<h4>Chapter 48: The Fourteen Alphas</h4>


    In the council meeting room of the Raynor Estate, Fiona Elizabeth Raynor sat gracefully on the central seat at the long, dark and exquisite table. Her presence wasmanding, her eyes cold yet calcting. On her right sat Eleanor, poised and attentive. Among the n council members, she was the youngest to participate in this meeting.


    The Raynor n had strict requirements for joining the council. To qualify, one must be an Alpha and must havepleted their education in the human world. As the Ambassador n of the Werewolves, human education is a must for all n members. Following that, they were required either to establish and run a sessful business for at least one year or contribute to human society through a reputable field for five years. Only then would the council consider them for membership.


    Council members held the power to influence and create rules that guided the entire n. While the n Head held emergency decision-making authority, any decree issued in such a situation had to be confirmed in a formal council session within thirty days.


    Eleanor hadpleted her education while she was a human, and after sessfully managing her ownpany in the United States for over a year, she had earned her ce at the table. Because she awakened the direct bloodline descendant of the Elizabeth line, Fiona had personally appointed her to sit beside her... marking her as the future heir.


    Next to Eleanor was seated Dr. Adrian Raynor, Professor at the University of Manchester. He was technically Eleanor’s adopted father in the n.


    The rest of the seats were currently empty. The three of them sat in calm anticipation, the room silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the magnificent clock above the entrance. When the hour struck six, Fiona initiated a secure line to invite all members of the council.


    One by one, eleven glowing projections shimmered into being on the previously vacant chairs. All fourteen Alphas of the Raynor n were now present... eleven in person or through projection, three physically.


    To Adrian’s right appeared the projection of Fiona’s younger sister, Psychiatrist Dr. Evelyn Raynor, a highly regarded professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience of King’s College London.


    Next was Yara Raynor, Fiona’s cousin who spearheaded the n’s automobile empire from Japan, a brilliant strategist and engineer.


    Then came Ulysses Raynor, another cousin residing in South Africa, the head of the n’s African mining operations.


    Next was Fiona’s nephew, Quentin Raynor, the owner of one of the world’srgest shipbuildingpanies based in South Korea.


    Last on that side was Fiona’s youngest son, Architect Dr. Tristan Raynor, a Harvard professor and founder of Stone & Spire, a global architectural design firm that had reshaped the skylines of over thirty nations.


    To Fiona’s left, the first to appear was Police Commissioner Xavier Raynor, the eldest son of herte brother and a respectedw enforcer known for his iron resolve.


    Seated next was Madeleine Raynor, Fiona’s elegant sister who oversaw the n’s sprawling casino empire from Las Vegas.


    Following her was Talia Raynor, Fiona’s morous niece and a globally acimed Hollywood actress. Her influence extended into several high-grossing productionpanies.


    Then came Philip Raynor, Fiona’s cousin from Germany, whosepany manufactured state-of-the-art industrial machinery and robotics.


    Beside him sat Chelsea Raynor, who controlled the majority shares in international money printing and mintingpanies that served the central banks almost all over the world.


    Last on the left was Isaac Raynor, a charismatic oil magnate based in Dubai. Hiswork extended throughout the Middle East and North Africa.


    When all thirteen pairs of eyes finally turned toward Fiona, silence reigned. Then, Fiona spoke.


    "Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for attending this emergency meeting on such short notice."


    Her voice was calm, but carried an unmistakable authority.


    "As you’re already aware, the United States has begun imposing new trade restrictions on products from China and Russia. This is not a fleeting political move... it appears to be part of arger, long-term economic strategy. There are growing concerns that these restrictions will soon extend to allied nations of these two giants. In short, the global businessndscape is shifting."


    She paused and allowed the weight of her words to sink in before continuing.


    "As a family aligned with NATO and the Commonwealth, this shift could be both an opportunity and a threat. But we must act now to ensure that we remain on the winning side of this transformation."


    Fiona’s gaze swept the table, lingering on each face.


    "My greatest concern at the moment is the Leroux n. You all know they have poured immense investments into Chinese enterprises. With these new sanctions, their profits from the U.S. market are rapidly shrinking. But they’ve already begun adapting."


    She activated a holographic image above the table... a map of the West Minds County.


    "A few days ago, the Chen Group... China’s main distributor of Leroux-manufactured goods in the Kingdom, applied to establish a local factory here at Coventry. Theirrgest investors? Chinesepanies connected to the Leroux n."


    Gasps and murmurs rippled across the room.


    "They n to shift production locally to avoid tariffs, using existing trade agreements to sell back into the U.S. and EU markets. Their costs will rise, but the potential profits from bypassing import restrictions will more than make up for it."


    Fiona changed the disy to highlight key African nations.


    "I’ve also received reports that Leroux is preparing to relocate some of their manufacturing bases to Africa, especially in AGOA-eligible countries. These regions allow duty-free ess to U.S. markets. It’s a cunning move, and if we don’t counter it swiftly, we’ll lose ground in several sectors... machinery, steel, automobiles, even firearms."


    She folded her hands.


    "We need a strategy. Now. Opinions?"


    Philip Raynor was the first to speak. "This move poses a serious threat to our machinery exports. Currently, Chinese products entering the U.S. and EU are heavily taxed. If they start exporting through Africa, that tax shield disappears. Our advantage will be gone."


    Fiona nodded. "Suggestions?"


    "I propose we begin groundwork for a new factory in West Africa. Many of those countries have both EU EPAs and AGOA status. We can manufacture simplified equipment locally to reduce shipping and production costs, and funnel advanced parts from our German base. But I’ll need time for proper feasibility studies."


    "Understood," Fiona said. "Get started. Even a rough n is better than none."


    Quentin raised his hand next. "Actually, I’ve already been working on something. I nned to open a naval shipyard in South Africa. I’ve been coordinating with Uncle Ulysses for months."


    Ulysses nodded. "I’ve securednd near Simon’s Town Naval Base. The South African government is eager, but they’re asking for preferential treatment... exclusive rights to buy the first line of warships and assurances that we won’t sell to hostile nations. Negotiations were slow, but if time is critical, I can elerate the process."


    "Do that," Fiona instructed. "But be cautious. Leroux won’t likely choose South Africa... it’s too well-guarded. They’ll look for other strategic ports. Kenya, Tanzania, or even West African nations."


    The room quieted as each member absorbed the information. Then, breaking the silence, Eleanor spoke.


    "Well... I’ve actually been working to destroy the Chen Group for the past few days."


    All heads turned toward her.


    There was a moment of stunned silence, and then multiple voices ovepped in disbelief.


    "You did what?"