uncers 186

Chapter 186 

Elder Gerald was already seated in Marcus’s living room when Marcus descended the stairs. Gerald glanced up at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

“You’re here,” Marcus said. 

Gerald nodded. “Of course. I didn’t quite understand what you were saying on the phone. So, I decided to drop by.” he said, keeping his tone neutral, though a trace of curiosity came out in 

his words. 

Marcus leaned casually against the banister for a moment before stepping fully into the room. “I wanted to know more about someone who calls himself Patrick,” he said simply, his voice confident. “Alpha of North Ridge.” 

Gerald raised an eyebrow. The name was familiar, of course…but what startled him was how it had suddenly come to Marcus’s attention. Still, he was wise enough not to press the young man too hard or demand he repeat himself. Instead, he leaned back slightly and said, ” Patrick… yes, I know him. One of the more unpredictable alphas out there. He presents as measured, even slow, reasonable, but don’t be fooled. Unpredictable is the word. I sometimes wonder if he’s… unstable, in a manner of speaking.” 

Marcus’s interest was piqued, and Gerald continued, carefully pacing his words. “He’s a sharp businessman, though…capable…and I’ve met him a few times in Blood Crescent. North Ridge has always been one of Blood Crescent’s closer allies. The alliance goes back generations-Alexander’s grandfather, Patrick’s grandfather-it has persisted since. That’s why I know him, why I trust the intelligence on his movements.” 

Marcus hummed softly, leaning on the back of a chair. “Interesting,” he said. His tone held a certain detached curiosity, but it was deliberate. He liked to appear nonchalant, even when processing critical information. 

Gerald hesitated, a flicker of caution in his eyes. “Why… why do you want to know about Patrick?” he asked carefully, as if weighing whether the question might trigger a reaction he wasn’t prepared for. 

Marcus’s smirk returned, more pronounced this time, almost amused by Gerald’s wariness. Patrick came to meet me,” he said casually. “At the club.” 

“1 

Gerald’s eyebrows lifted. “At the club?” 

“Yes.” Marcus’s confidence didn’t waver. “He offered to help me destroy Alexander. It’s suspicious, don’t you think?” 

Gerald’s breath hitched slightly. He paused, choosing his next words carefully. “And… why do you think so?” he asked slowly. 

Marcus’s smirk shifted. “Now I’m wondering what game Patrick is playing,” he said. “If he’s allied with Alexander, why would he move against him like that? What does that make him? Untrustworthy.” 

Gerald considered this, rubbing a hand over his chin. “I told you, Marcus. Patrick is 

unpredictable-unstable most times. He has his reasons, and sometimes those reasons are beyond comprehension. It’s possible he switched on Alexander for reasons of his own. That 

could be advantageous for you.” 

Marcus scoffed. “I turned him down.” 

Gerald blinked slowly, unable to mask his surprise. “You… turned him down?” 

” 

“Yes.” Marcus said it casually, as though denying Patrick’s offer were nothing serious. Patrick might know Alexander’s strengths, his weaknesses. He knows Blood Crescent better than I do. And yet… he came to me. He was desperate enough to seek me out. That says a lot.” 

Gerald’s eyebrows knit together. “But Patrick… he knows what he’s doing. And you’re still a stranger to these lands, despite being a Blackwell. The power he brings-he knows the territory, the politics, the risks. Turning him down could be unwise.” 

Marcus shrugged, unfazed. “Desperate men do desperate things, Gerald. For him to be this desperate… it seems to me he needs me more than I need him. That’s what I find… interesting.” 

Gerald leaned forward slightly, his voice careful. “You’re seeing it from the wrong side, Marcus. It doesn’t matter why Patrick came, or what he stands to gain. What matters is this -both of you need each other to achieve the same goal. That’s what matters. And while you’re still struggling to gain alliances from Blood Crescent, someone like Patrick… someone with knowledge, power, and reach… giving him a chance might not be foolish.” 

