled.
Damien looked at him. "What are you saying?"
"Man, I just hope you get what is lost back." He laughed harder now.
"But you know guys, let's be serious here," Alpha said. "For real I have been silent. You understand but what do we do about this Dikkorp thing? I have seen people leaving Smallsvile lately saying they are going there to work."
"Where there is money, there are people there. How much are people making here?" Damien said.
"Damien, " Sam said. "I think the Dikkorp thing is a chain. They are building soldiers and the main plan is to kill us and take over."
"Probably. "Alpha said. "We won the recent battle because we focused on winning. We have the right information too. But now, look at what they are building. I know Elvira Is part of it. "
"Sure," Sam added.
"But what do we do about it? That I'm trying to understand."
The old Alpha came out and joined them.
"Have this, sir." Sam passed him some juice. He took it from him and sat down beside Alpha.
"Sir, we are talking about what is happening. So, I think we need to do more. The Dikkorps shouldn't be allowed to take Smallsville. Alex Guero and Martha Stewart will not be happy if we allow them."
"Let's have a pack meeting soon," Damien said. "With that, we'll start making them see reasons in what we are saying afterwards."
"I support this but we still need to think about things."
"You are right, Sam." The old Alpha said. "More needs to be known. Also, I think it's good you learn from past occurrences. How conversant are you about the Dikkorp dynasty? That needs to be studied. I have some contacts. We could use them."
The next day, some spies were sent into the Dikkorps stronghold. They did this without informing Catherine. Alpha thought the work lately had been too much on her. He was right because that day, she couldn't go to the office.
The spies were caught and killed with their bodies returned to the streets of Smallsville.
They were shocked about it because these guys were among the best. How did they find them all out on the same day?
Quickly they gathered that night again to further discuss what they are going to do.
"You think she'll play it right?" Sam said to them.
"Yeah, she said she's good at faking things. We can use her."
The lady was one of the women that came with them and helped them fight Georgina and her pack.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I'll do it. I know the terrains well. And many of those people know me."
They were able to get a camera strapped to her but on getting there the inspectors went straight for her camera. They killed her and returned half of her body back to Smallsville.
It was becoming too real when the local news started covering the news of the spies but miseducating the masses. The miseducation was done by Damien. Sometimes some information is talking sensitively to be let out to the public.
***
"What are we doing wrong?" Alpha asked.
"Let's pinpoint that first."
"I don't think we need to send another spy. They might use it against us. And that will not be good for what we are trying to build.
"Alright, Sam," Alpha said.
"So let's give it sometimes. Let's see what comes up. I'll start getting some information too."
"Alright, let's try that and wait for what we have. Hope those bodies are with Sarah already?"
"Yeah," Sam said. "She got them today."
"Lastly, I think In our hastiness we've done more harm. Those guys volunteered because they trusted us." Alpha said and signed.
"Then this should remain a secret between us."
"That's it. Let's make sure It remains a secret. If the masses know we'll be blamed. We should keep our credibilities intact."
A month has gone since Elvira saw John Dikkorp. Though he continuously sent her food and cards. In one of the cards, John wrote: I have been busy and out of the Islands. I will see you when I returned.
She was still depressed though she managed to finish the book. She wrote a review and sent it to him. He wrote to her back telling her now she's ready to be in his inner circle. She wondered If his inner circle is more than what she already knew about him and his businesses. Well, she longed to see it all.
She looked at herself, she has outgrown a lot of things. Her mind is wider than it used to be and now she knows her level of diplomacy will baffle others who knew her to be the crazy and arrogant one.
She knew she has learned so much under the tutelage of John and watched him plan things and get them down. She watched him successfully run down his cousin. She watched him successfully killed Alex and Martha and those Scientists in Fifth Alley that are working indirectly with Alex. Now they have bought about 25% of Smallsville's wasteland.
"Strategy is a game." He told her. "You have to be ready to delay gratification and play long term. If you mess it up to form the middle you might want to start again. Those little packs of werewolves know nothing."
A day after the long lecture. He asked her. "Hope you are ready for the long term game? It's rough but beneficial. You don't have to look back. Empathy is great but might be your enemy. Don't get attached. Now, look at the damn packs out there. Look at those stupid Alphas, what do you think about them? Can they stand the Alpha that I have turned into? I have been here longer than most of these people. We understand the foundation of the packs. I'm building a pack larger than anyone in history."
For the first time she came to Bartök she decided to go to the grocery store. She has seen one closer to her house. They sell lots of things she wanted. She entered and the lady selling smiled at her.
"You are new here. You are welcome."
"Thank you!" Elvira said.
"You can make use of the free coupons over there. We reserved them for new customers." The lady said, smiling. She looks younger than her and her eyes are larger.
She picked up the coupons and strolled in the store for about twenty minutes. When she came out she only has four diaries, a pumpkin and two sausages.
"Are you sure that's all you need? The lady said.
"Yeah, for now, that's all. I will come around some other time."
"Thank you!"