Third Person’s POV


    At the doors of the Thorne Conglomerate’s council chamber, Kinsman raised a hand.


    +8 Pearls


    “Alpha Caelum, Lady Aurora–please remain outside for the moment. The Vice–Chair and Lord Abel are currently inside with Alpha Ss, discussing the terms of the Mooncrest venture. You’ll be summoned once your names are called.”


    “What?” Aurora’s eyes widened, her voice edged with disbelief. “We’re to wait?”


    “Of course.” Kinsman’s tone carried the easy arrogance of one who enjoyed his little measure of power. His eyes flicked over Caelum with thinly veiled disdain.


    The rumors had spread fast in the Capital: at the failed Mooncrest summit, Caelum had submitted a proposal that bore the handwriting of his former mate, Freya Thorne. Even the patents listed were hers. A Silverfang Alpha reduced to leaning on al discarded mate’s brilliance. What sort of Alpha did that? Fortune’s chosen, or simply lucky?


    A flush crept up Caelum’s neck, the sting of the younger wolf’s contempt biting deep. He was not ustomed to such treatment. Since SilverTech Forgeworks had risen from nothing to a listed enterprise within three years, Caelum’s presence hadmanded respect wherever he went. In boardrooms of the old dynasties, he was received with deference, never told to wait outside like a supplicant pup.


    But now, standing in the gleaming marble hall of the Thornes, the sting of humiliation dragged him back to the early days- when he was nothing but an ambitious wolf with tattered schematics in his hands, waiting endlessly for some elder to nce his way.


    His hand tightened on the dossier he carried. He had poured over <i>it</i>, rewritten it line by line. With Aurora’s support, this was his chance to secure the Mooncrest project. He could not afford to falter.


    Minutes bled into what felt like hours before Kinsman returned. “Very well. You may enter now.”


    Caelum rose with Aurora and stepped into the chamber.


    The air inside was heavy with power. Around the table sat the high council of the Thornes, At the head was Abel Thorne, current President of the conglomerate, nked by senior wolves. Beside them, seated with cool poise, was Freya. And next to her<b>, </b>Alpha Ss–iron–eyed,manding, unmistakably dominant.


    As Caelum and Aurora moved toward the table, Ss’s voice cut the air like a de.


    “I was under the impression this meeting excluded non–essential personnel. This Aurora–she holds no seat on the Mooncrest board, does she?”


    Aurora froze, her breath catching. She straightened, forcing her voice steady. My mother is Stormveil–born. That makes me of Thorne blood, at least in part.”


    Ss’s gaze was cold. “And what role do you y in Mooncrest’s development?”


    Aurora faltered. Silence answered for her.


    One of the stewards moved forward immediately, bowing slightly. “Lady Aurora, please wait outside.”


    Color drained from Aurora’s face, then red back in a wave of indignation. “If I must leave, then so should Freya. She holds no official office in the Conglomerate. Why should she remain while I am cast out?”


    Jocelyn’s lips curved into a sharp smile. “She’s right. If Aurora is not permitted, then why is Freya? My cousin holds no title in this house either.”


    The chamber, quieted. Every eye shifted toward Freya.


    Lennon Thorne, Jocelyn’s father, cleared his throat, his voice edged with difort. “Freya, perhaps it’s best if you step outside.”


    Freya’s brow furrowed. Her presence here was not her own wish; she was here to guard Ss, to ensure his safety in the storm of politics. Yet she said nothing, allowing the tide to swell.


    Aurora’s eyes glinted with satisfaction. If she could not remain, then Freya would also be banished.


    P Pearls


    But before the stewards could usher her away, Ss Whitmor spoke, his voice calm but cutting through the chamber like thunder.


    “The Irond Coalition’s cooperation with the Thornes rests solely on Freya Thorne’s judgment. If she leaves this room, then the Coalition leaves as well. There will be no Mooncrest pact.”


    The words dropped like stones into still water.


    “What?!” A ripple of shock tore through the table.


    Such a vital contract–its final seal resting in the hands of a woman once severed from her mate under the Lunar Laws? Impossible. Unthinkable. And yet Ss’s expression bore no trace of jest.


    Even Freya herself stiffened in surprise<b>. </b>But Ss’s posture was unyielding, the authority of an Alpha who made no idle, derations.


    Abel Thorne finally broke the stunned silence. “Then it is settled. Aurora will wait outside. The meeting continues.”


    Aurora’s face burned crimson, shame and fury warring in her veins. Under so many watching eyes, she had no choice but to bow stiffly and withdraw.


    The door shut behind her.


    Inside, Abel inclined his head toward Caelum. “Alpha Grafton, proceed.”


    Caelum rose, clutching the dossier. Once, he had been the one sitting at the high table,manding the respect of a hall. Freya had once been the one seated lower, struggling for acknowledgment. But now their roles had reversed.


    Freya sat in a ce of power, her calm gaze level with Ss’s. And Caelum–Alpha of Silverfang, once her mate–stood below, reduced to petitioning.


    He began to speak, his voice betraying cracks. Words he had rehearsed countless times now tangled in his throat. He stumbled, stammered, forced the points out one by one.


    “At its core, SilverTech proposes… if the Conglomerate epts partnership, then regarding the interference–resistant systems, we will secure leading experts to ensure the most advanced upgrades. Furthermore, SilverTech will make concessions. We are willing to increase our offering–an additional five percent reduction in profit sharespared to the original terms.”


    The chamber stirred. Five percent was no small figure. In a project of this scale, it represented millions in value.


    For the first time, several Thorne executives leaned forward, their interest piqued despite their earlier skepticism.


    Though Caelum’s earlier presentation faltered, numbers had their own voice, and this concession carried weight.


    The silence stretched after his words, broken only by the scratching of pens as aides recorded the offer.


    Yet Caelum felt no relief. His eyes, against his will, slid to Freya. She sat silent beside Ss, her expression unreadable.


    Once, she had looked to him as though he were the moon itself. Now, she looked through him–cold, unshaken, belonging to another Alpha’s orbit.


    And in that moment, the weight of his position crushed him harder than any financial loss could.


    Send Gifts


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