The auction had become little more than background noise.
Kael barely glanced at the relic currently being displayed—some enchanted shield from the southern kingdoms. The bids rose steadily around him, but he had no interest.
There was only one item worth his attention.
The Red Wolf Sword.
Everything else was a distraction.
His fingers tapped lazily against the armrest as another Alpha claimed the shield amid polite applause.
Beside him, Supreme Alpha Lucien watched the proceedings with the detached indifference of a man accustomed to owning whatever caught his interest.
Kael stole a brief glance toward him.
Today mattered a lot—not just because of the sword, but because of what would happen afterward.
If everything went according to plan, Lucien would witness the meeting himself.
Lord Eugene Ravenscott would see the Supreme Alpha standing at Kael’s side. No investor with an ounce of sense would abandon Silver Creek after that.
The thought settled something inside him.
Perhaps fate had decided to compensate him after all.
"Alpha." Aldric’s voice came quietly from behind.
Kael didn’t look away from the stage. "What is it?" he asked.
"The representative has returned."
That caught his attention. Kael turned to the Gamma. "And?"
A faint smile touched Aldric’s face. "Lord Eugene Ravenscott has arrived."
Kael’s heartbeat quickened. "So soon?"
"He arrived less than half an hour ago," Aldric said.
"And?"
"He has accepted your request. The meeting will take place immediately after the auction concludes."
For the first time that day, Kael smiled.
"Excellent."
Aldric continued. "There are two conditions."
Kael’s brows drew together, confused. "Two? Speak them."
"He wishes to meet here," Aldric replied.
"...Here? In the auction hall." Kael frowned for only a moment before nodding. "So be it."
It actually suited him. There could hardly be a better place. Hundreds of Alphas. The Supreme Alpha himself.
Lord Eugene would finally understand exactly who he was dealing with.
"And the second?" he asked.
"He wishes for his identity to be undisclosed until after the auction."
Kael paused. He didn’t care about the man. "I don’t care what he looks like. He could be a jester for all I care, as long as he signs the deal. I don’t care."
Aldric nodded and stepped back, while Kael returned his attention to the stage, though his mind was elsewhere.
He was already planning the meeting, already imagining Lord Eugene’s face when he realized the Supreme Alpha himself was watching.
The sword would be his. The shares would remain. Silver Creek would rise.
Everything was finally going his way.
The silver-haired auctioneer stepped forward, her smile widening as she addressed the crowd.
"My Lords... the moment you’ve all been waiting for." She paused deliberately, allowing the excitement to settle. "It is now time for today’s final item."
The atmosphere inside the arena changed instantly.
"The Red Wolf Sword."
The obsidian chest was unlocked. Two attendants lifted the lid with reverent care.
And there it was.
Kael’s breath caught in his throat. He had seen paintings, read descriptions, studied every account of the legendary blade. But seeing it in person was something else entirely.
The blade was dark steel that seemed to drink the light around it. A single ruby sat embedded in the hilt. Even resting motionless inside its case, the sword carried presence. The crossguard curved into the shape of a wolf baring its fangs, while the pommel held a single blood-red gemstone that seemed to glow from within.
It felt less like a weapon and more like a living thing.
"My Lords," the auctioneer said reverently, "before you rests the Red Wolf Sword."
"Forged from the fang of the First Alpha. Blessed underneath the Full Blood Moon. For centuries, it has passed only through the hands of wolves destined to shape history. Only three Alphas have been fortunate enough to own this sword, and now, it could be one of yours."
Murmurs rippled through the auction grounds. This was the most anticipated piece of the night. The Red Wolf Sword was finally making its way back.
The auctioneer smiled at the reaction.
"As always, the winner will receive full certification of authenticity, along with every historical record documenting the blade’s lineage."
She placed both hands behind her back.
"We shall begin at eight hundred thousand silver coins."
The words had scarcely left her mouth before—
"Two million."
Kael’s voice rang through the hall without the slightest hesitation.
The entire arena fell silent, and every head turned. Even the auctioneer looked momentarily stunned.
Two million.
Not one million.
Not one point two.
He had skipped past every reasonable increment as though they were beneath him.
Whispers erupted almost instantly.
"Did he just say two million?"
"He doubled the starting bid."
"Has he lost his mind?"
Kael remained perfectly composed, his bidding paddle resting against his knee.
Let them whisper. That was precisely the point. He wasn’t merely buying a sword.
He was showing every Alpha present—including Lucien—that Silver Creek possessed wealth, confidence, and ambition.
Beside him, Lucien remained expressionless.
But Kael caught the faintest shift of the Supreme Alpha’s gaze toward him.
Good, he thought. Notice me.
The auctioneer cleared her throat, recovering her composure. "Two... million silver coins."
She looked around the hall expectantly. "Do I hear a higher offer?"
No one dared speak. Rows upon rows of Alphas exchanged uneasy glances.
No one moved. Two million was an absurd price. Even for the Red Wolf Sword.
Kael allowed himself a small smile. He had them. He knew he had them.
The auctioneer’s smile widened. "Two million silver. Going once—"
Kael glanced toward Lucien, hoping to see approval, but the Supreme Alpha’s expression remained unreadable. Not a flicker of acknowledgment.
Kael’s smile faltered, just slightly.
"—going twice—"
He straightened, waiting for the gavel.
"—going—"
A paddle rose from the back row, right by Evelyn’s side. "Four million."
The voice was calm, as though the speaker had just ordered a drink rather than doubled the highest bid in the auction’s history.
Every head turned to the voice. Alpha Damon of Bloodmoon sat with perfect stillness, a faint smile playing at his lips. He didn’t look at Kael. He didn’t need to.
Kael’s face went pale. Four million. That was impossible. He couldn’t match that.
He shot to his feet. "This is—"
"Sold," the auctioneer declared, her gavel striking the podium. "To Alpha Damon of Bloodmoon."