+8 Pearls


    Third Person’s POV


    The Mooncrest development was no small affair. Though the project itself bore the sigil of Ashbourne’s government, its execution fell upon the Thornes and the Whitmors. The Thornes carried the infrastructure and local authority; the Whitmors carried the true weight of military influence and the Irond Coalition’s reach. Without the Coalition, Stormveil could never haveid im to a project of such magnitude.


    So when the discussion turned to the matter of aerial defense and unmanned craft, Abel Thorne’s voice rumbled low. “If Stormveil desires, this portion of the contract could indeed be ceded to SilverTech Forgeworks.”


    Jocelyn Thorne was the first to speak, lips curved in an eager smile. “I think we should. SilverTech has shown sincerity.”


    Her father, Lennon Thorne, echoed swiftly. “I agree.”


    Others among the Thorne council followed, their assent rising like the tide.


    Abel’s gaze


    shifted across the table, settling on Ss Whitmor. “And what does Alpha Whitmor think?”


    Every wolf present knew the truth–though the Thornes bore their name upon the project, it was the Whitmor banner that allowed them to stand in such a ce of prominence. Without the Coalition’s backing, the Thornes‘ grip on the ind would be fragile at best.


    Ss did not answer immediately. His eyes, sharp as steel, turned instead toward Freya Thorne. “What say you?”


    The chamber hushed.


    Freya did not flinch beneath the weight of his gaze. Her voice was steady, her eyes clear. “I do not approve of cing the drone contracts in SilverTech’s hands.”


    Caelum’s head snapped up, shock and fury ring in his eyes.


    Jocelyn seized upon the opening like a wolf scenting blood. “Freya—surely this is nothing more than spite? Because Alpha


    Caelum severed the Lunar Bond with you, and because he has since turned his gaze upon Aurora? Are you so petty you would sabotage him at the cost of the Pack’s future?”


    A few murmurs rippled along the table.


    Lennon Thorne’s palm struck the table. “Enough games, Freya! You may despise Caelum as a former mate, but that is personal. Here we speak of Stormveil’s future. Put away your grievances!”


    Freya’s eyes sharpened. “So, to support SilverTech is ‘professional, but to oppose them is personal spite? Interesting logic, Alpha Lennon. So simple a division of public and private duty. To an outsider, it would almost seem SilverTech’s Alpha has purchased loyalty in coin rather than honor.”


    The words struck like a w to the throat. Both Lennon and Jocelyn stiffened, their expressions flickering with outrage and something else–guilt.


    “Freya, how dare you nder <b>us</b>?” Jocelyn’s voice was sharp, but it quavered at the edges.


    “You protest too quickly, cousin. One might almost believe I struck truth.” Freya’s tone carried the weight of a predator’s


    sneer<b>. </b>


    Jocelyn’s eyes flickered, the mask slipping. In truth, Aurora had whispered promises to her: should she deliver SilverTech into the Thorne’s contract, a share of profits would find its way to her pocket. That promise now burned like a brand of shame beneath Freya’s gaze.


    Caelum rose, his voice tight. “Freya, no matter how bitter you are over our broken bond, you have no right to drag mypany into your vendetta. SilverTech is not merely me. It is hundreds of wolves who follow mymand, whobor under my banner. They do not deserve to be condemned for your grudge. If your former colleagues hear this nder, what do you think they will believe?”


    Before Freya could speak, Ss’s voice cut across the chamber, smooth and merciless. “They will believe their Alpha is weak They will believe apany once strong is now rotting from the inside. They will believe their livelihoods are bound to a sinking vessel.”


    112


    11:33 AM <b>P </b>


    The silence that followed was knife–sharp.


    +8 Pearls


    Caelum’s face nched, then flushed red with rage. “Lord Whitmor–you may be Alpha of the Coalition, but even you cannot speak so basely!”


    Ss leaned back, the faint curl of amusement on his lips carrying more danger than any snarl. “Basely? I spoke only what is seen. Truth is no insult.”


    “I built SilverTech in three years and brought it to listing!” Caelum growled. “Do you call that weakness<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “Three years, yes,” Ss replied, his tone iron–d and cold. “But was it your strength–or the brilliance you stole from another?”


    Caelum’s retort died in his throat.


    Freya rose then, her voice cutting through the chamber like a drawn de. “SilverTech cannot guarantee thepletion of interference–resistant upgrades. The only way they could attempt it would be by drawing on fresh investment–Stormveil’s coffers, not their own. If their upgrades fail, the Thornes shoulder the loss. Lost time, lost resources, dyed schedules. Tell me, is that risk eptable?”


    三


    Her gaze swept the table, then returned to Abel. “And there is more. Word runs through the Capital that SilverTech’s lifeblood is failing. Their cashflow teeters. Before this council votes, should you not verify if SilverTech is already bleeding out?”


    Gasps rippled through the chamber. Abel Thorne leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Freya, is this rumor or truth?”


    “Send an audit,” she answered evenly. “You will see for yourselves.”


    Caelum mmed a fist on the table, hisposure snapping. “You cannot stand there and cken my Pack’s name with lies! Freya, whatever hatred you bear, you cannot invent such things!”


    Freya’s eyes glinted cold as moonlight. “If your coffers are full, then answer me this, Caelum. Why is it that when the Lunar Severance was finalized, all you could return was my parents‘ death stipend? A mere one hundred 1.53 million sovereigns- blood money from the Hall of Martyrs–while you kept every property mortgaged and every ount empty? Where were your riches then?”


    The chamber froze.


    Every Thorne present knew of the severance. Few had known the details. To hear that Freya, daughter of Arthur and Myra- fallen wolves of the Iron Fang Recon Unit–had been repaid not with wealth but with the very bloodpensation of her parents‘ sacrifice… the air itself seemed to grow heavy.


    Faces turned toward Caelum, shock and disdain in in every eye.


    The truth


    His cheeks burned crimson. He opened his mouth<b>, </b>but no words came. The truth sat heavy in the room, a wound reopened before every elder and kin.


    his


    SilverTech, once hailed as a miracle, now stood revealed as a hollow edifice. And the Alpha who had built it–his strength, his honor, his im–shaken beneath the gaze of his former mate.