Chapter 131
Foster’s POV
“Alpha, we need to talk about the Richardson contract.”
I barely restrained myself from growling as Beta Sean entered my office without knocking–a liberty he’d been taking more frequently as Silver Creek’s situation deteriorated.
Once upon a time, such disrespect would have earned him a swift and painful reminder of his place in the hierarchy. Now, I couldn’t afford to alienate one of the few pack members still loyal to me.
“What about it?” I asked, not bothering to look up from the spreadsheets littering my desk–all of them painted in alarming shades of red.
“They’ve pulled out.” Sean’s voice was flat, devoid of the panic such news deserved. “Cited ‘ethical concerns‘ about continuing business with our pack.”
My hand clenched, crumpling the paper I held. “Ethical concerns,” I repeated, the words tasting like ash. Let me guess–they just signed with Blackwood Industries instead?”
Sean’s silence was confirmation enough.
I shoved away from my desk, pacing the length of my office like the caged predator I’d become. Six months ago, Silver Creek Pack had been at the pinnacle of its power–wealthy, respected, feared.
Now, we were bleeding money faster than I could patch the wounds, our reputation in tatters, our allies vanishing one by one.
All because of her. Summer. My ungrateful former Luna who had fled to the arms of my greatest rival, taking with her not just my son–my heir–but apparently my luck as well.
“The pack is growing restless,” Sean said, watching me cautiously. “There are rumors…”
“Speak plainly,” I snapped. “What rumors?”
He hesitated before answering. “Some are saying we were better off when Summer was Luna.
That her charity projects brought positive attention and goodwill that translated into business
opportunities.”
A red haze clouded my vision. “And do you share this opinion?” I asked, my voice dangerously soft.
“Of course not, Alpha,” Sean replied quickly–too quickly. “But morale is low. The younger wolves especially are talking about seeking opportunities in other territories.”
“They’re welcome to try,” I snarled. “Any wolf who abandons Silver Creek will be marked as a traitor. No reputable pack will take them.”
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Chapter 131
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“With respect, Alpha,” Sean persisted, “if we can’t feed our people through the winter, they’ll have little choice.”
I slammed my fist against the wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the plaster. “Do you think I don’t know that?” I roared. “Do you think I’m not working day and night to solve this crisis?”
Sean lowered his gaze submissively. “No, Alpha. We all know how hard you’re working.”
My anger deflated slightly at his show of deference. “The Richardson merger would have saved us,” I muttered, more to myself than to him. “If Alexander hadn’t interfered…”
“There are other opportunities,” Sean suggested. “Other alliances we could pursue.”
I laughed bitterly. “What pack would align with us now? Alexander has made sure we’re seen as pariahs throughout the North American territories.”
The memory of how thoroughly he’d outmaneuvered me still burned.
He hadn’t just taken my Luna–he’d systematically dismantled my support network, and turned my strongest business allies against me. All while appearing completely uninvolved, the bastard.
“Perhaps we need to look beyond traditional pack alliances,” Sean said carefully.
I narrowed my eyes. “Meaning what, exactly?”
Before Sean could answer, a knock at the door interrupted us. “Alpha Foster,” called one of the junior guards. “There’s a visitor at the gate requesting an audience. She says it’s urgent.”
“Who is it?” I demanded, in no mood for unexpected guests.
“Natalia Thompson, sir.”
I felt my lips curl into something between a grimace and a smile. Natalia. The she–wolf had come crawling back, just as I’d predicted she would after our last disastrous collaboration.
“Let her in,” I ordered, straightening my posture and adjusting my shirt. “Escort her directly to my office.”
Sean raised an eyebrow. “Alpha Thompson publicly denounced his daughter recently. Some scandal involving poisoning and embezzlement.”
I waved a dismissive hand. “All the more reason to hear what she has to say. Desperate wolves make
useful allies.”
Ten minutes later, Natalia Thompson was ushered into my office. She looked different from the last time I’d seen her–gone were the designer clothes and haughty demeanor.
She wore simple dark jeans and a sweater, her once–immaculate hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. But the look in her eyes–cold, calculating, vengeful–that hadn’t changed a bit.
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Chapter 131
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I felt a twisted kinship with her in that moment. We’d both been brought low by the same people. Both lost everything that mattered. Both consumed by thoughts of revenge.
“Alpha Foster,” she greeted me with a formal bow that displayed both respect and the elegant curve of her neck. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
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