Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Chapter 95

Lucien was halfway through reviewing the final security arrangements when his Beta appeared at the door, looking like he’d brought the worst news at the worst time.

"Alpha. There’s been a complication with the border patrol reports. The council heads need your signature before the hour’s out, and three disputes require your direct ruling before the Gathering can proceed without incident."

"What? Of all the times this could happen, it’s now!" He grunted, rubbing his forehead. He hadn’t had a chance to sleep yet—not for the past two days. The Gathering had to go well. More than well.

"How long?" he asked finally.

"An hour, perhaps longer," Marcus replied.

Lucien glanced at the clock. Wonderful. Of all the evenings for the council to discover a problem that required his immediate attention, it had to be tonight.

"Has Alpha Nathan arrived?" he asked, and the Beta nodded.

"He has, Alpha. His carriage arrived approximately fifteen minutes ago. The delegation from Frostvale is also here, along with the representatives from three of the eastern territories."

Alpha Nathan of the Netherreach pack was not a man who enjoyed being kept waiting. He controlled some of the most profitable mineral deposits in the northern territories, held shares in several major trading companies, and had enough wealth to make even Lucien want him in the First Houses.

More importantly, Nathan had remained outside the First Houses for years, despite repeated invitations to discuss membership.

Lucien wanted him inside.

Nathan’s investments would strengthen the existing members, while his resources and influence would bring considerable stability to the eastern trade routes. Several Alphas had already expressed interest in partnering with him, and his admission could open opportunities that had remained out of reach for smaller packs.

It was precisely the sort of alliance the First Houses needed.

Which meant Lucien could not afford to mishandle the man’s arrival.

"I’ll be an hour behind, perhaps more." Lucien pulled his coat from its hook, already moving toward the door with the council heads. "Tell Alpha Nathan I’ll be approximately an hour late. Apologize on my behalf and assure him that I will speak with him personally as soon as I arrive."

He paused in his steps. "Make certain Alpha Nathan is treated as the guest of honor he is. Wine, conversation, introductions to anyone worth his time. I want him comfortable, not wondering why his host hasn’t bothered to appear."

"Understood, Alpha."

"And keep him away from anyone likely to embarrass this house in my absence." Lucien’s jaw tightened slightly. "I don’t trust half the Alphas on tonight’s list to behave themselves without supervision."

---

Kael had never seen so many wealthy Alphas gathered in one place.

Jewels that could fund Silver Creek’s recovery twice over glittered from throats and wrists throughout the hall. Alphas who controlled entire trade networks stood in clusters. The First Houses gathering was truly a sight to behold.

Kael stood by the entrance, and by his side was Sophia, her eyes wide as they scanned the hall. The wealth it screamed was something she’d never thought possible. Yet, entering here, she knew she couldn’t allow her life to remain the same.

She leaned closer to Kael. "We have to make the best of this, my Alpha. You have to."

Kael glanced at her. "I know that."

"Then you need to act like it." Sophia lowered her voice, her eyes moving across the hall. "Look around you. These people have enough money to keep Silver Creek running for years. We cannot afford to leave here empty-handed."

He disliked being reminded of what he already knew, but he couldn’t deny the truth in her words.

Silver Creek needed money. It needed the kind of backing that would convince other Alphas that investing in the pack wasn’t a waste of resources.

He had spent the past two weeks trying to repair the damage to his trading guild. Every conversation with a former business partner had ended with polite excuses, delayed decisions, or outright refusals. And even though his Beta, Callum, had helped with some investors, it wasn’t enough. It couldn’t cover up his problems.

But tonight, he had the chance to change it all.

His gaze swept across the room until it landed on a group of Alphas gathered.

One man stood at the center of the group, listening as another Alpha spoke. He was tall, with broad shoulders. His dark formal coat bore the crest of the Netherreach Pack.

Alpha Nathan.

Kael straightened. He knew the man’s reputation. Netherreach controlled some of the richest mineral deposits in the northern territories, and Nathan’s investments extended far beyond his own borders. His trading companies had survived economic downturns that had ruined older businesses, and several smaller packs owed their continued prosperity to his financial backing.

If Kael could persuade Nathan to invest in Silver Creek, it would change everything.

The debts could be settled. The trading guild could be rebuilt. His pack would have the resources to recover before the other Alphas began treating its weakness as an opportunity to take what remained.

Perhaps he could even persuade Nathan to support his reinstatement among the First Houses.

The thought alone made his pulse quicken.

"There." He caught Sophia’s wrist, nodding toward the cluster. "Alpha Nathan. This is our chance."

"Nathan?" Sophia’s eyes widened further, slight panic in her eyes. "The Netherreach Alpha?"

"The very one." Kael was already moving, steering her through the crowd.

As they approached the group, Kael put on his most confident smile. He would not mention Silver Creek’s difficulties. There was no reason to begin a business conversation by advertising his weaknesses.

Nathan was speaking to two Alphas when Kael reached them.

"Alpha Nathan." He called, his hand stretched out.

The man turned, brows raised. "Yes?"

"Alpha Kael of Silver Creek." He extended his hand. "And this is my wife, Sophia."

Nathan glanced at Kael’s outstretched hand before accepting it.

"Silver Creek," he repeated. "I’ve heard of your pack."

Kael’s smile widened slightly. "Then I hope you’ve heard of our trading guild as well. We’ve established several profitable routes throughout the southern territories, and I’m currently exploring opportunities to expand our operations."

"Forgive me, Alpha Kael." Nathan’s attention had already begun drifting past him. "I make it a rule not to discuss business before the formal portion of the evening. Too easy to say things one regrets after a glass of wine."

"Of course." Kael forced a smile, though something tight had already begun coiling in his chest. "Perhaps later, then."

Kael stepped aside, concealing his disappointment behind a polite smile.

He could wait. If Nathan preferred to discuss business after the formal proceedings, then Kael would simply have to ensure he remained on the man’s mind until then. There were other Alphas to greet, other potential investors to approach, and enough wealth in this hall to keep Silver Creek afloat if he played his cards correctly.

He turned to Sophia. "We’ll speak to him again later."

They had barely moved away when another group approached Nathan, effectively cutting off any possibility of continuing the conversation.

Kael suppressed a curse. Then he saw someone approaching from the opposite side of the hall.

Alpha Soren of Ashbourne. Kael recognized him immediately, though he had never had much reason to interact with him. Soren had inherited his father’s position recently, and while Ashbourne was a respectable pack, Kael had never considered him a significant threat.

Until he noticed the woman walking beside him.

His steps faltered. For a moment, he wondered if exhaustion had finally begun affecting his judgment.

But no.

There she was. Evelyn, dressed in a striking red gown, her brown hair arranged elegantly. Soren next to her, his hand on her lower back.

Kael’s hands tightened into fists. What was she doing here?

She wasn’t a member of the First Houses. She had no position that entitled her to attend, and he could hardly imagine Lucien extending a personal invitation after everything that had happened.

Unless Soren had brought her.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Evelyn had barely been away from Silver Creek for a few months, and already she was appearing beside another Alpha at one of the most prestigious gatherings in the realm.

First Damon. Then Adrian. Now Soren.

How many men did she intend to involve herself with?

"Kael?" Sophia called, but he barely heard her.

Evelyn had reached Nathan, and the man who had barely spared Kael a few seconds of polite attention was now looking at her with unmistakable interest.

Absolutely not. Kael wasn’t having that. Evelyn wasn’t going to take this opportunity from him.