Chapter Eight : Deal

Caspian parked his car in front of one of the most luxurious buildings in the city. He took off his glasses, staring at the luminous name on top of the building. "Black Moon," Caspian mumbled the name, shining brightly. His eyes turned to his sides by the numerous camera flushes. Security was already toiling to control the reporters. The news of the assembly between the two most successful companies had already spread around the state. Caspian ignored the cameras and headed to the building after a few higher-ranked officials welcomed and escorted him inside. The glamorous building from the outside appeared gloomy and dull inside since there was no other color except white and black. The entire pack was mourning the shocking death of their pack leader. A week ago, the unexpected death of the CEO and alpha leader of the Black Moon company and the Black-snakes pack had left the world confounded. However, the white wolves found it skeptical. "How come an alpha lord dies so abruptly?" That's what the white wolves had thought. Caspian believed the black snakes had been scheming something by feigning the alpha lord's death. Caspian took the lift and reached the highest floor of the building. As Caspian entered the massive hall, he could hear the gulps of the guests. The enormous alpha aura he had been radiating was impossible to overlook. However, the employees were stunned by his appearance. Caspian, his entire life, had groomed himself to look like a dangerous mafia leader. Yet, people would get caught up in his beauty. Caspian would often receive offers for being an actor from companies like Corner Pros and modeling proposals from multiple luxury brands. Caspian took his assigned place, staring at the employees of the Black Moon. Shortly, the new CEO and the current alpha of their pack entered. Caspian turned, getting baffled by the appearance of the new alpha lord of the black snakes. It was hard to acknowledge that the phenomenally gorgeous lady barely in her early twenties was the pack leader. Aphrodite was only twenty-three, only two years younger than Caspian, wearing the title of the youngest CEO in the world. Though Aphrodite had already passed her teenage years, her youthful charm would deceive everyone into assuming she was underaged. However, Caspian's eyes narrowed as Aphrodite smiled at him innocently, capturing everyone's heart in the room with her beauty. "Welcome to the Black Moon. It's been long, Caspian,'' Aphrodite said. The coral pink, glossy lip tint on her plumped lips matched her ebony eyes, providing a dreamy aura to her face. The raspberry wrap dress had made her tall, slender legs more noticeable as she walked with her silky, black hair loose with a knotted headband on top. Aphrodite took her assigned place. Caspian couldn't deny Aphrodite was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women he had seen. Nevertheless, Caspian was aware that Aphrodite's beauty was only a shell. She was always one of the most fierce wolves in their pack and, indeed, a rare alpha female. The massive chair of the CEO was a bit odd for Aphrodite as she looked like a teenage girl enjoying an outdoor picnic with her friends. Aphrodite didn't appear mourning as she was the only colorful entity among the shades of black and white. The assembly began shortly. Caspian couldn't shove away the uneasiness since he had met Aphrodite. He scrutinized her every movement as she was naturally flowing with the surroundings. There was nothing skeptical about her as Aphrodite was capable of running the company. "So, what brings the next CEO of the White Wolves here?" Aphrodite asked, smiling brightly at Caspian. "I can assume you are already aware of our loss. As the new CEO, I am still learning a lot. I am grateful that the White Wolves has chosen to do a business deal with us in such a tough time," Aphrodite said, wearing a gloomy expression. "Your men blasted one of our factories. Are you going to pretend the black snakes have no affiliation with it?" Caspian asked indifferently. The employees stared at each other, getting perplexed. Aphrodite's face turned dark. She asked her assistant to get most of the employees out of the room. "Are you out of your mind?" Aphrodite coldly asked as Caspian leaned back on the chair, crossing his legs. There were barely more than ten people in the room. "This is my office, not our pack house. How can you talk about such stuff in front of humans? What if they leaked the conversation?" Aphrodite asked, thumping on the table and leaning close to Caspian. Caspian glanced out of the window aimlessly and said, "In the past week, your men tried to invade our port and blasted one of our factories." He got up from the chair and calmly said, "Since you are already the pack leader, we can believe that your father passed away. Hence, in this unstable condition of your pack, I suggest you do not involve your pack with the white wolves." A thin line of a smirk appeared on Aphrodite's face. "In the past week, I lost my father. My pack is still vulnerable. It's strange to think that the current alpha lord of your pack is not even your father, yet you are ready to sacrifice your life for him. And you believe I have the zeal to attack your pack when my father was on his casket?" Aphrodite asked. "Are you implying the black snakes had nothing to do with the attacks?" Caspian asked skeptically. "Affirmative," Aphrodite said. Caspian's gaze tried to pierce through Aphrodite. Caspian was aware that the woman could be lying. However, the attacks were just a warning. A warning for what? Caspian wondered. "Caspian," Aphrodite called him, breaking the chain of his thoughts. "How about we make a deal?" she asked, staring at Caspian seductively. "Deal?" Caspian questioned. "Undoubtedly, our packs are the strongest ones out there. And though my father is no more, I can presume that the white wolves are not naive enough to consider us less of a threat. That explains why the alpha lord has sent you here today. Instead of throwing mud at each other, why don't we become allies?'' Aphrodite asked, leaning on the table. Caspian was unprepared for the unexpected proposition. He didn't think Aphrodite would ever think about allying with the white wolves. "What kind of deal will it be? Our companies are rivals in the human world. How are you going to make this work?" Caspian asked. Aphrodite suddenly broke into laughter. "Aren't you really naive, Caspian?" Aphrodite asked, lightly touching the corner of her eyes with her fingers. "Let's get married," Aphrodite said, putting on a straight face. Caspian was puzzled by her words. He couldn't fathom if Aphrodite was teasing him. "I have not asked for this appointment to fool around, Aphrodite," Caspian said calmly. "Do I look like I am fooling around?" Aphrodite questioned. "You have said this yourself. We are rivals for humans. The only way to make this deal work out is by linking us together," Aphrodite said. "You can't be serious about this," Caspian said. "After everything happened between us-" "Of course I am," Caspian couldn't finish his words as Aphrodite cut his speech. "I don't care about the past. If you don't want your people to fight unnecessarily, think about this," Aphrodite said. Caspian exhaled deeply. Aphrodite's words rang foreign to his ears. Once Caspian was the one to utter those words. Caspian couldn't deny it. There was a time Caspian would die for these words. Once, he longed for Aphrodite. However, Aphrodite was indifferent at that time. Nothing touched her. No matter how much Caspian endeavored, his affection didn't reach her. "I can not give you an answer right now," Caspian said calmly. The situation was different then. Aphrodite's words did not touch Caspian's soul. Or perhaps he had become numb. "I need to ask my alpha before giving you any answer. Whether the deal will happen or not, it depends on my Master's words," Caspian said. "Do you think I am not aware of it?" Aphrodite asked, smiling brightly at Caspian, sitting on top of the table. She shoved a strawberry that was prepared earlier for the guests into her mouth and said, "You have a week to provide me with an answer. Of course, a positive one." Caspian did not respond to her. He was about to leave when Aphrodite said, "I have heard of the return of your Master's granddaughter. I'm really looking forward to meeting her. Hope, this does not weigh you more than you can bear." Caspian did not turn as he came out of the building, riding his Lamborghini back to his mansion.