Chapter 33 Chapter 33 The Eastside port stinks of salt , diesel and wolf . F : A 74 55 vouchers There are at least a dozen Blackwood enforcers guarding the parking lot alone . It's not difficult to tell the security detail is watertight . As it should be . The Eastside Port is a major source of revenue to the pack . Even with Blackwood Co facing a crisis , the pack is unaffected precisely because of this . All highly classified goods of the werewolf society , particularly those regulated by the werewolf committee enter and exit Thorneville through the Eastside Port . Since my Granddad monopolized the port , every pack and independent business within Thorneville and its environs have to go through the Blackwood Port Security before getting their goods into the city . Which means Blackwood basically regulates everything that's circulating in the shifter trade industries . As I get out of the car , I can already sense that I'm being watched . Most of the Blackwood Port Security are men I grew up with and trained with . They must already be expecting me . No one stops us as Blake and I make our way to the bar first . The Eastside bar doubles as a conspicuous hideout and I know that's where he will be . We pass a few Blackwood wolves as we walk to the bar . More than a few glares are thrown my way , but they don't dare walk up to me or block my path . Once , these men looked up to me as their soon to be Alpha , but now Cameron has already poisoned their hearts . All I am now is an outcast and a rogue . Someone to be hated and scorned . Even if I've been allowed back into Thorneville , most of the pack are still unwilling to accept my return . Not like they have any say in it . It doesn't take too long to get to the bar . The doorbell dings as we step through . The bar welcomes me with a familiar warmth . My eyes scan the space slowly . Not much has changed since the last time I was here . It's been almost a decade too . I'd long lost access to all Blackwood businesses , even places like Eastside Port that's completely outside of the Blackwood Corporation . From the moment I walk in , the atmosphere becomes tense and wary . The patrons throw curious glances my way . One of the patrons gets off his seat at the bar and walks over to us . " What do you want ? " He demands in a gruff tone . My brows furrow slightly and I take a step forward , watching him with a relaxed expression . It doesn't take too long before he whimpers and bares his neck . 18:46 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 33 I was born and raised Alpha And I still am one , even if not within my birth pack . No one speaks to me that way . No one . " Where's Vincent ? ' I demand , my tone tight . 201 55 esuchers The man hesitates , attempting to resist my Alpha command but he unsurprisingly fails . In his office , around back " He spits out with a gasp . Brushing past him , I make my way to the office behind the bar . There are two Blackwood wolves guarding it and they must have seen the look in my eyes or heard from their colleague from a moment ago because they stepped aside without a word . I reach for the knob and shove the door open without knocking . The office is small and simple but efficient . Seating behind the desk is Vincent , Cameron's third in command and the man in charge of Eastside Port . Unlike Cameron's Beta Josh , Vincent doesn't work with Blackwood Co. He'd chosen to operate Blackwood's outside businesses like the port . He's always been a carefree soul , not suited to the corporate world . I know this because Vincent was my best friend , and was supposed to be my Beta . " Kael " His tone is cold and stiff as his gaze settles on me . He doesn't stand to acknowledge me or lower his head as he should , he just stares blankly before gesturing to the seat across from him . Once , his dismissive regard would have cut me deeply . But after so long , I've grown used to it . I know what the Blackwood Pack thinks of me , A murderer ... a cold blooded killer . And if I was in their shoes , I would probably think the same . After all , who could doubt Cameron's testimony with his honest and responsible facade ? But now that I'm back , I'll tear down his pretentious layers . Tear down his lies so everyone can see the truth for themselves . I'll make them regret ever banishing me or disregarding me as Alpha . I take a seat and Blake stays standing a few paces away from the door , but not too close that Vincent feels threatened . I'm not here to threaten him ...yet . What he says from now on will determine if that changes . " Aren't you going to greet me properly after a long time of not seeing me ? " I ask Vincent in a blank tone . I know why you're here Vincent goes straight to the point , pushing aside the file he had been working on He pulls out a file and passes it to me across the table . I'm sure you've been informed that your vessels are under suspicion of rogue activity . We've started our investigations in coordination with the city police department , and while they Last , your vessels can't dock at 18:46 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 33 the Eastside port . " 55 vouchers " This . " He points to the file . " Contains the registered details of the rogues under your management . As long as these details correspond with the rogues on that vessel , you have nothing to be worried about ." He says simply . But the reality is not as simple as he's making it sound . " That record dates back to three years ago . What you're saying is that if anyone new has come under my employment in the past three years , you'll tag them suspicious and seize my goods ? " I lean back into the chair . " Are those your words ? Or Cameron's ? " Vincent's brows twitch in annoyance but he doesn't take the bait . Instead , he says , " I'm just going by the books , Kael . I don't expect it to make everyone happy ." " But I'm not here to keep you happy . If you're looking for that , you should consider visiting your therapist . " " Rogue activity on a vessel controlled by a rogue business ? Is that supposed to be suspicious ? " Blake hisses from behind me . A small smile stretches my lips . It's more of a snarl than a smile . " Those vessels carry precious cargo that the Blackwood Corporation is in dire need of . You preventing them from docking is not doing your pack and the company any good ." Vincent smiles back . " If suspicious activity is confirmed , the goods will be impounded . " I'm not surprised . It's so much like Cameron to want to eat his cake and have it . After agreeing to the compensation Mystic Inc is entitled for this shipment in the boardroom , he's trying to seize the shipment through illegal means without having to keep his end of the bargain . But I'm not sure when they'll learn that I'm not an easy man to deal with . Blackwood Pack may have their way with every other pack , oppressing and enforcing their will ... but not me . " Blake , my phone . " I say , my eyes fixed on Vincent . Blake hands me my phone and I dial a number , bringing it up to my ears . And as I speak , my tone is cold and chilly . " Sink the goods ." AD