Tony had taken ownership of the land that had been in our family for generations, and the weight of my secret agreement with Alpha Cosmos hung heavily over me. I watched as the fields that held our history were now in the hands of another, and I couldn't escape the feeling of betrayal that clung to me like a shadow.

Tony has been doing very well since he took over the land and the facility on it. He was also a very good blacksmith. My father taught him well. I have visited the factory more now with Tony there. He was my friend and the sale of the place to him made us very close.

A few days passed and no word from Alpha Cosmos yet. I could not help but worry about his reaction to the news of the land's sale. I knew he had been content with our agreement, believing that he would eventually take ownership because he was mated to me and would eventually marry me.

But he had no idea that the deal had already been sealed with Tony. My heart ached for the inevitable clash that would ensue. I was glad that I got one back for my Dad. Alpha Cosmos had been wicked to the family that practically trained him.

It was a crisp evening when the news reached my family. Alpha Cosmos had learned of the land transfer, and he was furious. He had arrived at Tony's place with a group of his most loyal pack members, demanding that Tony reverse the deal. 

I watched from a distance as their voices grew louder, and it was clear that 

Tony was unwilling to yield. He had purchased the land with everything he had, and he wasn't about to give it up without a fight.

I thought of running to my Dad to tell him about what was going on, but for some reasons known to my legs only, they refused to move.

Cosmos's temper flared, and in a fit of anger, he ordered his men to capture me and bring me to him. I had been prepared for this moment, and I knew that confronting Cosmos about my secret agreement with him would be the ultimate test of our pact.

The confrontation with Alpha Cosmos was intense. He accused me of betrayal, of going back on my promise to him. I stood my ground, explaining that the sale of the land had already been completed by Tony. I saw the rage in his eyes, a mixture of anger and betrayal, and for a moment, I feared for my safety.

“Do you know what you are telling me, Mandaline?” The raging Alpha Cosmos asked me.

“My father has sold the land? What do you want me to do? stop him!”  I yelled back.

“Yes! You do that, you do that to show loyalty to your mate, who is the Alpha of your pack,” he shouted at me.

We exchanged heated words, our voices echoing in the chambers. The tension was palpable, and it was clear that our alliance was on the brink of collapse. 

Cosmos's anger flared, and it was clear that he was not willing to accept the reality of the situation. He questioned my loyalty, my commitment to him, and the bond we had forged.

I had to tell Alpha Cosmos that my loyalty to my family and the pack came first, and I couldn't reverse the land transfer. The promise I had made to him was a secret I had kept from my family, and it was one that now threatened to tear our pack apart.

Cosmos's anger turned to disappointment, and he accused me of breaking my word. I felt a deep sense of regret, knowing that our relationship had suffered irreparable damage. 

“You have caused a war amongst the pack, young lady, with this singular action,” Alpha Cosmos said.

I felt like telling him that he was the one who had been creating divisions and strife among the pack, but I held my cool.

“You are my mate and my intention was clear, but my father did not know of our secret pact when he sold the land. There is nothing I can do and you know that 

Alpha Cosmos,” I said, trying to explain the difficult situation I found myself in.

On the other hand, I was very happy that he was angry and pained. What he has been doing to others and my Dad, I have done just a bit of that to him. He should expect more. I am coming for him.

Returning home, I hoped for some solace, some respite from the turmoil that had engulfed our lives. However, what I found was far from comforting. As I entered our house, I was met with a sight that sent shivers down my spine.

A stranger, battered and bruised, was sitting on the floor, his face contorted in pain. My father stood beside him, his expression a mixture of concern and anger. I rushed forward, my heart pounding, and knelt beside the injured man.

"Dad, what happened?" I asked, my voice trembling with worry.

My father's gaze met mine, and he explained, "Mandaline, this is a man who was attacked by Alpha Cosmos's men. They beat him within an inch of his life."

The stranger groaned in pain, and I could see the extent of his injuries. It was a brutal and savage attack, and it filled me with rage and sorrow.

I turned to my mother, who had been tending to the stranger's wounds. "Mom, please, we have to help him. He needs medical attention." I said.

My mother nodded and continued to provide what care she could. The situation was dire, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was the price we were paying for the choices I had made.

As the stranger was finally stabilized, I left the house and went looking for Kent. He had been missing and I needed his guidance. I found him at the Town Square and we went somewhere private where we could talk.

"Kent," I began, my voice filled with frustration and sorrow, "this is all my fault. Alpha Cosmos's anger over the land transfer led to this brutal attack. I never should have made that secret agreement with him," I said.

Kent's expression was somber, but he spoke with understanding. 

“Mandaline, we all make choices that we believe are for the best. We can't change the past, but we can learn from it and work to find a solution. But you know this is not even a mistake, you just don’t have the heart to follow it through", Kent said.

I nodded, grateful for Kent's support. "We need to find a way to address this situation, to ensure the safety of my pack and make amends for the choices I've made. I need a follow-up plan." I said, feeling quite relieved.

"You will have to report Alpha Cosmos's actions to Gerald, your father. He should know what has transpired." Kent said, as his eyes sparkled with determination. 

We returned to the house to join my parents and the injured stranger. It was clear that the situation had grown far more complex and dangerous than I could have imagined. The choices I had made in secret had ignited a conflict that threatened to tear our pack apart.

Some members of the Pack were in support of Tony and Dad. Alpha Cosmos had been secretly meeting other pack members to tell them that my father had agreed to sell the land to him.

The next day, Tony arrived to report Alpha Cosmos's actions to my father. My father listened with a mix of shock and anger as Tony described the brutal attack on the stranger and the threats Cosmos had made. 

It was clear that Alpha Cosmos was determined to regain control over the land, and he was willing to resort to violence to achieve his goals.

Dad’s expression grew darker with each detail he heard, and he couldn't hide his frustration. "This is unacceptable. Mandaline, why did you make a deal with Alpha Cosmos without my knowledge?"

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my secret agreement bearing down on me. "I thought it would secure our future, Dad. I didn't want to burden you with the decision."

Gerald's gaze was unwavering as he responded, "Mandaline, our family makes decisions together. Secrets and agreements made in the shadows only lead to conflict and misunderstanding." said my father.

Tony interjected, "Gerald, I tried to reason with Cosmos, but he refused to accept the land transfer. He wants it back at any cost."

It was never his in the first place. How can he want back something he never had,” Dad said.