Chapter 11

“What do you mean you’re withdrawing?” Alpha Ryan’s voice rose sharply as he stood from his seat, the phone clenched tightly in his hand. “We’ve already channeled a significant amount of resources into this project. You can’t just back out halfway and expect us to cover everything.”On the other end, Carl let out a soft chuckle, completely unbothered. “Your understanding seems… selective, Alpha Ryan. The Lycan Kingdom never signed a contract with you.”

Ryan’s jaw tightened. “It has always been a yearly donation,” Carl continued smoothly. “How that turned into a ‘binding agreement’ on your end is quite… interesting.” Ryan’s expression darkened.

“Furthermore,” Carl added, his tone sharpening slightly, “our investigations suggest that you’ve been making moves to transfer portions of the land into your personal name.”

“So tell me,” Carl went on calmly, “who exactly is breaching trust here?”

Ryan said nothing, but his grip on the phone tightened. “The Crimson Moon Pack is one of the richest and most formidable packs in the werewolf world,” Carl continued. “Covering this amount should not be a problem for you. His Majesty has simply decided to redirect support to smaller packs that actually require assistance.”

Ryan’s voice dropped, colder now. “You’re treating us like this… after everything?”

“Is that a complaint,” Carl asked lightly, “or a threat?”

“We’re talking about professionalism—”

“No,” Carl cut in smoothly. “We’re not. I called to inform you, not to debate with you. And unless you believe your pack is capable of challenging the Lycan Kingdom,” he added, his tone turning dangerously calm, “I suggest you accept the decision.”

The line went dead. Ryan lowered the phone slowly, his expression unreadable before he let out a quiet curse under his breath. He was not a foolish man—he understood exactly what this meant.

The Lycan King was displeased with him and plans on boycotting him in the future, and others will follow, but what did he do that will anger the Lycan King? Surely something as minor as land dealings wouldn’t provoke such a reaction.

He pushed the thought aside for now and headed toward the dining hall.

Breakfast had already been served.

Lyka sat elegantly beside Luna Daria, both already eating, and engaging in conversations.

Ryan took his seat but didn’t touch his food immediately.

“Where is the head guard?” he asked.

As if summoned, the man stepped forward and bowed. “Alpha.”

Ryan’s gaze hardened. “Report.”

The guard hesitated briefly before lowering his head further. “We found pieces of clothing near the border… they match what Lady Lyra was wearing during the ceremony. It appears they were torn during transformation.”

Ryan’s hand stilled on the table, he set his cutlery down.

“So,” he said quietly, his voice far more dangerous than before, “you’re telling me… my daughter is still missing.” The guard stiffened. “We...we are doing everything we can, Alpha.” Before Ryan could respond, Lyka let out a small scoff.

“There’s no need to stress over that little bitch,” she said lightly. “If she doesn’t want to be found, then maybe we should just let her go. Searching for her is a waste of—”

“Enough!”

Alpha Ryan’s voice cut through sharply.

Lyka froze.

“She is your sister,” Alpha Ryan said, her tone firm, his eyes cold. “No matter what she has done, she is still family. You will not speak about her that way in my presence again.”

Lyka’s expression tightened, but she forced herself to remain silent.

“Dear, you should calm down,” Luna Daria muttered, A cough escaped him as he leaned back slightly, tension still evident in his posture.

After a moment, he spoke again, his tone more controlled. “Lyka,” he said, looking at her directly, “you and Aiden will go to the Lycan Kingdom.”

Lyka blinked. “What for?”

“You will request a meeting with His Majesty,” Ryan continued. “We need to re-establish cooperation with the Lycan Kingdom.”