“I love you, Summer Blackwood,” I murmured against her hair, using the name she’d soon carry officially. “More than I have words to express.”
She snuggled closer, pressing a kiss to my chest right over my heart. “And I love you, Alexander. Thank you for showing me I could find happiness again.”
We drifted to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms, the possibility of new life already a hopeful whisper between us.
Two weeks passed with no significant movement from Silver Creek Pack. On the surface, everything seemed quiet–too quiet for my liking. I sat in my office reviewing the latest security reports when Ethan knocked on my door.
“Come in,” I called, setting aside the financial documents I’d been examining..
My Beta entered, his expression serious but not alarmed. “I’ve got the weekly surveillance update on Silver Creek.”
“What have you found?” I asked, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Ethan placed a folder on my desk and sat down. “There’s been a notable exodus from the pack. At least thirty members have left in the past week alone–mostly younger wolves and families with small children.”
This confirmed what Melissa had told us about declining conditions within Foster’s territory. “Are they seeking asylum elsewhere?”
“Most are dispersing to smaller packs throughout the region. None have approached our borders directly,
“1
Ethan reported. “But that’s not all. Foster has been liquidating assets–mostly smaller holdings and peripheral businesses.”
I frowned, leaning forward to examine the financial records Ethan had compiled. “But the core enterprises remain untouched. The tech company, the energy holdings, the downtown real estate–all still firmly in Silver Creek hands.”
“Exactly,” Ethan agreed. “It doesn’t make sense. If he were truly preparing to abandon the territory or facing financial collapse, those would be the first assets he’d protect or transfer.”
My instincts as both businessman and Alpha told me something was deeply wrong with this picture. Foster was methodical in his cruelty–he wouldn’t simply allow his pack to disintegrate without purpose.
“And Natalia Thompson?” I asked, thinking of the vindictive she–wolf who had once thought herself destined to be my Luna.
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Chapter 136
+15 BONUS
“Still making regular visits to Silver Creek territory,” Ethan confirmed. “But she’s being extremely careful -using different vehicles, meeting at various locations. Our scouts have also identified two European wolves in her entourage.”
“European?” This was a new development. “Any identification?”
“Nothing concrete yet, but based on their accents and behavior patterns, we believe they might be connected to one of the Eastern European packs.” Ethan hesitated. “There are rumors that Blackspire Pack has been looking to expand their influence across the Atlantic.”
I felt my wolf bristle at the mention of Blackspire Pack. Their Alpha, Lucien Cross, had a reputation for ruthless expansion and disregard for traditional pack boundaries. If he was forming an alliance with Foster and Natalia…
“Double the surveillance on Silver Creek’s borders,” I ordered. “And I want complete profiles on these
European wolves by the end of the week.”
“Already in progress,” Ethan assured me.
“And keep a closer eye on Natalia’s movements. If she’s serving as liaison between Alpha Foster and Blackspire, we need to know exactly what they’re planning.”
Ethan nodded, making notes on his tablet. “What about the Council? Should we alert them to potential foreign interference?”
I considered this carefully. The North American Council of Alphas took territorial violations seriously, but without concrete evidence of wrongdoing, bringing accusations against Foster could backfire politically.
“Not yet,” I decided. “We gather more evidence first. The Council won’t act without proof, and Foster still has allies there who would dismiss our concerns as a territorial grab.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly, but he gave a sharp nod.
“Keep me updated on any developments,” I said. “If Alpha Foster is planning something with international allies, we need to be three steps ahead.”
“Of course, Alpha,” Ethan replied with a respectful incline of his head.
He turned and was halfway to the door when I called out,
“Before you go–has everything been arranged for tonight?”
Chapter 137
Alexander’s POV