Marcus leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t need Patrick,” he said plainly. “I can handle Alexander myself. The way I see it, Patrick’s desperation only proves my strength. It proves he’s vulnerable, willing to bend to my terms, willing to offer assistance out of fear of what Alexander could do to him. That’s not what I’m looking for.” 

Gerald exhaled, a mixture of frustration and caution threading his tone. “I understand your confidence, Marcus, I really do. But pride can blind you. Patrick can be resourceful. You may be stronger than him, yes, but the game isn’t just about strength-it’s about resources, knowledge, and timing. You’ve yet to secure any real alliances from Blood Crescent. Do you 

honestly think you can do this alone?” 

Marcus scoffed again. “Gerald, I’ve been struggling to gain alliances from Blood Crescent because I have yet to prove myself to them. You know why? Because you are useless. That’s why. You’ve done nothing to convince them I’m worth following. And yet, I’m here-alive, powerful, and capable. I don’t need your warnings, your cautions, or your advice. I need 

results.” 

Gerald blinked, taken aback, but quickly masked his surprise. He swallowed carefully and lowered his tone, a mix of respect and deference in his voice. “Marcus… you are correct. I admit, I have not been the ally you needed. I’ve… failed in some regards. But I can do better. I will do better. I can ensure that you receive the alliances you need. Patrick or no Patrick, I will not stand in your way. My loyalty, my efforts, are yours. You have only to direct me.” 

Marcus’s expression softened just slightly. “Promises,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “We’ll see if they hold, Gerald. We’ll see.” 

Gerald inclined his head, swallowing hard to keep his composure. “They will hold, Marcus. I will see to it personally.” 

Marcus straightened, leaning on the armrest of the sofa, his eyes trained on Gerald. “Good. Because there’s no room for failure. Not anymore. I don’t want to have to show you what I do to people who fail me.” 

Gerald nodded carefully, not daring to interrupt, though every fiber of him was brimming with thoughts he wanted to voice. Instead, he offered what he could-his loyalty and his promise to help. Marcus had made it clear: the game was his alone to control, and Gerald’s role was to assist, to follow. 

Marcus leaned back, studying Gerald for a long moment, as if measuring the man’s sincerity. “Tell me, Gerald,” he said finally, his voice calm, “do you truly understand the situation we’re in? You’re asking me to work with someone who’s unpredictable… you said it yourself. I don’t think you know your duty.” 

“I do,” Gerald said quietly. “Completely.” 

“Good.” Marcus let his gaze sweep over him again. “Because I am done wasting time on those who cannot follow. Alexander will not stop me. Blood Crescent will bend to my will. I am the rightful heir, and I intend to claim my position fully. Every move I make… every alliance I choose… it will be on my terms.” 

Gerald swallowed, nodding. “Understood, Marcus.” 

Marcus allowed himself a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes but suggested approval. “Good. Then you know your role. You will ensure that the alliances I have yet to 

gain will come to me. Patrick is a consideration, yes, but not a necessity.” 

Gerald inclined his head again, carefully keeping his tone humble. “I will do whatever it takes, Marcus. You will have your alliances. I promise.” 

Marcus’s gaze relaxed. “See that I do. I will hold you to it.” 

Gerald allowed himself a small sense of relief. He had survived this meeting, kept his wits about him, and pledged his loyalty in a way that ensured Marcus saw him as useful, necessary, and above all, compliant.. 

Marcus sat back, letting his thoughts drift briefly. Patrick’s desperation, his knowledge, his unpredictability-it was all something to consider. Yet Marcus knew one thing with absolute certainty: he did not need Patrick to claim what was rightfully his. Patrick could be useful, yes. He could provide leverage, information, and perhaps the edge needed against Alexander. But Marcus could do without him. 

“1 

Marcus rose, stretching lightly, the faintest sign of amusement flashing across his face. Remember what I said,” he murmured. “I will hold you to it. No more excuses, no failures. Do you understand?” 

Gerald bowed slightly, a calculated gesture of respect and submission. “Yes, Marcus. I understand fully. You have my word,” Gerald said sharply. He watched Marcus walk toward the stairs before he could let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.