Third Person’s POV
+10 Free Coins
Ulrik’s past betrayal had left the Doyle family devastated, but the fact that he was now volunteering info on Velda’s escape n proved he hadn’tpletely lost his mind.
“Let’s put the old grudges on ice for a second,” Klein said, rapping his knuckles on the desk. “Lance, in tomorrow’s session, you need to find out exactly who’s in bed with Germain.”
A sharp, dangerous glint shed in his eyes.
“We don’t know Germain’s full hand yet, so we have to y dirty to break this stalemate. Prune, this is on you.”
Prune blinked, looking over at Lance with some hesitation.
“Hey, I’m used to ck–market deals and back–alley tactics. Are you sure that’s appropriate for a high–level peace summit?”
Before Lance could even open his mouth, Klein cut in with a cold sne
“Who cares? The Westerners threw the first punch when they went after Adide. We’re just hitting back. If they’re bold enough to run secret ops on our turf, we’re going to get that evidence by any means necessary.”
Lance nodded.
Hard evidence would be the ultimate leverage. Any n to sabotage the talks or mess with Alpha Zander needed to be shut down immediately.
After a grueling day, Lance grabbed a quick bite of grilled venison and rye bread before filling everyone on how the day went.
Adide sat right by his side, hanging on every word.
“Does Lycan Erasmus know what the Westerners are asking for yet?” Caldwell asked. “What’s his take?” “Elias briefed him,” Lance said. “Lycan Erasmus is holding the line: we are not retreating from the border. Everything else is negotiable–we can talk more money or other resources, but thend stays ours.”
Klein leaned back, thinking.
in
“If we don’t move the border, it basically forces the Western Tribe to admit that the treaty Velda signed is legit. If that treaty gets tossed, the border reverts to where it was when they invaded us during our internal chaos. That’s a total mess.<b>” </b>
“Exactly,” Lance agreed.
“Velda’s treaty was signed in blood. If we insist it’s valid, we’re basically making her a hero. A soldier who butchered civilians has no business being a national hero.”
O
<b>11:11 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>Apr </b><b>21 </b>.
<b>88 </b>
+10 Free Coins
Klein’s brow furrowed.
“We’ve pulled the original maps and treaties from two centuries ago,” Lance continued..
“I’m hoping to sell them on the ancient borders instead of the one Velda signed. We never formally recognized the territory they snatched a few years back anyway.”
“Good luck with that,” Adide muttered.
Klein shot her a t look. “It’s because it’s a nightmare task that Lycan Erasmus gave it to your Alpha.”
Sensing the aura, Adide wisely shut up.
Caldwell still looked stressed.
“This is gettingplicated. Where’s the opening?”
Klein noticed how wiped Lance looked and cut the meeting short.
“Go to bed. Tomorrow is the big one.”
Adide immediately stood up to help her mate.
“He’s right. Let’s get you upstairs. A hot bath will help you crash.”
“Everyone else, get some sleep too,” Lance said, bowing to Klein before taking Adide’s hand and heading
out.
The second day of talks was a total wash.
Both sides dug their heels in and refused to budge.
Damian was much quieter–Helia had clearly chewed him out the night before.
Instead, Royal Advisor Raymond Baldwin did most of the talking, though he steered clear of mentioning Alpha Zander.
On day three, the stalemate continued. Neither side moved an inch.
By the afternoon, Princess Helia started looking ghostly. She was breaking out in a cold/sweat, and her Lycan aura was all over the ce.
Lance offered to have a Northern healer take a look, but she shot him down, saying it was a chronic thing and she just needed rest.
Because of that, the fourth day of talks was postponed.
Lance agreed and told her to feel better.
Ellen Bradley had been running himself ragged personally overseeing the Westerners‘ security, so Adide offered to take a shift so he could catch some sleep.
<b>11:11 </b>Tue, Apr <b>21 </b>
Paisley came along for the ride.
88
+10 Free Coins
The hotel was locked down. Guards were posted at every exit to keep any shady characters out, but they couldn’t
go
inside.
By internationalw, the delegation’s hotel was basically Western soil. Barging in would start a war.
Thete winter chill was still biting.
The wind whipped down the street and right under people’s cors.
Adide sat in the guard room, where a pot of honey–cinnamon wine was steaming on the fire, keeping the small space toasty.
Noticing Paisley was shivering, Adide pulled her over to the firece.
She poured Paisley a cup. The spicy, sweet steam rose between them, creating a tiny bubble of peace in the middle of all the chaos.
“I’m staying here all night,” Adide said softly. “You don’t have to stay up with me.” <ol><li>1. </li></ol>
蓬鬆
admin
<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.