The Howling Auction was everything Kael had imagined and more.
Banners of silver and black stretched across every pavilion. The scent of exotic herbs, polished steel, and expensive wine hung thick in the air. Alphas from every corner of the realm moved through the crowded streets like kings surveying their kingdoms.
Kael walked through the main thoroughfare with his head held high, his Gamma, Aldric, following a step behind.
This was where power was forged. Where alliances were made and broken. Where a pack’s future could be decided in a single bid.
And Kael intended to win.
"Alpha." Aldric’s voice came from behind him. "The Supreme Alpha’s pavilion is at the eastern end of the noble quarter. I’ve already arranged for you to have a private viewing of the Red Wolf Sword before the main auction begins."
Kael nodded, satisfied to his core. He’d made sure he was right next to the Supreme Alpha, not leaving his sights for even a second.
He had been waiting for this moment for years. The Red Wolf Sword was legendary—forged from the fang of the first Alpha, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. Any Alpha who wielded it commanded instant respect.
More importantly, it would force Lucien to acknowledge him.
Kael had spent years lobbying the Supreme Alpha, attending every gathering, funding every venture, playing every political game required. Yet Lucien still treated him like a lesser Alpha begging for scraps.
This sword would change everything. He could feel it.
Just then, a messenger hurried toward Aldric and leaned close, whispering urgently into the Gamma’s ear.
Kael noticed the change immediately—the way Aldric’s expression stiffened and his brows drew together.
Whatever he had just heard... it wasn’t good.
"Aldric?" he called, and the Gamma hesitated, then dismissed the messenger with a nod before walking toward Kael.
"...Alpha, I have news."
Kael hummed, looking around the place before motioning for them to go into the pavilion set for him.
As soon as they entered, Kael turned to him. "Speak."
Aldric lowered his voice. "We have just received an urgent report from Silver Creek."
Kael’s stomach tightened instinctively. His first thought was Sophia.
"Is Luna Sophia worse?" he asked.
"No."
"Lily?"
"No, Alpha." The Gamma replied, and Kael let out a quiet breath.
"Then speak."
Aldric reached inside his coat and produced a sealed parchment.
"It concerns the Silver Creek Trading Guild concern."
Kael’s expression remained calm as he accepted the document.
The trading guild was Silver Creek’s greatest commercial success. It supplied armour, steel, medicinal herbs, preserved provisions, wagons—nearly every essential resource flowing into the pack.
It was the backbone of the Silver Creek economy. Kael snatched the papers and broke the seal, his eyes scanning the contents carefully.
His eyes swept over the first few lines, then stopped altogether.
His entire body went still.
"...What?"
Aldric remained silent as Kael looked down again, rereading the same sentence.
Then a third time.
His fingers slowly tightened around the parchment until it crumpled slightly in his grasp.
"What the hell does this mean?" he barked angrily.
"Alpha—" Aldric stepped forward but was cut off by Kael.
"What do you mean the second largest shareholder of Silver Creek has issued a formal notice of withdrawal?"
Kael’s voice rose with each word, his composure cracking like thin ice.
"Alpha, the notice was filed this morning through the council outside the realm. The shareholder’s representative insists the withdrawal is non-negotiable."
"Non-negotiable?" Kael laughed, but there was no humor in it. "They can’t just withdraw. There are contracts. Terms. Obligations."
"The contracts allow for withdrawal with thirty days’ notice. The shareholder has agreed to that timeline. But they’ve made it clear they intend to divest entirely."
Kael stared at him, the words refusing to settle. "How much?"
Aldric hesitated. "Thirty-eight percent of the guild’s total holdings."
The number hit like a physical blow.
Thirty-eight percent. Nearly half of the trading concern that kept Silver Creek alive. Without that investment, the guild would buckle. Suppliers would demand upfront payment. Contracts would be voided. The warriors would go without arms, without medicine, without food.
And the First Houses would never accept a pack in financial ruin.
Kael turned away, walking toward the pavilion’s balcony. He gripped the railing, his knuckles white. Was he cursed? This had to be a curse—he was sure of it.
There was no way he was coming out of one problem just to enter another.
"How long?" he asked finally.
"Seven days, Alpha. Unless the shareholder can be convinced to remain," Aldric replied.
Seven days. The auction would be over in three. He could win the Red Wolf Sword, secure Lucien’s favor, and then... convince this mysterious shareholder to stay.
"Who is it?" he demanded, turning back. "Who owns the shares?"
"A certain Lord Eugene Ravenscott."
Kael frowned. "Lord Eugene Ravenscott?"
The name meant nothing to him.
"I’ve never heard of him."
"You haven’t, Alpha," Aldric admitted. "Very little is known about him. The shares have been registered under his name for four years, but he has never once attended a council meeting personally."
"Never?"
Aldric shook his head. "He’s always sent representatives in his place. Payments were punctual. Dividends were never disputed. Since there was never any cause for concern, no one questioned it."
Kael’s brows knitted together.
Four years... his mind raced back. That was shortly after he had succeeded Alpha Gideon.
Shortly after Silver Creek’s economy had begun its miraculous recovery.
He had always assumed the guild had simply flourished under his leadership. He had never paid much attention to the investors behind it.
Now one of them was threatening to pull nearly half its foundation away.
"How was someone allowed to purchase thirty-eight percent of Silver Creek’s largest trading concern without my approval?"
Aldric lowered his head. "The purchase was made legally when the guild was still seeking investors, Alpha. At the time, the concern was nearly bankrupt. Few were willing to risk their coin."
Kael clicked his tongue in irritation.
He vaguely remembered the reports. Back then, the guild had been little more than another failing venture drowning alongside the rest of the pack.
Who would have thought it would one day become the backbone of Silver Creek?
"Find him," he ordered. "I don’t care where he is. I want everything—his estates, his businesses, his allies. Who introduced him, who speaks for him. I want every scrap of information before this auction ends."
Aldric bowed immediately. "Yes, Alpha."
Kael exhaled slowly before forcing himself to loosen his grip on the railing.
No. Panicking would solve nothing. This was merely another negotiation. People invested for profit, and people stayed for profit.
If Lord Eugene Ravenscott wanted more money... Kael would offer it.
If he wanted influence... he would negotiate.
No sensible businessman would willingly abandon a trading concern this profitable.
"One more thing," Kael said, and Aldric looked up.
"Arrange a meeting."
"With Lord Ravenscott?" the Gamma asked.
"Yes. The earliest possible opportunity."
Aldric hesitated. "The representative was very clear, Alpha. They want the shares liquidated immediately."
"Then fucking buy me time!" he snarled at the Gamma, who lowered his head. "I don’t care what you do! Just arrange a meeting with the Lord." His chest heaved heavily. "In three days’ time. Arrange the meeting then."
Kael’s jaw tightened until it ached. Three days was still enough time. He could win the sword, secure Lucien’s favor, and then convince this anonymous investor to stay.
He had done more difficult things. He had rebuilt Silver Creek from the ground up. He had endured Evelyn’s hysterics and Tristan’s betrayal.
This was just one more obstacle. He could handle it.
"In three days the meeting will hold, but inform the representative that I expect the shareholder to be present. I won’t negotiate with a proxy."
Aldric nodded. "I’ll relay the message."
Kael dismissed him with a wave, turning back toward the balcony. He stared at the crowd below, searching for something he couldn’t name.
He had everything he needed. The auction was his opportunity. The sword was his destiny. He would not let some faceless shareholder ruin everything he had built.
His grip on the railing tightened.
"Whatever it takes," he murmured. "I’ll make them stay."