Xavier’s POV
The crushing disappointment from the false lead weighed heavily on all
of us. The girl we had found in the woods wasn’t Mia. She looked similar,
but her wolf made it clear there was no bond, no connection. We had
been fooled by our own desperation.
I couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my mind-the fleeting hope
that we had finally found her, only to have it ripped away. We returned to
the pack with heavier hearts, the silence between us louder than any
argument we could have had.
“She’s out there somewhere,” Sean murmured as we got back to the
house.
“Is she?” Nathan’s voice was bitter, his face twisted with guilt. “Or did
we lose her for good?”
I didn’t have the energy to answer. Instead, I went straight to my room
and poured myself a drink. The whiskey burned as it slid down my
throat, but it wasn’t enough to dull the ache in my chest. It never was.
For the past three years, this had been my routine-drink, regret, repeat.
I had always prided myself on being the logical one, the steady leader
among my brothers. But losing Mia had unraveled something inside me,
something I couldn’t seem to piece back together.
The next morning, or what I assumed was morning judging by the faint
light filtering through my curtains, I woke up to the buzz of my phone.
My head throbbed from the hangover, and I groaned as I reached for the
device.
The notification was from an unknown number, but the subject line
caught my attention immediately. Invitation: Blood Moon Pack and
Silver Crest Business Proposal.
My eyes widened as I read the message. The Blood Moon pack-the
wealthiest, most powerful werewolf family in the country, if not the
world. They were untouchable, revered as royalty in the werewolf
community. Their businesses spanned continents, and their influence
was unmatched.
I skimmed through the email, my heart racing. They were proposing a
partnership, a business deal that could strengthen not only our pack’s
economy but also its alliances. It was the kind of opportunity I had been
waiting for, a chance to secure our pack’s future.
“Finally, some good news,” I muttered, sitting up and rubbing my
temples.
As much as the idea of working with the Blood Moon pack excited me, it
also made me nervous. They were notoriously ruthless in their dealings,
and any misstep could cost us dearly.
Later that day, I gathered my brothers in the study to share the news.
Rolex leaned against the desk, his arms crossed as he listened.
“They reached out to us?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “They’re interested in a partnership, both in
business and pack alliances. This is huge for us.”
Sean whistled low. “The Blood Moon pack doesn’t just approach anyone.
Why us?”
“Maybe they see potential,” I offered. “Or maybe they know we’ve been
struggling and see an opportunity to expand their influence. Either way,
we can’t afford to pass this up.”
Nathan, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke. “Do you think we
can trust them?”
I hesitated. “Trust isn’t the issue here. This is about securing our pack’s
future. If we go into this carefully, we could come out stronger than
ever.”
Rolex nodded. “When’s the meeting?”
“In two weeks,” I replied. “I’m planning to go with you. Between the two
of us, we can handle the negotiations.”
Sean raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re in the right mindset for
this? You’ve been… off lately.”
“I’m fine,” I snapped, though I knew he wasn’t wrong. I was messed up
since Mia fell from the cliff and the truths were revealed. It felt like I
committed a sin for which I haven’t been punished yet.
“This is important, and I’m not letting anything jeopardize it.”
The day of the meeting finally arrived, and I found myself unusually
optimistic. The deal with the Blood Moon pack was exactly the kind of
breakthrough we needed-not just for the pack’s future but for our
family’s standing. It felt like a chance to reclaim some stability, to focus
on progress instead of guilt and regret.
Rolex and I dressed in our best suits, knowing we were about to meet one
of the most powerful families in the werewolf world. The Blood Moon
pack wasn’t just wealthy-they were untouchable. Their alliances
shaped the balance of power in our world.
“You look tense,” Rolex said as we entered the sleek black car waiting
outside.
“I’m not tense,” I shot back, adjusting my cufflinks. “I’m focused. This
deal could change everything for us.”
Rolex smirked, leaning back in his seat. “Let’s hope we don’t mess it up,
then.”
The drive to their estate felt longer than it should have. My mind raced
with strategies, rehearsing what I’d say and how I’d handle the
negotiations. Rolex, of course, looked as calm as ever, but I knew he felt
the weight of this meeting just as much as I did.
When we arrived, the sheer grandeur of the Blood Moon mansion took
my breath away. The sprawling estate was even more magnificent than
I’d imagined, with towering pillars, intricate carvings, and an air of
authority that was impossible to ignore.
“This is next-level,” Rolex muttered as we stepped out of the car.
A butler greeted us at the grand entrance and led us through a series of
hallways that seemed to stretch on forever. The walls were adorned with
paintings and artifacts, each one a testament to the family’s wealth and
power.
We were finally escorted into a large meeting room, the polished
mahogany table gleaming under the soft glow of chandeliers.
“Welcome,” a voice greeted us from the far end of the room.
I turned, expecting to see one of the alphas or a high-ranking pack
member. Instead, my heart nearly stopped.
Mia.
She stood at the head of the table, her posture regal and composed,
dressed in a fitted black suit that radiated how powerful and strong she
was. Her hair was sleek and glossy, framing her face perfectly. But what
caught my attention most was the way everyone in the room deferred to
her-the way they stood slightly back, as though she were someone to be
respected with high position.
“Mia,” Rolex breathed, his voice filled with shock.