Chapter 64 The Price of the Past


    Kirby’s POV – Crimson Moon Pack Headquarters


    Father returned from Westview.


    25


    Finished


    No roaring. No outbursts. Just a deep, soul–crushing exhaustion that clung to him as he locked himself away in the family chamber.


    A heavy silence nketed the entire Crimson Moon Pack territory.


    I knew then–he had failed.


    The Ancestor’s Fang, the very symbol of our Pack’s legacy, was still in <i>her </i>hands.


    “Alpha Kirby…” Mch, my chief aide, stepped in cautiously. There was hesitation and conflict written across his face.


    “What is it?” My voice was hoarse, thick with defeat.


    “It’s about Miss Leslie…” Mch took a breath, summoning his courage. “There are some things I think you ought to know.”


    He ced an old camera on my


    desk.


    “These are daily records from the past three years–arranged by Miss Leslie, through me. You once told me that these little matters didn’t need to be reported.”


    Frowning, I opened the files.


    The contents were trivial–mundane, even. But they hit like a de to the gut.


    March 7th: Alpha departs for Northern Mountain Range for the winter hunt. Miss Leslie delivered a custom–blended cold–resistance salve, instructing that it be packed with your gear. She noted your old leg injury may re up in extreme cold.


    May 20th: Alpha to attend negotiations with Rock Pack. Miss Leslie provided high–energy snacksced with calming herbs. She said long negotiations often trigger your migraines, and this would help.


    September 3rd: Your birthday. Miss Leslie spent the day preparing food at the estate, but you didn’te back. She had me pack the dishes and deliver them to the guard station the next day. She said they shouldn’t go to waste.


    One by one. Over and over.


    :


    <b>25 </b>


    Chapter 64 The Price of the Past


    Finished


    All those “trivial matters” I told Mch to keep off my radar–every single one pierced through me now like a knife.


    I had always thought her feelings for me were just cold, contractual obligations.


    I never realized that beneath that cold surface… was something humble, silent, and heartbreakingly sincere.


    And I–through arrogance and neglect–had personally tossed that sincerity into the abyss.


    “Alpha…” Mch’s voice came again, slightly trembling now. “Just now… Mr. n from Apex Industries sent a message. He’s requesting a three–party meeting with you and Governor Leslie at their headquarters. It’s about the next phase of the Moon Goddess Relic project.”


    I looked up, bloodshot eyes wide.


    I knew–n was giving me an opportunity.


    Maybe myst one.


    Leslie’s POV – Apex Industries Headquarters


    Inside n’s meeting room, the air was cold as the Northern Wastes.


    Kirby sat across from me, looking more worn out and broken than I had ever seen him.


    “Leslie,” he said quietly, his voice raw, “I’m sorry.”


    I lifted my teacup, gently blew at the tea leaves floating on the surface. I didn’t say a word.


    His apology meant even less to me than the wind howling outside the window.


    “I know,” he went on, struggling to find his words, “there’s nothing I can say that will undo the pain I caused you over the past three years.” He took a deep breath, like it was costing him everything to keep speaking. “But the Ancestor’s Fang… means everything to our Pack. Please— name your price.”


    I set the cup down and finally looked him in the eye,


    “Alright.” I smiled, but it was a smile with no warmth.


    “My price is simple.”


    “Crimson Moon Pack will withdraw from the Moon Goddess Relic project.”


    “What?!” Kirby’s head snapped up, staring at me in disbelief.


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    Chapter 64 The Price of the Past


    25


    Finished


    “I said,” I repeated slowly, each word an icepick to his chest, “your Crimson Moon Pack will give up all rights, all resources, and all future profits rted to this project. Trade your Pack’s future… to reim its past.”


    “Do you


    think that’s a fair deal?”


    He stared at me, pain carved deep into his features.


    The Ancestor’s Fang symbolized Crimson Moon Pack’s history, its former glory.


    But the Moon Goddess Relic project–that was the future. Innovation, alliances, legacy.


    I wanted him to choose.


    I wanted him to feel the burn of being forced to decide what mattered more–what was lost… or what might still be saved.


    “I…” He finally spoke, each word like a stone dragged through gravel. “I can’t.”


    “Good.” I stood, slipped on my coat, and gave him a smile. This time, it reached my eyes.


    “Then we have nothing more to talk about.”


    Send Gifts


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    (


    Burn in the Alpha Princess’s Wrath