Chapter 5
“Alpha Aidan, you must be ex-
hausted from the flight. Please,
have some coffee–we had it
made just for you.”
“Alpha King, I’m with the Golden
Crescent Pack. It’s truly an
honor to have your support.”
“Alpha Aidan, this is a little
something from our jewelry
store for your Luna. We hope
you’ll accept it.”
The annud anddanly closed in
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made just for you.”
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“Alpha King, I’m with the Golden
Crescent Pack. It’s truly an
honor to have your support.
“Alpha Aidan, this is a little
something from our jewelry
store for your Luna. We hope
you’ll accept it.”
The crowd suddenly closed in
around Aidan, everyone eager
to flatter him, falling over
themselves to leave a good
impression.
But Aidan barely seemed
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distant, automatic–a low,
disinterested “Mm” at most.
His eyes swept the room,
scanning like a hunter on the
prowl. He was clearly looking
for something. Or someone.
Then Lucas stepped forward, nearly bowing as he ap-
proached, tension radiating
from him.
“Alpha Aidan, I’m Lucas from the Golden Crescent Pack,” he said, voice tight with urgency. “We’re genuinely hoping to form
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an alliance with Silvermoon
Crest.”
“I stayed up all night working
on this proposal. I’d be honored
if you’d take a look,” he added,
stepping closer, eyes burning with hope.
I tried to rise, legs shaking
beneath me. I reached out-
toward Aidan–desperate for his
attention.
But Emily’s hand slammed
down on my shoulder, shoving me back into place.
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Chapter 5
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She jammed a nithy, rancid
rag into my mouth, her voice a
venomous whisper against my
ear.
“Lucas is handling something
important right now, Isolde.”
Her breath was hot and foul as
she hissed, “You’ve got some damn nerve showing up here
begging for money. No shame at
all, huh?”
“If you screw this up for him, I swear–you’ll regret it.”
Lucas held the proposal out
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didn’t even glance at it.
His voice came sharp and
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irritated. “Not today. Another
time. I’m not in the mood for
business.”
Lucas froze, stunned into
silence.
Aidan’s mood darkened further.
Frustration poured off him in
waves, though he forced a tight, brittle smile.
Still, he didn’t spare Lucas an- other look–his eyes were locked on his phone
nh
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on his phone.
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Then his voice snapped through
the room, barking at his assist-
ant. “Why haven’t you found
Isolde yet? What the hell is
going on?”
The assistant was sweating
bullets, stammering, “I’ve called
over ten times, sir… her phone’s
off.”
Aidan’s temper finally cracked. “Then track the damn signal! This is insane. She’s always late, and now her phone’s off?”
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Beneath the sharpness in his
voice was something else-
something faint but telling. A sliver of vulnerability, nearly hidden beneath the rage.
At the mention of my name, Lucas’s face changed instantly. His eyes sparked with urgency
as he stepped forward, prac- tically tripping over his own words.
“Alpha King, are you looking for Isolde?”
Aidan turned to him, cold and
